Immigration policies are undergoing major shifts globally. Spain is set to retire its Golden Visa program, prompting expatriates and investors to look elsewhere. Meanwhile, New Zealand is overhauling its rules, and the United Arab Emirates is strengthening its offerings. This article explores the significant changes in these regions and what they mean for potential visa applicants.
New Zealand: Streamlining immigration to address labor shortages
In response to labor shortages, New Zealand is overhauling its immigration rules to favor the employment of foreign workers. The government has reduced the required professional experience from three years to two. It has also introduced two new visa categories: a three-year multiple entry visa for experienced expatriates and a seven-month single entry visa for less skilled workers.
Furthermore, the median salary requirement for both the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and the Specific Purpose Work Visa (SPWV) has been eliminated. Employers are now only required to ensure fair compensation for all workers. AEWV holders must earn a minimum of 55,844 New Zealand dollars annually to qualify for family sponsorship.
Additionally, the visa duration for occupations classified at levels 4 and 5 in the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) has been extended from two to three years, allowing affected workers to apply for a one-year work permit extension.
Golden Visa in Spain set to conclude in April 2025
Spain's Golden Visa program is nearing its end. Discussions around the program's closure began in April 2024 and reached a conclusion on January 3, 2025, with the official termination notice published in the Official Journal. The program is scheduled to be fully abolished by April 3, 2025. Since the initial debates in 2024, Spain has issued 780 Golden Visas. As the deadline approaches, a final rush of wealthy foreign investors is expected, likely aiming to purchase property—a popular method for securing the visa—before the program is discontinued.
Romania: Maintaining 100,000 work permits in 2025 amid labor shortage
Romania, facing significant labor shortages, is continuing to allocate 100,000 work permits annually. Currently, there are approximately 311,000 unfilled jobs that, according to government reports, have been declined by local workers. The sectors most impacted by these shortages include healthcare, construction, catering, and postal services. In 2024, Romania nearly met its target, issuing 99,268 permits, with an additional 5,957 permits still pending for the year.
Italy: Biometric data collection now mandatory for long-term visas
Effective January 11, 2025, Italy requires all applicants for long-term Schengen visas to provide their biometric data, including fingerprints. This procedure is conducted at the Italian embassy in the applicant's country of residence. The new requirement applies to Schengen visas issued for work, study, retirement, or family reunification purposes, aligning these with the short-term visas, which already mandate biometric data collection. Applicants should be prepared for potential extensions in application processing times. The Italian government has implemented these measures to enhance security and, more effectively, prevent criminal infiltration.
United Arab Emirates: Enhancements to the Golden Visa Program for students, investors, and entrepreneurs
As some countries phase out their Golden Visa programs, the UAE is expanding theirs to attract more expatriates. Notably, real estate investors can now qualify for the Golden Visa through off-plan investments by making a minimum 50% down payment or providing a bank guarantee for the remaining amount. Additionally, the application fees for the Golden Visa have been reduced for innovative entrepreneurs; a project valued at 500,000 United Arab Emirates dirhams now meets the visa criteria. The program also offers simplified conditions for creators, engineers, doctors, and PhD holders with valid work contracts in the UAE. Furthermore, international students in high school or university with a GPA of at least 3.8 are now eligible to sponsor their family members, including siblings.
India introduces two new visa categories to boost Study in India initiative
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has introduced two new visa categories: the "e-student visa" and the "e-student-x visa," aimed at supporting the Study in India (SII) program. The e-student visa is available to students enrolled in the SII program, facilitating their admission and stay in India. The e-student-x visa is designed for dependents accompanying the international student to India. Both visas are valid for up to five years and are extendable.
Australia: Stricter student visa requirements enforced
Australia has implemented stricter regulations for its student visa program starting January 2025. International students are now required to provide a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) when applying for a student visa, replacing the previously accepted offer letters. This change aims to ensure that only genuine international students are admitted to study in Australia. Applications lacking a CoE are automatically rejected. However, applications submitted before January 1, 2025, using an offer letter will still be processed under the old rules. Under the new system, international students must first secure admission to a course, pay the tuition fees, obtain their CoE from the educational institution, and then apply for the student visa. Moreover, international students who fail to obtain a CoE before their current visa expires may face expulsion unless they can secure another visa option that complies with the current migration rules.
Canada suspends the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) for 2025
Canada has announced a temporary freeze on the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) for 2025, with no new applications for permanent residence being accepted this year. The decision is part of a broader Immigration Plan aiming for a 20% reduction in the admission of permanent residents in 2025. Immigration services will only process applications submitted up to the end of 2024, with a cap set at 15,000 sponsorship applications for the year. As an alternative, Canadian citizens and permanent residents who wish to bring their parents and grandparents to Canada may consider applying for the super visa, which remains available despite the PGP's suspension.
Denmark: Revised positive lists target foreign workers in key sectors
Denmark has revised its Positive Lists, effective from January 1, 2025, to attract qualified foreign workers into sectors facing labor shortages. The update splits the lists into two categories: the list of qualified jobs, which has been streamlined to include 48 positions, and the list for higher education roles, which has expanded to encompass 162 positions. This expansion reflects Denmark's growing demand for foreign professionals with university-level qualifications, particularly in areas of persistent job shortages.
Copenhagen's "Life Quality Insurance" Program tests expat satisfaction
The "Life Quality Insurance" program, aimed at attracting expatriates to the Greater Copenhagen area, offers a unique safety net. It reimburses travel expenses for foreigners who find themselves dissatisfied with their experience in Denmark, up to a maximum of 50,000 Danish crowns (approximately $7,158), contingent on the availability of funds. This innovative initiative is designed to promote the region and boost its appeal to potential expats. The reimbursement is exclusively available to expatriates who have registered for the program (though registration has now closed) and have lived and worked in the region for at least 12 consecutive months.
Sweden simplifies European Blue Card requirements
Effective January 1, 2025, Sweden has eased several criteria for obtaining the European Blue Card to attract qualified non-European workers. The required salary threshold is now set at 1.25 times the average annual gross salary, reduced from 1.5 times. Blue Card holders can change jobs by merely notifying the Migration Office, simplifying the previous process.
Additionally, the minimum contract duration needed for eligibility has been cut from one year to six months, and the processing time for applications has been reduced from 90 days to 30 days. Those already in Sweden on another residence permit can now apply for the Blue Card without leaving the country. From February 2025, Blue Card holders from other European countries will enjoy a simplified procedure, enhancing Sweden's appeal to high-skilled international professionals.
Germany raises salary threshold for European Blue Card
Concurrent with Sweden's simplification of its Blue Card requirements, Germany has increased its minimum salary threshold for qualifying for the European Blue Card. As of January 1, 2025, non-European expatriates must now earn at least 48,300 euros annually, up from 45,300 euros in 2024. For those employed in shortage sectors, the required salary has been raised to 43,759.80 euros annually from the previous 41,041.80 euros.
Kuwait introduces simplified E-Visa rules for GCC expats
Kuwait has recently launched an e-visa system specifically for residents of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Expats eligible for this new system must be employed in certain professions designated by Kuwait, such as doctors, journalists, pharmacists, entrepreneurs, consultants, teachers, diplomats, and managers. Applicants are required to provide a valid passport, a recent identity photograph, and a flight confirmation that includes a round-trip ticket. It's important to note that the list of required documents may differ based on the specific type of visa being applied for and the applicant's country of origin.
