World Immigration News

(Smith Stone Walters)Stay Informed with the Latest Updates on Global Immigration Policies and Trends

Release Date: 2024-12-03
Media: Smith Stone Walters
Summary: This week, the Global Immigration team at Smith Stone Walters highlights the following updates:

China: As of November 30, 2024, nationals from Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Japan, Latvia, Malta, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Romania will be eligible for China’s unilateral visa-free entry program. Additionally, the stay period under this program has been extended from 15 to 30 days, and exchange visits are now included as a valid purpose of stay. The program will remain in effect until December 31, 2025. China has also introduced trial "document-free" entry channels at Shenzhen Bay and Gongbei ports for frequent travelers between Hong Kong, Macau, and mainland China, allowing them to pass through without physical entry documents.

Malaysia: Starting December 1, 2024, companies registered with the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) portal can apply for expatriate projections for 2025. The projection is applicable for that specific year, and any unutilized projections for 2024 will not carry over. The application process is simplified and will be instantly approved.

Singapore: The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has updated the Employment Pass (EP) criteria, including raising the qualifying salary for new applications starting January 1, 2025, to SGD 5,600 (from SGD 5,000), and to SGD 6,200 (from SGD 5,500) for the financial services sector. The updated COMPASS points system will also apply for EP renewals from September 2024.

Switzerland: Starting January 1, 2025, Croatian nationals will regain full freedom of movement in Switzerland, lifting the quotas that were in place for 2023 and 2024. This change follows the expiration of the safeguard clause, and Croatian nationals will have equal access to the Swiss labor market as other EU nationals.

United States: On November 26, 2024, Japan became an official partner country for the Global Entry program, allowing pre-vetted Japanese citizens to expedite U.S. entry. This partnership offers quicker processing at U.S. Customs and also provides access to TSA PreCheck for faster security screening at participating airports.
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