Effective from January 31, 2024, the UK will implement changes to its immigration rules, including expanding activities allowed under a Visitor Visa and permitting remote work. Additionally, travel requirements for school groups from France will return to pre-Brexit rules. The Youth Mobility Scheme will now include nationals from Uruguay, and there will be an increased number of slots for nationals from Japan and South Korea.
In the United States, the cap for the additional 20,716 H-2B visas available for returning workers for the first half of fiscal year 2024 has been reached. Petitions for supplemental H-2B visas under the returning worker allocation were accepted until January 9, 2024. However, USCIS is still accepting petitions for H-2B nonimmigrant workers from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti, Colombia, Ecuador, and Costa Rica, as well as those exempt from the cap, with start dates on or before March 31, 2024.
Teachers in the United Arab Emirates now have the opportunity to give private lessons through the introduction of the Private Teacher Work Permit. The permit allows teachers to teach groups or individual students online and offline. To be eligible, teachers must hold a valid residence permit in the UAE, and the permit itself is valid for two years. The application for the permit is free and can be made through the Ministry of Human Resources online portal.
Denmark has updated its positive list for graduates and skilled workers. The list now includes 72 job titles for individuals with higher education and 38 job titles for skilled workers. The positive list identifies professions that currently face a shortage of qualified workers in the country. Some newly added jobs include plumbers, technical designers, sales consultants, human resources assistants, bricklayers, welders, bodywork metal workers, shipbuilders, service technicians with iron and metal, and industrial mechanics. On the other hand, blacksmiths, automatic technical technicians, electronics technicians, and telecommunications technicians have been removed from the list. Individuals who are offered a listed job can apply for a Danish residence and work permit based on this scheme. Current permit holders from the positive list will not be affected, even if their job position is removed.
The Netherlands has eliminated the 30% tax reduction advantage for highly skilled migrants working in the country. This change is in accordance with an amendment passed by the Dutch House of Representatives. Prior to this amendment, highly skilled migrant visa holders could benefit from a 30% tax exemption. For those who applied successfully for this exemption before January 1, 2024, a transition period will apply. During this period, the ruling will stay in effect for a maximum of five years. However, the 30% tax-saving will only last for 20 months. After that, 20% of the employee’s salary will be exempt from tax for the next 20 months, followed by 10% for the final 20 months. Individuals currently claiming the tax break will also be subject to the transition period.
These updates in immigration rules and visa programs aim to streamline processes and accommodate various needs in different countries. It is important for individuals to familiarize themselves with the specific requirements and regulations related to their intended destinations to ensure a smooth and legal transition.
