Topia’s Immigration News & Solutions Roundup - November 2023

Welcome to the second installment of 'Navigating Business Immigration,' our series featuring the latest global developments in business immigration, from visa program updates and policy changes to the evolving immigration landscape. Join our in-house immigration experts as they report on immigration updates and how these are being implemented into Topia’s range of products and solutions.

Denmark: New Work Permit Exemption

A new work permit exemption is now available in Denmark, enabling non-EU nationals entering on an intracompany basis to work without a permit for up to two periods of 15 business days within a 180-day period. Foreign nationals using the exemption must remain outside of Denmark for at least 14 days between the 15-day periods. Stays in Denmark under the exemption will be counted against the Schengen Area stay limit of 90 days in a 180-day period. Foreign nationals using the exemption must be conducting work for a Danish company that is affiliated with their sending employer and that has at least 50 employees. Foreign nationals in certain sectors will not be allowed to use the exemption unless they are working in a management capacity.

How has Topia addressed this in its immigration solutions?

A notation was added to Work Permit Required outcomes in the pre-travel immigration assessment system indicating that an exemption might apply and directing the traveler to consult with their work permit provider to confirm eligibility and required supporting documentation.

A summary about the exemption was also added to the Work Permit Types section of the country summary for Denmark in Topia’s Global Immigration Library.

Germany: Part of New Skilled Worker Law Takes Effect

Aspects of Germany’s new Skilled Worker Law took effect on November 18, 2023. Additional changes will be implemented by Spring 2025. The initial changes include reforms to the EU Blue Card scheme and other reforms to facilitate the employment of skilled workers. Some of the main changes to the Blue Card scheme include: 

• Reduced salary thresholds
• Simplified family reunification and change of employer processes
• Expanded access to the scheme, namely for foreign nationals who have recently completed university studies and for IT and education professionals without a university degree, provided they meet other requirements. 

Outside the Blue Card scheme, skilled workers are no longer required to work only in jobs related to their vocational or educational qualifications, unless they are in a regulated profession.

How has Topia addressed this in its immigration solutions?

Additional details were added to the EU Blue Card section under Work Permit Types in the country summary for Germany in the Global Immigration Library.

Italy: Relaxed EU Blue Card Rules

Italy has also relaxed rules for its EU Blue Card scheme, effective November 17, 2023. Some of the key changes are:

•  For unregulated professions, applicants only require a two-year university degree or post-secondary professional qualification, or five years of related professional experience (three years for information technology managers and specialists). Previously, a university degree that required at least three years of study was required as a standard.
• Applicants are required to have an annual salary in line with that set by national collective agreements. Previously, their salary was required to be at least three times the minimum wage.
• A job offer of only six months is now required (down from one year).
• A Blue Card holder may now conduct self-employed work in addition to their sponsored employment, which was previously not allowed.

 How has Topia addressed this in its immigration solutions?

The requirements for the EU Blue Card were revised in the Work Permit Types section of the country summary for Italy in Topia’s Global Immigration Library.

Malaysia: Expatriate Services Division Resumes i-KAD Issuance

The Expatriate Services Division (ESD) of the Immigration Department has resumed issuing the i-KAD to holders of Employment Pass (EP) Categories I, II and III and Residence Pass-Talent (RP-T) who are registered under ESD. The i-KAD is an identification document for foreign nationals that was last issued in 2019. The i-KAD will be issued for new, renewal and transfer applications and to the dependents of RP-T holders only.

How has Topia addressed this in its immigration solutions?

A process step about i-KAD issuance was added to the Work Permit Process section of the country summary for Malaysia in Topia’s Global Immigration Library.

Topia’s Solutions for Immigration

 Global Immigration Library

Topia’s Global Immigration Library provides instant access to the most up-to-date domestic and global immigration information for almost 80 countries. This includes allowable business visitor activities, common work permit types and process steps, maximum durations of stay for both visitors and workers, and average visa and work permit processing times. The data that powers the library is provided by a network of the world’s top immigration experts. Learn more here.

Visa & Travel Risk Management

Topia’s visa and travel risk management tool allows business travelers and remote workers to perform their own pre-travel immigration assessments in real-time. The tool helps employees understand exactly which documents they will require to enter a country based on their nationality, duration of stay, and activities, i.e. a work permit, a business visa, an electronic travel authorization, or just a passport. Learn more here.

Topia’s immigration solutions enable assignees, remote workers, business travelers and their employers to stay compliant with global immigration requirements and to prepare for their immigration processes.

Want to know more about Topia’s immigration solutions? Reach out to info@topia.com to find out more.