Andorra: Winter Season Immigration Quotas
Andorra approved special immigration quotas for the winter 2024-2025 season. 4,995 permits have been allocated, a decrease of 9.38% compared to the 5,512 permits approved for the previous season. This reduction is based on forecasts of company needs and the previous season’s usage, where 89.7% of permits were utilized.
The 2024-2025 permits include 2,845 for the hotel sector, 1,030 for ski slope workers, 490 for hotels on the slopes, 75 for travel agencies, 445 for shops (including sports rental and real estate), and 110 for the cleaning sector.
If needed, the permit quota may be extended by up to 30%, reaching 6,494 permits, with the Economic and Social Council’s (CES) approval. Applications will open upon publication in the BOPA and remain open until 31 March 2025, with permits valid through 4 May 2025.
Andorra: Chinese Embassy: Visa-Free Travel
The Embassy of China in Andorra announced that starting 8 November 2024, holders of ordinary Andorran passports can enter China visa-free for up to 15 days for business, tourism, family visits, or transit. This visa exemption is on a trial basis until 31 December 2025.
Australia: VFS Global Biometric Processing
Australia announced that VFS Global, a third-party visa processing service, will become Australia’s exclusive biometric collection service provider. Core services offered by VFS Global include biometric collection and identity verification, digital assistance with online visa application submissions and online payment assistance.
Canada: Humanitarian Pathways for Lebanese Nationals
Canada announced temporary humanitarian measures for several individuals impacted by events in Lebanon. Eligible individuals must have left Lebanon on or after 29 September 2024.
Eligible individuals include Canadian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family members who have left Lebanon and Lebanese nationals already in Canada who cannot return home.
Once in Canada, these individuals will be eligible to apply for an open work permit, a study permit, or an extension status at no additional cost. These measures also apply to spouses and dependents regardless of their nationality and regardless of whether they left on flights arranged by Global Affairs Canada or by other means.
Canada, Quebec: Immigration Levels Plan for 2025
The government of Québec announced its Immigration Plan for 2025, aiming to admit 48,500 to 51,500 immigrants through the regular immigration stream alongside the Québec graduate stream.
Suspension of Applications:
- Québec Graduate Stream: No new applications will be accepted until June 30, 2025. Existing applications will still be processed, and selected individuals can continue their immigration process. Family member applications are unaffected.
- Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP): Invitations will not be issued until June 30, 2025. Those invited before October 31 must apply within 60 days.
Job Offer Validation:
The suspension of invitations does not affect the validity of validated job offers (VJO), which lasts 18 months. Validation of applications for job offers will continue to be accepted.
These measures aim to manage the increase in non-permanent residents and will be reassessed in a planning exercise for 2026 scheduled for spring 2025.
China: Expansion of Temporary Visa-Free Travel
China will allow nationals from Andorra, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, Slovakia and South Korea to enter Mainland China visa-free from 8 November 2024 through 31 December 2025. Eligible visitors can stay for up to 15 days for business, tourism, family visits, or transit, with no limit on the number of entries as long as their activities comply with the visa waiver guidelines.
Indonesia: Visa-Free Travel for Select Foreign Nationals
Indonesians will allow nationals of Colombia, Hong Kong SAR, and Suriname to enter Indonesia without a visa for a non-extendible stay of up to 30 days. Under this visa-free status, travelers can engage in limited business activities, such as internal meetings at their local employer’s premises in Jakarta or Bali.
Ireland: Salary Threshold Increases and Minimum Wage Requirements
As part of Budget 2025, Ireland’s minimum wage will rise to €13.50 per hour from 1 January 2025 (up from €12.70). This will mean an annual salary of €27,378 for permit applications based on a standard 39-hour workweek. Ireland’s Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment (DETE) is also reviewing potential increases to salary thresholds for various employment permit categories, effective January 2025. The proposed changes are as follows:
| Employment Permit Type | Current | Proposed* – January 25 |
| General Employment Permit | €34,000 | €39,000 |
| Critical Skills Employment Permit (Skill Listed as Critical and Relevant Degree held) | €38,000 | €44,000 |
| Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit (Trainee) | €34,000 | €39,000 |
| Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit | €46,000 | €53,000 |
| Contract for Services Employment Permit | €46,000 | €53,000 |
Thailand: Automated Biometric Identification System
Starting 1 November 2024, Thailand will implement an automated biometric identification system using facial recognition at six major international airports. This system, led by Airports of Thailand (AOT), aims to streamline passenger identification and reduce wait times.
Launch Schedule:
- Available for domestic travelers from 1 November 2024.
- International travelers can access it starting 1 December 2024.
- Immediate access for travelers with Hong Kong or Singapore passports.
- Long-term visa holders will continue using standard check-in, and biometric checks may not apply to some nationalities. Further announcements will follow.
Airports Included:
- Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang International Airports
- Chiang Mai International Airport, Mae Fah Luang/Chiang Rai International Airport
- Phuket International Airport
- Hat Yai International Airport
Biometric Enrollment Process:
Passengers can complete biometric enrollment at airline counters or self-check-in kiosks, where facial and passport data will be registered with single-use consent.
Benefits:
Biometric data allows passengers to move through check-in, baggage, security, and immigration without repeatedly showing ID, enhancing convenience and speed.
The United Kingdom: Electronic Travel Authorisation Updates
The United Kingdom (UK) announced that by April 2025, all visitors who do not require a visa will need an electronic travel authorization (ETA) to travel to the UK. As a result, ETA will apply to all travelers entering the country except British and Irish citizens.
Eligible non-European travelers can apply for an ETA beginning 27 November 2024. Enforcement of ETAs will begin on 8 January 2024. ETAs will extend to European citizens beginning 5 March 2025. Enforcement of ETAs will begin on 2 April 2025 for European travelers.
United Kingdom: National Minimum Wage Increase
The UK will increase its National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates, including the National Living Wage (NLW) in April 2025. As a result, the following rates will apply:
| NMW Rate | Increase (£) | Percentage increase | |
| National Living Wage (21 and over) | £12.21 | £0.77 | 6.7 |
| 18-20 Year Old Rate | £10.00 | £1.40 | 16.3 |
| 16-17 Year Old Rate | £7.55 | £1.15 | 18.0 |
| Apprentice Rate | £7.55 | £1.15 | 18.0 |
| Accommodation Offset | £10.66 | £0.67 | 6.7 |
According to UK officials, this will increase pay for over 3 million workers and mark an increase to the National Living Wage of 6.7%
Nigeria: Expansion of Digital Passport Renewal Service
Nigeria expanded its digital passport renewal service to Nigerian nationals residing in Canada through the NIS Immigration Service portal. Following this rollout, the service will become available to Nigerian nationals in the United Kingdom, U.S. and Italy on 15 November 2025.
Nigeria and other countries starting 1 December 2024. Applicants can receive their renewed passports either at their home address or the location where they submitted their application. Additionally, NIS plans to launch an app in the coming months to simplify passport renewals further.
Content in this publication is for informational purposes only and not intended as legal advice, nor should it be relied on as such. For additional information on the issues discussed, consult an attorney at Corporate Immigration Partners, P.C., or another qualified professional of your choosing. On non-U.S. immigration issues, consult your Envoy representative, or another qualified representative of your choosing.
OISC registration number F202000157
