Last Updated on March 11, 2024
As global mobility increases, HR professionals are vital in their role in navigating the ins and outs of global immigration policies and requirements. Within this landscape, salary requirements emerge as a crucial piece to the mobility puzzle. Envoy Global continues to track the minimum salary requirements for top countries based on visa categories to keep you and your team informed and compliant. Check out our list below:
Andorra Minimum Wage
Andorra increased the country’s minimum wage requirements by 7 percent in 2024, totaling €1,376.27 per month or €7.94 per hour. The government is expected to make further increases to this minimum throughout 2024.
Aruba Minimum Salary Requirements
Aruba’s minimum salary requirement is set to Afl. 1.986,20 per month for employees 18 years or older as of 1 January 2024. This equals an average of Afl. 463,25 per week. The minimum wage is set to Afl. 926,65 per month for a domestic worker performing labor in a private residence and Afl. 10,30 per hour for a domestic worker laboring 22 hours or less per week. As of 1 January 2024, the new income limit will be Afl. 4.965,50 per month (the minimum wage Afl. 1.986,20 x factor 2.5).
Australian National Minimum Salary
Australia most recently updated its national minimum salary requirements in July 2023. Employees must make at least AUD 23.23 per hour. Meanwhile, foreign nationals employed under a temporary skilled migration income employer-sponsored program must meet the minimum salary threshold requirement of AUD 70,000.
Minimum Salary Requirements for Austria
Austria’s minimum salary requirements for work permit holders were updated on 1 January 2024, with the following rates applying by category:
- Red-White-Red Card: €3,030 gross per month
- EU Blue Card: €3,418.22 gross per month
- Work authorization-exempt status: €7,272 gross per month as of May 2023
Belgium Minimum Salary Increases
Belgium’s minimum salary requirements increased on 1 January 2024. The requirements are as follows by region and category:
Brussels and Wallonia
- Highly skilled executives: €83,936
- High skilled: €50,310
- Work permit holders in Management functions: €65,053
- Blue Card holders: €65,053
- ICT EU specialist: €52,042
- ICT Trainee Employees: €32,526 (Brussels), €32,327 (Wallonia)
According to the government announcement, the agreed gross salary must be clearly mentioned within any employment contracts or letters of secondment when foreign nationals apply for their first work permit or work permit B.
Flanders
- Highly skilled executives: €74,611
- Highly skilled: €46,632
- Work permit holders in Management functions: €78,704
- Blue Card holders: €55,958
- ICT EU manager: €74,611
- ICT Trainee and Specialist Employees: €46,632
Brazil’s National Minimum Wage
The government of Brazil increased the country’s national minimum wage to R$1,412 on 1 January 2024. Since 23 November 2023, the government has also required companies to regularly report salaries and occupations of positions. If salary inequalities are identified, companies must create an action plan with goals and deadlines to correct these disparities. Inspection, receipt of complaints, and analysis of reports are the responsibilities of the Ministry of Labor and Employment.
Canada Minimum Wage Rate
As of 1 April 2023, Canada’s federally regulated private-sector employers must update payroll information to reflect the new minimum wage rate. If the minimum wage rate in a particular province or territory is higher than the federal minimum wage, employers must follow that higher rate.
Increase in Colombia’s Minimum Wage
Colombia’s minimum wage increased to COP 1,300,000 monthly on 1 January 2024. Generally, employers should ensure that foreign national employees continue to be paid a monthly wage average that is 100 times more than the minimum wage.
Czech Republic Minimum Wage Requirements
The Czech Republic’s minimum wage requirements increased on 1 January 2024. Foreign nationals holding an employee card and work permit, or an employee card must make an average of CZK 18,900 monthly. Foreign nationals must also provide proof of holding at least CZK 3,130 when sponsoring a dependent.
Denmark Minimum Salary Rates
On 1 January 2024, Denmark updated the country’s visa and work permit minimum salary requirements. The following rates apply by visa category:
- Pay limit and the fast-track schemes: DKK 487,000 per year.
- Supplementary Pay Limit scheme applications: DKK 393,000 per year.
All visa applications submitted between 1 October and 31 December 2023 will be evaluated according to the income statistics from the second quarter 2023. For additional information on these requirements by residence or work permit category, check here.
Minimum Wage Requirements for France
The French government will increase the country’s minimum wage requirements and internship pay for 2024. As a result, the following rates will apply:
- Minimum growth wage (SMIC): increases by 1.13% to a total of €11.65 gross per hour. The minimum monthly wage will be set to €1,766.96 for a 35-hour work week.
- Compensation for internships will increase to €4.35 per hour.
As a result, the following rates will apply by visa category:
- Talent Passport for young graduates: €42,406.08 per year
- Talent Passport for legal representatives: €63,609.12 per year
- Talent Passport for employees on mission: €38,165.47 per year
For additional insights on minimum salary changes, check here.
Estonia Minimum Fund Requirements
On 14 March 2023, Estonia updated the minimum fund requirements for primary applicants registering for short-term employment under a D visa. The new minimum amount is set to €1,200 at the time of application. The applicant will not be required to provide proof of funds for spouses and minor children who plan to accompany them to Estonia.
Ireland’s National Minimum Wage
The government of Ireland will increase the country’s national minimum wage to €12.70 beginning 1 January 2024. As a result, the following rates will apply:
| Category of employee | Hourly rate |
| Aged 20 and above | €12.70 |
| Aged 19 | €11.43 |
| Aged 18 | €10.16 |
| Aged under 18 | €8.89 |
For the National Minimum Wage, your gross wage includes, for example, the basic salary and any shift premium, bonus or service charge.
National Minimum Wage for Latvia
The government of Latvia will increase the national minimum wage to EUR 700 beginning 1 January 2024. Currently, the national minimum wage is set at €620. The adopted Regulation applies to employers and employees. According to the announcement, these measures will better align the country’s minimum wage requirements with the standard of living throughout the country.
Luxembourg Increases Minimum Salary Requirements
The government of Luxembourg increased the minimum salary requirement for EU Blue Card holders on 23 December 2022. As a result, the new salary levels for regular occupations increased to €84.780 and to €67.824 for shortage occupations.
Germany Minimum Salary Requirements
Germany increased the country’s EU Blue Card minimum salary requirement to the following on 18 November 2023:
- Non-shortage occupations: €45,300
- Shortage occupations: €41,041.80
Hong Kong Statutory Minimum Wage
The authorities of Hong Kong will introduce a new statutory minimum wage on 1 May 2023. As a result, the statutory minimum wage will increase from HK $37.5 per hour to HK $40.
Iceland Standard Living Wage
The government of Iceland increased the required living standard income for applicants applying for residence permits and the right to citizenship in the country. As of 15 February 2023, applicants 18 years of age or older must have an income of at least ISK 217,799 per month. The standard income for married couples will increase to ISK 348,476 per month.
Israel’s Minimum Prevailing Wage
Israel increased the country’s minimum monthly prevailing wage requirements for foreign national experts on January 1, 2024. As a result, the new wage is set at NIS 24,758, marking an increase of 5.5%.
The Netherlands New Salary Thresholds
The government of the Netherlands introduced its new salary thresholds that will go into effect on 1 January 2024. These changes include the following:
- Highly skilled migrants 30 years of age or older: €5,331
- Key personnel intra-corporate transferees: €5,331
- Highly skilled migrants 30 years of age or older: €3,909
- Key personnel intra-corporate transferees: €3,909
- Graduates: €2,801
- Blue Card holders: €6,245
New Zealand Median Wage Rates
The government of New Zealand will increase the country’s median wage to NZD $31.61 an hour beginning in February 2024. This measure will change the wage thresholds for foreign nationals employed under skilled residence visa categories, including the Accredited Employer Visa (AEWV), the Skilled Migrant Category and several occupations covered under a Sector Agreements or the Green List.
New Salary Threshold Requirements for The United Kingdom
The United Kingdom (UK) government revised salary threshold increases for foreign national employees seeking to bring family members to the country. As a result, the threshold will only increase from £18,600 to £29,000 in the spring of 2024. The government has not currently shared a timeline for when the previously announced threshold of £38,700 will be introduced.
About Envoy Global
Envoy Global’s team works across the globe to ensure a streamlined and compliant global immigration process. From helping to file paperwork to meeting local requirements, our global team actively tracks and advises on vital considerations within the immigration process, including minimum salary requirements. To learn more about minimum salary requirements and other key considerations in the immigration process contact our global immigration team today.
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.
