Global Immigration Recap: September 2025

WR Immigration’s September global immigration recap highlights key developments, including the launch of the EU’s Entry/Exit system (EES), China’s new K visa for young science and technology professionals, India’s e-Arrival card requirement for travelers, Australia’s real-time employer compliance monitoring activity, and more.

EU – New Entry/Exit System (EES) Set to Begin Operations in October

The EU’s new digital Entry/Exit System (EES) is set to begin operations on October 12, 2025, with full implementation across the EU expected by April 10, 2026.

The EES will apply to foreign nationals traveling to the EU for short stays of up to 90 days on a Schengen business or tourist visa or under a visa-free agreement. Upon their first entry to the EU after the system’s launch, these travelers will be required to register their biometric data at designated border crossing points. The EES will store this data, allowing for faster border checks and expediting any subsequent entries.

This new system is designed to replace traditional passport stamping with biometric verification, enhancing both border security and efficiency. The EES will increase the ease with which governments can detect overstays in the Schengen area, so it is very important that employees are keeping track of their travel and not exceeding the allowed days as a visitor, which is typically up to 90 days in a rolling 180-day period. Exiting and re-entering the Schengen area does NOT reset the 90 days.

China – New K Visa for Young Science and Technology Professionals

China has launched a new K visa designed to attract young professionals in science and technology and promote international cooperation and exchange. The visa allows eligible professionals to travel to China for research collaborations, academic exchanges, and entrepreneurial or business activities in related fields.

A key advantage of the K visa is that applicants are not required to be sponsored for the visa by a Chinese entity, as long as they meet the specified age, education, and work experience requirements. The application process is expected to be more streamlined, and the visa will allow multiple entries and have a longer validity compared to many existing visa categories.

India – New Digital e-Arrival Card

Foreign nationals traveling to India for business, work or tourism should now submit a digital e-Arrival Card. The card can be submitted within 72 hours prior to departure for India. This digital card effectively replaces the paper disembarkation cards and collects similar information, including the traveler’s passport number, nationality, purpose of visit and contact details. A transition period in which paper cards will still be available is expected.

Note: This requirement does not apply to Indian nationals or Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card holders.

Australia – New Data-Matching Initiative Designed to Monitor Employer Compliance

The Australian Government has launched a new data-matching initiative between the Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to actively monitor employer compliance. The program focuses on sponsoring employers and subclass 482 Temporary Skills Shortage visa holders and will cross-check visa records with payroll data to ensure that both parties are meeting their tax and superannuation obligations.

This initiative is similar to prior employer compliance monitoring campaigns; however, this new approach allows authorities to monitor and verify compliance in real time, rather than relying on complaints or retrospective audits. The Department of Home Affairs will assess several areas for compliance, including:

• Occupation alignment – Is the visa holder working in the approved occupation and position?
• Employer authorization – Is the visa holder employed only by the sponsoring company or an approved related entity?
• Fair pay – Is the visa holder being paid the amount specified in the sponsorship or nomination, and does it meet the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) and market salary standards?
• Work conditions – Are promised hours, entitlements, and benefits being provided?
• Reporting obligations – Has the employer met all Home Affairs reporting requirements?
• Data consistency – Do ATO payroll records match what was declared in visa and sponsorship documentation?
• Notifications – Has Home Affairs been informed of any changes to the visa holder’s role, pay, or employment status in a timely manner?

Any discrepancies between the details of the visa nomination and the corresponding payroll data may trigger further investigation.

Employers are encouraged to proactively review their records to ensure compliance. The consequences of non-compliance can be significant and include visa cancellations, loss of sponsorship rights, penalties and reputational damage, among others.

To assess compliance, employers are encouraged to review the following internally:

• Do employment contracts and visa conditions align?
• Are contractor arrangements legitimate and properly documented?
• Are internal controls and systems designed to detect any irregularities?

This initiative aims to actively enforce compliance, protect temporary skilled workers from exploitation, and promote fair business practices within Australia. Employers who invest time and resources to proactively audit their records, ensure that payroll aligns with nominations, and promptly report any changes to the authorities can significantly reduce their compliance risks.

France – Updated Titles, Salary Thresholds and Processing Times for Residence Permits

Based on a recent decree and supplementary order, France has made changes to the titles, salary thresholds and eligibility criteria for several types of French employment-based residence permits.

Talent Residence Permits

Several types of Talent Passport residence permits have been grouped together under the newly named “Talent” residence permit. Of particular note, the Talent Passport “Skilled Employee”, “Innovative Start-Up” and “Employee on Assignment” categories have been grouped together under the Talent – Skilled Employee category.

There is also a new, multi-year Talent – EU Blue Card, as well as a Talent – Medical and Pharmaceutical Professionresidence permit.

Updated Minimum Salary Thresholds

France has also updated the minimum salary thresholds to qualify for the consolidated Talent categories as follows:

• Talent – Skilled Employee: EUR 39,582 annually.
• Talent – EU Blue Card: EUR 59,373 annually. (This is the first increase since the inception of the EU Blue Card in 2016.)

New Processing Time Commitments

Finally, processing time commitments have been updated as follows:

• Talent – EU Blue Card applications will be processed within a maximum of 90 days, with any accompanying dependent applications being processed simultaneously.
• Current EU Blue Card holders will be issued a 6-month provisional authorization within 30 days of filing their application for a Talent – EU Blue Card in France.

Taiwan – New Digital Arrival Card Requirement

Foreign nationals traveling to Taiwan are now required to complete a Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC) online within three days prior to arrival. This digital form is free of charge and replaces the paper version previously used.

The TWAC must be submitted before reaching immigration clearance. While QR codes will be available at air and sea ports of entry, travelers are encouraged to submit their TWAC online in advance.

Immigration officers will automatically retrieve the recorded TWAC data by scanning the associated passport; however, carrying a copy of the email confirmation is recommended, as officials may request it on a case-by-case basis.

South Africa – Rollout of New Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to Begin in October

Starting in October, South Africa will begin rolling out its new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) requirement for foreign nationals. Initially, the ETA will only be required for diplomats from Mainland China, India, Indonesia and Mexico arriving at O.R. Tambo or Cape Town international airports. By the end of November 2025, however, this requirement is expected to extend to all passport holders from these countries who are traveling to South Africa for business or tourism and arrive at designated airports.

Eventually, the ETA will be required for all foreign nationals, including visa-exempt travelers, who enter South Africa at any land, air or sea border; however, the date for this broader rollout has not yet been announced. Travelers to South Africa should be sure to re-check ETA requirements prior to departure given that changes are anticipated on a rolling basis and those appearing at a port of entry without a required ETA will be denied entry.

The ETA application process will be via a new online portal expected to launch shortly. While not yet officially confirmed, ETAs are anticipated to be issued as 90-day, multi-entry documents.

Note: ETAs will not be required for foreign nationals with South African residence rights or those who hold a valid South African work permit.