Immigration news updates for AMER and APAC regions
Americas
United States: Updated eligibility for non-immigrant visa
The U.S. Department of State has recently updated the categories of applicants who may be eligible for a waiver of the non-immigrant visa interview. Consular officers now have the authority and discretion to waive the in-person interview for specific categories as outlined in the Immigration and Nationality Act section 222(h).
Consular officers may waive the in-person interview for applicants classifiable under the following visa categories:
- A-1, A-2, C-3 (except attendants, servants, or personal employees of accredited officials)
- G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4
- NATO-1 through NATO-6
- TECRO E-1
Additionally, applicants for diplomatic or official-type visas and those who previously held a visa in the same category that expired less than 12 months prior to the new application may also be eligible for an interview waiver.
To qualify for an interview waiver, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Apply in their country of nationality or residence
- Have never been refused a visa (unless such refusal was overcome or waived)
- Have no apparent or potential ineligibility
This summary was prepared using the information from the Bureau of Consular Affairs
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Roberta Carnaccini (Global Director of Immigration).
Asia-Pacific
Hong Kong: New fee structure for visa applications
With effect from February 26, 2025, an applicant who makes an application under a Specified Scheme is required to pay an application fee and the corresponding visa issuance fee according to the two-tiered fee structure upon approval of the concerned application.
Applications under below Specified Scheme are affected:
– Top Talent Pass Scheme
– General Employment Policy
– Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals
– Quality Migrant Admission Scheme
– Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates
– Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents
– New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme
– Capital Investment Entrant Scheme
– Technology Talent Admission Scheme
– Vocational Professionals Admission Scheme
On making an application under a Specified Scheme for entry or a change of condition of stay (including an extension of limit of stay) (hereafter collectively as “Specified Scheme application”), the applicant, whether as a principal applicant or a dependant, shall pay an application fee. Upon approval of his/her Specified Scheme application, the applicant shall pay the corresponding visa issuance fee according to the two-tiered fee structure to collect the visa. The concerned application and visa issuance fees are set out in below table. The new fee structure is applicable to those Specified Scheme applications submitted to the Immigration Department at or after the commencement time.
| Type of Applicant | Item | Fee (for each application) (HK$) |
|
| Principal applicant or Dependant | Application fee – The application fee paid is non-refundable in any circumstances irrespective of the application result. | 600 | |
| Two-tiered visa issuance fee | with relevant period of more than 180 days | 1,300 | |
| with relevant period of not more than 180 days | 600 | ||
The application fee paid is non-refundable in any circumstances irrespective of the application result.
This summary was prepared using the information from the Immigration Department + Immigration Department
New Zealand: AEWV policy changes
The Government announced some planned changes to the criteria for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) in New Zealand, as per below:
Remove the median wage requirement from AEWV and Specific Purpose Work Visa (SPWV)
From March, 10, 2025, employers recruiting workers under the AEWV and seasonal SPWV policies will no longer be required to pay the median wage. Instead, there will be no set pay thresholds except the New Zealand minimum wage (currently NZD $23.15 an hour, increasing to NZD $23.50 an hour on April 1).
Employers will however, still be expected to pay migrant workers on par with their New Zealand counterparts (the New Zealand market rate).
Sector Agreements which provided an exemption to the median wage will be removed alongside this change. Sector Agreements which offer residence pathways will continue to do so, with no changes to the wage rate required to gain residence.
The removal of sector agreements means that roles previously covered by sector agreements for below median wage jobs are no longer subject to restrictions such as caps or limitations on visa duration and instead will be treated the same as other jobs of the same skill level.
Current AEWV holders should continue to be paid in line with their employment agreement and visa conditions.
Reducing the work experience requirement for migrants from three years to two years
From March 10, 2025, the work experience requirement for migrants will be reduced from three years to two years. Employers still have to check that their migrant worker meets the threshold, and applicants will still need to provide evidence that they meet the two-year threshold.
Amending the requirement for employers to engage with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD)
From March 10, 2025, the requirement for employers to engage with the MSD will be now become declaration based.
They will need to declare in good faith, that they have advertised lower skilled roles (ANZSCO skill level 4 and 5) with MSD and interviewed candidates who may be suitable for the role. Employers will be required to retain evidence of their engagement as they may be requested to provide it. This can be done alongside recruitment employers will already be undertaking in the domestic labour market.
Increasing the visa duration for ANZSCO Level 4 and 5 AEWV holders to three years
From March 10, 2025, the visa length for new ANZSCO Level 4 and 5 AEWVs will be extended to three years, matching the total time they can stay in New Zealand on one or more AEWVs
Increasing the income threshold for supporting dependent children
From March 10, 2025, the income threshold will be increased from an annual threshold of NZD $43,322.76 to NZD $55,844. This is 80% of the median wage (aligning with eligibility for partner work rights) based on an annual, 40-hour work week. It will be updated annually in line with changes to the median wage.
The previous income threshold will continue to apply where a child held a visa on, or had applied for a visa, before 10 March – this ensures that children who are already here do not have to leave if their parent can meet the old threshold but cannot meet the new one.
Updates to interim visa work rights
In April, there will be further changes coming into effect regarding work rights for people on interim visas while they are awaiting the outcome of an AEWV application. This includes:
allowing AEWV applicants to have interim work rights if they apply while holding any type of work visa or from a student visa that permits work during term time, and
enabling time spent on an interim visa that allows work, to be considered when calculating a migrant’s total continuous stay under the AEWV, as well as for gaining work experience needed for work-to-residence pathways.
Median wage changes
From February 28, 2025, AEWV holders who want to support a partner will still be required to meet the wage threshold, which is increasing to NZD $26.85 an hour. From February 28, 2025, income thresholds for sponsors under the Parent Category will indexed to the new median wage of NZD $33.56 an hour. These changes are based on Statistics New Zealand’s publication of median hourly earnings for the previous year’s June quarter and is intended to ensure migrants who are supporting a partner or parent have the financial means to do so.
This summary was prepared using the information from the New Zealand Immigration
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Debra Beynon (Regional Immigration Manager, APAC) and Roberta Carnaccini (Global Director of Immigration).
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