Immigration weekly update: January 29, 2026

Immigration news updates for APAC and EMEA regions

• • • • Asia-Pacific
        • – Malaysia
        • – Philippines
    • Europe, Middle East and Africa
      • • – Morocco
        • – Switzerland
        • – Sweden

---

Asia-Pacific

Malaysia: Upcoming changes to Employment Pass categories I, II, and III

The Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) has announced revisions to the minimum salary requirements for Employment Pass categories. These changes will impact all new and renewal EP applications submitted on or after June 1, 2026.

 

Revision Details:

Manufacturing Related Services (MRS) salary threshold is between RM7,000 – RM9,999

 

Important Note:

• EP Categories III (RM3,000 – RM4,999) will be no longer applicable from 1 June 2026.
• The minimum salary threshold for foreign professional hires is now RM5,000.
• Manufacturing Related Services (MRS) salary threshold is between RM7,000 – RM9,999

 

Impact:

EP Category	Salary	Duration of Employment	Dependant
I	RM20,000 and above	up to 10 years	Allowed
II	RM10,000 – RM19,999	up to 10 years with succession plan	Allowed
III	RM5,000 – RM9,999	up to 5 years with succession plan	Allowed

Manufacturing Related Services (MRS) salary threshold is between RM7,000 – RM9,999

 

What this means for applicants:

• Review and update your Compensation & Benefits packages for expatriate hires to align with the new salary requirements.
• Be ready with a succession plan
• Ensure all new and renewal EP applications submitted from June 1, 2026, comply with these revised thresholds.

 

Succession Plan:

A replacement plan refers to an employer’s structured and clearly defined plan to prepare the local workforce to replace the role of an expatriate within a specified employment period.

 

This plan includes, among others:

• Identification of positions and functions to be transferred to local employees;
• Training, mentoring, and knowledge transfer from expatriates to local workers;
• A reasonable timeframe to ensure local employees are ready in terms of skills and competencies;
• Operational continuity planning to ensure that the transition does not affect productivity or organisational performance.

 

This summary was prepared using information provided from the Expatriate Services Division and Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation

Philippines: 14‑day visa‑free entry for Chinese nationals

Effective January 16, 2026, Chinese nationals may enter the Philippines visa‑free for up to 14 days for tourism or business. The stay is non‑extendable and non‑convertible, and entry is permitted only through NAIA (Manila) and MCIA (Cebu).

Travelers must present a passport valid for at least six months, confirmed accommodation, and a return or onward ticket. All travellers will remain subject to standard security screening and checks against derogatory records.

The visa‑free arrangement will be valid for one year and reviewed before expiration.

This summary was prepared using information provided from the Philippine Consulate

Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. For any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Debra Beynon (Director of Immigration Services, APAC).

---

Europe, Middle East and Africa

Morocco: New minimum salary

Effective January 1, 2026, the minimum salary levels have increased for the following sectors:

• Agricultural sector: MAD 2,533.44 , up from MAD 2,303.
• Industrial, trade and service sectors: MAD 3,422.72, up from MAD 3,111.

All applications submitted after January 1, 2026, must meet the new thresholds to qualify under this scheme.

Applications submitted before the effective date will be processed under the old threshold.

This summary was prepared using information provided from the General Secretariat of the Government

Switzerland: Lifted quotas for Croatian workers

Croatian nationals can now work in Switzerland without quota restrictions, as the conditions to reintroduce limits were not met in 2025. The number of residence (B) and short‑stay (L) permits issued to Croatians remained below the thresholds that would have triggered Switzerland’s unilateral safeguard clause.

As a result, Croatia now benefits from full free movement of persons under the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP), the same as other EU countries.

This summary was prepared using information provided from the The Swiss Federal Council

Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. For any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Joanna Sogeke (European Client Services Manager – Immigration).

Sweden: Updated procedure for providing biometrics

Sweden has introduced a revised method for collecting biometrics for individuals applying for work or residence permits. These appointments are now carried out by Statens servicecenter, which is responsible for taking fingerprints, photographs, and completing document checks.

After applying, individuals must set up an online account to view notifications related to their case. The invitation to provide biometrics becomes visible only after a decision has been issued by the authorities.

Key considerations:
– The updated process may lead to a gap between the expiry of the current permit and the delivery of the new residence permit card.
– During this time, the applicant will not be in possession of a valid physical residence permit card.
– Applicants who need a visa to enter Sweden should avoid travels abroad until the new card is received, as re‑entry without it may not be possible.

Planning ahead for appointments and travel is important to reduce the likelihood of complications.

This summary was prepared using information shared by one of Crown’s service partners.

Immigration 2026 – Key policy updates

Sweden is entering 2026 with significant updates to its immigration framework, focusing on strengthened labour migration rules, clarified qualification expectations, and a more modernised application process. These changes will affect both new applicants and those renewing or switching permits, making preparation essential for employers and individuals alike.

Key Updates for 2026

• Stricter qualification requirements
  Clearer definitions of skilled and specialist roles, requiring stronger documentation to prove that positions meet eligibility criteria.
• Refined salary expectations
  Salary levels may undergo further review, with more rigorous checks to ensure pay aligns with job responsibilities and industry standards.
• Increased employer compliance checks
  Authorities will continue strengthening oversight of job duties, working conditions, and internal HR processes.
• Clearer rules for ICT permit
  Stronger focus on specialist knowledge, mobility requirements, and documented proof of departure before submitting new ICT applications.
• Faster digital processing
  Expanded use of digital tools and automation designed to shorten processing times and improve transparency for applicants.
• Tighter permanent residency rules
  Ongoing focus on stable employment, financial self‑sufficiency, and long‑term integration when assessing PR eligibility.

Summary & Recommendations:

As 2026 approached, proactive preparation is critical. Employers and applicants should ensure that job descriptions, salary details, evidence of specialist skills, and internal documentation are clear, updated, and ready for submission.
For ICT cases, travel planning and proof of departure will remain important.

Preparing these elements early will help ensure smoother, more predictable, and compliant immigration processes aligned with Sweden’s evolving regulatory expectations.

 

Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. For any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Fortune Mugororoka (Team Leader Immigration, Sweden).

---

We track policy changes in over 120 countries. Find out how we can help you in this short video.