Immigration news updates for APAC and EMEA regions
Asia-Pacific
Philippines: DOLE simplifies Alien Employment Permit application process
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), through Department Order No. 248-C, Series of 2026, has introduced measures to simplify the Alien Employment Permit (AEP) application process. The changes are intended to streamline the filing, processing, evaluation, and issuance of AEPs in line with the government’s Ease of Doing Business initiatives.
The key changes include:
Removal of Prerequisite Agency Clearances and Permits
The following documents shall no longer be required as a prerequisite to the filing and processing of AEP applications:
- Authority to Employ Alien (ATE) issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ);
- Special Temporary Permit (STP) issued by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC);
- Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) License; and
- Authority from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to hire foreign nationals.
Applicants must still comply with the requirements of the relevant agencies, where applicable.
Labor Market Test
Labor Market Test notices will now be published through the DOLE Official Portal/Public Repository or filed with the Office of the National Administrative Register (ONAR) at the University of the Philippines Law Center. This replaces the previous requirement for publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
Processing Time
The processing period for AEP applications has been reduced from 15 to 10 working days and may be extended once by an additional 10 working days, subject to a maximum processing period of 20 working days.
Removal of Agent Accreditation
The accreditation of agents and appointment of authorized representatives under Department Order No. 221-A have been discontinued. Employers will process applications through their own human resources officers, personnel, or owners, with the option of engaging legal counsel, and will remain directly accountable for the documents submitted.
Revised Payment Workflow
The Order of Payment Slip will only be issued upon approval of the application after technical evaluation. No fee shall be collected upon submission of the application.
Embassy Endorsed Applications
Embassies or consulates may endorse an AEP application through an official note attesting to the foreign national’s identity and lack of derogatory record to help streamline evaluation.
Additional Provisions
Department Order No. 248-C also introduced other administrative and policy-related provisions, including the possible conduct of orientation programs for foreign nationals, clarification on access to certain government healthcare benefits, and reaffirmation of the authority of the Secretary of Labor and Employment to approve or revoke AEPs in specific circumstances.
The Order will take effect 15 days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation. Employers and foreign nationals may benefit from the reduced documentary requirements, simplified publication process, shortened processing timelines, and revised payment workflow once the Order becomes effective.
This summary was prepared using information published by the Department of Labor and Employment.
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 (Director of Immigration Services, APAC).
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Hungary: EU Blue Card salary requirements for 2027
The minimum salary thresholds for EU Blue Card holders and applicants in 2027 have been announced.
Effective January 1, 2027, the minimum monthly salary will be HUF 1,091,244, with a reduced threshold of HUF 872,995 applying to certain medical professions.
EU Blue Card holders are required to meet the applicable salary threshold throughout the validity of their permit. The requirement therefore applies continuously, not only when submitting an initial application or renewal.
This summary was prepared using information provided by our Service Partner.
Ireland: Employment Permits Online continues to experience disruption
The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment has provided an update on the recent security incident affecting the Employment Permits Online System.
The Employment Permits Portal remains offline since October 29, following the suspicious unauthorised activity. Although substantial progress has been made, the portal will only be restored once all required security measures, testing, and independent assurance checks have been completed.
- The Department has confirmed that:
- Applications submitted before the system went offline are still being processed.
- Decisions on those applications continue to be issued.
- Alternative methods for submitting new applications are being developed and details will be announced shortly.
The Department apologised for the disruption and stated it will continue to keep employers, employees, and agents updated as the recovery and investigation progress.
The Irish residence permits portal is however back up and working normally.
This summary was prepared using information provided from the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment
United Kingdom: New “Earned Settlement” system announced for permanent residence
The UK Government has announced an overhaul of its settlement rules, introducing a new “Earned Settlement” model. Under the new framework, the time required to qualify for settlement will depend on an individual’s contribution and character, moving away from the general expectation of settlement after five years.
Under the new model, the highest earners with salary of at least GBP 125,141 a year will be able to qualify for settlement after three years. Migrants earning more than GBP 50,271 per year, as well as certain public service workers, including doctors, nurses and teachers, will be eligible after five years. Care workers who have complied with their visa conditions and earn at least GBP 25,000 per year will also be able to settle after five years.
For most other migrants, the new default qualifying period will be ten years. Individuals who have breached immigration rules will face a qualifying period of at least twenty years.
Partner dependants will generally be eligible to settle at the same time as the main applicant, unless they arrived in the UK at a later date. Eligible couples will be able to combine their earnings to meet the minimum economic contribution requirement of at least GBP 25,142.
The reforms also introduce four mandatory conditions for settlement. Applicants will be required to demonstrate a clean criminal record, a high standard of English (B2 level), no outstanding debt to the taxpayer, and a sustained record of National Insurance contributions for three years
The government estimates that more than 500,000 people will need to wait longer than five years to secure settlement.
The changes will also affect refugees. Refugees arriving through Home Office-approved routes will be eligible for settlement after five years, while others will generally face a 20-year pathway, which may be reduced to ten years for those who work or study. Individuals arriving by clandestine means of entry will face an additional ten-year waiting period, potentially extending the pathway to settlement to 30 years.
The government has confirmed that individuals who already hold settled status will not lose it. Family members of British citizens, Hong Kong British Nationals (Overseas), and members of the armed forces will retain their current settlement pathways.
For employers and sponsored workers, the reforms represent a significant change to the UK settlement landscape, moving away from the expectation of settlement after five years towards a more selective system based on factors including earnings, contribution, immigration compliance and character.
It is expected that a statement of changes to the immigration rules will be published sometime in December 2026, with the changes taking effect throughout 2027.
This summary was prepared using information published by the UK Government
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 Joanna Sogeke (European Client Services Manager – Immigration).
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