1. New Zealand
2. Belarus
3. France
4. Turkey
New Zealand
Updated salary thresholds for essential skills visa
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has increased the salary thresholds that affect how long both Essential Skills visa holders and their families can stay in New Zealand. The change does not affect existing Essential Skills visa holders or applications that were pending before the changes came into effect on January 15.
Remuneration bands that also apply to the Skilled Migrant Category were first introduced on August 28, 2017. These are indexed against the New Zealand median income and are updated at the end of each calendar year. The change has been slightly delayed this year to allow employers and migrants sufficient time to adjust to the new bands.
Remuneration bands: Work visa duration and dependent sponsorship.
- Essential Skills visa holders earning less than NZD 20.65 per hour (previously NZD 19.97 per hour) will only be eligible for a 12-month work visa, regardless of the skill level of the job. Visas will be renewed twice, allowing three years of work in New Zealand. After this period, applicants must leave New Zealand for a period of at least 12 months. They may not support a partner or dependent children in New Zealand.
- Applicants earning between NZD 20.65 and NZD 36.44 per hour (previously NZD 19.97 – NZD 35.24) and in ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5 jobs will also be able to obtain a 12-month work visa. After three years of employment these applicants must also leave New Zealand for at least 12 months. They may not support a partner or dependent children in New Zealand.
- Applicants earning between NZD 20.65 and NZD 36.44 per hour (previously NZD 19.97 – NZD 35.24) and in ANZSCO skill level 1, 2 or 3 jobs will still be able to obtain three-year work visas. They will be able to renew the visa every three years without the need to depart from New Zealand for 12 months. They may support a partner and dependent children in New Zealand.
- An applicant earning more than NZD 36.44 per hour (previously 35.24) per hour will be able to obtain a five-year, renewable, essential skills visa and support a partner and dependent children in New Zealand regardless of the ANZSCO level of his/her role.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from Immigration New Zealand
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.
Belarus
Increased minimum wage and salary for highly qualified staff
The monthly minimum wage as well as the monthly salary for highly qualified staff in Belarus has been increased by 15 percent.
The new amounts are confirmed as follows:
- Minimum monthly wage: BYN 305
- Minimum monthly salary for highly qualified staff: BYN 4,575
The amount of BYN 204.35 per month for an accompanying dependent will remain unchanged.
Renewal and pending applications submitted before or after January 1, 2018, must comply with the new amounts. All applications not meeting the new requirements will be rejected immediately.
Key considerations
We strongly advise employers to carefully verify all pending applications submitted prior to January 1, 2018. Should the salary not meet the new requirements, we strongly recommend increasing the salary and informing the authorities accordingly to avoid rejection of the application.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Belarus.
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 Michele Giordani, Regional Immigration Manager, EMEA.
France
Increase in minimum wage 
France has increased its national minimum wage to EUR 1,498.47 per month.
Not all applications will be affected by this increase. The Talent Passport (EUR 35,963.88 per year), EU Blue Card (EUR 53,836.50 gross per year) and Talent Passport SEM (EUR 32,366.95 per year) all have a separate threshold. However, the ICT Secondment as well as the Service Provider Work Permit will be affected by the increase.
Key considerations
The new regulations apply to all applications. Meaning initial and renewal applications submitted on or after January 1, 2018, must comply with the new amounts. Furthermore, employers must increase the foreign national’s minimum salary for those applications pending who do not meet the new salary requirements. Applications who do not meet the new salary requirements, will be rejected.
This update was prepared using information from WageIndicator.org.
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 Michele Giordani, Regional Immigration Manager, EMEA.
Turkey
Minimum salary for 2018 increased
The Turkish Labour Ministry has increased minimum salary requirements.
The new minimum salary rates are confirmed as follows:
- Gross minimum monthly salary: TRY 2029.50
- Net minimum monthly salary: TRY 1603.12
Aside from the change in the minimum salary requirements, the salary to be paid to the foreign national must be commensurate with the position considered. Specifically:
- High level managers, pilots, engineers and architects granted an interim work permit cannot be paid less than 6.5 times the minimum salary (or TRY 13,191.75 gross per month);
- Department managers, engineers and architects cannot be paid less than four times the minimum salary (or TRY 8,118 gross per month);
- Employees working in a position requiring expertise and teachers cannot be paid less than three times the minimum salary (or TRY 6088.50 gross per month).
- Employees working as an acrobat or similar positions for tourism and entertainment organizations, masseurs and spa therapists cannot be paid less than twice the minimum salary (or TRY 4059 per months);
- All others cannot be paid less than 1.5 times the minimum salary (or TRY 3044.25 gross per month).
Key considerations
Crown World Mobility advises employers hiring foreign nationals to review their salaries carefully and ensure compliance with the new minimum gross monthly salary.
This summary was obtained using information from Peregrine Immigration Management.
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 Michele Giordani, Regional Immigration Manager, EMEA.
1. New Zealand
2. Belarus
3. France
4. Turkey
