World Immigration News

What’s new in global immigration?

Release Date: 2025-07-29
Media: Smith Stone Walters
Summary: As of July 2025, several key immigration policy developments have emerged across the European Union, Denmark, Ireland, and the United States.

The European Commission has announced that the fee for the upcoming European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will increase from EUR 7 to EUR 20. This change is intended to cover operational costs, account for inflation, and align with fees charged by similar systems in other countries. ETIAS is designed to streamline entry for visa-exempt travelers to 30 European countries while enhancing border security. Applicants will submit personal information online and typically receive a decision within minutes. Certain age groups, such as those under 18 and over 70, will be exempt from the fee. The new pricing is subject to a two-month review by the European Parliament and Council, and will take effect once ETIAS becomes operational, expected in late 2026.

In Denmark, the government has proposed a new work permit scheme that will ease entry for nationals of 16 non-EU countries, including the U.S., U.K., Japan, and India. The minimum salary requirement under this scheme will be reduced to DKK 300,000 per year, down from previous thresholds. To participate, employers must meet strict criteria, such as being party to a collective agreement and maintaining a clean legal record. Certified companies will be allowed to employ foreign nationals under a fast-track process. Eligible foreign workers must meet salary and compliance conditions and hold citizenship from one of the designated countries. The implementation timeline has not yet been announced.

Ireland has launched a public consultation to review and update its Employment Permit Occupations Lists, which define which occupations are eligible or ineligible for employment permits. The goal is to ensure that the lists accurately reflect labor market needs and skill shortages that cannot be addressed domestically. Submissions are open from July 23 to September 19, 2025, and feedback is encouraged from employers, agencies, and other stakeholders.

In the United States, USCIS has confirmed that it has reached the H-1B visa cap for fiscal year 2026, including both the standard 65,000 cap and the additional 20,000 reserved for U.S. master’s degree holders. While new cap-subject applications are no longer being accepted, USCIS will continue to process petitions for extensions, amendments, employer changes, and concurrent employment for existing H-1B holders. The H-1B program is critical for employing foreign professionals in specialized fields requiring advanced knowledge and academic credentials.
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