World Immigration News

Immigration weekly update: November 27, 2025

Release Date: 2025-11-27
Media: Crown World Mobility
Summary: Malta has implemented the second phase of its Labour Migration Policy, significantly altering procedures for hiring third-country nationals. Employers must now advertise vacancies on Jobsplus and EURES for three weeks within the two months before submitting applications, though the period is shortened to two weeks for KEI, SEI, EU Blue Card holders, and occupations on the Skilled Occupation List. Healthcare, elderly and disability care, regulator-endorsed cases, athletes, and change-of-employer applications are exempt. The policy also clarifies procedures for visa-exempt nationals: those who apply within 60 days of entering the Schengen Area may remain in Malta during processing, while those applying between days 61 and 90 must wait outside the Schengen Area until a decision is issued.

In the Netherlands, stricter sponsor documentation rules will take effect on January 1, 2026. Recognised sponsors must provide proof that salaries were actually paid to highly skilled migrants and EU Blue Card holders, such as bank statements or batch payment overviews. This measure aims to close compliance gaps, prevent abuse of migration schemes, and strengthen monitoring, requiring employers to ensure payroll systems can produce verifiable payment records.

Switzerland has set its 2026 work-permit quota levels, allocating separate caps for EU/EFTA assignees, non-EU/EFTA nationals, and UK nationals. The Services Mobility Agreement with the United Kingdom has also been extended until the end of 2029, maintaining mutual market access for service providers.

The United Kingdom has proposed major reforms to legal migration, shifting its system to prioritise migrants who contribute economically and socially. The qualifying period for permanent settlement would be extended to ten years, with shorter pathways for high earners, skilled workers, NHS doctors and nurses, and Global Talent or Innovator visa holders. Applicants must work, demonstrate strong English proficiency, maintain a clean criminal record, and avoid dependence on public benefits. Access to public funds will no longer be granted automatically upon settlement, and criminality thresholds for deportation will be tightened. The reforms are expected to affect nearly two million migrants who arrived since 2021, though transitional rules are still under consideration. Existing settled-status holders will not be impacted.
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