New visa pathways, fee hikes, and policy changes impacting employers and foreign nationals
UK immigration updates: Fee increases and expanded right-to-work checks
As of April 9, 2025, the UK government has implemented significant increases to immigration-related fees. These changes affect a wide range of applications, including Certificates of Sponsorship (now £525, up from £239), skilled worker visas, visit visas, and Electronic Travel Authorisations (now £16, up from £10).
Skilled worker visa fees have increased as follows:
Out-of-country applications
- COS valid up to 3 years: £769 (up from £719)
- COS over 3 years: £1,519 (up from £1,420)
In-country applications
- Up to 3 years: £885 (up from £827)
- Over 3 years: £1,751 (up from £1,636)
Sponsor license fees have also gone up:
Large sponsors: £1,579 (up from £1,476)
Small sponsors: £574 (up from £536)
In addition to fee hikes, the UK is expanding its right-to-work checks to cover more types of employment, including gig workers. This expansion is part of the government’s broader focus on tackling illegal employment and ensuring compliance across all sectors. These changes will require employers to adjust their processes for verifying the eligibility of workers.
Thailand opens visa pathways for same-sex spouses
Thailand has officially introduced immigration options for same-sex spouses of Thai nationals or eligible foreign visa holders. Same-sex spouses can now apply for a 90-day Non-Immigrant “O” visa at Thai embassies abroad using either a foreign or Thai marriage certificate (Kor Ror 3). Requirements may vary by embassy, so applicants should check local guidelines.
Those married to Thai nationals can apply for a one-year spousal visa from within Thailand. If the marriage took place abroad, a family status registration (Kor Ror 22) must first be completed locally.
For same-sex spouses of foreign nationals holding long-stay employment visas (like Non-Immigrant B), an in-country dependent visa route is in development but not yet available.
Luxembourg updates shortage occupation list with key changes
Luxembourg has just released its latest shortage occupation list, trimming it down to 22 roles from last year’s 24. New additions include jobs in industrial mechanical maintenance, aircraft maintenance, and management consulting. On the flip side, roles like production management, HR development, and IT systems consulting have been removed.
For employers, this list matters—hiring foreign nationals for listed roles means a quicker, easier labour market test. The list gets updated each year based on the country’s workforce needs.
Panama relaxes passport rules for Venezuelan nationals and foreign workers
Panama has temporarily eased passport rules, making it a bit easier for some foreign nationals—especially Venezuelans—to manage immigration and work permit processes.
As of April 2, 2025, the National Immigration Service is now accepting expired Venezuelan passports (as long as they expired in 2018 or later) for all immigration procedures. These will remain valid until diplomatic relations between Panama and Venezuela are officially restored. However, it’s still unclear whether the Ministry of Labour will follow suit for work permit applications—no update has been issued yet for cases after April 3, 2025.
This builds on a rule that’s been in place since September 2022, where the Ministry of Labour began allowing foreign nationals with expired passports to apply for work permits—as long as they’ve already requested a new one or an extension. In those cases, a copy of the expired passport and a consular certificate confirming the renewal process is enough to move forward.
The original measure was meant to last until June 30, 2024, to help ease delays many people face in getting passports renewed. With the latest immigration update, there’s hope the Labour Ministry might extend or align its policy too—but we’re still waiting on that confirmation.
Kazakhstan launches digital nomad visa with path to permanent residency
Kazakhstan has introduced a new Digital Nomad Visa aimed at foreign professionals in high-demand fields, offering a unique pathway to permanent residency. This is different from the existing Neo Nomad visa, which doesn’t provide a route to permanent residency. Eligible workers, including many in IT, can apply for the visa online via Kazakhstan's Astana Hub website or get approval from the country's IT sector.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the key details:
- The visa allows a stay of up to one year per visit, with the total duration subject to the granted visa.
- Single-entry applications can be made online, while multiple-entry visas are available through Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs after arrival.
- Dependents cannot be sponsored under this visa, and local employment isn’t allowed.
- The big draw? It offers a path to permanent residency, which the other Digital Nomad Visa doesn't.
Sources:
https://www.fragomen.com/insights/united-kingdom-significant-immigration-fee-increases-forthcoming.html
https://www.fragomen.com/insights/thailand-visa-pathways-for-same-sex-spouses-implemented.html
https://www.fragomen.com/insights/luxembourg-shortage-occupation-list-updated.html
https://www.fragomen.com/insights/panama-passport-requirements-for-work-permit-applications-temporarily-relaxed.html
https://www.fragomen.com/insights/united-kingdom-right-to-work-checks-to-be-expanded-to-more-types-of-employment.html
https://www.fragomen.com/insights/kazakhstan-second-digital-nomad-visa-offering-permanent-residency-introduced.html