WR Immigration’s March 2025 global immigration update highlights significant changes and developments across several countries, including Canada’s removal of Arranged Employment points, new UK visa requirements for EU nationals, delays in the EU’s ETIAS system launch, and updates on Poland’s foreign worker regulations.
Canada: Removal of Arranged Employment Points from Express Entry System
On March 25, 2025, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officially announced the removal of arranged employment points from the Express Entry system. This change, aimed at reducing fraud, means that job offers will no longer contribute to an applicant’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, which historically provided a significant advantage in securing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.
It’s important to note that this change applies only to candidates who have not yet received an ITA. Those who have already been invited to apply will not be affected. The removal of these points levels the playing field for applicants, including those on open work permits, and is expected to decrease the CRS threshold required for ITAs in the near future. Additionally, employers will no longer be incentivized to pursue employer-specific work permits to boost a candidate’s Express Entry score.
UK: ETA Requirement Extended to EU/EEA and Swiss Nationals
Starting April 2, 2025, nationals from the EU/EEA (excluding Irish citizens) and Switzerland will be required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before entering the United Kingdom. This online travel authorization will allow individuals to enter the UK for business or tourism for up to six months, with a validity of two years for multiple entries. Further details on the application process are available on the GOV.UK website.
EU: ETIAS Launch Delayed Until Late 2026
The European Commission has announced that the launch of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will be postponed until the end of 2026. This means that travelers from visa-exempt countries will not need to take any action regarding ETIAS at this time. Once operational, ETIAS will require nationals who do not need a visa to travel to EU/EEA countries to apply for travel authorization online before their trip.
The ETIAS launch will follow the introduction of the Entry/Exit System (EES), with the implementation expected to be gradual. A transitional period of at least six months will follow the official launch, during which visa-exempt travelers will need to apply for ETIAS, though entry will not be denied without one.
Poland: New Regulations to Restrict Foreign Worker Posting
Starting May 1, 2025, Poland will introduce new regulations affecting foreign workers posted to the country. Key changes include:
Intra-company transfers: Work permits will only be granted if the sending company has a parent-subsidiary relationship or shared management with the receiving entity in Poland. Transfers between companies with only a common owner will no longer be eligible for work permits.
Service contract restrictions: Workers can no longer be posted to Poland under service contracts held by the receiving company. They must be posted to fulfill contracts held by their employer in the home country.
Letterbox company ineligibility: Companies that do not conduct actual business operations in their home country will be deemed “letterbox companies” and will be ineligible to obtain work permits for Poland.
Employment history requirements: A posted worker must be a current employee of the sending company and cannot be hired specifically for the purpose of posting to Poland.
Additional documentation: Employers must submit supporting documents to demonstrate compliance with Polish labor laws and guarantee adequate remuneration for posted workers.
These changes apply to work permit applications submitted after May 1, 2025, and employers are advised to submit applications before this date if they anticipate challenges with the new criteria.
Portugal: New Visa Program for CPLP Nationals
A new visa program launched in late 2024 offers a streamlined path for nationals from the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) to live and work in Portugal. Citizens from Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, and East Timor are eligible for a one-year residence permit, which can be renewed for up to five years.
While Brazilian and East Timorese nationals can apply for this residence permit upon arrival in Portugal, citizens from other CPLP countries must secure their visa before traveling. This initiative aims to foster greater mobility within the Portuguese-speaking world and enhance opportunities for those from these nations.
Saudi Arabia: Saudization Quotas to Increase in Key Sectors
Saudi Arabia will enforce stricter Saudization requirements in several sectors starting in July 2025. The quotas for hiring Saudi nationals will increase as follows:
Dentistry: 45% for businesses with at least three dental workers.
Engineering: 30% for businesses with at least five engineers.
Pharmaceutical: 35% for community pharmacies, 65% for hospitals, and 55% for other pharmacy-related businesses.
The private accounting sector will also see a Saudization increase, with a 40% requirement for businesses with at least five accountants, which will rise by 10% annually until it reaches 70% by 2028.
Employers in these sectors must prepare to comply with these new quotas to avoid penalties, including fines and interruptions to business operations.
Ireland: New Online Portal for Employment Permits
Ireland’s Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment (DETE) has announced the upcoming launch of a new cloud-based system for Employment Permit applications. This system will offer a more secure and user-friendly process, allowing both employers and employees to track the status of applications. However, there will be a blackout period prior to the launch during which no Employment Permit applications will be accepted. The exact launch date has not yet been announced.
Related topics:
- Thousands Rally in Dallas Against Trump’s Immigration Policies
- UK Hosts Landmark Summit to Combat Organised Immigration Crime
- Concerns Rise Over Detainee Welfare After Fire at Melbourne Immigration Detention Centre
