Editors Pick

Highlights: UK Government plans to raise the cost of immigration from 2025

• The UK government announced an increase in the immigration fees for skilled workers from 2025
• The surge in immigration fees also includes the cost of issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) under the skilled worker route. 
• The Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) fee is expected to be doubled and increase from £239 to £525. 
• The proposal also includes additional fee increases related to applying for UK citizenship.  

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UK government plans to surge Certain Immigration Fees

The UK government's proposal to increase certain immigration surge fees includes a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) under the skilled worker route, in which employers who sponsor foreign nationals must pay double the cost, which is increased from £239 to £525. There would be an additional fee to apply for UK citizenship as well. The proposal is still awaiting approval by the government, among other legal processes that must occur before it enters into effect. However, there is no definitive date by which the fee will increase.

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Reason to Increase the UK Immigration Fees

The proposed increase in the UK immigration fees will significantly increase the cost of hiring foreign nationals. Applicant needs to reassess their immigration budget because of the significant surge in the price of the COS to sponsor foreign nationals. The reason for this surge, as defined by the UK government, is that the fees should raise an additional £269 million in revenue, which will help to reduce the cost to taxpayers of running the immigration system. The fee increase comes simultaneously with the recent confirmation that employers must pay Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) fees, which cannot be compensated by the foreign nationals they sponsor.  

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Highlights: Europe plans to recruit 1.2 Million Healthcare Professionals in 2025

• Europe has announced a new initiative to address the nurse shortages in the country in 2025. 
• EU plans to recruit more than 1.2 million Healthcare professionals dealing with labor in the Schengen Area. 
• The seven EU countries recruiting healthcare workers are Switzerland, Norway, Germany, Ireland, Austria, Denmark, and the Netherlands. 
• According to the WHO report, the world might face a shortage of 18 million healthcare workers by 2030.

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EU targets to attract more Healthcare workers 

Foreign nationals who are Healthcare professionals have a great opportunity to apply in an EU country. To address the labor shortage in the country, Europe will recruit 1.3 million healthcare workers. With this action plan, several activities across the EU Member states will be held over 36 months. 

Countries with Labor shortages in Healthcare sectors will be prioritized. In addition, the Member states, in collaboration with the nurses' organization and social partners, will address the initiative's specific needs to be convenient for both national and subnational levels. This initiative will also include a mentoring section for future nurses, impacting assessment for nurses, improving the workers' well-being, and initiating initiatives regarding the benefits of digital transformation.

According to Eurostat, the highest number of nurses who graduated in 2020 in Norway out of all EU countries was 75 per 100,000 inhabitants. Sweden and Denmark also have a higher number of nurses per inhabitant, 44.1 and 43.5 per 100,000 people, whereas Bulgaria (6.9) and Romania (6.4) had the lowest number of nurses compared to 10,000 inhabitants.

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 7 EU countries that are in of Healthcare Professional 

Seven EU countries need more healthcare workers such as specialist doctors and nursing professionals are:

• Switzerland
• Norway
• Germany
• Ireland
• Austria
• Denmark 
• Netherlands   

Top In-demand Healthcare profession in EU countries

Healthcare Professions that are in demand in the seven EU countries are: 

• Generalist medical practitioners
• Specialist medicals
• Healthcare assistants
• Nurses
• Physiotherapists
• Dentists
• Pharmacists
• Midwives 
• Speech therapists 
• Audiologists 

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Highlights: Canada implements Tax changes for Start-Up visa applicants in 2025

• Canada has a plan to introduce new changes to the Canadian Tax system in 2025
• Canada’s Tax system changes will affect start-up entrepreneurs immigrating through the Start-Up Visa (SUV) program in 2025.
• Canada will make online mailing a default for most business agreements starting in spring 2025.
• In 2025, the Year’s Maximum Pensionable Earnings (YMPE) will be $71,300.00, and the Year’s Additional Maximum Pensionable Earnings (YAMPE) will be $81,200.
   

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Changes in Canada’s Tax System in 2025

Below are the changes in Canada’ Tax system in 2025:
 

Changes to Online Mail for Business Correspondence

From the beginning of spring 2025, the Canada Revenue Agency ((CRA) will make online mail a default for most business correspondence. The key update will be sent via the My Business Account portal instead of paper mail. This change will affect:
 

• New Business number and program account registrations.
• Existing businesses registered in the My Business Account portal
• Businesses represented through the Represent a client service
   

Note: Ensure that the mail is up to date in My Business Account to receive timely notification about new mail
 

Changes in Capital Gain Tax

The CRA has introduced new inclusive rates for capital gains pending parliamentary approval. The changes are:
 

• The higher inclusion rate for capital gains realized on or after June 25, 2024, primarily impacts the start-up founders selling shares.
• All the updated application forms for individuals, corporations, and trusts will be available by January 31, 2025
• Relief for arrears interest and penalties applies to filing due on or before March 3, 2025
   

Requirements for Trust Reporting

The CRA has extended the bare trust filing of T3 Income Tax and Information Return for the 2024 tax year. Other trusts will adjust with the updated requirements, which include:
 

• Filing the T3 return with Schedule 15
• Having compliance with specific CRA requests for trust information
   

Note: Proper documentation and trust management is essential to meet these requirements and to avoid penalty
 

Enhancements for the Canada Pension Plan

Canada has increased the Year’s Maximum Pensionable Earnings (YMPE) to $71,300, whereas the Year’s Additional Maximum Pensionable Earnings stand at $81,200. These changes complete the enhanced Canada Pension Plan (CPP) legislative updates. Key changes are:
 

• Contributions on earning between $71,300 and $81,200
• Everyone, including employers and employees, should have updated payroll systems to reflect the new threshold
• Hiring staff must ensure that they adhere to the policy to avoid fines
   

Short-Term Rental Compliance

The new rule also applies to short-term rental operators to comply with municipal and provincial regulations to claim tax deductions. This applies to:
 

• Licensing and Registration
• Permits and operating requirements
   

Note: Operators must meet local compliance standards by December 31, 2024, to remain eligible for deduction. 
 

Changes in Digital Services

The digital platform has also been improved for business usability. The key changes are:
 

• To represent a client portal in My Business Account and Representation new enhanced navigation and layout
• New email notification options for tasks such as payments and account changes
• Tools for Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Self-Assessment Tool to simplify the Tool credit claims
   

Transition to Filing Information Returns

The Electronic submissions of Tax returns will follow updated guidelines from January 2025:
 

• Submission will be limited to a single return type
• Before filing new validation, they will be notified for business of discrepancies
   

Administrative Relief for T4/T4A report

Employers who do not offer dental coverage under the Canadian Dental Plan (CDCP) for the 2024 Tax year can skip the relevant box blank for T4 and T4A slips. However, non-compliant Entrepreneurs employing staff should ensure their payroll system is updated.
 

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Highlights: France plans to introduce top 5 Schengen visa changes in 2025

• France has declared the introduction of new Schengen visa changes in 2025.
• France introduces this new reform to attract skilled workers from certain countries.
• France plans to implement strict rules for checks and visa-issuing for certain countries.
• This new change is expected to be effective in 2025.
   

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France's reason to introduce new reforms

In 2025, the French authorities have declared plans to major Schengen visa reform with the new measure expanding to tighten some rules while facilitating others. France is considering implementing the Hermelin report to address irregular migration and applying measures to specific categories of foreign nationals to encourage economic, academic, and cultural exchanges.  This visa will be implemented gradually this year, and several points will be included.
 

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France introduced the top 5 new reforms in 2025

As soon as the new reforms are made, here are the top five changes that would apply to France visa application:
 

• France will increase the security checks for applicants, which will be strengthened.
• France will increase cooperation with the member states to share visa applicants' data and expand the use of the Schengen Information System.
• France might impose tighter rules for certain country nationals.
• France is also planning to facilitate the digitalization of the visa application process by reducing processing time and simplifying it, which will benefit students, professionals, and researchers.
• As a part of the reform, France will also expand the talent visas.
   

With these new reforms, France aims to attract more foreign workers, especially those who can take up jobs in sectors dealing with labor shortages. France could also introduce new changes. The reform has yet to be announced officially, and the changes will also be effective. 
 

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Highlights: Germany raises salary requirements to obtain EU Blue Card applicants in 2025

• Germany increased the salary requirements for foreign nationals who want to obtain an EU Blue Card in 2025.
• The new salary requirement is effective from the beginning of this year, 2025.
• Foreign nationals with a job offer must earn at least €48,300 to obtain an EU Blue Card.
• The salary requirement also increased for bottleneck professions such as STEM, which must be at least €43,759.80.
   

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Germany increases salary requirement for EU Blue Card

Germany has increased the salary requirement for foreign nationals who want to obtain an EU Blue Card. The new salary requirement will be practical for foreign nationals applying for a German EU Blue Card.
 

Foreign nationals with specific job offers must earn at least €48,300 to qualify for EU Blue Card. The salary requirement for each group has increased by 6.6 percent compared to 2024. So the minimum salary requirement stands at €45,300.
 

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Salary Requirement increased for foreign nationals in a Bottleneck Profession

Germany has also increased the salary requirement for bottleneck professionals, which includes professionals in IT, STEM, construction, and the education sector who want to obtain an EU Blue Card.
 

Applicants who are employed in the Bottleneck profession must earn at least €43,759.80 in 2025 to obtain an EU Blue Card. The recent salary requirement is € 41,041.80 higher than in 2024, which was €41,041.80.The salary requirement for young professionals new to the German labor market, remains the same as in 2024 – €41,041.80.Germany issued 69,353 EU Blue Cards in 2023, leading the list of EU countries.
 

Benefits of obtaining an EU Blue Card

Here are some benefits of obtaining an EU Blue Card:
 

• An EU Blue Card allows an applicant to live and work in an EU country
• Holder of EU Blue Cards can change their employer without any extended procedures
• Non-EU residents can become a permanent member of the EU Country
• Allowed to bring their family with them
• Right to work in other EU countries without any work permit for a specific time
   

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