Immigration Digest: January 2022

As we enter the new year with extensions to permit deadlines and continued effects of Covid-19, Mauve is back with its first immigration digest of 2022 – summing up the latest immigration news for employers.

Italy – Updates to Work Permit Quota for 2022

The government of Italy has updated the work permit quota for workers residing outside of the European Economic Area (EEA). Over the coming months, a maximum of 67,700 permits will be granted under the following categories:

• From 27th January 2022, 27,700 permits will be available to non-seasonal, self-employed individuals, those with status changes, and other hires.
• From 1st February 2022, 42,000 permits will be available to seasonal workers, the agriculture industry, and the tourism-hotel sectors.

For further updates on the work permit quota, check the government of Italy’s website here.

Germany – Minimum Annual Gross Salary Requirements

The government of Germany has announced a reduction in the minimum annual gross salary requirements for EU Blue Card holders. The EU Blue Card grants individuals a temporary residence permit for a maximum of four years. This means that foreign nationals holding an EU Blue Card can work in Germany on a lower salary than the previous year.

The salary requirements have now been lowered from EUR 56,800 to EUR 56,400. For workers in mathematics, computer science, the natural sciences, engineering, and medicine (excluding dentistry), the minimum annual gross salary is EUR 43,992.

For more information on the EU Blue Card, click here.

Taiwan – Entry Restrictions Lifted for Foreign Visa Holders

On 30th December 2021, the authorities of Taiwan lifted entry restrictions on foreign workers entering Thailand. Internationals holding a Thai migrant work visa are now permitted to enter the country but are subject to Covid-19 entry requirements, including PCR testing and quarantine if needed.

Thai migrant worker visas that expired between 19th May 2021 and 19th August 2021 have also automatically been extended to 31st May 2022. Individuals who meet the criteria will not need to apply for a new visa.

For additional updates, check the authorities of Taiwan’s website here.

Ireland – Automatic Extensions to Irish Residence Permits

The Irish Ministry for Justice has announced a temporary extension to Irish Residence Permits (IRP) until 31st May 2022. The extension applies to all permits that will expire from now until May 31st 2022, including those that were already extended by the previous temporary extensions since March 2020. Permit holders intending to remain in Ireland after 31st May 2022 should ensure they apply to renew or extend their permits before this date.

Read the Ministry’s full announcement here.

Netherlands – Minimum Salary Requirements for 2022

The Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) has announced the new minimum salary requirement for international employees, including Highly Skilled Migrants, Graduates, and Blue Card Holders. The minimum salary amounts exclude an 8% holiday allowance and are divided into the following categories:

• For applicants 30 years and older, the minimum monthly gross salary requirement is rising from EUR 4,752 to EUR 4,840.
• For applicants younger than 30 years, the minimum monthly gross salary threshold is rising from EUR 3,484 to EUR 3,549.
• For graduates from a higher Dutch educational institution, the minimum monthly gross salary is rising from EUR 2,497 to EUR 2,543
• For Blue Card applicants, the minimum monthly gross salary is rising from EUR 5,567 to EUR 5,670.

Montenegro – Launch of New Digital Nomad Program

On 28th December 2021, the government of Montenegro adopted a new program that aims to encourage more digital nomads to reside in the country. Foreign nationals holding a temporary residence permit for digital nomads will be able to stay in Montenegro and work digitally for up to one year with the possibility of extensions.

The program is expected to be unveiled in stages over the next three years. The beginning stages will involve creating amendments that will regulate the status of digital nomads in Montenegro, as well as the development of a new web platform for the program.

For further updates, click here for the government of Montenegro’s website.

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