Global immigration authorities across Asia, Europe, and the Pacific have released critical Policy Updates impacting corporate HR planning, expatriate workers, and foreign talent acquisition. Key directives from Singapore, New Zealand, Kazakhstan, and Thailand establish new salary baselines, revised quota schedules, and modernized visa entry frameworks.
1. Singapore: Updated COMPASS Salary Benchmarking Table Issued
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has officially published the updated salary benchmarking table under the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS). This updated table establishes sector-specific 65th-percentile salary benchmarks required for foreign professionals to secure points under the C1 Salary criterion.
- Application Scope: The updated benchmarking table applies to initial Employment Pass (EP) filings submitted on or after January 1, 2027, and EP renewal applications for passes expiring from July 1, 2027.
- Compliance Focus: Current applications filed through December 31, 2026, continue under the previous 2025 benchmarking table. Employers planning 2027 international hires or key renewals must review salary bands to ensure candidates hit required COMPASS point thresholds.
2. New Zealand: Major Restructure to Parent Resident Visa Selection Model
Immigration New Zealand has announced a revised selection process for the Parent Resident Visa, effective October 5, 2026. While the annual quota remains capped at 2,500 visas per financial year, the selection method shifts from a purely date-ordered system to a hybrid approach:
- Selection Allocation: Approximately 90% of Expressions of Interest (EOIs) will be selected strictly by queue order, while the remaining 10% will be chosen via a randomized ballot.
- Elimination of 2-Year Expiry: EOIs in the pool will no longer expire after two years. Instead, applicants must reconfirm their interest every two years at no cost to maintain their queue position. Existing valid EOIs will automatically transfer to the new selection system.
3. Kazakhstan: 2027 Foreign Worker Quota Submission Window Open
Regional employment authorities across Kazakhstan have officially opened the annual submission window for 2027 Foreign Worker Quota Applications. Organizations intending to sponsor foreign talent or technical specialists in 2027 must submit regional headcount requests prior to the September 30, 2026 deadline.
The quota system allows regional governments to regulate foreign labor distribution. Employers are reminded that quota requirements do not apply to exempt foreign national categories, such as intra-company transferees (ICTs) or executive leadership operating under specific bilateral treaties.
4. Thailand: Overhaul of Visa Exemption and Visa on Arrival Framework
Following Cabinet approval, Thailand's Ministry of Interior is finalizing an overhaul of its tourist entry rules, replacing the broad 60-day visa exemption scheme across 93 countries with a streamlined, three-tiered entry structure taking effect 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette:
- 30-Day Visa Exemption: Covers 59 countries and territories (including India, EU member states, and Croatia) for tourism stays up to 30 days.
- 15-Day Visa Exemption: Applicable to select partner nations such as Mauritius and Seychelles.
- Visa on Arrival (VoA): Assigned to specific nations including Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Serbia, while eliminating overlapping dual-privilege classifications.
Feedback
Was this article helpful?
Your answer helps us improve guides and editorial priorities.
