Important Updates
Important Updates
October 22, 2025 | SwedenSweden: New EU Blue Card Rules Forthcoming
October 22, 2025 | ChinaChina: Updated Online Visa Application System for U.S. Applicants Launched
October 22, 2025 | United KingdomFinancial Times: Scientists Charged Too Much to Come to Work in UK, Says Royal Society
October 22, 2025 | HungaryHungary: Change of Residence Permit Practice Relaxed
October 22, 2025 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
October 22, 2025 | SwedenSweden: New EU Blue Card Rules Forthcoming
October 22, 2025 | ChinaChina: Updated Online Visa Application System for U.S. Applicants Launched
October 22, 2025 | United KingdomFinancial Times: Scientists Charged Too Much to Come to Work in UK, Says Royal Society
October 22, 2025 | HungaryHungary: Change of Residence Permit Practice Relaxed
October 22, 2025 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
October 22, 2025 | SwedenSweden: New EU Blue Card Rules Forthcoming
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationFragomen Consulting EuropeImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapCenter for Strategy and Applied InsightsVietnamese ImmigrationView More
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Fragomen Consulting Europe
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Center for Strategy and Applied Insights
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • View More

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
  • Insights

The Year in Review: 2013 Business Immigration Highlights

December 31, 2013

Marco Deutsch

Countries / Territories

  • 🌐

Related offices

  • Beijing
  • Bengaluru
  • Brisbane
  • Hong Kong
  • Kochi
  • Kuala Lumpur
  • Melbourne
  • Perth
  • Shanghai
  • Singapore
  • Sydney

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • Beijing
  • Bengaluru
  • Brisbane
  • Hong Kong
  • Kochi
  • Kuala Lumpur
  • Melbourne
  • Perth
  • Shanghai
  • Singapore
  • Sydney

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • Beijing
  • Bengaluru
  • Brisbane
  • Hong Kong
  • Kochi
  • Kuala Lumpur
  • Melbourne
  • Perth
  • Shanghai
  • Singapore
  • Sydney

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
As the year draws to a close, we look back to the key trends that the Asia Pacific region has witnessed in business and employment immigration during 2013. Some of the region’s largest economies have implemented comprehensive policy reforms, with Australia, China and Singapore taking a stronger stance in compliance, resulting in significant changes to processes and requirements. More countries have adopted measures to protect local workers. There is increasing recognition for the need to compete internationally for top talent, a trend that will carry over to next year as governments develop their approaches to attracting and retaining foreign talent with exemplary skills. 
 
China has taken more than a year to implement regulations for its new Exit-Entry Administrative Law, which replaced the immigration statute that governed foreign nationals’ entry into China for nearly 30 years. Out of this overhaul came more clearly defined criteria for what constitutes illegal employment and illegal residency in China, sharply increased penalties, new and re-categorized visa types, and increased compliance obligations for employers. 
 
Likewise, in Australia and Singapore administrative penalty systems have been further developed alongside, and as an alternate to, pursuing court proceedings against errant employers and foreign workers. As in China, penalties as well as enforceable sponsorship undertakings have been increased to reinforce the compliance message in Singapore and Australia. 
 
In Vietnam, multiple changes to work permit rules took effect this year, while a further implementing circular is expected to be released before the year closes.
 
The protection of local workers has been a recurrent theme across the region:
 
  • In Singapore, a new Fair Consideration Framework was announced and is poised to take effect next year. This will require companies to advertise in a government-run job bank so that suitably qualified Singaporeans are considered first before foreigners are sponsored for roles.
  • In Australia, labor market testing, along with other key changes to the subclass 457 visa program, were introduced. These took effect on 23 November 2013.
  • In India, evidence of local recruitment efforts is now required to complete local registration procedures, particularly in the cities of Kochi and Hyderabad.
  • In Hong Kong, we are seeing more scrutiny into efforts to recruit locally as part of employment visa application deliberations.
 
Countries across the region have also tightened entry requirements, especially for individuals intending to work.
 
The Australian government has overhauled its visitor visa framework and introduced a new subclass 400 visa for specialized, short-term work; engaging in any form of work-related activities while on a business visitor visa is now prohibited. 
 
Malaysia’s Professional Visit Pass (PVP) program has placed new restrictions on foreign travel, depending on the validity of the PVP. Foreign nationals with approved PVP applications who would require an entry visa for work purposes (even those previously eligible for a Journey Performed Visa) must now apply for a reference visa abroad. 
 
Immigration compliance continues to be increasingly related to tax. In the Philippines, the immigration authority has thrown support to the tax authority’s collection and enforcement efforts by requiring more work visa applicants to obtain a Philippine tax identification number (TIN) before applying for the visa. This was even extended to short-term work permit (Special Work Permit) applicants. In China, the new immigration law created an information-sharing platform to facilitate inter-agency enforcement. 
 
Finally, while still not as robust as the investment and talent visa programs in other regions, Asia Pacific countries are recognizing the need to successfully compete on a global stage for highly talented or high net worth individuals. To cite a couple of examples, the new Chinese immigration law contains provisions for a talent introduction visa as well as a permanent residence program, although further details for both programs have not been released yet. Japan is looking back over the first year of its points system program and is exploring reforms to make it more attractive to foreign professionals. 

Countries / Territories

  • 🌐

Related offices

  • Beijing
  • Bengaluru
  • Brisbane
  • Hong Kong
  • Kochi
  • Kuala Lumpur
  • Melbourne
  • Perth
  • Shanghai
  • Singapore
  • Sydney

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • Beijing
  • Bengaluru
  • Brisbane
  • Hong Kong
  • Kochi
  • Kuala Lumpur
  • Melbourne
  • Perth
  • Shanghai
  • Singapore
  • Sydney

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • Beijing
  • Bengaluru
  • Brisbane
  • Hong Kong
  • Kochi
  • Kuala Lumpur
  • Melbourne
  • Perth
  • Shanghai
  • Singapore
  • Sydney

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Blog post

Costa Rica Family Relocation: Understanding Residency for Dependents

Immigration Director Adriana Martínez Garro explains the residency process in Costa Rica for families relocating with dependents, outlining key legal considerations and steps for securing status.

Learn more

Media mentions

Financial Times: Scientists Charged Too Much to Come to Work in UK, Says Royal Society

Fragomen contributed data showing how UK visa and health surcharge costs compare with other leading research nations.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Contributes to Migration Observatory Report on Gender and Migration in the UK

Fragomen supported this report, which explores how gender shapes migration patterns, visa routes, employment and settlement in the UK.

Learn more

Blog post

Polish Citizenship Rules Under Review: What the Proposed Amendments Mean

Senior Associate Tomasz Rdzanek or Poland Immigration Strategy Director Tomasz Rogala discuss proposed changes to Poland’s citizenship law aimed at simplifying eligibility and clarifying naturalisation procedures for foreign nationals.

Learn more

Video

Oman Introduces a Golden Visa Program | #MobilityMinute

Manager David Makau discusses Oman's recent introduction of a Golden Visa program.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Stage: Actors, Dancers and Writers Set to Escape Visa Ban

Partner Louise Haycock highlights the inclusion of performing arts occupations on the temporary shortage list and what it means for international talent in the sector.

Learn more

Media mentions

Arts Professional: Creative Sector Must ‘Come Together’ to Give Artists Easier Access to Visas

Partner Louise Haycock highlights opportunities for easier access to overseas talent for the UK creative sector while guiding businesses through evolving visa rules.

Learn more

Blog post

British Citizenship for Adopted and Surrogate Children: What Families Should Know

Associate Amelia Haynes and Paralegal Clare Macmillan Bell discuss the legal considerations surrounding British citizenship for children born through adoption or surrogacy.

Learn more

Media mentions

Financial Times: Boom Time for Immigration Lawyers as US and UK Tighten Restrictions

Partner Bo Cooper provides insight on how evolving US and UK immigration policies, including recent H-1B changes, are shaping corporate mobility and compliance strategies.

Learn more

Video

Atividades Técnicas sob Status de Visitante | #MobilityMinute

O Diretor Executivo da Fragomen Brasil, Diogo Kloper, destaca uma atualização importante na política migratória brasileira, que muda significativamente o que estrangeiros podem fazer no país sob o status de visitante.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: Founders Without Frontiers: Navigating Immigration Rules for Start-Ups

Partner Rajiv Naik provides insight on how immigration frameworks across the UK, Europe and EMEA are evolving to support start-ups and entrepreneurial talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

The New York Times: Visiting the European Union? Expect to Give Your Biometric Data.

Partner Jo Antoons discusses the rollout of the EU's new Entry/Exit System.

Learn more

Blog post

Costa Rica Family Relocation: Understanding Residency for Dependents

Immigration Director Adriana Martínez Garro explains the residency process in Costa Rica for families relocating with dependents, outlining key legal considerations and steps for securing status.

Learn more

Media mentions

Financial Times: Scientists Charged Too Much to Come to Work in UK, Says Royal Society

Fragomen contributed data showing how UK visa and health surcharge costs compare with other leading research nations.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Contributes to Migration Observatory Report on Gender and Migration in the UK

Fragomen supported this report, which explores how gender shapes migration patterns, visa routes, employment and settlement in the UK.

Learn more

Blog post

Polish Citizenship Rules Under Review: What the Proposed Amendments Mean

Senior Associate Tomasz Rdzanek or Poland Immigration Strategy Director Tomasz Rogala discuss proposed changes to Poland’s citizenship law aimed at simplifying eligibility and clarifying naturalisation procedures for foreign nationals.

Learn more

Video

Oman Introduces a Golden Visa Program | #MobilityMinute

Manager David Makau discusses Oman's recent introduction of a Golden Visa program.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Stage: Actors, Dancers and Writers Set to Escape Visa Ban

Partner Louise Haycock highlights the inclusion of performing arts occupations on the temporary shortage list and what it means for international talent in the sector.

Learn more

Media mentions

Arts Professional: Creative Sector Must ‘Come Together’ to Give Artists Easier Access to Visas

Partner Louise Haycock highlights opportunities for easier access to overseas talent for the UK creative sector while guiding businesses through evolving visa rules.

Learn more

Blog post

British Citizenship for Adopted and Surrogate Children: What Families Should Know

Associate Amelia Haynes and Paralegal Clare Macmillan Bell discuss the legal considerations surrounding British citizenship for children born through adoption or surrogacy.

Learn more

Media mentions

Financial Times: Boom Time for Immigration Lawyers as US and UK Tighten Restrictions

Partner Bo Cooper provides insight on how evolving US and UK immigration policies, including recent H-1B changes, are shaping corporate mobility and compliance strategies.

Learn more

Video

Atividades Técnicas sob Status de Visitante | #MobilityMinute

O Diretor Executivo da Fragomen Brasil, Diogo Kloper, destaca uma atualização importante na política migratória brasileira, que muda significativamente o que estrangeiros podem fazer no país sob o status de visitante.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: Founders Without Frontiers: Navigating Immigration Rules for Start-Ups

Partner Rajiv Naik provides insight on how immigration frameworks across the UK, Europe and EMEA are evolving to support start-ups and entrepreneurial talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

The New York Times: Visiting the European Union? Expect to Give Your Biometric Data.

Partner Jo Antoons discusses the rollout of the EU's new Entry/Exit System.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.