What’s new in global immigration?
This week, the Global Immigration team at Smith Stone Walters would like to highlight the following recent updates from France, Ireland, Nigeria, South Africa and United Arab Emirates.
France: EU Blue Card rules updated
On 2 May 2025, France passed Law No. 2025-391, updating the EU Blue Card rules in line with EU Directive 2021/1883.
Among the changes introduced are the following:
• Applicants with at least three years of relevant professional experience in the previous seven years in certain occupations may now qualify for an EU Blue Card. The applicable qualifications have yet to be defined by a future government decree. In other occupations, five years of professional experience is required, or a three-year higher education decree.
• The minimum duration for the employment contract has been reduced from one year to six months.
• A holder of an EU Blue Card issued by another EU member state can now enter France visa-free after staying for 12 months (previously 18 months) in the issuing member state. This also applies to a holder of an EU Blue Card issued by another EU member state who has spent at least six months in a second EU member state after an initial 12 months in the issuing member state. In either case, the EU blue card holder must apply for a French EU Blue Card within one month of arrival in France.
• If the employment contract is for a period of less than two years, the EU Blue Card will now be issued for the contract duration plus up to three months, to a maximum of two years.
• Periods of time spent on certain other residence permits now count towards the five years of residence required for an EU Blue Card holder to qualify for a ten-year long-term residence permit. An applicant who has held a French EU Blue Card for at least two years may be eligible for the ten-year long-term residence permit if, for the remainder of the five required years, they held an EU Blue Card or a residence permit for highly-skilled workers, researchers or international protection issued by France or another EU member state.
• There is no change to the salary threshold, which remains 1.5 times the average gross annual salary.
Ireland: Visa requirement for nationals of Trinidad and Tobago
The Department of Justice has announced that, effective 12 May 2025, nationals of Trinidad and Tobago is now required to obtain a visa before travelling to Ireland. A transit visa is now required if intending to transit through Ireland enroute to another destination.
Nationals of Trinidad and Tobago who made travel plans before 12 May 2025 and can provide evidence of a valid booking and payment for the trip, may be accommodated for emergency travel in the following situations where the scheduled travel is on or before 31 May 2025:
• A critical medical case involving a family member being seriously ill or undergoing medical treatment. Evidence from the relevant medical institution must be provided.
• Visiting for a significant family event, i.e., a birth, wedding, or funeral. Suitable evidence must be provided.
• Taking up a place obtained in a third-level institution on an undergraduate or post-graduate degree course. Evidence must be provided from the relevant institution.
• Taking up employment and holding an Employment Permit for Ireland. Evidence of the permit issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment must be provided.
• Travelling for business. Confirmation of the arrangements for the visit from the business in question must be provided.
Persons falling within the above categories are asked to email with the subject line “Visa Required – Emergency Travel Requested.
Nigeria: New e-visa system launched
Effective 1 May 2025, the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has replaced visas on arrival with a new e-visa system. Eligible travellers must apply online and will receive their e-visa within 48 hours of application submission.
Visas on arrival issued before 1 May 2025 will be valid (up to their allowed duration of stay) until 30 May 2025.
Overstay penalties have been introduced, with a three-month grace period until 1 August 2025 to allow foreign nationals with expired visas to exit Nigeria without penalty.
Fines are set at $15 per day, plus a five-year entry ban for overstays of three months or more, and a permanent entry ban for overstays of one year or more.
NIS has also introduced an electronic landing and exit card system for inbound and outbound travellers. Foreign nationals must complete the landing card before boarding, and outbound travellers must complete the exit card before departure.
The exit card system is synchronized with the visa processing authorities and will automatically apply overstay penalties and entry bans, where applicable.
South Africa: Smart ID services expanded for permanent residents and naturalised citizens
On 12 May 2025, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) launched its expansion of Smart IDs for permanent residents and naturalised citizens from visa-exempt countries.
Due to the extremely high volumes of applications being received, DHA notes that the process is currently only applicable to applicants who are in possession of a green barcoded ID and are from visa exempt countries.
Once volumes reduce, applicants from non-visa-exempt countries will also be assisted. DHA will communicate when this next phase opens for applications.
Applications can be done at all Live Capture Offices, bank branches and via the eHome-Affairs Portal. Applicants can now also register and book appointments via the eHome-Affairs Portal and the Branch Appointment Booking System (BABS).
United Arab Emirates: Sudanese nationals exempted from immigration fines
The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) has announced that it has decided to exempt citizens of Sudan from fines related to residence permits and entry permits effective 19 May 2025.
The exemption period will continue until the end of 2025. Sudanese nationals who have incurred fines can rectify their status and submit renewal applications through the Authority’s official digital channels without paying the fines.
A better way to manage global immigration
Smith Stone Walters is now part of Envoy Global, the leading corporate immigration services provider committed to delivering a better way for companies to manage global immigration.
This partnership will greatly enhance our global footprint and enable us to meet the growing needs of our clients even more effectively.
If you would like to find out more about the enhanced level of global immigration services now available to your business, please contact us today.
