Latest updates in global immigration

04.07.2022

This week, the SSW Global Immigration team would like to highlight the following recent updates from Australia, Denmark, Kuwait and Taiwan.

Australia: New salary requirements

The Fair Work Commission has announced that, effective 1 July:

the National Minimum Wage will increase by AUD 40 per week, which amounts to an increase of 5.2%
award minimum wages will increase by 4.6%, which is subject to a minimum increase for award classifications of AUD 40 per week and based on a 38-hour week for a full-time employee.

It is recommended that employers review all salaries and awards for visa holders in Australia before 1 July 2022, to ensure that their salaries and awards meet the new minimum requirements.

National Minimum Wage increase:

The National Minimum Wage applies to employees not covered by an award or registered agreement.

From 1 July 2022, the National Minimum Wage will increase by $40 per week, which amounts to an increase of 5.2%. The new National Minimum Wage will be $812.60 per week or $21.38 per hour.

Award minimum wage increase:

Most employees are covered by an award. Awards are legal documents that outline the minimum pay rates and conditions of employment.

The FWC has announced that minimum award wages will increase by 4.6%, which is subject to a minimum increase for award classifications of $40 per week and based on a 38-hour week for a full-time employee. This means minimum award wages:

above $869.60 per week, will get a 4.6% increase
below $869.60 per week, will get a $40 increase.

For those who are covered by a registered agreement, the minimum wage increase may apply. This is because the base pay rate in a registered agreement can’t be less than the base pay rate in the relevant award.

For some awards in the aviation, hospitality and tourism industries, the increase will happen from 1 October 2022.

Denmark: Delays to visa processing times

The Danish Immigration Service has extended its expected processing times for applications submitted until September 2022.

The reason for the extended application processing times is due to the prioritization of the many applications submitted under the Special Act on residence permits for displaced persons from Ukraine.

Delays will affect many applications, including those for:

Extension of a visa (6 months, up from 14 days);
Residence on the grounds of family reunion (9 months, up from 7 months)
Permanent residence permit (13 months, up from 10 months);
Residence card (5-6 months, up from 3 months).

Kuwait: Visit visas suspended

As of 27 June 2022, the Kuwaiti government has suspended the issuance of visit visas for family members and for tourism until further notice. The suspension is due to the preparation of new visa regulations by the immigration authorities.

Taiwan: New online service for work permit holders

Effective 1 July 2022, foreign professionals holding an employment permit issued by the Ministry of Labour can submit an online application for Alien Resident Certificates (ARCs) for themselves and any family members.

This online service is being launched as a pilot scheme with the Ministry of Labour and, if successful, will gradually be rolled out to those who obtained their employment permits from the Ministry of Education and other authorities.