non-EEA

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UK: Health Surcharge exemption eliminated for Australian and New Zealand nationals

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On or after April 6, 2016, Australian and New Zealand nationals seeking to stay in the United Kingdom for more than six months or renewing their visa in country will be required to pay the immigration health surcharge as part of their visa application.  In April 2015, the UK government introduced an Immigration Health Surcharge to all non-EEA nationals, which at the time exempted Australian and New Zealand nationals who were in the United Kingdom for a year or less.

Australian and New Zealand nationals will still not be charged for emergency treatment.

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Nehterlands: Minimum salary and Government filing fees to increase

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Starting January 1, 2016, non-EEA nationals applying for work and/or residence authorization will be subject to higher minimum salary levels.

Knowledge Migrant Salary Threshold

Highly-skilled Knowledge Migrants will be subject to new minimum gross monthly salary requirements as follows (excluding holiday pay):

  • Applicants over 30: EUR 4,240 (approximately USD 4,671), up from EUR 4,189
  • Applicants under 30: EUR 3,108 (approximately USD 3,424), up from EUR 3,071.
  • Applicants who are foreign graduates of a Dutch institution of higher education or foreign graduates taking advantage of the one-year search period to secure employment: EUR 2,228  (approximately USD 2,454), up from EUR 2,201.

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Germany: Blue Card minimum salary increases on January 1 2016

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Starting January 1, 2016, non-EEA nationals with valid job offers applying for work authorization under the EU Blue Card program will be subject to higher minimum salary levels in Germany.

The minimum salary for shortage occupations will be €38,688, up from €37,752; and for non-shortage occupations, the minimum will be €49,600, up from €48,400.

The German government re-evaluates the minimum salary requirements for the Blue Card program annually. The new salary thresholds apply to Blue Card applicants with employment contract start dates of January 1 or later.

What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals

Employers should ensure that all relevant teams and managers are aware of the salary increases and plan for the impact on corporate budgets.