This week, the Global Immigration team at Smith Stone Walters would like to highlight the following recent updates from Austria, Australia, Malaysia and New Zealand.
Austria: New residence permit for cross-border commuters
On 24 October 2025, the Austrian parliament approved amendments to the Settlement and Residence Act (NAG) and the Foreign Employment Act (AuslBG) which create a new residence permit for cross-border commuters.
Effective 1 December 2025, the new procedure enables third-country nationals workers who live in a neighbouring country to work in Austrian border districts. Prerequisites are a positive report from the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS) and a permanent residence permit in the neighbouring country.
The AMS report is an expert opinion that no suitable candidate in Austria can be found for the position.
A transitional regulation until the end of 2025 ensures that already employed cross-border commuters can continue to work in Austria.
Australia: Further details of Victoria’s 2025-26 skilled visa nomination allocation
The Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has now provided the full allocation for Victoria’s 2025–26 skilled visa nomination program.
DHA has allocated Victoria 3400 visa nomination places, which includes:
- Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) – 2700 places
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – 700 places
Existing registrations of interest (ROIs)
Active ROIs will remain valid for consideration in the 2025-26 program. A new ROI only needs to be submitted if the information previously provided has changed.
Registration of Interest remains open for two visa pathways:
To be considered for nomination, applicants must:
Malaysia: New exit rules for foreign nationals
In accordance with a directive from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA), the Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM) requires all employers to shorten their foreign nationals’ passes prior to their permanent departure from Malaysia.
The procedure is as follows:
- Employers must submit a pass-shortening application for foreign nationals who are permanently leaving Malaysia;
- The application must be submitted via ESD Online under the “Sub-Product” tab;
- Upon application approval, a Shorten Pass Slip will be issued and can be downloaded from the ESD Online;
- Pass holders are required to ensure that the Shorten Pass Slip remains in their possession throughout the departure process and present it upon request.
Moreover, effective 18 November 2025, if no renewal or pass shortening application has been submitted after the pass expiry date, the employer is required to complete the foreign national’s Exit Clearance via ESD Online.
- The Exit Clearance must be submitted within 30 days from the pass expiry date;
- Failure to comply may result in restricted access to ESD Online, including the inability to submit and pay for new applications until the Exit Clearance is completed.
MYXpats Centre notes that this arrangement will remain in effect subject to further instructions or an official directive from the Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM).
New Zealand: Update to simplified Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) Job Change process
From 17 November 2025, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is able to pause Job Change applications in exceptional cases, if serious concerns are identified about the employer.
Applications may be paused if:
- the employer’s accreditation was revoked within the past 12 months;
- the employer is under active investigation or prosecution for immigration-related non-compliance;
- there is credible evidence of poor employment practices or migrant exploitation.
The pause will remain until accreditation decisions are confirmed. If accreditation is declined or revoked, the Job Change will also be declined.
This Job Change process only applies when transferring migrant employees following a business sale, merger, or restructure between connected entities. It does not apply when a migrant moves to an unrelated employer.
INZ advises employers to:
- apply for accreditation promptly if their business is sold or restructured
- maintain good employment practices and resolve any compliance issues before applying.
Genuine employers who meet immigration standards will not be affected.
A better way to manage global immigration
Smith Stone Walters is now part of Envoy Global. Together we are committed to delivering a better way for companies to manage global immigration.
This partnership enhances our global footprint and enables us to meet the growing needs of our clients even more effectively.
To find out more about the enhanced level of global immigration services now available to your business, contact us today.
