The videos linked below cover key global immigration and mobility topics. They are designed to give a brief and easy-to-understand overview of important topics relevant to the management of a global workforce.
Focus on Global Immigration Trends: Essential Insights for Employers in the US, Australia, and Singapore (16 April 2025)
Singapore, Australia and the US are taking distinct approaches to immigration policies, each with significant implications for employers. Singapore is balancing the attraction of highly skilled foreign talent with the need to prioritize local workers, potentially through stricter regulatory measures. In contrast, Australia's new visa program has expanded opportunities for foreign talent by allowing more occupations and requiring less work experience, and its existing program has cleared a more direct pathway for employer-sponsored permanent residency. In contrast, the US is adopting more restrictive measures, increasing immigration enforcement and shifting DOJ priorities to protect US workers from discrimination.
Restrictionist vs. Receptive: What employers need to know about immigration trends in the US and China (1 April 2025)
The two largest global economies-the US and China-stand in stark contrast with their current immigration policies. The US is moving towards restrictive measures, potentially hindering employers' efforts to recruit and relocate foreign talent. China has taken a more open approach, resulting in a significant increase in foreign national travelers and policies streamlining work authorization for foreign national employees. But even China's welcoming stance may not be sufficient to lure back foreign nationals to work long-term as trade wars and geopolitical tensions could cast a shadow over business with the outside world. In this Mobility Minute video chat, our Global Immigration and Mobility attorneys delve into the current immigration landscape in China and the US, discussing potential shifts that could impact employers in the near future and offering key considerations for navigating the present climate in both countries.
Entering an Era of Restrictionism: What Employers Should Know About Immigration Trends in Germany, the UK, and the US (17 March 2025)
Germany, the UK, and the US are all experiencing movement towards more restrictive immigration policies, driven by rising migrant numbers, geopolitical tensions and security concerns. In this Mobility Minute video chat, our Global Immigration and Mobility attorneys delve into this trend. We review changes following the recent election in Germany, the UK's increased enforcement actions, and potential shifts in the US that could impact employers' ability to hire and transfer foreign talent. Additionally, we explore what employers should anticipate in these key jurisdictions and provide valuable strategies to help them stay informed and proactive in their approach to immigration compliance and workforce planning.
Mobility Minute - Immigration Raids: What Employers Should Know (6 February 2025)
Trump's immigration Executive Orders address "enhanced vetting" of visa applicants, birthright citizenship and border security, among other things. Likely increasing ICE enforcement actions, including employer site visits and raids at workplaces, one of the EOs establishes a new "Homeland Security Task Force" enabling federal, state and local law cooperation in removing undocumented individuals.
Immigration and Mobility Issues in Corporate Transactions (8 October 2024)
Immigration and mobility considerations can significantly impact corporate transactions, especially those in cross-border deals. Employers must ensure continued work authorization for impacted employees, manage visa statuses in other countries, and identify and address immigration issues up front. In our latest Global Immigration and Mobility Video chat, our on-the-ground immigration and mobility attorneys from EMEA, Latin America, and the US share valuable insights and best practices companies can adopt to manage issues encountered during a corporate transaction.
Digital Nomad Visas in LATAM (18 January 2024)
Remote work remains a hot topic and Digital Nomad Visas are enabling some countries to attract foreign nationals. Employers must be aware of the changing landscape, and how new laws might not only impact their Immigration compliance but also how such policies may open them up to Tax and Benefits ramifications. In our latest Global Immigration and Mobility Video chat, our on-the-ground immigration and mobility attorneys in the US, Colombia, Argentina and Peru explore the latest options, specific requirements, and legal "gotchas" that employers should watch out for.
Digital Nomads (4 October 2023)
In our latest Global Immigration and Mobility Video chat, our on-the-ground immigration and mobility attorneys in the US, Mexico, Spain and Germany explore digital nomad visas by providing a brief overview of the requirements, process, tax and social security consequences, what should employers watch out for, and other considerations and options.
Geopolitical Changes and the Impact on EMEA (8 June 2023)
In our latest Global Immigration and Mobility Video chat, our immigration and mobility attorneys explore the impact of geopolitical changes to immigration and mobility of employees in the EMEA region.
Transferring Employees to Canada or Mexico After an Unsuccessful US H-1B Lottery (18 April 2023)
Our on-the-ground immigration and mobility attorneys explore considerations for US employers looking to send foreign national employees to work in Canada or Mexico if they were not selected in the H-1B visa lottery this year and what steps to take before the next H-1B cap lottery period opens.
Canada: Looking to Immigration to Solve Labor Shortages in a Post-COVID World (15 February 2023)
Our immigration and mobility attorneys explore the most recent changes in Canadian immigration law introduced in 2022; as well as some updates and anticipated changes to consider as we look ahead towards 2023.
Essential Immigration and Mobility Updates in the US (12 December 2022)
Melissa Allchin provides a year-end review of essential immigration and mobility updates highlighting equal pay transparency laws and the impact on an employer's obligations under existing immigration law, COVID related travel considerations, immigration compliance considerations employers need to think about with respect to remote or hybrid work, and the impact on employees’ immigration status when employers restructure or conduct reductions in force.
Year-End International Travel: What You and Your Employees Should Know (14 November 2022)
Our attorneys discuss the challenges of employee travel during the upcoming holiday season, with a focus on the United Kingdom, Australia, and the wider Asia Pacific region.
Employer Immigration Registration Requirement and Deadline (Mexico) (23 February 2022)
Baker McKenzie's lawyers from Mexico discuss the current trends of the National Migration Institute, providing recommendations for how employers can comply with its obligations. Given the pandemic, the National Migration Institute has implemented an appointment-based system for dealing with Employer Certificates that must be updated and filed with the Federal Annual Tax Return by March 31st of each year.
EMEA Mobility Minutes: Digital Nomads (18 February 2022)
Baker McKenzie's lawyers from the EMEA region discuss the complex issues that arise in relation to digital nomads and similar remote working arrangements. Find out what the immigration requirements are for nomads and how such working arrangements are treated from a social security and tax perspective. We highlight some of the keys issues that your in-house counsel and HR team need to consider.
COVID-19 Corporate Travel Considerations – Going . . . and Coming Back (20 October 2021)
Baker McKenzie's Labor and Employment and Global Immigration and Mobility partners discuss key considerations for employers before they proceed with business travel arrangements for those in the US and beyond.
Remote Working from Outside of the Jurisdiction: The Pandemic and Beyond (21 September 2021)
Baker McKenzie's Labour and Employment, Global Immigration and Mobility, and Tax lawyers review the wide variety of legal issues for Canadian employers to consider regarding a temporary or permanent remote work opportunity outside of the province of the employment agreement and provide tips on how employers can offer employees flexibility while remaining compliant with employment, immigration and tax requirements.
2021 Summer Travel Considerations for Travelers Returning to the US (7 July 2021)
John Foerster and Melissa Allchin discuss current COVID-19 travel restrictions (and exceptions) for travelers entering the United States, options to avoid travel restrictions, and current trends in timing for consulate responses to National Interest Exception requests.
Extended Summer Travel in the ERA of Remote Work (9 June 2021)
Baker McKenzie's Labor and Employment, Global Immigration and Mobility, and Tax lawyers review the wide variety of legal issues for employers to consider regarding a temporary or permanent remote work opportunity, and provide tips on how employers can offer employees flexibility while remaining compliant with employment, immigration and tax requirements.
Annual Renewal of Employer's Certificate (22 March 2021)
Our Global Immigration and Mobility and Tax lawyers discuss the requirement that employers update their Employer Certificate before the National Migration Institute in Mexico in order to be able to request employment-related immigration filings. During this chat, we will share with you the processes you’ll need to follow to update Employer Certificates and obtain new ones, and the tax related requirements to complete these processes.
New US State Department Guidance for Certain Business Travelers from the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, and Ireland (9 March 2021)
Melissa Allchin and Sandhya Sharma look at the significant change in who may qualify for travel to the US from the Schengen Area, United Kingdom and Ireland after the revocation of National Interest Exceptions for certain business travelers, as announced by the State Department last week.
Europe: International travel requirements update (5 March 2021)
Tony Haque, Ilya Hoekerd and Pamela Mafuz discuss the challenges of employee travel into and out of the Netherlands, Spain and the UK. Find out what COVID-19 tests and quarantine requirements you need to accomplish when traveling during this period. We cover mobility complications due to COVID, including travel restrictions, flight restrictions, and provide practical actions in-house counsel and HR executives can take now to protect your employee populations.
Data Privacy at the Airport: Is it Possible to Protect Sensitive Data? (2 March 2021)
Our immigration and data privacy lawyers will be looking at the issue of data privacy, or lack thereof, at US ports of entry, including international airports. We will review a recent court decision that appears to further minimize protections for travelers entering the United States, as well as consider what can be done to protect sensitive data, if anything, and how a potential COVID vaccination chip and app could play into the mix.
The US Citizenship Act of 2021 (1 March 2021)
David Serwer and Alessandra Faso discuss the prospects for comprehensive immigration reform given the introduction of the US Citizenship Act of 2021, as well as the Biden Administration's choice of immigration as its first major legislative battle after the COVID relief bill. The Act includes an eight year path to citizenship, relief for DREAMERS, and reforms to our asylum system which have made headlines, but the Act also proposes meaningful changes to the employment-based immigration system in the United States.
Reopening of the National Migration Institute in Mexico City (25 February 2021)
Daniel Urdiain of our Mexico Global Immigration and Mobility practice explores the continuing challenges for those submitting immigration filings in Mexico City, as well as the current alternatives to conclude the process in the shortest amount of time.
H-1B cap registration under the Biden Administration (10 February 2021)
Ginger Partee and John Foerster discuss changes to the H-1B program under the Biden Administration. We quickly review what was the final rule under the Trump Administration and provide insight on the new final rule, including practical considerations for in-house counsel and HR executives preparing for this year's H-1B lottery.
Practical Implications of the Evolving Travel Restrictions for Entering the US from Abroad (4 February 2021)
Matthew Gorman and Sandhya Sharma discuss how travel restrictions are changing under the Biden Administration, and the practical impact of those changes on employers and employees. We present what was the law under the Trump Administration and what is the current legal framework.
Transit Options between Europe, Mexico and the US Given Ongoing Restrictions (3 February 2021) Alessandra Faso, Tony Haque and Daniel Urdiain-Dector discuss the continuing challenges of employee travel between Europe, Mexico, and the United States given the myriad of issues including travel restrictions, flight restrictions, and consular closures.
Asia Pacific: Are Your Employees Considering Year-End Travel? Here's What Your Company and They Should Know (16 December 2020)
Vivien Yu, Thuy Hang Nguyen, Zhao Yang Ng and Janna Jung discuss the challenges of employee travel into and out of Australia, Singapore and Vietnam during the holiday season.
Europe: Are Your Employees Considering Year-End Travel? Here's What Your Company and They Should Know (9 December 2020)
Tony Haque, Ilya Hoekerd and Pamela Mafuz discuss the challenges of employee travel into and out of the Netherlands, Spain and the UK during this holiday season.
North America: Are Your Employees Considering Year-End Travel? Here's What Your Company and They Should Know (18 November 2020)
Matt Gorman, Ginger Partee and Stephanie MacIntosh discuss the challenges of employee travel into and out of the US and Canada during the upcoming holiday season.
Extended Remote Workforce (18 June 2020)
As companies begin to reopen, a new trend has emerged: the idea of permanently remote employees. Our attorneys explore cross-border issues and challenges US employers face with employees working remotely from locations outside their home countries.
The Next Normal in Spain, the Netherlands and the UK (15 June 2020)
Our Global Immigration & Mobility lawyers from Spain, the Netherlands and the UK explore the current landscape and anticipated challenges employers will face with employee travel and immigration processes.
The Next Normal in Asia Pacific (3 June 2020)
Our Global Immigration & Mobility lawyers from Australia, Hong Kong/China and Singapore explore the current landscape and anticipated challenges employers will face with employee travel and immigration processes.
The Next Normal in Canada, Mexico and US (27 May 2020)
Our Global Immigration & Mobility lawyers from the US, Canada and Mexico explore the current landscape and anticipated challenges employers will face with employee travel and immigration processes.
The Global Mobility Minute – What Do I Need to Know When Assigning Employees to Work In Mexico?
Liliana Hernandez-Salgado answers the question.
The Global Mobility Minute – Do Equity Awards Raise Special Issues for Mobile Employees?
Aimee Soodan answers the question.
The Global Mobility Minute – What Is a Totalization Agreement?
Narendra Acharya explains what totalization agreements are and why companies rely on them.