2026-06-30  ·  South Korea  ·  Loosened

Digital nomad visa made permanent with region and age tiered income thresholds

The F-1-D workation visa moved from pilot to permanent status. Income thresholds are now one to two times per capita GNI depending on age and region. In Seoul, applicants aged 18 to 34 need 1.5 times GNI, about KRW 78.6 million. Applicants 35 and over need two times, about KRW 104.8 million. Non metro areas are discounted.

Source: Korea Immigration Service, F-1-D programme  ·  South Korea country page

Linked to the authority notice, not the legal instrument.

2026-06-25  ·  UAE  ·  Tightened

UAE ties visa on arrival for six Asian countries to a residence permit abroad

Nationals of Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya and South Africa now get a UAE visa on arrival only if they hold a residence permit from the United States, the United Kingdom, an EU state, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand or Canada. Two tiers: AED 100 for 14 days, extendable once, or AED 250 for 60 days, not extendable.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, visa on arrival for six countries residing abroad  ·  UAE country page

Linked to the authority notice, not the legal instrument.

2026-06-01  ·  Malaysia  ·  Tightened

Employment Pass salary bands doubled

The minimum monthly salary for Employment Pass categories rose to RM 20,000 for EP I, RM 10,000 to 19,999 for EP II, and RM 5,000 to 9,999 for EP III. The new bands apply to renewals as well as new applications.

Source: Malaysia Expatriate Services Division, EP salary policy  ·  Malaysia country page

Linked to the authority notice, not the legal instrument.