France
Increased minimum wage
Effective 1 January 2024, the government has increased the monthly minimum wage (le SMIC).
The minimum wage has increased by 1.13% to EYR 11.65 gross per hour. The minimum monthly salary has increased from EUR 1747.20 to EUR 1766.92.
This has in turn increased the salary requirement for several work immigration categories, including:
- Passport Talent – Employees on Assignment to EUR 38,165.47 per year;
- Passport Talent – Young Graduates to EUR 42,406.08 per year;
- Passport Talent – legal Representatives to EUR 63,609.12 per year.
The minimum wage for EU Blue Card holders is 1.5 times the average gross salary of reference fixed by the government, and is therefore unaffected by the rise in the SMIC.
Lithuania
Residence applications for minors
Effective January 2024, minors aged two years or above are now required to appear in person at the customer service unit of the Migration Department (or of an external service provider) when submitting an application for the issuance or change of a temporary residence permit in Lithuania. Previously, minors under the age of six years were not required to participate in person.
If a foreign national aged under two years old does not appear in person wen submitting an application for issuing or changing a permit, or there is no technical possibility to scan their facial image with biometric data registration equipment, it is required to submit two identical photographs that correspond to the current age. In this case, the identity of the minor and the identity of the photographs must be confirmed by the person submitting the application.
New minimum salary and proof of funds requirement
Effective 1 January 2024, the government has introduced a new minimum monthly salary and minimum hourly wage.
The new minimum monthly salary is EUR 924, the minimum hourly wage is EUR 5.65.
The Migration Department reminds interested parties that these changes also affect the obligations of foreign nationals working in the country. Foreign nationals applying for the issuance or change of a temporary residence permit, permission to change the employer or job function, issuance of a permanent residence permit, or the issuance of a national visa, will have to prove a larger amount of available means of subsistence – EUR 924 per month.
If the foreign national submitted an application in the previous calendar year, the requirement to substantiate the amount of funds applied in 2023 remains valid.
In the event that a foreign national has filled out the application in the MIGRIS system, but intends to visit the customer service department of the Migration Department or to the department of an external service provider in 2024, they are required to prove sufficient funds in accordance with the higher minimum monthly salary approved for 2024.
The means of subsistence must be sufficient for one year. If a visa or residence permit valid for less than one year is requested, the means of subsistence must be sufficient for the entire period of validity of the requested document.
If a foreign national works legally in Lithuania and receives a salary that is not less than one minimum monthly salary, a separate document confirming the means of subsistence does not need to be submitted.
Malta
Specialist Employee Initiative – a new pathway for highly-skilled foreign workers
Effective January 2024, Identità Malta, the government agency responsible for identity and migration management, has introduced a new route for non-EU workers who may not qualify for its existing Key Employee Initiative.
The new Specialist Employee Initiative is for foreign nationals with a signed employment contract with a Maltese-registered company for a professional or technical role; an annual salary of at least EUR 25,000; and Malta Qualifications Framework (“MQF”) Level 6, or equivalent, qualifications directly related to the job, or proof of at least three years of experience in a directly related position. Processing time is 15 days.
The existing Key Employee Initiative requires an annual salary of at least EUR 35,000 (up from EUR 30,000 previously); a managerial or highly technical role; and qualifications certified and recognised by the Malta Qualifications Recognition Information Centre. Processing time is five days.
