Denmark
Extended processing time for cases covered by the Association Agreement with Türkiye
The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) has warned that it is currently receiving more applications covered by the Association Agreement with Türkiye than the agency has the resources to handle within its service goals in the area of work. This means that the processing time for these cases may be longer than usual.
SIRI is aware of the problem and is prioritising this area within the resources available to the agency, but expects the period of extended processing times to continue into 2026
France
Updated salary thresholds for “Talent” residence permits
New salary threshold for the “Talent – Qualified Employee” residence permit
The “Talent – Qualified Employee” residence permit covers employees on assignment, employees of a young innovative company and young graduates.
Effective 31 August 2025, these residence permits now have a standardized salary threshold, no longer based on the minimum wage (SMIC), but on an average annual gross salary set by ministerial order.
The ministerial order of 29 August 2025 sets the average annual gross salary applicable to the “Talent – Qualified Employee” residence permit at EUR 39,582.
This change enhances the attractiveness of the “Talent – Qualified Employee” scheme, as the applicable salary threshold has been reduced by 8% compared with the previous level.
New salary threshold for the “Talent – EU Blue Card” residence permit
For the “Talent – EU Blue Card” residence permit, the method of calculation remains unchanged: the salary threshold continues to be set at 1.5 times the average annual gross salary established by ministerial order.
In light of the new average annual gross salary set by the ministerial order of 29 August 2025 , the applicable threshold for the “Talent – EU Blue Card” residence permit is now EUR 59,373.
Latvia
Electronic travel declaration now required before entry
The Ministry of the Interior has announced that, effective 1 September 2025, certain nationals who have not been issued a visa or residence permit by Latvia are required to submit certain information regarding themselves, their relatives (if any) and their purpose of travel here before entering or transiting Latvia.
Amendments to the Immigration Law were adopted by the Saeima on 3 April 2025.
- The new requirement applies to foreign nationals who are not citizens of the European Union (EU), the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland or Brazil.
- The requirement also applies to foreign nationals of non-exempt countries holding a valid Schengen visa or residence permit card.
- Those who entered Latvia by 1 September 2025 and are still in Latvia are not required to submit relevant information.
- At least 48 hours before arriving in Latvia, information must be submitted online at eta.gov.lv. After submitting the data, the traveller will receive automatic confirmation of receipt to their specified email address. In order to enter Latvia, a person does not have to wait for a separate permit.
- The information must be provided by the traveller themselves, not on behalf of another person, except in cases where the form is filled out for minor children — in such cases, it is completed by parents or guardians.
- If a traveller’s plans change before the trip, the form must be completed again. The 48-hour submission requirement does not apply to the resubmitted form.
Travellers must include the following information:
- purpose of travel (entry);
- the planned time and place of stay;
- travel route;
- contact information;
- elected positions held by one or his or her relative;
- election candidacy;
- the status of an existing or former official of the State or local government;
- Service in the Armed Forces, Special Service, border Guard, Customs or Interior, Justice or Foreign Affairs (also Diplomatic) Service.
