Cyprus
New automated notification service for applications and residence documents
The Migration Department has announced that a new digital service has been launched, through which automated notifications will be sent regarding the progress of applications, as well as reminders about the upcoming expiry of residence documents. Notifications will be delivered via SMS and email.
To receive automated notifications, users must activate the service by registering their contact details through the “Update My Personal Details” service. These details may be updated whenever necessary, ensuring that notifications continue to be sent to the most up-to-date contact information. More information and user instructions for the service are available through the government portal gov.cy
Please note that the existing SMS notification service provided through number 1199 will be discontinued in the near future and replaced by the new automated notification service.
It is reminded that access to online services requires the creation and verification of a CY Login account, the Government’s unified electronic identification system for secure access to digital public services. Further information on creating and verifying a CY Login account is also available through the gov.cy portal.
France
New rules for residence permits
The rules applicable to non-European nationals concerning the granting of certain residence permits and the possibility of working in France changed on 30 October 2026.
Decree No. 2026-1001 of 26 October 2026 allows the application of different provisions of the European single permit directive. The aim of this European text is to establish a common set of rights for workers who come from a non-European country and legally reside in a Member State of the EU.
Thus, in France, since 30 October 2026, for most applications for residence permits, the decision of the prefect must be taken within 90 days (compared to four months previously). This 90-day period may be extended by 30 days if the application is complex.
Also, the period during which a foreigner national cannot change employer, after having received a firstwork authorization in France, has also been shortened. This period is now six months, compared to 12 months previously.
A right of residence retained for foreigner nationals involuntarily deprived of their job
Holders of a temporary worker residence card, employees on fixed-term contracts, may now retain their right of residence in the event of involuntary unemployment. However, they must not be unemployed for more than three months during the period of validity of their residence card; the maximum possible period of unemployment is six months for foreign workers who, in the course of their previous employment, have been subjected to working conditions relating in particular to trafficking in human beings, forced labour or any situation incompatible with human dignity.
New rights for certain nationals in the event of withdrawal or refusal of renewal of the residence card
The multi-annual residence card ‘Talent – European Blue Card’ is intended in particular for persons holding a diploma attesting to at least three years of higher education.
A prefect may refuse the renewal of this residence card or withdraw it from a foreign national when the latter’s employer has not complied with some of their obligations.
Effective immediately, when a prefect envisages such an action, they must grant a period of time to the foreign national so that they can look for a new job. This period shall be six months from the date of notification of the decision to withdraw or refuse the renewal of the residence card. This period of six months may be increased, in line with the remaining period of entitlement to unemployment benefit of the foreigner national.
New European Blue Card duration rules
The decree of 26 October also harmonizes various articles of the Code on the Entry and Residence of foreigners and the right of asylum. For holders of a multiannual residence card “talent — European Blue Card”:
- where the employment contract has a duration of at least two years, the card is issued for a duration equal to that of the contract (up to a maximum of four years);
- where the employment contract has a duration of less than two years, the card is issued for a duration equal to that of the contract, increased by three months (within the limit of two years).
A remuneration threshold to be respected for posted workers
Another development concerns foreign nationals wishing to obtain a residence card in the context of intra-group mobility (this refers to the temporary posting, for professional or training purposes, of a foreign worker to an entity established in France forming part of the company – or group of undertakings – to which the posted worker is linked by an employment contract).
To obtain a residence card bearing the mention “ICT posted employee – intra corporate transfer”, “ICT mobile posted employee”, “ICT trainee” or “ICT mobile trainee”, a foreign national will have to demonstrate a certain level of annual remuneration. This level of remuneration, which is not yet known, will be determined by a ministerial order. The purpose of that provision is that the holders of those residence cards should be persons with an ‘expert’ or ‘managerial’ profile (those profiles are defined in Article 3 of the European directive of 15 May 2014).
Upcoming increase in the French Minimum Wage (SMIC)
The French Government announced on 9 November 2026 a 1.6% increase in the minimum Wage (SMIC) effective from 1 December 2026.
As of that date, the monthly minimum wage will amount to EUR 1897 gross, or approximatelyEUR 1502 net per month for a full-time employee working 35 hours per week. From 1 December 2026, companies will have to apply the new minimum wage to the employees concerned.
The increase in the SMIC will also affect the income or remuneration thresholds applicable to certain “Talent” residence permits, where eligibility requirements are determined by reference to the SMIC:
- Talent – Business Creator (Créateur d’entreprise);
- French Tech Visa for Founders;
- Talent – Executive Officer (Mandataire social).
Lithuania
Restrictions on residence permit applications
Foreign nationals who entered Lithuania with a Schengen visa issued by Lithuania or another Schengen state, or with a national visa issued by another state, issued after 1 November 2026 are no longer able to submit an application for a residence permit in Lithuania on the basis of work or study.
In such cases, foreign nationals are now required to apply for their initial residence permit outside Lithuania, at the relevant VFS Global centre.
From 1 November 2026, amendments to the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens came into force. A foreign national who is present in Lithuania may submit an application for a temporary residence permit on the basis of work or studies (first cycle – bachelor’s studies) to the Migration Department only in one of the following cases:
- They hold a valid temporary residence permit in the Republic of Lithuania;
- They hold a national visa issued by Lithuania;
- They hold a residence permit issued by another Schengen State or EU Member State;
- They are in Lithuania on the basis of the visa-free regime.
Employers who intend to fill out the letter of invitation on the basis that a foreign national is coming to work under an employment contract (not a highly qualified worker) or inviting a foreign national to come to study in first-cycle (bachelor) studies and wish the foreign national’s application to be accepted directly at the Migration Department (while the foreigner is in Lithuania) must make sure that the foreign national holds one of the above documents or has the right to use the visa-free regime.
As previously announced, by decision of the Ministry of Home Affairs, citizens of Belarus are able to submit applications for a temporary residence permit on the basis of work at the branches of the external service provider VFS Global in Armenia and Georgia.
For foreign nationals coming to Lithuania to work in a highly skilled job, nothing changes: their applications for a temporary residence permit continue to be accepted after 1 November 2026 in the usual manner, with the foreign national present in Lithuania.
The procedure for accepting applications for a temporary residence permit also remains unchanged – the Migration Department will accept such an application if the foreign national has a valid temporary residence permit based on employment and not more than six months remain until the expiry of the validity of the existing temporary residence permit.
Netherlands
New salary scales and application fees from January
The Immigration and Naturalisation Service has announced that, from 1 January 2027, the salary scales and application fees for highly skilled migrants and European Blue Card holders will change. The new amounts can be found from that date at Income requirements – required amounts and Fees: costs of an application. The new amounts are already available in the Dutch Government Gazette.
