Latest immigration, job and visa updates across Europe

The report shows that highly skilled African migrants in Europe often work below their educational level due to discrimination, non-recognition of qualifications and systemic barriers, resulting in a loss of valuable human potential for both migrants and European economies.

Simmons & Simmons reports on important changes in employment law in Europe and Asia, including new case law, remote work regulations, contract requirements and class action lawsuits. These changes are impacting international talent mobility and creating opportunities for recruitment agencies in the US and Canada.

Proposed changes to UK immigration rules could push up to 50,000 internationally trained nurses to leave the country, potentially deepening the healthcare staffing crisis. This shift may redirect migration flows toward destinations such as the United States and Canada.

In Q4 2025, countries in Asia and the Middle East are implementing new labor and visa regulations that increase requirements for employers and candidates. These changes could reshape global labor migration routes and boost demand for the US and Canada.

After the longest shutdown in U.S. history, the government has reopened, bringing 600,000 employees back to work and stabilizing the labor market. The move also strengthens the U.S. as a leading destination for international professionals.

The German government under Friedrich Merz has announced the start of the return of Syrian refugees after the end of the war, combining the process with tighter controls on labor migration. The decision could redistribute global labor flows, shifting the focus of recruitment agencies in Asia and Europe towards the United States and Canada.