Knit People

📢 The US is expanding a visa fee starting September 9

H-1B and L-1 extensions with the same employer will now trigger the $4,000 to $4,500 biometric fee, a cost that used to apply only to new hires or employer switches.

If your company sponsors these visas, check your pending extensions now and budget for the extra cost.

🔗Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/10/2026-16231/9-11-response-and-biometric-entry-exit-fee-for-h-1b-and-l-1-visas

Starting September 10, Vietnam will be introducing fines of up to VND 75 million for employers or recruiters who use false promises or misleading ads to lure workers into jobs.

Employers should audit recruitment messaging now to avoid penalties once enforcement begins.

⚖️: https://www.vietnam-briefing.com/news/vietnam-foreign-worker-penalties-under-decree-283.html/

Colombia's private sector workweek is now capped at 42 hours, down from 44. 📉

News: https://www.riotimesonline.com/colombia-workweek-drops-to-42-hours-what-changes/

Mexico's digital platform worker reform now covers 237,627 workers with full social security and 1.66 million under work-risk insurance as of June 2026.

⚠️ Foreign companies using platform or gig workers in Mexico should confirm IMSS registration and contributions are in order as enforcement expands.

Read: https://mexicobusiness.news/automotive/news/uber-and-didi-face-escalating-mexico-labor-reform-disputes

South Korea has set its 2027 minimum wage at 10,700 won per hour, a 3.7% increase from this year's rate.

📣: https://www.korea.net/NewsFocus/policies/view?articleId=295961

Belgium has cut the minimum weekly hours required for new part-time contracts from one third of a full-time schedule to just one tenth.

⚖️: https://leglobal.law/2026/05/27/belgium-reform-of-rules-on-internal-work-rules-minimum-work-time-night-work-and-cap-on-notice-periods/

⚖️ Egypt now recognizes remote work, part-time roles, flexible hours, and job sharing as legal employment types.

They carry the same protections as standard jobs.

Read: https://www.shandpartners.com/insights/firm-news/legalizing-remote-work-across-borders-egypts-labor-law-no-14-of-2025-and-the-legal-status-of-cross-border-employment/

🚨Changes Landing This October in UK

Tribunal claim deadlines double to 6 months starting October 1.

Employers must also take real steps to prevent sexual harassment (including from third parties) and meet new trade union rights starting October 30.

Read: https://www.twobirds.com/en/insights/2026/uk/october-2026-are-uk-employers-ready

The Netherlands has raised its statutory minimum wage. 📈

Employees aged 21 and older now earn €14.99 gross per hour, with youth rates adjusted proportionally by age.

Update: https://business.gov.nl/amendments/minimum-wage-increases-july-2026/

Vietnam is banning employers from holding onto workers' original ID papers, diplomas, or certificates, starting September 10, 2026.

Companies that break this rule can be fined up to 50 million VND and must give back any documents they took, while individual employers face fines up to 25 million VND.

📢:https://datafiles.chinhphu.vn/cpp/files/vbpq/2026/7/283-ndcp.signed.pdf