Welcome to Part I of our third collection of updates and insights for 2025! As we close the book on another busy quarter for our industry, we have a number of key updates relating to immigration and shipping to share – these include a series of significant immigration rule changes in the UK, and the implementation of a new Centralized Exam Station (CES) across two airports in the US.
Immigration
UK
A series of significant immigration rule changes in the UK came into effect on 22nd July. These changes include salary threshold increases for the Skilled Worker Route and the Global Business Mobility Route. They form part of a wider UK Government strategy to achieve three key goals:
- To reduce the number of eligible SOC codes across work routes
- To increase salary thresholds in line with labour market conditions
- To remove RQF Level 3 occupations, limiting eligibility to RQF Level 6 roles – i.e. graduate level and above.
For further detail, please refer to K2’s 2nd July The Summit newsletter.
PORTUGAL
There has been a change in the process for obtaining a Portuguese Tax Identification Number (NIF). All applications must now be submitted during a scheduled appointment, with the NIF being issued on the date of the appointment. This change has put significant pressure on the scheduling system – appointment availability is currently very limited, particularly in major cities.
There have also been changes to the Portuguese Social Security Number (NISS) application process, affecting both EU and non-EU citizens:
- Applications for a NISS are now submitted online via the Portuguese Social Security platform. All required documentation is uploaded as part of this process.
- Upon processing an application, Social Security issue a notification to the applicant confirming their NISS number. They also send them a letter confirming the same.
- The applicant must then take this letter to a Social Security office where they will be able to collect their official NISS document.
US
On Friday, 19 September 2025, US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation which levies additional fees related to the H-1B Speciality Occupation Visa Classification. This proclamation restricts the entry of H-1B visa holders into the United States, or the approval of new H-1Bs for applicants outside of the United States, unless the US employer pays an additional $100,000.00 fee. It was later clarified that this only applies to new petitions submitted on or after 21 September 2025. At this time, it appears that this proclamation does not change the fees or payments associated with H-1B renewals, and does not prevent a holder of a current H-1B visa from travelling in or out of the United States. Some experts have recommended that current H-1B visa holders remain in the United States as there are inconsistencies between the proclamation and recent updates.
Shipping
US
US Customs have implemented a new Centralized Exam Station (CES) across two airports in the US: JFK and Dallas Fort Worth. Previously, Customs would visit each individual airline and examine all shipments that had been placed on hold. Now, these shipments must be transferred to the CES, incurring additional expenses – CES handling charge and potentially an airline transfer charge. However, this process will support faster clearance times, enhance cargo flow and reduce inspection times, as well as improving compliance. Whilst the CES is currently only operational at two airports, there is an expectation that in the future, it will become the predominant system for shipment examination at all major US airports.
South Africa
Danish shipping giant Maersk has announced that it will discontinue direct cargo shipments between South Africa and the US from 1st October 2025. Whilst this decision will only affect commercial shipments, not HHG shipments, the global relocation industry will likely experience several knock-on effects. These could include longer transit times for the routes in question (transhipping through alternative ports would likely extend door-to-door transit time by several weeks), and increased shipping costs (to cover additional handling, feeder services, and port charges). There is also a risk that capacity on alternative routes will be more limited: this, combined with competition with commercial cargo, could drive shipping costs up even further. We are closely monitoring this change and the potential impacts, and will inform clients likely to be affected.
Australia
Sydney and Melbourne customs are currently experiencing clearance delays. The customs authorities in Melbourne have reported a backlog of over 400 submissions in the UPE (Unaccompanied Personal Effects) queue, which is causing a flow-on disruption to consignments into Sydney. All shipments into Australia are subject to mandatory customs and quarantine inspections, with customs clearance being required before quarantine inspections can be lodged. This often creates a bottleneck that can delay the delivery of personal effects and household goods. The current timeline for clearance is estimated between 3 to 4 weeks after arrival into port. It is expected that this trend will continue as we approach the peak summer season and holiday period in December.
For sea freight, documents are processed strictly in the order they are received, meaning there is no avenue to avoid delays while consignments wait to proceed to quarantine inspection. Air shipments will be flagged as urgent and may be prioritised before sea shipments, avoiding some of the queue. However, priority is not guaranteed.
To help ensure the timeliest clearance possible, we recommend:
- Ensuring all documentation is completed and submitted to K2 as soon as possible.
- Adjust expected move-in timelines and consider extending number of days in temporary/serviced accommodation until the backlog clears