What's changing worldwide

Two new pathways replace the post-2023 SMC structure: a Skilled Work Experience Pathway (5 years experience, 2 years in NZ earning ≥1.1× median wage) and a Trades & Technician Pathway (Level 4+ qualification, 18 months NZ experience). NZ-completed qualifications earn a bonus point, and English test results extend to 5-year validity for registered occupations.

Organic Law 74-25 took effect, replacing the 1884 Penal Code; Article 198 makes it a criminal offence to collect, store, or disclose personal data without prior consent. Corporate criminal liability under the code is deferred to November 5, 2026.

The bulk of the EU AI Act (Regulation EU 2024/1689), including all high-risk AI system requirements and conformity assessments, became directly enforceable across Czechia. Czech market-surveillance authorities — Czech Telecommunication Office (ČTÚ), Czech National Bank (ČNB), and Office for Personal Data Protection (ÚOOÚ) — took on full enforcement roles.

Norway's dedicated law implementing EU Regulation 2024/1689 is targeted for August 2026, aligned with the EU full-application date. It will establish a risk-based framework, designate Nkom as the coordinating market surveillance authority, and create a national AI regulatory sandbox hosted in Digdir.

President Noboa signed Decree 461 reforming the LOSNCP General Regulations, requiring SERCOP to progressively deploy AI, machine learning, and NLP tools to detect risk patterns, flag irregularities, and generate early-alert signals in state contracting. The first binding executive order to operationalize AI across Ecuadorian government operations.

Congress amended 27 articles of the newly enacted Penal Code — including provisions on privacy offences, freedom of expression, and corporate data liability — to ensure constitutional alignment before the code took effect on August 5.