Tag: visa

Visa Helps Launch Klarna App in Ireland

Visa today announced it has enabled the launch of three brand new digital wallets across Europe, in partnership with BBVA, Klarna and Vipps MobilePay, and is collaborating with BANCOMAT on a pilot planned for early 2026.
These are the first Visa-enabled wallets to use NFC (Near Field Communication) technology to allow HCE (Host Card Emulation) on iOS wallets.
A major regulatory shift under the EU’s Digital Markets Act opened NFC access to third-party wallets, paving the way for greater competition and innovation in mobile payments. This allows more European players to bring new experiences to market and give consumers more choice.
According to Visa research*, mobile payments now represent more than half (59%) of all e-commerce transactions in Europe, and that figure is expected to rise to three quarters (75%) by 2030. With just under a third (32%) of Europeans saying they plan to rely exclusively on mobile wallets for purchases, there is a clear shift toward wallet-centric ecosystems, driven by demand for speed, simplicity, and control.
Visa has worked with three issuers and a domestic scheme across Europe to launch the new iOS wallets:
  • BBVA Pay, available through the BBVA Mobile Banking App, is a single issuer wallet launched in Spain. It is the first wallet in the world to use Visa’s own software developer toolkit (SDK) to directly integrate the Visa Token Service (VTS), a technology that protects sensitive card information by replacing it with a secure digital token. The wallet offers a new payment experience along with a secure, future-ready experience.
  • Klarna (the Klarna app), has launched its wallet in 14 European countries**, enhancing the app’s functionality and making the Klarna app a single, seamless experience for Klarna users on both iOS and Android.  Klarna, having launched the Klarna Card powered by Visa Flexible Credential, gives consumers further choice, and a truly integrated experience, with the addition of tap to pay as part of the Klarna app.
  • The Nordic mobile wallet company Vipps MobilePay has launched a Visa co-badged wallet in Norway, with Denmark, Finland and Sweden to follow. The wallet combines local familiarity with global reach as existing users can now tap and pay anywhere Visa is accepted, with their stored cards automatically enrolled for seamless contactless use—alongside the everyday features they already enjoy in Vipps MobilePay.
  • Italy’s domestic scheme BANCOMAT, has announced launched a pilot project with Visa to enable users of BANCOMAT wallet to make secure and contactless payments through the BANCOMAT Pay service, anywhere Visa is accepted. The pilot is based on VisaPay, Visa’s new wallet solution, which provides security and scalability by leveraging Visa’s advanced tokenisation capabilities. Testing of the solution is scheduled for early 2026.
“These launches reflect growing demand for mobile wallet-based payments and Visa’s commitment to supporting local and regional players with the scale, security and reliability of our global network,” said Mathieu Altwegg, Head of Product & Solutions, Visa Europe. “As a ‘hyper-scaler’, we’re enabling partners of all sizes to innovate faster and deliver more choice and convenience to consumers, while helping drive broader digital and economic growth across Europe.”
“This launch reflects BBVA’s strong commitment to innovation and to delivering an exceptional customer experience. It also positions BBVA as the first bank in Europe to offer a proprietary wallet powered by Apple technology — marking a milestone in the European banking industry,” said Luis Simoes, Head of Retail Experience and Value Proposition for Retail Banking at BBVA.
“Tap to Pay brings us closer to our vision of Klarna being everywhere for everything. Now you can set up a flexible payment plan and tap to pay in seconds, all inside the Klarna app. It makes the everyday shopping moments significantly smoother for our Klarna customers across Europe, giving them even more flexibility and choice at checkout.” said David Fock, Chief Product & Design Officer at Klarna.
“We’re pleased that our Vipps users can now tap seamlessly all over the world with Visa. It’s an important step toward our vision of making payments simpler and more unified for people wherever they go,” said Rune Garborg, CEO of Vipps MobilePay.
“The pilot project launched with Visa marks an important step in the evolution of BANCOMAT products, with the aim of offering Italian banks and users increasingly digital services that can also be used outside national borders,” says Fabrizio Burlando, CEO of BANCOMAT S.p.A.. “This collaboration will allow us to enhance the value of the BANCOMAT infrastructures, based in Italy, integrating them with Visa’s global network to enable new features and expand the user experience for customers. The model allows us to maintain a strong local presence, while benefiting from the international acceptance network and the capabilities of a global player. We are confident that this partnership will bring greater value to Italian banks and their customers.”
Looking Ahead: The Expanding Role of Digital Wallets
Digital wallets are quickly evolving: from simple payment tools to platforms that support peer-to-peer transfers, real-time bank payments and government IDs. With expanded NFC access, wallets could also store digital keys, loyalty cards, event tickets and more, opening the door to richer, more personalised services through a single, secure interface.
As Europe’s digital landscape evolves through advances in open banking, embedded finance and digital identity, financial institutions and fintechs have new opportunities to create more seamless, secure, and personalised experiences for their customers.
Visa’s infrastructure supports multiple payment types, including cards, account-to-account, and tokenised assets, giving partners the flexibility to build future-ready solutions that meet the needs of today’s consumers.

Klearcom establishes US office with 20 new jobs

Klearcom, a leading provider of global contact centre testing solutions, today announces that it has established its first physical base in the US with the opening of a new office in Boonton, New Jersey. To facilitate this growth, Klearcom will hire 20 new team members in the US. The announcement has been welcomed by Peter Burke, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment of Ireland.

Headquartered in Waterford, Klearcom is currently pursuing aggressive growth in the US market. The new base will enable Klearcom to acquire more US-based customers and strengthen relationships with existing clients, such as Google, Mastercard and Visa. This will help the company to grow its share in the interactive voice response (IVR) market, currently valued at $5.9BN and growing at a rate of 7% per annum.

The new hires, to be appointed across sales and customer service over the next 12 months, represent a significant investment from Klearcom. They, and the New Jersey base, will be central to enhancing service delivery and providing on-the-ground support to Klearcom’s growing US customer base.

As the IVR market continues to grow at pace, the expansion will ensure Klearcom stays ahead of market challenges and seizes new opportunities. At the same time, Klearcom will continue to deliver reliable and quality testing for businesses’ automated voice systems, especially within critical customer service channels. The expansion will facilitate faster onboarding, greater support and a more personalised service, enabling the company to align more closely with US business priorities, time zones and escalation needs.

Mark Rohan, co-founder and chief operating officer, Klearcom, said: “The US market is vital to Klearcom’s growth strategy. As such, this announcement is not only a mark of our success in the US to-date, but also our commitment to businesses there. And, while this is our first office in the US, it will not be our only one.

“For us, the expansion comes at the perfect time as businesses increasingly demand cutting-edge technology over outdated legacy systems. Our AI-driven IVR testing is the fastest in the world, enabling enterprises to quickly identify and resolve issues within their telecom system infrastructure, and cementing our position as the leading provider of contact centre testing solutions.

“Our US office doesn’t just mean faster response times – it means being on the ground, right where our customers need us most.”

Peter Burke, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment of Ireland, said: “Klearcom is a prime example of an Irish company whose ambition has driven impressive growth on the global stage. This next step in the company’s journey will open the door to exceptional opportunities within the United States, which have the potential to take the business to new heights. I look forward to watching the team’s progress as they grow their footprint in this important market.”

The New Visa Policy Will Cost the UK £25 Billion, but What About Businesses

With the qualifying income for skilled workers rising to £38,700 annually in April 2024, the UK government has changed its visa rules significantly. This change is a component of a larger project aiming at tightening immigration laws and handling changing economic issues. Companies in many different sectors are already struggling with the effects as the change affects labour dynamics, running expenses, and recruiting policies.

Skilled workers could formerly apply for visas if their employment paid a minimum wage of £26,200 annually. Set at £38,700 yearly, the barrier now more nearly corresponds with median income with the April 2024 adjustment. This change seeks to guarantee that qualified worker visas are allocated for higher-paying employment, therefore giving priority to occupations that greatly benefit the UK economy. Although this approach fits the long-term goal of the government—that of lowering net migration – it presents significant difficulties for companies, especially those depending on qualified individuals in lower-salaried positions.

The financial ramifications of this approach go beyond certain sectors. Over the next 10 years, experts calculate the visa reforms would cost the UK economy £25 billion. This amazing number underlines the larger financial cost of running such a scheme. Still, the key issue is: What direct costs businesses will incur? Although the response differs depending on the industry, since the new threshold went into effect, the overall influence on long-term personnel strategy, operating expenditures, and recruiting budgets will be significant.

Healthcare is one industry especially sensitive to the developments. Although the NHS and care providers mostly rely on foreign workers to cover shortages in vital positions, the new barrier will greatly shrink the pool of qualified candidates. Although certain healthcare positions qualify for pay exemptions under the Shortage Occupation List, associated industries like social care and nursing will experience severe workforce shortages. According to Migration Advisory Committee data, almost 75% of women and over 70% of workers made less than the new benchmark. This change in the pay criteria will make companies rethink their hiring plans or deal with skills shortages.

Additionally, small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) will be particularly strained, especially in the IT and engineering industries, where many SMEs depend on foreign personnel to contribute specific talents to their operations. Smaller companies will battle to attract highly compensated people versus bigger companies with more strong financial means. Industry analysts worry that these difficulties may impede SMEs’ innovation and expansion, which is so important for the UK economy.

Foundation of the UK economy, the IT sector nonetheless faces unique difficulties. Valued at £150 billion yearly, the industry depends on global talent especially in startups where pay often barely meet £38,700. The rise will deter foreign talent from looking at UK prospects, therefore guiding qualified individuals to nations with less tight immigration policies. The competitive advantage of the UK in the worldwide technological scene will be threatened by this talent drain.

Also hurting are retail and hotel sectors, which often depend on qualified employment below the new pay range. Though they do not usually predominate in the skilled worker visa category, these industries depend on management and specialised skills that are becoming more difficult to find. The UK’s Largest Hospitality Salary Survey 2024 shows that 37% of retail workers fall within the £20,000–£30,000 pay bracket, hence companies will either have to increase salaries or deal with manpower shortages. These growing expenses most likely to be passed on to consumers, therefore aggravating inflationary pressures.

One cannot ignore the more general economic consequences. The increased visa requirement lessens dependence on foreign labour, therefore complementing the government’s aim to strengthen home labour markets. But it accentuates previously existing skill shortages, especially in industries already having trouble filling locally. Businesses are spending more on training and development initiatives to upskill the local workforce as they negotiate these changes, therefore escalating running costs.

The new visa rule adds even another level of complication for businesses already negotiating a turbulent economic environment shaped by inflation and interest rate increases. The increase in the skilled worker requirement indirectly affects other expenses, including pension payments. Businesses paying more to satisfy the new visa rules have been obliged to boost pension payments to maintain conformity with corporate plans. While employers face added costs, employees stand to benefit from larger pension contributions by strengthening their retirement savings and enabling early retirement opportunities. This potential financial strain may lead businesses to reevaluate their retirement policies or explore cost-saving measures.

Some contend, despite the difficulties, the regulation encourages companies to give local talent first priority. The government wants to increase economic value and production by building a more selective immigration program. Businesses must negotiate the temporary disruptions that accompany such a major policy change, balancing the demand for qualified personnel with the cost consequences of higher pay and more stringent visa requirements.

The first several months after the April 2024 transformation have shown that industry-wide adaption would be unequal. While some companies will withstand the change with calculated tweaks, others might suffer long-term consequences. The knock-on consequences of this strategy should alter the UK’s economic and labour scene for years to come as companies rethink budgets and employment policies.

Top Tips When Moving To Ireland

Moving to Ireland is something that many people dream of, but it’s also something that can be pretty stressful if you’re not prepared. Ireland is a stunning country with a lot to offer, but it can be challenging to get settled in. The weather can be unpredictable, the language can be difficult to learn, and there are many things that you would need to do before moving. The best way to get the legalities and paperwork sorted is to contact well-reputed Ireland immigration solicitors. If you’re moving to Ireland soon, these tips are for you. They’ll give you great advice on preparing yourself, your family, and your home for the move.

Plan Ahead:

Planning ahead is the best way to avoid stress and ensure you have everything you need when moving to Ireland. You should plan how long you will stay in Ireland, your arrival, and what you would like to do while living there. Everyone in the family must be on board with these plans so they can help prepare for all needs. These include packing clothes, toiletries and other items, buying furniture or renting an apartment or house if needed, arranging transportation between countries, finding an apartment/housekeeper who knows their way around town, etc.

Even something as small as planning luggage storage can make a big difference when planning a move to Ireland. You want to ensure that there are as few hassles as possible, so planning ahead and thinking about the finer details can only set you up for success. It’ll also ensure much less stress for you, so you can sit back and enjoy this next chapter in your life.

 

Don’t Travel Without Travel Insurance:

Travel insurance is not the same as health insurance, but it is a must-have for any trip. You should have travel insurance even if you’re not planning on staying in Ireland for long. Travel insurance covers any possible travel emergencies that may arise while you’re away from home, including medical expenses and lost luggage/personal effects. It also provides peace of mind by providing coverage against cancellations or delays due to weather conditions, illness, or other reasons beyond your control (like mechanical issues with an aeroplane).

While most standard health plans will cover medical treatment overseas (including emergency evacuation), they won’t do so without consulting with an insurer who may end up refusing a payment due to preexisting conditions or other factors like age and gender (women tend to pay more than men). This could leave you stuck without coverage when you need it most.

Register With The Department Of Foreign Affairs:

The Department of Foreign Affairs is the government body in charge of keeping Irish citizens informed about international events and travel warnings. It’s also responsible for issuing passports, so it’s a good idea to register with them as soon as you arrive in Ireland.

As well as registering with the department of foreign affairs, it’s also a good idea to register yourself with your local Garda station (the equivalent of a police force). This will ensure that any emergencies can be dealt with quickly and efficiently.

Check The Visa Requirements:

When you’re moving to Ireland, you’ll need to know if you will need a visa. Visa requirements vary depending on where you are from and the length of time you plan to stay in Ireland. If your country is on the list of countries whose citizens are eligible for a 90-day visa waiver, then no formal documentation is required for your trip. However, if your country is not included in this list or if it’s unclear whether or not this applies to your specific situation (for example: if you’re going on holiday rather than moving permanently), then check with the Department of Foreign Affairs or contact your nearest Irish embassy for more information. 

Book Your Flights Early:

The earlier you book your flight, the more likely you will get the best deals. Due to low demand, many airlines have cut back on their flights between Ireland, the UK, and Europe.

If you do not book well ahead of time, there may be only one or two fares available at any given time. Booking early also gives you more flexibility regarding when exactly you want to go and for how long.

Find A Job First, Then Look For Accommodation:

If you are considering moving to Ireland, you must find a job before arriving. It can be challenging for people who move to Ireland without a job, so make sure your plans are well-prepared and finalized before leaving. 

Before you leave your home country, begin looking for jobs in Ireland—this can take some time but will eventually pay off if done correctly. When moving to another country, looking at available employment options is always best rather than trying to transfer from another company or organization. Doing this will help ensure that new employers know any skills or experience an employee might already have.