[{"id":"ca-2026-fees-and-express-entry","title":"Canada: PR fees rise (30 Apr 2026), category-based Express Entry, Start-up Visa closed, arranged-employment points removed","date":"2026-04-30","effectiveDate":"2026-04-30","destination":"ca","summary":"A run of IRCC changes through 2025-26 reshaped Express Entry economics and closed the Start-up Visa to new applicants.","claims":[{"statement":"Permanent-residence fees rose on 30 April 2026: the principal-applicant processing fee from CA$950 to CA$990 and the Right of Permanent Residence Fee from CA$575 to CA$600."},{"statement":"Express Entry continues category-based selection in 2026, with rounds targeting categories such as French-language proficiency, healthcare and social services, education, trades, and STEM, alongside general and PNP draws."},{"statement":"The 50/200-point arranged-employment CRS bonus was removed for all candidates on 25 March 2025."},{"statement":"The Start-up Visa closed to new applications on 31 December 2025; permanent-residence applications already in the queue are accepted until 30 June 2026."}],"primarySource":{"label":"IRCC — Permanent residence fees increasing (30 April 2026)","url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/permanent-residence-fees-increasing.html","authority":"Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada","lastVerified":"2026-06-01"},"affectedVisas":["express-entry-fsw","express-entry-cec","express-entry-fst","pnp","start-up-visa"],"severity":"significant","status":"in-force","lastReviewed":"2026-06-01"},{"id":"uk-2026-skilled-worker-english-fees","title":"UK: Skilled Worker English raised to B2, CoS fee £525, Immigration Skills Charge up 32%","date":"2026-04-08","effectiveDate":"2026-04-08","destination":"uk","summary":"A run of Skilled Worker changes from late 2025 into early 2026 raised the language bar, sponsor costs, and tightened salary assessment.","claims":[{"statement":"The Skilled Worker English-language requirement rose from B1 to B2 (CEFR) on 8 January 2026."},{"statement":"The Certificate of Sponsorship fee rose to £525 under the 8 April 2026 Home Office fees table."},{"statement":"From 8 April 2026, workers must be paid the required salary in each pay period — back-loading pay to meet the annual threshold is no longer allowed."},{"statement":"The Immigration Skills Charge rose 32% on 16 December 2025: small/charity sponsors from £364 to £480 per year, medium/large from £1,000 to £1,320 per year."}],"primarySource":{"label":"GOV.UK — Home Office immigration and nationality fees (8 April 2026)","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-regulations-revised-table/home-office-immigration-and-nationality-fees-8-april-2026","authority":"UK Home Office","lastVerified":"2026-06-01"},"affectedVisas":["skilled-worker","health-and-care-worker","high-potential-individual","scale-up"],"severity":"significant","status":"in-force","lastReviewed":"2026-06-01"},{"id":"nz-2026-skilled-migration-changes","title":"New Zealand: SMC reform from 24 August 2026 and a higher immigration median wage","date":"2026-03-09","effectiveDate":"2026-08-24","destination":"nz","summary":"Immigration New Zealand raised the immigration median wage and announced a Skilled Migrant Category overhaul taking effect in August 2026.","claims":[{"statement":"The immigration median wage rose to NZD 35.00/hour, effective 9 March 2026; it governs Green List pay rates and SMC income points."},{"statement":"The blanket median-wage requirement for the Accredited Employer Work Visa was removed in March 2025 — roles must instead be paid at the market rate for the job."},{"statement":"A Skilled Migrant Category reform takes effect 24 August 2026, adding Skilled Work Experience and Trades & Technician pathways, simplified median-wage settings, and a points advantage for NZ-completed qualifications; the current 6-point system stays in force until then."},{"statement":"47 occupations were added to the National Occupation List at skill levels 1-3, effective 9 March 2026."}],"primarySource":{"label":"Immigration New Zealand — News centre (SMC changes & annual median-wage increase)","url":"https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/news-centre/further-changes-to-the-skilled-migrant-category-to-come-into-effect-in-august-2026/","authority":"Immigration New Zealand (INZ)","lastVerified":"2026-06-01"},"affectedVisas":["skilled-migrant-category","accredited-employer-work-visa"],"severity":"significant","status":"scheduled","lastReviewed":"2026-06-01"},{"id":"us-2026-03-premium-and-h1b-selection","title":"US: premium processing rises to $2,965 and H-1B moves to wage-weighted selection","date":"2026-01-12","effectiveDate":"2026-03-01","destination":"us","summary":"Two USCIS changes land for the FY2027 H-1B season: the Form I-907 premium-processing fee rises with inflation, and cap-subject H-1B selection switches from a random lottery to a wage-weighted process.","claims":[{"statement":"Premium processing (Form I-907) rose from USD 2,805 to USD 2,965 on 1 March 2026 for I-129 (H-1B, L-1, O-1, E, P, TN) and I-140 petitions."},{"statement":"Cap-subject H-1B registrations are selected by a wage-weighted process (entered 1-4 times by OEWS wage level) from FY2027, replacing the random lottery; the rule took effect 27 February 2026."},{"statement":"The separate USD 100,000 H-1B supplemental fee (19 September 2025 proclamation) remains in force — upheld by a federal district court in December 2025, appeal pending; it applies to certain new petitions for beneficiaries abroad and generally not to in-US change-of-status cases."}],"primarySource":{"label":"Federal Register — Premium processing adjustment (2026-00321) & wage-weighted H-1B selection (2025-23853)","url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/12/2026-00321/adjustment-to-premium-processing-fees","authority":"U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services","lastVerified":"2026-06-01"},"affectedVisas":["h-1b","l-1a","l-1b","o-1","eb-1a","eb-2-niw","eb-3"],"severity":"significant","status":"in-force","lastReviewed":"2026-06-01"},{"id":"nl-2026-01-kennismigrant-salary-thresholds","title":"Netherlands publishes 2026 Kennismigrant salary thresholds","date":"2026-01-01","effectiveDate":"2026-01-01","destination":"nl","summary":"IND confirmed the 2026 age-tiered Kennismigrant (highly skilled migrant) salary thresholds and reduced post-Zoekjaar thresholds.","claims":[{"statement":"The under-30 Kennismigrant threshold, the over-30 threshold, and the reduced graduate threshold were all uplifted in line with the statutory index from 1 January 2026."},{"statement":"EU Blue Card thresholds in the Netherlands continue to be set at a higher level than the Kennismigrant over-30 figure and were uplifted in parallel."},{"statement":"Orientation-year graduates transitioning to Kennismigrant within three years of graduation continue to qualify at the reduced graduate threshold."}],"primarySource":{"label":"IND — Salary requirements for highly skilled migrants","url":"https://ind.nl/en/required-amounts-income-requirement/required-amounts-highly-skilled-migrants","authority":"Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND)","lastVerified":"2026-06-01"},"affectedVisas":["highly-skilled-migrant","eu-blue-card-nl","orientation-year"],"severity":"material","status":"in-force","lastReviewed":"2026-06-01"},{"id":"uk-2025-earned-settlement-proposal","title":"UK: \"earned settlement\" proposal would double the ILR qualifying period to 10 years — NOT YET LAW","date":"2025-11-20","destination":"uk","summary":"The May 2025 Immigration White Paper proposed doubling the standard settlement qualifying period from 5 to 10 years under an \"earned\" contribution model. This is a proposal that was consulted on — it is not law.","claims":[{"statement":"The proposal would raise the baseline Indefinite Leave to Remain qualifying period from 5 to 10 years, with reductions for contribution."},{"statement":"A formal consultation (\"A Fairer Pathway to Settlement\") ran from 20 November 2025 to 12 February 2026; as of mid-2026 the government is analysing feedback and no change is in force."},{"statement":"No effective date has been set. The current 5-year qualifying period for ILR remains in force."}],"primarySource":{"label":"GOV.UK — Earned settlement consultation","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/earned-settlement","authority":"UK Home Office","lastVerified":"2026-06-01"},"affectedVisas":["skilled-worker"],"severity":"significant","status":"consulting","lastReviewed":"2026-06-01"},{"id":"ie-2025-critical-skills-list-refresh","title":"Ireland refreshes Critical Skills Occupation List","date":"2025-10-15","effectiveDate":"2025-10-15","destination":"ie","summary":"The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment published a refreshed Critical Skills Occupation List, adding several construction and care-related roles and tightening criteria for some ICT roles.","claims":[{"statement":"Several construction-trade and senior care-sector roles were added to the Critical Skills Occupation List, unlocking the fast-track Critical Skills Employment Permit for these occupations."},{"statement":"Minimum annual remuneration for Critical Skills permits rose from EUR 38,000 to EUR 40,904 for listed occupations with a relevant degree, and from EUR 64,000 to EUR 68,911 for roles not requiring a degree, effective 1 March 2026 — the first step of a phased roadmap DETE published on 2 December 2025."},{"statement":"Spouses and partners of Critical Skills permit holders retain immediate access to the Irish labour market via Stamp 1G without a separate work permit."}],"primarySource":{"label":"DETE — Critical Skills Occupation List","url":"https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/employment-permit-eligibility/critical-skills-occupations-list/","authority":"Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ireland)","lastVerified":"2026-06-01"},"affectedVisas":["critical-skills-employment-permit","general-employment-permit"],"severity":"material","status":"in-force","lastReviewed":"2026-06-01"},{"id":"uk-2025-07-skilled-worker-reforms","title":"UK: Skilled Worker threshold to £41,700, skill level to RQF 6, overseas care-worker route closed","date":"2025-07-22","effectiveDate":"2025-07-22","destination":"uk","summary":"The 22 July 2025 Statement of Changes (HC 997) raised the Skilled Worker bar materially and closed overseas care-worker recruitment.","claims":[{"statement":"The Skilled Worker general salary threshold rose from £38,700 to £41,700 per year on 22 July 2025."},{"statement":"The required skill level was lifted back to RQF 6 (degree level), reversing the 2020 reduction to RQF 3."},{"statement":"Entry clearance for overseas care workers and senior care workers (SOC 6135/6136) closed on 22 July 2025; in-country switching continues until 22 July 2028."}],"primarySource":{"label":"GOV.UK — Review of salary requirements (Statement of Changes HC 997)","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/review-of-salary-requirements/review-of-salary-requirements-accessible","authority":"UK Home Office","lastVerified":"2026-06-01"},"affectedVisas":["skilled-worker","health-and-care-worker"],"severity":"significant","status":"in-force","lastReviewed":"2026-06-01"},{"id":"au-2025-sid-indexation-mates","title":"Australia: Skills in Demand thresholds indexed (1 Jul 2025, again 1 Jul 2026) and the MATES scheme for India","date":"2025-07-01","effectiveDate":"2025-07-01","destination":"au","summary":"The subclass 482 income thresholds were indexed for FY2025-26, with a further rise scheduled for 1 July 2026, and the MATES early-professionals scheme for India is running its annual ballots.","claims":[{"statement":"The subclass 482 income thresholds were indexed on 1 July 2025: the Core Skills Income Threshold to A$76,515 and the Specialist Skills threshold to A$141,210."},{"statement":"A further indexation is scheduled for 1 July 2026 — Core Skills A$79,499 and Specialist A$146,717 — applying to nominations lodged on or after that date; the FY2025-26 figures remain in force until then."},{"statement":"The MATES scheme (subclass 403, for early-career Indian professionals) launched on 1 November 2024 and runs an annual ballot; the 2025-26 ballot opened in November 2025 with selection from December 2025."}],"primarySource":{"label":"Department of Home Affairs — Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa","url":"https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skills-in-demand-482","authority":"Australian Department of Home Affairs","lastVerified":"2026-06-01"},"affectedVisas":["subclass-482-tss","subclass-186-ens"],"severity":"material","status":"in-force","lastReviewed":"2026-06-01"},{"id":"es-2025-04-golden-visa-closure","title":"Spain closes its Golden Visa programme","date":"2025-04-03","effectiveDate":"2025-04-03","destination":"es","summary":"Spain’s residence permit for investors (Golden Visa) closed to new applications on 3 April 2025 following Organic Law 1/2025.","claims":[{"statement":"New applications under the residence-by-investment route are no longer accepted as of 3 April 2025."},{"statement":"Permits already granted remain valid under the previous regime; renewals continue to be assessed under the original framework."},{"statement":"Spain continues to operate the Digital Nomad Visa, Non-Lucrative Visa, Highly Qualified Professional and Entrepreneur routes introduced or expanded by the 2022 Startups Law."}],"primarySource":{"label":"BOE — Ley Orgánica 1/2025","url":"https://www.boe.es/eli/es/lo/2025/01/02/1","authority":"Boletín Oficial del Estado","lastVerified":"2026-06-01"},"affectedVisas":["golden-visa-ending"],"severity":"significant","status":"in-force","lastReviewed":"2026-06-01"},{"id":"au-2024-12-sid-launch","title":"Australia replaces 482 TSS with the Skills in Demand visa","date":"2024-12-07","effectiveDate":"2024-12-07","destination":"au","summary":"Australia launched the Skills in Demand (SID) visa, replacing the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) framework with three income-based streams.","claims":[{"statement":"The SID visa has three streams: Specialist Skills (income above AUD 135,000), Core Skills (occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List and indexed income), and Essential Skills (lower-paid essential roles)."},{"statement":"Pathways to permanent residence through subclass 186 (ENS) were broadened for SID holders."},{"statement":"Employer sponsorship, English-language, and skills-assessment requirements continue."}],"primarySource":{"label":"Department of Home Affairs — Skills in Demand visa","url":"https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skills-in-demand-482","authority":"Australian Department of Home Affairs","lastVerified":"2026-06-01"},"affectedVisas":["subclass-482-tss","subclass-186-ens"],"severity":"significant","status":"in-force","lastReviewed":"2026-06-01"},{"id":"ca-2024-11-pgwp-restrictions","title":"Canada tightens Post-Graduation Work Permit eligibility","date":"2024-11-01","effectiveDate":"2024-11-01","destination":"ca","summary":"IRCC introduced significant changes to PGWP eligibility, including field-of-study restrictions for most programmes and new language-test requirements.","claims":[{"statement":"Field-of-study restrictions were introduced for most PGWP applicants, mapped to occupations facing long-term shortages."},{"statement":"A CLB/NCLC language test became a mandatory eligibility criterion for most PGWP applicants."},{"statement":"Private-college PPP (public-private partnership) programmes are excluded from PGWP eligibility."}],"primarySource":{"label":"IRCC — Post-Graduation Work Permit Program","url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation.html","authority":"Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada","lastVerified":"2026-06-01"},"affectedVisas":["pgwp","study-permit-ca"],"severity":"significant","status":"in-force","lastReviewed":"2026-06-01"},{"id":"pt-2024-10-d8-regulation-refinement","title":"Portugal tightens D8 digital-nomad documentation requirements","date":"2024-10-01","effectiveDate":"2024-10-01","destination":"pt","summary":"AIMA clarified documentation expectations for the D8 digital-nomad visa, standardising how contract income, remote-work arrangements, and minimum income evidence are assessed.","claims":[{"statement":"Minimum monthly income for D8 applicants is fixed at four times the Portuguese minimum wage, recalculated each January with the statutory minimum wage update."},{"statement":"Contracts must be with non-Portuguese clients or employers; Portugal-source income is excluded from the qualifying income calculation."},{"statement":"AIMA may require apostilled contracts and notarised translations into Portuguese where originals are not in an EU language."}],"primarySource":{"label":"AIMA — Visto para o exercício de atividade profissional (D8)","url":"https://aima.gov.pt/en/viver/vistos-e-autorizacoes-de-residencia","authority":"Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo (AIMA)","lastVerified":"2026-06-01"},"affectedVisas":["d8-digital-nomad"],"severity":"material","status":"in-force","lastReviewed":"2026-06-01"},{"id":"ae-2024-green-visa-expansion","title":"UAE expands Green Visa eligibility for freelancers and skilled workers","date":"2024-09-01","effectiveDate":"2024-09-01","destination":"ae","summary":"ICP widened Green Visa eligibility criteria for freelancers, self-employed workers, and skilled employees, extending the 5-year self-sponsored residence option to a broader profile of applicants.","claims":[{"statement":"Freelancers and self-employed applicants can qualify for the Green Visa with proof of professional qualification and minimum income thresholds set by ICP, without an employer sponsor."},{"statement":"Skilled-employee Green Visa applicants require a valid employment contract classified in ICP occupational skill level 1, 2 or 3, plus a minimum monthly salary and a bachelor-level qualification."},{"statement":"Green Visa holders can sponsor first-degree relatives and children up to age 25, broader than the standard employment-visa family sponsorship window."}],"primarySource":{"label":"ICP — Green Residence","url":"https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/residency-visas/green-residence","authority":"Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP)","lastVerified":"2026-06-01"},"affectedVisas":["green-visa","employment-visa","freelance-permit"],"severity":"material","status":"in-force","lastReviewed":"2026-06-01"},{"id":"de-2024-06-chancenkarte-launch","title":"Germany launches the Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card)","date":"2024-06-01","effectiveDate":"2024-06-01","destination":"de","summary":"Germany launched a new points-based residence permit for job seekers under the Skilled Immigration Act reforms.","claims":[{"statement":"The Chancenkarte is a 1-year job-search permit assessed against a points test (qualification, experience, language, age, Germany ties)."},{"statement":"Holders may work up to 20 hours per week and undertake 2-week trial employment periods."},{"statement":"Conversion to an EU Blue Card or §18a/18b skilled-worker residence permit is permitted once a qualifying job offer is secured."}],"primarySource":{"label":"Make it in Germany — Opportunity Card","url":"https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/types/opportunity-card","authority":"German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action","lastVerified":"2026-06-01"},"affectedVisas":["chancenkarte","eu-blue-card","skilled-worker-de"],"severity":"material","status":"in-force","lastReviewed":"2026-06-01"},{"id":"uk-2024-04-skilled-worker-salary-rise","title":"UK raises Skilled Worker salary thresholds","date":"2024-04-04","effectiveDate":"2024-04-04","destination":"uk","summary":"The Home Office raised the Skilled Worker general salary threshold from GBP 26,200 to GBP 38,700, with parallel increases to going rates and shortage-route adjustments.","claims":[{"statement":"General salary threshold raised to GBP 38,700 for new Skilled Worker applications (with transitional protections for earlier applicants)."},{"statement":"The Shortage Occupation List was replaced by the Immigration Salary List, with a 20% general threshold discount."},{"statement":"Care-worker routes retained distinct thresholds, subject to further rule changes in subsequent Statements of Changes."}],"primarySource":{"label":"UK — Statement of Changes HC 590 (March 2024)","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/immigration-rules-statement-of-changes","authority":"UK Home Office","lastVerified":"2026-06-01"},"affectedVisas":["skilled-worker","health-and-care-worker"],"severity":"significant","status":"in-force","lastReviewed":"2026-06-01"},{"id":"us-2024-04-uscis-fee-rule","title":"USCIS final fee rule takes effect","date":"2024-04-01","effectiveDate":"2024-04-01","destination":"us","summary":"USCIS implemented its first major fee schedule adjustment in nearly a decade, including differentiated H-1B filing fees by employer type.","claims":[{"statement":"Form I-129 fees differ by employer size (small-employer discount for eligible petitioners)."},{"statement":"New Asylum Program Fee (USD 600 for most employers) was introduced and applies to H-1B, L-1, O-1, EB-type petitions."},{"statement":"Premium processing was retained at USD 2,805 in the 2024 rule (later raised to USD 2,965 on 1 March 2026; 15 business days)."}],"primarySource":{"label":"USCIS — Final Fee Rule (2024)","url":"https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/uscis-publishes-final-fee-rule","authority":"U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services","lastVerified":"2026-06-01"},"affectedVisas":["h-1b","l-1a","l-1b","o-1","eb-1a","eb-2-niw","eb-3"],"severity":"material","status":"in-force","lastReviewed":"2026-06-01"}]