Policy changes
By Sam Parks · Index reviewed:
Each entry summarises the change, links to the primary government source, and lists the visa routes affected where these are mapped in our database. Also available as RSS.
What does this feed cover?
The policy updates page tracks 49 immigration rule changes and government announcements, each with a primary source and dated claims, with affected routes linked where mapped. The latest tracked change is New Zealand to add Build-to-Rent funds as an Active Investor Plus Growth option, dated 9 September 2026.
Each entry has its own source-check date. The index review date does not mean every older policy was rechecked on that day.
Cite or reuse this dataset
This feed is free to reuse under CC BY 4.0. Cite Visa Atlas for the compiled policy-update index, and cite each linked government source for the underlying legal or administrative change.
Suggested citation
Visa Atlas, "Visa Atlas policy updates feed", https://visaatlas.org/policy-updates. Index reviewed 11 September 2026.
- JSON endpoint
- https://visaatlas.org/api/public/policy-updates
Primary sources behind policy updates (48)
- Immigration New Zealand — New Build to Rent investment option added to Active Investor Plus
- GOV.UK — Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules: HC 584
- Argentina Ministry of Health — Resolution 1066/2026 and operational annex
- Immigration New Zealand — Important visitor visa application form changes
- JIPK - Guidelines and eligibility requirements for permanent resident status categories
- ESDC — Hourly wage threshold by province or territory
- Home Affairs — skilled visa processing priorities
- Directorate of Immigration — New residence and work permit rules take effect
- Home Office — refugee routes announcement, 30 June 2026
- Migration and Citizenship Service of Armenia
- Immigration New Zealand — New and updated post-study work visa options
- DETE — Employment permits occupation list changes
- Croatian Official Gazette — NN 55/2026, Articles 51 and 70
- IRCC — Permanent residence fees increasing (30 April 2026)
- GOV.UK — Home Office immigration and nationality fees (8 April 2026)
- Immigration New Zealand — News centre (SMC changes & annual median-wage increase)
- Matsne: Law on Labour Migration, Articles 1, 13¹–13⁵ and 17
- Department of Immigration and Emigration (Sri Lanka)
- USCIS - How do I request premium processing?
- IND — Required amounts income requirements
- Bulgarian National Bank
- Ministry of Interior (Kuwait)
- gov.si - Entry and residence
- GOV.UK — Earned settlement consultation
- Diário da República — Law 61/2025, Articles 98, 103, 105 and transitional provisions
- UK — Statement of Changes HC 590 (March 2024)
- Instituto Guatemalteco de Migracion (Guatemala)
- National Immigration Administration (China)
- Ministry of Immigration (Fiji)
- General Inspectorate for Migration (Moldova)
- Superintendencia Nacional de Migraciones (Peru)
- GOV.UK — Review of salary requirements (Statement of Changes HC 997)
- Department of Home Affairs - salary requirements
- Ministry of the Interior (Slovakia)
- Government Services Portal (Uzbekistan)
- BOE — Ley Orgánica 1/2025
- Direccion General de Migracion y Extranjeria (El Salvador)
- General Inspectorate for Immigration (Romania)
- Immigration and National Registration Department (Brunei)
- Department of Immigration and Passport Services (Vanuatu)
- Department of Home Affairs — Skills in Demand visa
- IRCC — Post-Graduation Work Permit Program
- ICP — Green Residence
- Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (Latvia)
- Citizenship by Investment Unit Antigua and Barbuda - Schedule of Fees
- Make it in Germany — Opportunity Card
- Federal Register — USCIS Fee Schedule final rule
- Diario da Republica - Decree-Regulation 4/2022, Articles 31-A and 7
·New Zealand·material
New Zealand to add Build-to-Rent funds as an Active Investor Plus Growth option
Immigration New Zealand announced that eligible Build-to-Rent developments will become an additional Growth-category investment option under the Active Investor Plus Visa in December 2026.
- — The announced option concerns eligible Build-to-Rent developments within the Active Investor Plus Growth category.
- — The investment will be accessed through approved managed funds, which must meet capability, governance and delivery requirements.
- — INZ says further eligibility, investment-structure and implementation details will be provided before the change takes effect.
Full detailsPrimary source
Immigration New Zealand — New Build to Rent investment option added to Active Investor Plus ↗ · Immigration New Zealand (INZ)
Link last verified:
·United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland·significant
UK publishes Immigration Rules changes taking effect across October, November and December 2026
Statement HC 584 introduces rule changes with staged commencement dates from 8 October 2026, including visitor, student, Skilled Worker, EU Settlement Scheme and family-related amendments.
- — The Home Office published HC 584 on 3 September 2026 and specifies implementation dates of 8 October, 29 October, 30 November and 9 December 2026 for different provisions.
- — The statement includes changes to Appendix Skilled Worker, Appendix Student, Appendix Visitor, Appendix FM, the EU Settlement Scheme and other routes; applicants must check the provision-specific commencement date.
- — For provisions taking effect on 8 October, applications made before that date are generally decided under the Immigration Rules in force on 7 October, subject to the statement’s transitional wording.
Full detailsPrimary source
GOV.UK — Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules: HC 584 ↗ · UK Home Office
Link last verified:
·Argentine Republic·material
Argentina sets national-hospital care rules for foreign patients
Argentina has introduced a national-hospital billing procedure for foreign patients without permanent residence, with emergency-care protections.
- — Routine care at national-government hospitals requires sufficient health insurance or prepayment for foreign patients without permanent residence.
- — Emergency evaluation and treatment must not be delayed by administrative checks. Permanent residents retain public-system access on the same terms as Argentine citizens.
Full detailsPrimary source
Argentina Ministry of Health — Resolution 1066/2026 and operational annex ↗ · Argentina Ministry of Health / Official Gazette
Link last verified:
·New Zealand·material
New Zealand moves most visitor-visa applications to enhanced Immigration Online
From 24 September 2026, most new New Zealand visitor-visa applications must use enhanced Immigration Online. Submit covered old-system drafts by 7 October; remaining drafts will be deleted from 8 October.
- — From 24 September 2026, new applications for the visitor-visa forms covered by INZ’s transition must be started in enhanced Immigration Online; the published list includes Approved Destination Status Group Visitor, Group Visitor and Tour Escort Visitor applications.
- — Existing submitted applications remain accessible in the old system for document uploads and responses until a decision is communicated.
- — Remaining specified old-system drafts must be completed and submitted by 7 October; on 8 October 2026, remaining drafts will be deleted and a new application must be started.
- — Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visa and Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa are listed as not affected by this particular transition.
Full detailsPrimary source
Immigration New Zealand — Important visitor visa application form changes ↗ · Immigration New Zealand (INZ)
Link last verified:
·Brunei Darussalam·material
Brunei publishes updated permanent-resident category guidelines
Starting 31 December 2024, Brunei's Immigration and National Registration Department (JIPK) shared updated guidelines and eligibility requirements for the categories of application for permanent resident status. Where permanent residence was previously described only as discretionary and typically taking around fifteen years, the published categories now set explicit qualifying periods - up to twenty years of residence or marriage depending on the applicant's tie to Brunei. Foreigners hoping to settle in Brunei are affected.
- — The application categories are based on family ties to a Brunei citizen or permanent resident (children, adopted children, stepchildren, wives and husbands), stateless status, or proven Brunei descent.
- — Qualifying periods vary by category: proven Brunei descent requires ten years' residence if born in Brunei or fifteen years if born abroad, and spouse categories require marriages of ten to twenty years.
- — The published categories include no investment-based route and no general long-residence route to permanent resident status.
Full detailsPrimary source
JIPK - Guidelines and eligibility requirements for permanent resident status categories ↗ · Immigration and National Registration Department, Ministry of Home Affairs (Brunei Darussalam)
Link last verified:
·Canada·material
Canada raises LMIA high-wage stream hourly wage thresholds (17 July 2026)
ESDC raised the hourly wage thresholds that determine whether an employer's LMIA application falls under the high-wage or the low-wage stream. For LMIAs received as of 17 July 2026 the threshold rises in every province and territory except the Northwest Territories — for example Ontario from CA$36.00 to CA$36.92 per hour and British Columbia from CA$36.60 to CA$38.40 per hour. Employers hiring temporary foreign workers, and workers whose permits rely on an LMIA, are affected.
- — For LMIAs received as of 17 July 2026, the hourly wage threshold rises in 12 of 13 provinces and territories — e.g. Ontario CA$36.92 (from CA$36.00), British Columbia CA$38.40 (from CA$36.60), Alberta CA$37.50 (from CA$36.00); the Northwest Territories stays at CA$48.00.
- — The threshold is the provincial or territorial median hourly wage plus 20%, based on the Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey; an offered wage at or above it puts the LMIA application in the high-wage stream, and below it in the low-wage stream.
- — ESDC cautions that adjusting the offered wage to fit a specific stream or to avoid a program requirement could lead to a negative LMIA decision; offered wages should be similar to those paid to Canadians and permanent residents in the same job and location.
Full detailsPrimary source
ESDC — Hourly wage threshold by province or territory ↗ · Employment and Social Development Canada
Link last verified:
·Commonwealth of Australia·material
Australia changes skilled-visa processing priorities under Direction 119
Direction 119 replaced Direction 105 on 25 July 2026, changing the priority order for covered skilled nominations and visa applications, including applications already waiting.
- — Priority order: defined defence/law-enforcement cases in Australia; those cases outside Australia; defined construction, healthcare or teaching cases in Australia; other covered cases in Australia; other covered cases outside Australia. Priority is not a promised decision time.
- — Nomination priority uses the nominee’s location when the nomination was lodged; visa priority uses the primary applicant’s location when the visa application was lodged.
- — The direction covers subclass 186. Its schedules and exceptions must be checked; it does not replace visa eligibility rules.
Full detailsPrimary source
Home Affairs — skilled visa processing priorities ↗ · Australian Department of Home Affairs
Link last verified:
·Iceland·significant
Iceland transfers work-permit decisions and updates student residence rules
Iceland's July update confirms Immigration now decides work permits and describes student renewal, employment, post-degree stay and family changes. The transfer took effect on 8 July; some student measures were already announced in June.
- — From 8 July 2026, Immigration handles work-permit decisions previously made by Labour; residence and work permissions remain distinct.
- — Every student-permit renewal requires at least 75% of the full-time annual course load.
- — Student employees no longer need a separate work permit. The usual ceiling is 60% of full-time employment across all employers, with exceptions for academic breaks, qualifying post-degree job seeking and formal placements.
- — Icelandic Bachelor's, Master's or Doctoral graduates may renew student permission for up to 18 months to seek suitable work, replacing the previous three-year maximum.
- — Student-sponsored spouses and children require full-time Bachelor's, Master's or Doctoral study. Diploma programmes and student-sponsored parents are excluded.
Full detailsPrimary source
Directorate of Immigration — New residence and work permit rules take effect ↗ · Directorate of Immigration, Iceland
Link last verified:
·United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland·significant
UK announces capped refugee sponsorship routes for communities, universities and employers
Named community and refugee-study lead-sponsor applications were planned for autumn 2026, with arrivals from autumn 2027; a refugee work route was expected in 2027. Check current Home Office launch guidance before making arrangements.
- — The Home Office release on 30 June 2026 described an organisational lead-sponsor model, a named community route outside UKRS and university sponsorship.
- — The 13 July answer planned prospective lead-sponsor applications for autumn 2026 and arrivals from autumn 2027, alongside existing UKRS. These milestones are not individual processing standards.
- — The 9 July answer said accreditation criteria would follow and the refugee work route was expected in 2027.
- — The 30 June announcement described biometric, criminality and health checks, with refugee status determined in partnership with UNHCR.
Full detailsPrimary source
Home Office — refugee routes announcement, 30 June 2026 ↗ · UK Home Office
Link last verified:
·Republic of Armenia·material
Armenia announces a new residence filing system for November 2026
The Migration and Citizenship Service announced a new electronic residence process from 1 November 2026. Applicants must distinguish current grounds from future financial and permanent-residence conditions.
- — MCS says the existing services cease from 1 November and later appointments are directed to the new electronic system.
- — HO-11-N Article 30(4) preserves the old rules for applications submitted before commencement; an appointment reservation is not submission.
- — HO-11-N Article 30(6) preserves existing special-status rights until expiry.
- — The future financial and absence provisions must be checked for the filing date and are not a current entrepreneur checklist.
Full detailsPrimary source
Migration and Citizenship Service of Armenia ↗ · Migration and Citizenship Service of Armenia
Link last verified:
·New Zealand·significant
New Zealand announces a Short-Term Graduate Work Visa and expanded post-study eligibility
Immigration New Zealand announced a new six-month Short-Term Graduate Work Visa and expanded Post-Study Work Visa eligibility for qualifying Level 7 graduate diplomas, with applications for the new visa planned from 16 November 2026.
- — The new Short-Term Graduate Work Visa is scheduled to accept applications from 16 November 2026.
- — Post-Study Work Visa eligibility will extend to qualifying NZQCF Level 7 graduate diplomas where the graduate also holds a bachelor’s degree completed in New Zealand or overseas.
- — A graduate-diploma holder without a bachelor’s degree may still qualify where the qualification is listed in Appendix 13 of the Immigration Operational Manual; otherwise the announced alternative is the six-month Short-Term Graduate Work Visa.
Full detailsPrimary source
Immigration New Zealand — New and updated post-study work visa options ↗ · Immigration New Zealand (INZ)
Link last verified:
·Republic of Ireland·material
Ireland announces employment-permit occupation list changes
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment announced occupation-list changes to support housing, health and transport needs, including additions to the Critical Skills Occupation List and removals from the Ineligible Occupations List.
- — DETE listed Agronomist, Construction Planner/Scheduler, Community Eye Care, Intellectual Property Professionals, Geospatial Surveyor, and Riggers within the games industry as additions to the Critical Skills Occupation List.
- — The same announcement removed several healthcare, construction, manufacturing and transport roles from the Ineligible Occupations List, making those roles eligible for General Employment Permit applications where the route criteria are met.
- — DETE reaffirmed that Critical Skills Occupation List roles are eligible for the Critical Skills Employment Permit, while other eligible roles generally remain subject to General Employment Permit and Labour Market Needs Test rules.
Full detailsPrimary source
DETE — Employment permits occupation list changes ↗ · Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ireland)
Link last verified:
·Republic of Croatia·material
Croatia extends temporary-resident address registration to 15 days
Croatia’s 2026 Aliens Act amendment replaces the three-day address-registration period for third-country nationals on temporary stay with 15 days.
- — Article 51 of the amendment changes the period in Article 178(1) from three days to 15 days. It covers registration of temporary residence and the home address after entry, and later changes of residence or address.
- — The amendment was published on 27 May 2026. Under Article 70, this provision took effect on 4 June 2026; it is not one of the provisions with delayed commencement.
- — This change concerns third-country nationals on temporary stay. It does not replace the separate rules for visitor accommodation reporting, free-movement registration or obtaining a biometric residence permit.
Full detailsPrimary source
Croatian Official Gazette — NN 55/2026, Articles 51 and 70 ↗ · Croatian Parliament / Narodne novine
Link last verified:
·Canada·significant
Canada: PR fees rise (30 Apr 2026), category-based Express Entry, Start-up Visa closed, arranged-employment points removed
A run of IRCC changes through 2025-26 reshaped Express Entry economics and closed the Start-up Visa to new applicants.
- — 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.
- — 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.
- — The 50/200-point arranged-employment CRS bonus was removed for all candidates on 25 March 2025.
- — 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.
Full detailsPrimary source
IRCC — Permanent residence fees increasing (30 April 2026) ↗ · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Link last verified:
·United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland·significant
UK: Skilled Worker English raised to B2, CoS fee £525, Immigration Skills Charge up 32%
A run of Skilled Worker changes from late 2025 into early 2026 raised the language bar, sponsor costs, and tightened salary assessment.
- — The Skilled Worker English-language requirement rose from B1 to B2 (CEFR) on 8 January 2026.
- — The Certificate of Sponsorship fee rose to £525 under the 8 April 2026 Home Office fees table.
- — 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.
- — 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.
Full detailsPrimary source
GOV.UK — Home Office immigration and nationality fees (8 April 2026) ↗ · UK Home Office
Link last verified:
·New Zealand·significant
New Zealand: SMC reform is in force and the immigration median wage is NZD 35/hour
Immigration New Zealand raised the immigration median wage and implemented the announced Skilled Migrant Category changes on 24 August 2026.
- — The immigration median wage rose to NZD 35.00/hour, effective 9 March 2026; it governs Green List pay rates and SMC income points.
- — 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.
- — From 24 August 2026, the Skilled Migrant Category includes the Skilled Work Experience and Trades and Technician residence pathways, with pathway-specific occupation, qualification, experience and wage conditions.
- — The new settings include simplified wage assessment, clarified qualification evidence and additional qualification-point treatment for qualifying New Zealand study; they do not remove the need to meet the requirements of the relevant pathway.
- — 47 occupations were added to the National Occupation List at skill levels 1-3, effective 9 March 2026.
Full detailsPrimary source
Immigration New Zealand — News centre (SMC changes & annual median-wage increase) ↗ · Immigration New Zealand (INZ)
Link last verified:
·Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka·material
Sri Lanka launches a Digital Nomad Visa
Sri Lanka introduced a Digital Nomad Visa in February 2026 for remote workers earning income from outside the country.
- — The Digital Nomad Visa is for remote workers serving non-Sri-Lankan clients or employers and is issued for up to 12 months, renewable annually.
- — Holders must notify the Department of Immigration and Emigration of material changes to income, employment, or dependents.
- — Sri Lanka does not offer permanent residence; the Digital Nomad Visa is a renewable temporary route.
Full detailsPrimary source
Department of Immigration and Emigration (Sri Lanka) ↗ · Department of Immigration and Emigration (Sri Lanka)
Link last verified:
·Kingdom of the Netherlands·material
Netherlands publishes 2026 Kennismigrant salary thresholds
IND confirmed the 2026 age-tiered Kennismigrant (highly skilled migrant) salary thresholds and reduced post-Zoekjaar thresholds.
- — 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.
- — 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.
- — Orientation-year graduates transitioning to Kennismigrant within three years of graduation continue to qualify at the reduced graduate threshold.
Full detailsPrimary source
IND — Required amounts income requirements ↗ · Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND)
Link last verified:
·Republic of Bulgaria·significant
Bulgaria adopts the euro and completes Schengen accession
Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026, having already joined the Schengen area in 2025, changing the travel and currency context for residents.
- — The euro replaced the Bulgarian lev as legal tender on 1 January 2026, with the lev fixed at 1.95583 to the euro during conversion.
- — Bulgaria is a full member of the Schengen area, so residence-permit holders can travel within Schengen under the standard 90/180-day rule.
- — Bulgaria no longer operates a citizenship-by-investment programme; residence-by-investment remains available.
·State of Kuwait·significant
Kuwait overhauls expatriate residency rules
Kuwait's Executive Regulations on the Residence of Foreigners (Resolution 2249/2025) govern residence terms and conditions. Extended-absence permission concerns keeping residence valid abroad; it is not the separate private-sector requirement for permission to depart.
- — The reform introduces a tiered residency model (commonly described as 5, 10 and 15-year tiers) and tightens issuance of private-sector (Article 18) work residency.
- — An exit-permit requirement for private-sector expatriates has been in force since 1 July 2025, requiring employer approval to leave the country.
- — The ordinary and long-term permits described by this framework remain fixed-term rather than permanent residence.
- — Article 37, amended in September 2026, sets the ordinary six-month absence rule with authorised extended absence and specified exceptions. Check the applicable residence category; this is not an exit-permit rule.
·Republic of Slovenia·material
Slovenia launches a Digital Nomad residence permit
Slovenia introduced a Digital Nomad residence permit on 21 November 2025 for non-EU remote workers serving foreign employers or clients.
- — The permit is granted for up to one year and is non-renewable; holders must wait six months before reapplying.
- — It is for remote work for employers or clients outside Slovenia and does not lead to permanent residence.
- — Slovenia separately eased its EU Blue Card rules on 21 May 2025.
Full detailsPrimary source
gov.si - Entry and residence ↗ · Ministry of the Interior (Slovenia)
Link last verified:
·United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland·significant
UK: "earned settlement" proposal would double the ILR qualifying period to 10 years — NOT YET LAW
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.
- — The proposal would raise the baseline Indefinite Leave to Remain qualifying period from 5 to 10 years, with reductions for contribution.
- — 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.
- — No effective date has been set. The current 5-year qualifying period for ILR remains in force.
·Portuguese Republic·significant
Portugal changes family-reunification sponsor conditions and decision deadlines
Law 61/2025 introduced residence-authorisation waiting conditions, specified family exceptions and a nine-month decision deadline. The amended provisions apply to procedures started from the law’s entry into force; earlier pending cases require a separate check.
- — The ordinary sponsor condition is at least two years holding a valid residence authorisation. A qualifying spouse or equivalent who cohabited with the sponsor for at least 18 months immediately before the sponsor entered Portugal has a 15-month condition.
- — Article 98(3) removes that waiting period for specified dependent minors or incapacitated relatives, qualifying co-parents, and families of holders of permits under Articles 90, 90-A and 121-A. Article 98(4) separately permits exceptional waiver or reduction.
- — Current Article 103(2) limits the in-country family request to the Article 98(3) categories who entered and remain in Portugal at the request date. AIMA’s operational checklist separately asks for legal-entry evidence; visitor entry alone is not a general entitlement to apply.
- — Article 105 sets a nine-calendar-month decision deadline. An equal extension for exceptional complexity requires notice and excludes Article 98(1) and 98(2) cases. The deadline is not a typical or end-to-end waiting-time estimate.
- — The separate 180-day transitional in-country provision was time-limited and is no longer generally open as of this review.
Full detailsPrimary source
Diário da República — Law 61/2025, Articles 98, 103, 105 and transitional provisions ↗ · Portuguese Parliament / Diário da República
Link last verified:
·United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland·material
UK: Graduate route shortened to 18 months for applications from 1 January 2027
The 14 October 2025 Statement of Changes cuts the Graduate route from 2 years to 18 months for applications made on or after 1 January 2027; PhD graduates keep 3 years.
- — Graduate-route permission falls from 2 years to 18 months for applications made on or after 1 January 2027.
- — Doctoral (PhD) graduates are unaffected and continue to receive 3 years.
- — Students starting courses from late 2026 will typically apply after the cutoff, so should plan around 18 months of post-study work.
Full detailsPrimary source
GOV.UK — Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules (14 October 2025) ↗ · UK Home Office
Link last verified:
·Republic of Guatemala·material
Guatemala removes the guarantor requirement and streamlines residence
Guatemala's 2024-2025 immigration reform removed the guarantor (garante) requirement, created worker sub-categories, and shortened background checks.
- — New IGM rules effective October 2025 eliminated the garante (guarantor) requirement for residence applications.
- — Worker residence was split into sub-categories (Guatemalan employer, foreign employer, self-employed), and the background-check lookback was cut.
- — A Digital Nomad residence created in 2024 (Acuerdo Gubernativo 127-2024) operates alongside the rentista, investor and permanent-residence routes.
Full detailsPrimary source
Instituto Guatemalteco de Migracion (Guatemala) ↗ · Instituto Guatemalteco de Migracion (Guatemala)
Link last verified:
·People's Republic of China·significant
China launches the K visa for young science and technology talent
China introduced a new K visa for young STEM graduates, allowing entry without a domestic employer sponsor, effective 1 October 2025.
- — The K visa targets young science, technology, engineering and mathematics graduates and does not require a Chinese employer or invitation for entry.
- — The K visa does not by itself grant work authorisation in China, and it is not permanent residence; the rules on what holders may do are still being clarified.
- — Standard employment continues to require the employer-sponsored Z visa plus a Foreigner Work Permit and a residence permit.
Full detailsPrimary source
National Immigration Administration (China) ↗ · National Immigration Administration (China)
Link last verified:
·Republic of Fiji·significant
Fiji tightens naturalisation and pauses citizenship applications
Fiji suspended naturalisation applications from October 2025 pending a 2026 reform that raises the residence requirement and makes permanent residence a stepping-stone to citizenship.
- — Naturalisation applications have been suspended since October 2025 pending the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2026.
- — The reform raises the naturalisation residence requirement from 5 to 8 of the last 10 years.
- — Permanent residence is becoming a required stepping-stone to citizenship - for spouses from 2030 and for all applicants from 2035.
·Republic of Moldova·material
Moldova launches a Digital Nomad Visa
Moldova introduced a Digital Nomad Visa in September 2025 for remote workers earning income from outside the country.
- — The Digital Nomad Visa is for remote workers serving foreign employers or clients and provides temporary residence of about one year, extendable.
- — The Moldova IT Park 7% tax regime is not available to digital-nomad-visa holders.
- — Moldova's former citizenship-by-investment programme is suspended and is not accepting applicants.
Full detailsPrimary source
General Inspectorate for Migration (Moldova) ↗ · General Inspectorate for Migration (Moldova)
Link last verified:
·Republic of Peru·material
Peru passes a new citizenship law moving to a five-year naturalisation
Peru passed a new citizenship law (Law 32421) in 2025 that moves to a uniform five-year residence requirement for naturalisation once its regulations are in force.
- — Law 32421 sets a uniform five-year continuous-residence requirement for naturalisation, plus language and civics tests.
- — The change ends the historically faster (around two-year) work-visa citizenship track.
- — The new rules take effect once implementing regulations are published - confirm the current position with Migraciones.
Full detailsPrimary source
Superintendencia Nacional de Migraciones (Peru) ↗ · Superintendencia Nacional de Migraciones (Peru)
Link last verified:
·United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland·significant
UK: Skilled Worker threshold to £41,700, skill level to RQF 6, overseas care-worker route closed
The 22 July 2025 Statement of Changes (HC 997) raised the Skilled Worker bar materially and closed overseas care-worker recruitment.
- — The Skilled Worker general salary threshold rose from £38,700 to £41,700 per year on 22 July 2025.
- — The required skill level was lifted back to RQF 6 (degree level), reversing the 2020 reduction to RQF 3.
- — 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.
Full detailsPrimary source
GOV.UK — Review of salary requirements (Statement of Changes HC 997) ↗ · UK Home Office
Link last verified:
·Commonwealth of Australia·material
Australia: Skills in Demand thresholds indexed (1 Jul 2025, again 1 Jul 2026) and the MATES scheme for India
The subclass 482 income thresholds are indexed annually. For nominations lodged from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, Home Affairs lists CSIT at A$79,423 and SSIT at A$146,576; the MATES early-professionals scheme for India is running its annual ballots.
- — 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.
- — For nominations lodged from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, Home Affairs lists the Core Skills Income Threshold at A$79,423 and the Specialist Skills Income Threshold at A$146,576.
- — 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.
Full detailsPrimary source
Department of Home Affairs - salary requirements ↗ · Australian Department of Home Affairs
Link last verified:
·Slovak Republic·material
Slovakia caps business-residence permits
A Slovak reform effective 1 July 2025 placed a hard annual quota on business and entrepreneurial residence permits and tightened their requirements.
- — Business and entrepreneurial residence permits are now capped by a sharply reduced annual global quota.
- — Applicants must submit a detailed business plan, and the permit is issued for a fixed three years.
- — Slovakia continues to have no official digital-nomad visa; remote workers use the business-residence route.
Full detailsPrimary source
Ministry of the Interior (Slovakia) ↗ · Ministry of the Interior (Slovakia)
Link last verified:
·Republic of Uzbekistan·material
Uzbekistan launches a Golden Visa for investors
Uzbekistan introduced a five-year Golden Visa granting residence to qualifying investors, effective 1 June 2025.
- — The Golden Visa grants five-year residence to foreign nationals who make a qualifying investment, with the option to include family members.
- — It sits alongside the IT Visa, which lets IT Park founders and specialists work without a separate work permit.
- — Investment thresholds are set by the government and should be confirmed on the official portal before applying.
Full detailsPrimary source
Government Services Portal (Uzbekistan) ↗ · Ministry of Internal Affairs (Uzbekistan)
Link last verified:
·Kingdom of Spain·significant
Spain closes its Golden Visa programme
Spain’s residence permit for investors (Golden Visa) closed to new applications on 3 April 2025 following Organic Law 1/2025.
- — New applications under the residence-by-investment route are no longer accepted as of 3 April 2025.
- — Permits already granted remain valid under the previous regime; renewals continue to be assessed under the original framework.
- — 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.
·Republic of El Salvador·significant
El Salvador ends Bitcoin legal-tender status
El Salvador removed Bitcoin's legal-tender status in January 2025; the US dollar remains the official currency and Bitcoin use is now voluntary.
- — Bitcoin is no longer legal tender in El Salvador and is not accepted for tax payments; its use is voluntary.
- — The US dollar remains the country's official currency.
- — The Freedom Visa citizenship-by-investment programme, funded by a cryptocurrency contribution, continues to operate.
Full detailsPrimary source
Direccion General de Migracion y Extranjeria (El Salvador) ↗ · Direccion General de Migracion y Extranjeria (El Salvador)
Link last verified:
·Romania·significant
Romania becomes a full Schengen member
Romania lifted land-border checks and became a full Schengen member on 1 January 2025, following the lifting of air and sea checks in 2024.
- — Land-border controls with other Schengen states were lifted on 1 January 2025, completing Romania's accession to the Schengen area.
- — Romanian residence-permit holders can travel within the Schengen area under the standard 90/180-day rule.
- — A standalone golden-visa scheme was proposed in late 2025 but did not proceed.
Full detailsPrimary source
General Inspectorate for Immigration (Romania) ↗ · General Inspectorate for Immigration (Romania)
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·Brunei Darussalam·material
Brunei introduces a multi-year Long-Term Pass
Brunei launched a multi-year Long-Term Pass effective 31 December 2024, with social, business and professional sub-categories.
- — The Long-Term Pass offers up to five years of multiple-entry stay across social-visit, business and professional sub-categories.
- — It does not by itself grant permanent residence, which remains slow and discretionary (around 15 years).
- — Brunei has no golden visa or investment-based permanent residence.
Full detailsPrimary source
Immigration and National Registration Department (Brunei) ↗ · Immigration and National Registration Department (Brunei)
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·Republic of Vanuatu·significant
EU removes Vanuatu from its visa-free Schengen list
The EU removed Vanuatu from its visa-free Schengen list in December 2024 over citizenship-by-investment due-diligence concerns; a Vanuatu passport no longer gives visa-free Schengen access.
- — Following an EU Council decision in December 2024, Vanuatu passport holders need a visa to enter the Schengen area.
- — The Development Support Program (citizenship by investment) continues to operate, with tightened due diligence and new e-passports.
- — The Development Support Program grants citizenship, not residence, and is administered separately from Vanuatu residence visas.
Full detailsPrimary source
Department of Immigration and Passport Services (Vanuatu) ↗ · Department of Immigration and Passport Services (Vanuatu)
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·Commonwealth of Australia·significant
Australia replaces 482 TSS with the Skills in Demand visa
Australia launched the Skills in Demand (SID) visa, replacing the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) framework with Specialist Skills, Core Skills, and Labour Agreement streams.
- — The current SID visa streams are Specialist Skills, Core Skills, and Labour Agreement. Core Skills uses the Core Skills Occupation List; Specialist Skills uses a higher income threshold and occupation-major-group rules.
- — Pathways to permanent residence through subclass 186 (ENS) were broadened for SID holders.
- — Employer sponsorship, English-language, and skills-assessment requirements continue.
Full detailsPrimary source
Department of Home Affairs — Skills in Demand visa ↗ · Australian Department of Home Affairs
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·Canada·significant
Canada tightens Post-Graduation Work Permit eligibility
IRCC introduced significant changes to PGWP eligibility, including field-of-study restrictions for most programmes and new language-test requirements.
- — Field-of-study restrictions were introduced for most PGWP applicants, mapped to occupations facing long-term shortages.
- — A CLB/NCLC language test became a mandatory eligibility criterion for most PGWP applicants.
- — Private-college PPP (public-private partnership) programmes are excluded from PGWP eligibility.
Full detailsPrimary source
IRCC — Post-Graduation Work Permit Program ↗ · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
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·United Arab Emirates·material
UAE expands Green Visa eligibility for freelancers and skilled workers
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.
- — 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.
- — 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.
- — Green Visa holders can sponsor first-degree relatives and children up to age 25, broader than the standard employment-visa family sponsorship window.
Full detailsPrimary source
ICP — Green Residence ↗ · Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP)
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·Republic of Latvia·material
Latvia requires an A2 language test to renew residence for some residents
A security-driven Latvian reform requires certain long-term residents to pass an A2 Latvian language test to renew or keep their residence.
- — Amendments to the Immigration Law require some existing long-term residents (notably affected Russian-citizen residents) to pass an A2 Latvian state-language test to retain residence.
- — The requirement is being phased in with deadlines through 2024-2025; missing it can lead to loss of residence.
- — New residence applications also face a reinforced state-language expectation; permanent residence requires A2 Latvian.
Full detailsPrimary source
Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (Latvia) ↗ · Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (Latvia)
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·Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis·significant
Caribbean citizenship-by-investment states adopt a shared US$200,000 minimum price
The five Eastern Caribbean citizenship-by-investment states adopted a shared US$200,000 minimum price and common standards under the March 2024 CARICOM Memorandum of Agreement.
- — A minimum price of US$200,000 applies across all qualifying investment options in St Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada and Saint Lucia, in force since 1 July 2024.
- — Discounting below the agreed floor is prohibited, and an Interim Regulatory Commission oversees the programmes pending a permanent regional regulator.
- — A proposed common 30-day physical-presence requirement has not taken effect; presence rules currently differ by country.
Full detailsPrimary source
Citizenship by Investment Unit Antigua and Barbuda - Schedule of Fees ↗ · Citizenship by Investment Unit Antigua and Barbuda
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·Federal Republic of Germany·material
Germany launches the Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card)
Germany launched a new points-based residence permit for job seekers under the Skilled Immigration Act reforms.
- — The Chancenkarte is a 1-year job-search permit assessed against a points test (qualification, experience, language, age, Germany ties).
- — Holders may work up to 20 hours per week and undertake 2-week trial employment periods.
- — Conversion to an EU Blue Card or §18a/18b skilled-worker residence permit is permitted once a qualifying job offer is secured.
Full detailsPrimary source
Make it in Germany — Opportunity Card ↗ · German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action
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·United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland·significant
UK raises Skilled Worker salary thresholds
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.
- — General salary threshold raised to GBP 38,700 for new Skilled Worker applications (with transitional protections for earlier applicants).
- — The Shortage Occupation List was replaced by the Immigration Salary List, with a 20% general threshold discount.
- — Care-worker routes retained distinct thresholds, subject to further rule changes in subsequent Statements of Changes.
·United States of America·material
USCIS final fee rule takes effect
USCIS implemented its first major fee schedule adjustment in nearly a decade, including differentiated H-1B filing fees by employer type.
- — Form I-129 fees differ by employer size (small-employer discount for eligible petitioners).
- — New Asylum Program Fee (USD 600 for most employers) was introduced and applies to H-1B, L-1, O-1, EB-type petitions.
- — 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).
Full detailsPrimary source
Federal Register — USCIS Fee Schedule final rule ↗ · U.S. Department of Homeland Security
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·Portuguese Republic·material
Portugal establishes remote-work residence-visa documentation rules
Decree-Regulation 4/2022 set the documentary framework for the remote-work residence visa commonly called D8. This records the 2022 legal change, not a new application checklist or an October 2024 tightening.
- — Article 31-A specifies employment-contract or employer-declaration evidence for employees; independent workers can provide a company contract, service contract or evidence of services provided.
- — The regulation requires evidence of average monthly employment or self-employment income over the preceding three months of at least four guaranteed minimum monthly wages, together with proof of tax residence.
- — Published on 30 September 2022, the regulation entered into force 30 days later, on 30 October 2022. Applicants should check the current competent consular checklist for their case.
Full detailsPrimary source
Diario da Republica - Decree-Regulation 4/2022, Articles 31-A and 7 ↗ · Portuguese Council of Ministers / Diario da Republica
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