Neutralized, source-linked updates from nomad, tax, migration, and remote-work sources.
From June 1, 2026, Immigration New Zealand moved family of temporary visa holder applications to its enhanced Immigration Online platform. The system has been rolling out in phases since 2021, with international student visas among the application types already transitioned.
Effective June 3, 2026, companies in Malaysia must submit a Foreign Knowledge Worker (FKW) Projection Request via the eXpats system, replacing the discontinued FKW Headcount Declaration function. The change was announced by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).
As of June 1, 2026, Finland no longer accepts non-biometric passports issued by Russia as valid travel documents for residence permit applications. Non-biometric passports are those lacking a microchip with biometric identifiers.
Effective June 3, 2026, Denmark's SIRI is adding offshore work questions to the AR6 and AR7 application forms. Companies submitting these applications will be required to answer additional questions if the applicant will be working offshore.
A memo from DHS General Counsel James Percival instructs ICE attorneys in the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor to establish anti-fraud policies targeting immigration attorneys who file false asylum claims in immigration court.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has automatically extended Temporary Protected Status for Lebanon by six months, covering the period from May 28, 2026 through November 27, 2026. The extension was published in the Federal Register and follows statutory requirements governing TPS designations.
Jacqueline Alcantara, a first-generation American illustrator, has published a children's book titled Tíos and Primos drawn from her personal experiences navigating language barriers within family. The book addresses cross-cultural and multilingual family dynamics.
Malaysia's Expatriate Services Division has postponed the new succession plan requirement for expatriate passes to January 1, 2027, as part of a phased implementation. The Revised Expatriate Pass Salary Policy remains on schedule to take effect June 1, 2026.
From June 1, 2026, Sweden will require work permit applicants to earn at least 90% of the median salary in Sweden. The government has published a list of occupations that are exempt from this new salary rule.
From June 1, 2026, Immigration New Zealand will require Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) applicants in ANZSCO and National Occupation List skill level 3 occupations to meet minimum English language requirements. Previously, these requirements applied only to skill level 4 and 5 occupations.
From June 1, 2026, new applicants in the Growth category of New Zealand's Active Investor Plus Visa may include philanthropy as part of their investment, capped at 20% of the total. The Growth category minimum investment requirement remains NZD 5 million.
Malaysia's MDEC is rolling out system updates to the Expats System in preparation for revised expatriate salary and employment pass policies. Effective May 25, 2026, the FKW Headcount Declaration request function will be discontinued as part of this transition.
Ghana launched a new e-visa portal on May 25, 2026, enabling eligible foreign nationals to submit, pay for, and track visa and ETA applications online. African country nationals receive a fee waiver, and the ETA is introduced as a new entry requirement.
The U.S. State Department announced on May 22, 2026 that all available Employment-Based Second Preference (EB-2) immigrant visas chargeable to India have been issued for fiscal year 2026. No further EB-2 visas will be available for India-chargeable applicants until the new fiscal year begins.
Cyprus's Migration Department launched a pilot online renewal service for temporary residence permits on May 22, 2026. The pilot covers renewals for temporary permits tied to remunerated employment and domestic employment with the same employer.
As of May 26, 2026, IRCC has changed visa requirements for eligible Indonesian and Malaysian citizens. Those who have held a Canadian temporary resident visa in the past 10 years, or who currently hold a valid US non-immigrant visa, may qualify under revised entry conditions.
On May 22, 2026, USCIS issued a policy memo stating that adjustment of status is a matter of discretion and administrative grace, effectively requiring immigrants to complete the process outside the United States. This represents a significant change to how green card applications are processed for individuals currently residing in the US.
US Customs and Border Protection has implemented arrival restrictions on flights entering the United States that carry travelers who have recently been in certain Central African countries, citing a confirmed Ebola outbreak in the region.
From July 20, 2026, Group visitor visa and Tour Escort visitor visa (including Approved Destination Status) applications must be submitted through Immigration New Zealand's Immigration Online system. ADS covers Chinese tourists traveling to New Zealand in tour groups.
Hiba Mona Anver, a partner at Erickson Immigration Group, has been included in the 2026 Lawdragon 100 Leading Immigration Lawyers guide. The annual list recognizes immigration attorneys across the legal field.
On May 18, 2026, the Trump administration invoked Title 42 of the Public Health Service Act in response to an ongoing Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in East and Central Africa. The CDC, DHS, and other federal agencies implemented enhanced travel screening, entry restrictions, and related public health measures.
The Trump administration issued an executive order titled "Restoring Integrity to America's Financial System," directing federal agencies to increase oversight of how financial institutions manage risks related to customers' immigration status. The order extends immigration enforcement efforts into the financial sector, beyond traditional border and workforce compliance measures.
The European Commission approved on May 8, 2026 the application of the EU Visa Cascade regime to Thai nationals residing in Thailand applying for short-stay Schengen visas at Schengen State embassies or consulates in Thailand. This allows applicants to apply at any Schengen member state's mission in Thailand when their intended destination country has no representation there.
The annual H-1B visa lottery is proceeding for the first time under new Trump administration rules that require sponsoring companies to pay a $100,000 fee for successful petitions. The changes represent a significant cost increase for employers sponsoring highly skilled foreign workers.
Effective May 18, 2026, the US embassies in Juba, Kinshasa, and Kampala have temporarily suspended all visa services, including immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applications, citing an ongoing Ebola outbreak. Both tourist and business visa processing are affected at all three locations.
The US Department of Labor's Office of Foreign Labor Certification issued guidance on May 14, 2026, clarifying that employers hiring foreign workers for commercial motor vehicle roles must comply with existing English language proficiency requirements. The guidance aims to ensure consistency in labor certification processes for these positions.
Ireland's Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) will no longer send acknowledgements for documents or letters received by post, including additional documents and application progress queries. Submitted documents will still be added to the applicant's file and considered during assessment.
Effective March 1, 2026, Global Affairs Canada ceased conducting completeness checks for proof of citizenship applications submitted from outside Canada and the United States. IRCC updated its operational instructions for officers on May 15, 2026 to reflect this reduced role.
US visa wait times have decreased and a FIFA Pass expedited appointment program is in place as the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches. These measures are intended to facilitate international visitor entry into the United States for the tournament.
The US Department of State has issued updated implementation guidance on the Visa Bond Program, formalizing and expanding exemptions for FIFA World Cup 2026 travelers, including players and select fans. The list of designated countries subject to the bond requirement remains unchanged, but the guidance clarifies how the program applies to these travelers.