Neutralized, source-linked updates from nomad, tax, migration, and remote-work sources.
Under Malaysia's new Expatriate Employment Policy effective June 1, 2026, MDEC and ESD-registered companies must submit a formal Succession Planning declaration starting January 1, 2027. The requirement is being phased in to allow companies time to prepare.
Effective June 3, 2026, MDEC-registered companies in Malaysia must follow a revised process for Foreign Knowledge Worker headcount quota requests, which now requires formal review and supporting documentation. Quota requests will no longer be approved instantly.
From June 20, 2026, certain foreign labour procedures in Hanoi that had been delegated to ward-level offices will revert to the Department of Home Affairs (DOHA). This arrangement is in effect until December 31, 2028.
The US State Department's July 2026 Visa Bulletin shows India EB-2 becoming unavailable due to increasing visa number pressure in the final quarter of Fiscal Year 2026. USCIS has confirmed employment-based applicants must use the Final Action Dates chart for July.
Effective June 9, 2026, the Philippines Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) transferred all Alien Employment Permit (AEP) processing from regional offices to the DOLE Central Office under the Bureau of Local Employment (BLE), per Administrative Order No. 199 issued June 8, 2026. Regional offices will no longer handle AEP applications.
Effective May 30, 2026, all nine existing Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) streams have been revoked as Ontario transitions to a redesigned immigration framework aimed at aligning with labour market needs. New draws across all streams are paused while the replacement framework is prepared for launch.
A US federal court ruled on June 8, 2026 that the Trump administration's $100,000 fee requirement on certain H-1B petitions is unlawful. The decision has immediate implications for employers sponsoring H-1B workers and the broader future of the fee policy.
Quebec's MIFI has updated its guidelines for Certificat d'acceptation du Québec (CAQ) for Studies applications involving dependent children. Under the new guidance, dependent children requiring a CAQ for Studies may only submit their application after the principal applicant's work permit process has advanced to a specified stage.
The UAE has introduced additional precautionary entry measures for travellers arriving from selected African countries, issued jointly by NCEMA and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, and related authorities. The measures are aimed at reducing the risk of Ebola virus importation.
The Irish Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration has removed the right of appeal for certain short-stay (Type C) visa refusals effective June 1, 2026. Applicants whose short-stay visa is refused under the affected categories will no longer be able to appeal the decision.
From May 22, 2026, EU Directive 2024/1233 changes how the Netherlands processes residence and work permits, affecting categories including paid employment, highly skilled migrants, EU Blue Card, researchers, work experience, and orientation year graduates. First-time applications may face longer processing times under the new rules.
From June 1, 2026, all companies, representative offices, and organisations registered in Vietnam must use a Business VNeID to access the National Public Service Portal and the Ministry of Public Security portal. The previous login method using a company e-signature or token is no longer accepted.
Ireland has revised its Employment Permits occupation lists following a review, adding roles across construction, healthcare, transport, and agri-food sectors. The changes are intended to help employers recruit from abroad where domestic skills shortages exist.
On May 27, 2026, Switzerland's Federal Council adopted proposed amendments to the Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration aimed at improving labor market access for holders of protection status S and internationally trained workers. The changes are intended to strengthen workforce integration and address labor shortages.
The Irish Government has announced the Temporary Protection Transition Scheme, a new immigration pathway offering Stamp 4 status to individuals currently in Ireland under Temporary Protection as that programme nears expiry. Eligibility requirements apply, and the change has implications for employers.
From June 1, 2026, Swedish work permit applicants must earn at least 90% of the Swedish median salary, following the Swedish Migration Agency's confirmation of the final occupation lists under Bill Prop. 2025/26:87. Certain occupations are exempted from or excluded from this threshold requirement.
Sweden's Riksdag has reformed residence permit rules for researchers, doctoral candidates, and higher-education students, taking effect June 11, 2026, with some provisions for researchers and doctoral candidates available from June 1, 2026. The changes improve pathways for researchers and doctoral candidates while tightening conditions for higher-education students.
Malaysia has confirmed transitional arrangements for the Employment Pass minimum salary revisions taking effect June 1, 2026, including how the new requirements will apply to applications already in progress. The update follows an Expats Service Centre announcement made on May 21, 2026.
The Venezuelan government is replacing in-person consulate and embassy applications with an automated online system through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs platform for issuing travel safe-conducts (salvoconductos) to Venezuelan citizens who need to return to the country without a valid passport.
USCIS issued Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199 on May 21, 2026, instructing officers to treat adjustment of status as an extraordinary discretionary benefit requiring applicants to affirmatively demonstrate they merit a favorable decision. The memo does not change existing statute or regulations but signals a stricter evaluative posture for AOS applications.
Mexico's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, jointly with the Ministry of the Interior, has published a reform to the General Guidelines for the Issuance of Visas. The reform introduces new visa requirements targeting specialized foreign personnel providing services related to technology and strategic projects.
Colombian authorities are more frequently requiring foreign professionals to provide permanent professional licenses and/or degree validation (convalidación) when renewing visas. Temporary professional permits are becoming less accepted in practice during renewal processes.
Brazil published a regulation on May 7, 2026, allowing Chinese citizens to enter without a visa for short-term stays. The exemption took effect on May 11, 2026, and is valid until December 31, 2026.
The Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) has introduced procedural changes affecting highly skilled migrants and their family members, including a simplified MVV visa collection process following permit approval. Additional flexibility measures for international talent and dependents have also been announced.
A decree published in France's Journal Officiel on April 25, 2026 completes the transposition of EU Blue Card Directive 2021/1883, exempting intra-EU Blue Card holders from needing a work permit for short-term assignments in France. The decree also introduces an experience-based pathway to the French European Blue Card.
India's Ministry of Home Affairs notified amendments to the Citizenship Rules, 2009, on April 30, 2026. The changes introduce electronic OCI cards and streamline several procedures for Overseas Citizen of India cardholders and applicants.
The US Department of State has published the May 2026 Visa Bulletin, with USCIS confirming that employment-based applicants must use the Final Action Dates chart. No meaningful movement is reported across employment-based categories, representing a pause after several months of advancement.
The Czech government has been overhauling its immigration processes since January 2026, including reforms to employer reporting obligations and digitalization efforts. Effective 1 May 2026, the minimum gross salary required for the EU Blue Card has been updated.
Romania published Emergency Ordinance No. 32/2026 on April 27, 2026, overhauling its immigration framework for non-EU workers. The ordinance introduces a digitalised system to replace the existing work permit and visa process.