Neutralized, source-linked updates from nomad, tax, migration, and remote-work sources.
158 items
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.
Dubai has eliminated the AED 750,000 minimum property value threshold previously required to qualify for its two-year property investor visa. The change removes the floor for the lower tier of Dubai's property investor visa program.
Australia and the EU have concluded a trade agreement after eight years of negotiations that includes labor mobility provisions allowing professionals to work for up to four years. Ratification is expected to take approximately two years before the provisions take effect.
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.
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.
The June 2026 Visa Bulletin shows Final Action Dates for Worldwide EB categories unchanged, China EB-1 and EB-2 unchanged with EB-3 advancing, and India EB-1 and EB-2 retrogressing while EB-3 advances. USCIS guidance on which chart to use for filing was pending at time of publication.
Under the new Visa Act (No. 37/2026), Iceland has transferred full responsibility for visa processing from the Directorate of Immigration to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The Ministry will now handle both visa issuance and application processing for Iceland.
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.
On May 11, 2026, Denmark's Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) introduced a new digital application (GL2) for a Greenland residence permit as an accompanying family member. The application is available to family members of individuals who already hold or are applying for a residence permit in Greenland.
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.
From May 11, 2026, Chinese citizens can enter Brazil visa-free for stays of up to 30 days, completing a reciprocal arrangement after Brazil gained visa-free access to China in May 2025. Both exemptions are valid until December 31, 2026.
Effective May 11, 2026, Brazil has eliminated short-stay visa requirements for holders of ordinary Chinese passports. The arrangement allows stays of up to 30 days for tourism and business purposes and is valid through December 31, 2026.
The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism has updated its Entry Requirements portal to reflect a complete transition to digital visa processing. Applicants must now use the Smart Services platform, the GDRFA-Dubai portal, or airline and hotel visa desks integrated with government APIs, as manual forms are no longer available.
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.
DHS has issued an interim final rule formalizing USCIS authority to reject or deny immigration benefit requests that contain invalid signatures. The rule applies even after a filing has been accepted, meaning cases can be denied at any stage if a signature deficiency is identified.
Dubai Land Department has updated the two-year property owner residence visa rules, eliminating the previous AED 750,000 minimum property value threshold for single property owners. Multiple property owners are subject to separate requirements under the updated rules.
Kazakhstan's Ministry of Labor and Social Protection has drafted amendments to migration legislation following a presidential decree to modernize migration policy. The proposed changes aim to create new pathways for highly qualified foreign specialists, investors, and digital residents.
Italy has codified its Digital Nomad Visa into the national Immigration Code through a joint ministerial decree, clarifying governance and requirements first announced in 2022. Applicants must demonstrate an annual income of at least €28,000 and hold comprehensive health insurance.
From June 12, 2026, Switzerland will implement ordinance amendments to align with the EU's revised Schengen Borders Code, affecting rules on entry and visa issuance, admission, stay, gainful employment, and removal enforcement. Four key ordinances are being revised as part of this regulatory package.
The Department of Homeland Security has proposed raising the filing fee for Form I-246, Application for a Stay of Deportation or Removal, from $155 to $755. This would be the first fee adjustment since 1989 if the rule is finalized.
New internal USCIS guidance instructs immigration officers not to approve any application that has not completed expanded FBI background checks. The requirement applies to pending applications involving fingerprint submission, including naturalization, permanent residency, and family-based sponsorship petitions.
A U.S. District Court for the Southern District issued a stay on May 1, 2026, blocking the termination of Yemen's Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation, which had been scheduled to end on May 4, 2026. The termination had been ordered by the Secretary of Homeland Security, who determined Yemen no longer met the conditions for TPS designation.
Venezuela has introduced an electronic visa application platform at cancilleriadigital.mppre.gob.ve, replacing in-person consulate visits. Approved visas are issued in electronic format and delivered directly to applicants by email.
From June 11, 2026, Sweden will restrict international students on residence permits to approximately 15 hours of paid work per week during academic terms. The change aligns with EU minimum standards for student work rights.
Immigration New Zealand has announced the ballot draw for the Pacific Access Category (PAC) Resident Visa and Samoan Quota (SQ) Resident Visa will take place on May 20, 2026, with results published by May 29, 2026.
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