Neutralized, source-linked updates from nomad, tax, migration, and remote-work sources.
118 items
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.
Effective May 18, 2026, Iceland's required monthly financial means for adults applying for a residence permit or citizenship rises from ISK 247,572 to ISK 259,951 pre-tax. The threshold for married couples increases from ISK 396,115 to ISK 415,922 per month.
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.
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.
The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has reminded private sector companies with 50 or more employees that June 30, 2026 is the deadline to meet first-half 2026 Emiratisation targets. Affected companies must achieve a one percent growth in the Emiratisation rate for skilled positions.
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.
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.
India's Ministry of Home Affairs published the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules 2026 on April 30, 2026, taking effect May 1. The amendments move all stages of the OCI application process to a new online portal.
The EU Entry/Exit System launched on April 10, 2026, but caused significantly increased processing times and travel delays at border entry points. The European Commission issued a guidance note on May 2, 2026, permitting flexibility in the system's application in response to these issues.
Italy's government is drafting an emergency decree that would allow border police at Rome-Fiumicino and Milan-Malpensa to temporarily bypass the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) biometric checks during high-traffic travel periods. The proposed measure was published on May 5, 2026, and would permit officers to revert to previous border procedures when approved.
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.
Sweden's parliament has passed new citizenship rules taking effect June 6, 2026, introducing stricter habitual residence and conduct requirements. Applicants will also need to demonstrate financial self-sufficiency and a good knowledge of the Swedish language.
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.
Canada's Minister of Immigration announced updates to the one-time In-Canada Workers Initiative, introduced in Budget 2025, which aims to transition up to 33,000 temporary foreign workers to permanent residence in 2026 and 2027. Additional program details were released on May 4, 2026.
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.
The US House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation to restore funding for the Department of Homeland Security, ending the agency's longest shutdown on record. The bill, which funds agencies including the Transportation Security Administration, has been sent to President Trump for signature.
USCIS has received sufficient petitions to fill the second allocation of 27,736 returning worker H-2B visas for FY 2026, covering employment start dates from April 1 through April 30. No further petitions will be accepted under this allocation.
An interim final rule effective May 29, 2026 implements immigration fees from the H.R. 1 Reconciliation Act of 2025, including an Annual Asylum Fee. Asylum seekers who do not pay the fee within 30 days face specified consequences under the new rule.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated officer instructions to extend the validity of WP-EXT interim proof of work letters from 180 days to 365 days. These letters are issued automatically when an online work permit application is received, authorizing the foreign national to continue working under paragraph R186(u).
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