Visa Watch!
Every day, we review immigration news from the countries we cover and check each story against official government sources before publishing it. Each post links to its source, and a story an official source has not published yet is clearly marked as reported, not confirmed.
Visa Watch is a research summary, not immigration advice or a complete record of every change. Immigration rules can change before we identify or report the update. Always check the linked official source before applying, making a payment or relying on a deadline.
NorwayProposed change
Norway proposes stricter checks on skilled worker permits, documents and job offers
On 30 October 2026, Norway's labour ministry opened a public consultation on proposed changes to skilled worker permits. The changes would allow the
2 November 2026Photo: admiratio
UAEOpenedNot confirmed by an official source
Dubai tourist visa applications reportedly accessible through Visit Dubai
News outlets reported on 2 November 2026 that Visit Dubai, the emirate's official tourism website, now provides access to tourist visa applications. The
2 November 2026Photo: Karen Dalton
United KingdomProposed change
United Kingdom plans a 10-year wait for permanent settlement, with five years for some groups
On 2 November 2026, the Home Secretary, the minister responsible for immigration, announced a policy called 'earned settlement'. Under the plan, most
2 November 2026Photo: Marcin Nowak
IrelandProposed change
Ireland plans one application instead of two: work permit and residence permission to be merged for skilled workers
Today, a person from outside the European Economic Area who wants to work in Ireland must apply twice: once to one department for a work permit, then
Week of 19 October 2026Photo: Mick Haupt
South KoreaProposed changeNot confirmed by an official source
South Korea plans to open a door for long-staying migrant workers: easier path to the E-7-4 skilled visa, Korea Herald reports
The South Korean government has announced that it plans to ease the rules for the E-7-4 visa, a permit that lets factory, farm and other manual workers
Week of 19 October 2026Photo: Yohan Cho
CanadaRules changed
Canada's Express Entry points shake-up: high-wage job offers count from 3 November 2026, with no labour market test
From 3 November 2026, Express Entry, the system used to pick skilled workers for permanent residence, will give points for a qualifying job offer in a
Week of 12 October 2026Photo: mwangi gatheca
JapanProposed changeNot confirmed by an official source
Japan weighs a cap on immigration: Prime Minister Takaichi announces a foreign resident policy to be decided by March
On 13 October 2026, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said her government will finish writing Japan's basic policy on accepting foreign residents by the end
Week of 12 October 2026Photo: Sorasak
DenmarkProcessing update
Denmark's citizenship freeze reportedly ends: waiting applications can be decided again, The Local says
The Danish Ministry of Immigration and Integration, which decides citizenship cases, says the citizenship bill that lapsed when the election was called
Week of 5 October 2026Photo: Kristijan Arsov
JapanRules changed
Want to stay in Japan for good? It just got harder: income, pension and Japanese now tested
The Immigration Services Agency, the government office that decides residence cases, published revised permanent residence guidelines on 1 October 2026
Week of 28 September 2026Photo: David Edelstein
JapanFees and availability
Staying in Japan just got a lot more expensive: permanent residence now 200,000 yen
From 1 October 2026, Japan charges much more for residence permits. Permanent residence now costs 200,000 yen, 20 times the old fee of 10,000 yen
Week of 28 September 2026Photo: Sorasak
LuxembourgLaw
Moving to Luxembourg now starts at an embassy: long-stay visa needed before you arrive
From 1 October 2026, people from outside the European Union who plan to stay more than 90 days (for work, study, family reunion and similar) apply for a
Week of 28 September 2026Photo: Manu
New ZealandDeadline or effective date
New Zealand visitor visas switch systems: unfinished applications in the old one will be deleted
Immigration New Zealand, the agency that decides visa applications, says that from 24 September 2026 new applications for most visitor visas will only be
Week of 21 September 2026Photo: Tobias Keller
USALaw
Getting a US green card just got harder for anyone using public benefits: food stamps, housing help and college aid can now count
A final rule that removes the 2022 public charge regulations took effect on 18 September 2026. From that date officers may weigh any means-tested public
Week of 14 September 2026Photo: Luca Bravo
USACourt decisionNot confirmed by an official source
International students in the US get a reprieve: court pauses the rule limiting how long they can stay
On 14 September 2026 the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued a nationwide preliminary injunction that postponed the effective date
Week of 14 September 2026Photo: Maarten van den Heuvel
CanadaRules changed
Working in Canada now lets you study too: short courses allowed without a study permit
A temporary policy started on 4 September 2026. It lets people who hold a valid work permit study for 6 months or less, or until their work permit ends
Week of 7 September 2026Photo: mwangi gatheca
DenmarkLaw
Working in Denmark is about to get easier: a lower-salary route opens 1 January 2027
Denmark’s parliament passed a law on 3 September 2026 that creates a new work permit route. It opens on 1 January 2027, so nobody can apply under it yet
Week of 7 September 2026Photo: Kristijan Arsov
USARules changed
Internships for international students in the US just got harder: stricter test for course work placements
In notices dated 12 and 24 August 2026, the US office that oversees international students (SEVP) told universities to apply a stricter test to curricular
Week of 31 August 2026Photo: Joey Zhou
USACourt decisionNot confirmed by an official source
Birthright citizenship order can go ahead for now: US judge refuses to block it
On 28 August 2026 a United States federal judge declined to grant an injunction that would have stopped the new executive order on birthright citizenship
Week of 24 August 2026Photo: Stephen Plopper
USAProposed change
Lose your job on a US work visa and you may have to leave at once: US proposes ending the 60-day grace period
On 11 September 2026, the US Department of Homeland Security published a proposal to end the grace period of up to 60 days that some work-visa holders get
Week of 24 August 2026Photo: Fernando Strabuli
USAProcessing updateNot confirmed by an official source
US green card interviews abroad are on hold: State Department pauses immigrant visa interviews worldwide
The US State Department has put immigrant visa interviews on hold at its posts around the world, reported in the week of 24 August 2026. This affects
Week of 24 August 2026Photo: Omer Nezih Gerek
