Malaysia Immigration Alert: Photo Validation for eVisa online applications
Effective 1 July 2026, the Photo Validation feature was activated for all eVISA applications under the VDR (Visa with Reference) category submitted through the MyVISA - Portal. For background, an eVISA under the VDR category must be applied for online by an applicant...
Immigration Alert: Poland Proposed Immigration Changes
The Polish Ministry of the Interior and Administration has published a draft amendment to the Act on Foreigners. If adopted, the proposed changes would simplify immigration procedures for certain foreign nationals while introducing additional requirements and...
Malaysia Immigration Alert: New Labour Market Testing Salary Threshold
Through a recent online briefing, the Social Security Organization (SOCSO/PERKESO) clarified that the salary threshold for exemption from Labour Market Testing (LMT) is expected to increase from MYR 15,000 to MYR 20,000 per month. This means that if the...
Canada Immigration Alert: Ontario Launches New Workforce Priority Stream
Ontario has introduced a new pathway for foreign workers seeking permanent residency through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). What's Changing: On June 26, 2026, Ontario eliminated its previous streams in favor of a single new pathway: the Ontario...
DHS Amends Regulations for F-1 and J-1 Nonimmigrants to Establish Fixed Periods of Admission
Last week, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a Final Rule that changes the admission period for nonimmigrants who enter the United States in F (student), J (exchange visitor), and I (foreign correspondent) status. This rule eliminates the...
USCIS Announces Conclusion of FY2027 H-1B Cap Lottery
On Friday morning the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that for Fiscal Year 2027 (“FY2027”), the Service has received enough petitions to meet the annual 65,000 H-1B regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B U.S. advanced degree exemption, known as...
Ireland Immigration Alert | Temporary Travel Arrangements for Expired IRP Cards – July to August 2026
Temporary Measures Introduced for Travelers with Expired Irish Residence Permits The Irish Minister for Justice has introduced temporary travel arrangements to assist certain non-nationals legally resident in Ireland whose Irish Residence Permit (IRP) cards have...
Australia Update | Australia Raises Visa Fees Well Beyond Annual Indexation | New Salary Thresholds Also Apply
Australia's Department of Home Affairs has increased visa application fees by approximately 25% across most categories, effective July 1, 2026. This marks a significant departure from the modest CPI-linked adjustments seen in previous years. Employers sponsoring...
Birthright Citizenship Executive Order Voided by US Supreme Court
The United States Supreme Court today issued an opinion that declared unconstitutional the Trump administration’s January 20, 2025, Executive Order 14160 (“EO”) entitled Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship. The EO would have denied United States...
Spain Immigration Alert | Salary Threshold Update — June 2026
Key Changes to Immigration Salary Requirements in Spain Spain has revised its minimum salary thresholds for key immigration permit categories, following an update by the Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE) to its average salary reference figures. These...