Ireland: Updated Annual Salary Thresholds for Employment Permits
The Irish government will implement higher annual salary thresholds for initial and renewal employment permit applications, effective 1 March 2026. The updated thresholds are as follows: Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) with relevant degree: €40,904...
Netherlands: 2026 Salary Thresholds & Sponsor Requirements
New Salary Thresholds The IND has published updated minimum gross monthly salaries (excluding 8% holiday allowance) for Highly Skilled Migrants, Intra-company Transferees, Blue Card holders, and recent graduates: Highly Skilled Migrant / Intra-company transferee,...
Proposed Changes to Settlement (ILR) Applications
The UK government has announced proposed reforms to Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) applications under the new “Earned Settlement” model, focusing on contribution, integration, character, and residence. Key points: Standard qualifying period: Most migrants –...
January 2026 Visa Bulletin Issued: Dates for Filing EB Cut-Off Dates Will Apply; Minor Forward Movement in Both Dates for Filing and Final Action Dates; Significant Forward Movement in the Final Action EB-1 India Date
The U.S. Department of State has released its January 2026 Visa Bulletin imposing per-country cut-off dates that regulate immigrant visa availability and the flow of Adjustment of Status (AOS) applications and consular immigrant visa application interviews and...
USCBP Issues Proposed Rule to Revise ESTA Application Process; Social Media Information Will be Required of Applicants
United States Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) has issued a Proposed Rule (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-12-10/pdf/2025-22461.pdf) that will make a number of changes to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), the mechanism that allows...
USCIS Reduces Maximum EAD Validity Periods from 5 Years to 18 Months
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has revised its Policy Manual to reduce the maximum validity period for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for certain categories of foreign nationals, including applicants for adjustment of status. The...
United States Consulates in India Rescheduling Some H-1B and H-4 Visa Application Appointments Because of Social Media Vetting Mandate
United States consulates in India have begun canceling some H-1B and H-4 visa stamp application interviews originally scheduled for December 2025 and January 2026, and rescheduling these appointments for a later date. Although the cancelation and rescheduling of...
New Public Charge Announcements from Department of State and USCIS
Over the last month the Department of State (DOS) and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have issued new announcements related to the public charge ground of inadmissibility to the U.S. The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) permits the...
United States Consulates to Expand Online Social Media Screening to H-1B and H-4 Visa Applicants
The United States State Department (DOS) has announced that, beginning on December 15, 2025, consular officers adjudicating H-1B and H-4 visa stamp applications will conduct the same “online presence review” that has been conducted for F, M, and J visa applicants...
Canada Releases 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan
On November 5, 2025, the federal government released its Immigration Levels Plan for 2026–2028. The plan sets updated intake ranges for temporary residents, including international students and temporary foreign workers, and revises permanent resident targets across...