Visa Watch!
Every week we go through the immigration news for the countries we track, then check each story against that country’s own government sources before we write it down. What survives that check is here, with the official page behind every line. What we do not find is here too: a quiet week is reported as a quiet week.
These are research notes, not immigration advice, and not a complete record. A change can happen without us seeing it. Always check the official source we link before you act, pay anything, or let a date pass.
CanadaRequirements changed
Canada: Anyone in Canada with a valid work permit can now take a short course 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
DenmarkOpenedReported, not confirmed
Denmark opens a new work route letting certified employers hire staff from selected countries at a lower salary level
Denmark has introduced a new immigration pathway under which employers holding certification can recruit foreign nationals from a selected list of
Week of 7 September 2026Photo: JESHOOTS.COM
United KingdomRequirements changed
United Kingdom: Skilled Worker holders recognised as modern slavery victims will be able to work in any job
Skilled Worker visa holders can normally only do the job their sponsor hired them for. New immigration rules, laid on 3 September 2026, lift that limit
Week of 31 August 2026Photo: Marcin Nowak
United KingdomRequirements changed
United Kingdom: Visitor and Student rules widened for people coming to the United Kingdom on Erasmus+ projects
New permitted activities let Erasmus+ participants receive or provide training and do job shadowing at UK organisations as visitors, and study at some
Week of 31 August 2026Photo: Marcin Nowak
USADates
USA: Green card sponsors must use the new financial support form for filings from 1 October 2026
USCIS has issued a new edition of the sponsor's affidavit of support, Form I-864, dated 08/24/26. From 1 October 2026, USCIS will only accept this
Week of 31 August 2026Photo: Luca Bravo
USARequirements changedReported, not confirmed
USA: US student programme office tightens the test for Curricular Practical Training work placements for F-1 students
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program issued stricter guidance on when a work placement counts as an integral part of an F-1 student's course, reported
Week of 31 August 2026Photo: Luca Bravo
JapanCosts and placesReported, not confirmed
Japan reportedly sets a new fee structure for residence permit applications, starting 1 October 2026
On 27 August 2026 it was reported that Japan's immigration authority has confirmed a new fee structure for residence permit applications, which starts on
Week of 24 August 2026Photo: JESHOOTS.COM
USACourt decision: not a rule changeReported, not confirmed
USA: US federal judge refuses to block the new presidential order on birthright citizenship, decision reported 28 August 2026
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: Luca Bravo
USAAnnounced: not law yetReported, not confirmed
USA: US plans to remove the 60-day grace period for temporary visa holders after a job ends; proposal cleared review on about 27 August 2026
The Department of Homeland Security's plan to end the 60-day grace period for people on temporary work visas finished its federal review stage in the week
Week of 24 August 2026Photo: Luca Bravo
USAProcessingReported, not confirmed
USA: US State Department has temporarily paused immigrant visa interviews at embassies and consulates 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: Luca Bravo
CanadaProcessingReported, not confirmed
Canada publishes longer waiting times for almost every temporary resident visa, effective from its 19 August update
On 19 August 2026 Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada updated its published processing time estimates for temporary residence applications, and
Week of 17 August 2026Photo: mwangi gatheca
New ZealandRequirements changedReported, not confirmed
New Zealand changes Active Investor Plus visa rules on what counts as an investment and how funds must be proved
Immigration New Zealand has updated the requirements for the Active Investor Plus investor residence visa, changing the rules on acceptable investments
Week of 17 August 2026Photo: Tobias Keller
USACourt decision: not a rule change
USA: Court clears the way to end protected status for Ethiopians in the United States, agency posts new notice
A federal court in Massachusetts had held up the end of Temporary Protected Status for Ethiopia since 30 January 2026. The immigration agency published a
Week of 17 August 2026Photo: Luca Bravo
New ZealandAnnounced: not law yet
New Zealand: Parent visa places to be chosen 90% by wait order and 10% by random draw from 5 October 2026
The government announced a new mixed way of choosing expressions of interest for the Parent Resident Visa. From 5 October 2026, about 90% are to be picked
Week of 10 August 2026Photo: Tobias Keller
USAClosed
USA: Temporary protected status for Somali nationals has ended, and their work permits are no longer valid
The Somalia temporary protected status designation is terminated, effective 14 August 2026. Work permits (Form I-766) with category A12 or C19 issued to
Week of 10 August 2026Photo: Luca Bravo
USALaw
USA: Certain immigration forms can now be made online-filing only, after 60 days' public notice
A rule in force from 11 August 2026 lets USCIS require online filing of any immigration form that has been available for e-filing for at least 180 days
Week of 10 August 2026Photo: Luca Bravo
CanadaRequirements changedReported, not confirmed
Canada drops the new rule that reciprocal-employment work permit applicants must already be employed abroad
IRCC had added a requirement that applicants for work permits under the reciprocal employment category be current employees of a company outside Canada
Week of 3 August 2026Photo: mwangi gatheca
CanadaRequirements changedReported, not confirmed
Canada tightened, then withdrew, a rule that C20 reciprocal employment work permit applicants must already work for the company abroad
On 29 July 2026 Canada's immigration department published new instructions for officers saying a worker applying for an LMIA-exempt reciprocal employment
Week of 27 July 2026Photo: mwangi gatheca
United KingdomRequirements changed
United Kingdom: A child born in the United Kingdom to a parent on the Graduate route can now apply as that parent's dependant
The Immigration Rules were changed so a child born in the United Kingdom while a parent holds Graduate route permission can apply as a dependant and be
Week of 27 July 2026Photo: Marcin Nowak
Browse by week
Every story above, gathered into the week it belongs to.
Week of 7 September 2026
Week of 31 August 2026
- The United States
2 changes in USA, week of 31 August 2026, each with its official source.
- The United Kingdom
2 changes in United Kingdom, week of 31 August 2026, each with its official source.
Week of 24 August 2026
- The United States
3 changes in USA, week of 24 August 2026, each with its official source.
- The Gulf and Japan
1 change in Japan, week of 24 August 2026, each with its official source.
Week of 17 August 2026
- The United States
1 change in USA, week of 17 August 2026, each with its official source.
- Canada
1 change in Canada, week of 17 August 2026, each with its official source.
- New Zealand
1 change in New Zealand, week of 17 August 2026, each with its official source.
Week of 10 August 2026
- The United States
2 changes in USA, week of 10 August 2026, each with its official source.
- New Zealand
1 change in New Zealand, week of 10 August 2026, each with its official source.
Week of 3 August 2026
- Canada
1 change in Canada, week of 3 August 2026, each with its official source.
Week of 27 July 2026
- Canada
1 change in Canada, week of 27 July 2026, each with its official source.
- The United Kingdom
1 change in United Kingdom, week of 27 July 2026, each with its official source.
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