The Gulf and Japan
Visa Watch! The Gulf and Japan: week of 12 October 2026
Covers the week of 12 October 2026
This article covers the week shown above. Rules may have changed since then, so check the linked official source on each item before applying, paying or relying on a deadline.
Japan
Proposed change
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 of the financial year in March. The government is still weighing whether to put a cap on the number of foreign people allowed to come and live in Japan. This is only an announced plan: nothing has changed yet for anyone applying to work or study in Japan.
This is an announcement, not a law. Nothing has changed yet, announced plans are often changed or dropped, and there is nothing to apply under until it is in force.
Reported in the news. Japan’s Immigration Services Agency hasn’t published it yet, so check the linked report before you rely on it.
Reported by japantimes.co.jp: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/10/13/japan/politics/takaichi-foreign-national-policy/
Also checked this week, with nothing to report: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE.
Get monthly immigration updates
One monthly email covering up to five countries you pick. It’s free, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Choose my countries