Work visas & immigration
Work visas, permits for foreign workers, skilled-migration rules and enforcement around the world.
31 briefs
Today · Monday 26 October
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Canada updates Express Entry rules for high-wage occupations
Law firm Pryor Cashman published an advisory noting changes to Canada's Express Entry immigration system affecting high-wage occupations, urging applicants to review and update their Express Entry profiles.
- United States·Policy & Law
Trump administration moves to end H-1B extension protections, finalizes work permit renewal restrictions
The Trump administration, through DHS and USCIS, is proposing to eliminate a rule requiring officers to generally defer to prior approvals when reviewing extension petitions for employment-based visas including H-1B and L-1, and has finalized a separate rule ending automatic work permit extensions for certain foreign nationals including H-1B spouses. Both measures were made available for public inspection Tuesday and are set for Federal Register publication Wednesday, with significant expected impact on Indian nationals who make up the majority of H-1B holders and H-4 work-authorized spouses.
- United States·Policy & Law
DHS rule could leave 20,000-33,000 work permits to expire, leaving Green Card applicants in job gaps
A report says a new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule could put between 20,000 and 33,000 work permits (EADs) at risk of expiring, leaving Green Card applicants and H-1B spouses facing potential job gaps. Further details of the rule and its implementation were not provided in the excerpt.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
India-NZ FTA takes effect, opening 5,000 temporary work visa slots for Indians
The India-New Zealand free trade agreement took effect on October 20, 2026, introducing a new temporary work pathway for eligible Indian professionals with a quota of up to 5,000 visas at any time and stays of up to three years, covering IT, engineering, construction, education, healthcare, yoga, culinary arts and Ayush. The deal also allows contractual service providers to stay up to 12 months, business visitors up to 90 days, and opens 118 services sub-sectors to Indian providers.
- Middle East & Africa·Policy & Law
UAE issues guidance on 12 work permit categories, fines for misuse up to Dh1 million
The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation published guidance in October 2026 covering 12 work permit categories. Employers who use a permit outside its approved purpose face fines ranging from Dh100,000 to Dh1 million. The categories include standard recruitment, transfers, family-sponsored residents, temporary and part-time permits, affecting foreign workers including Kenyans.
- Asia-Pacific·Research
Japan's foreign resident and worker numbers hit record highs amid stricter residency rules
Japan's Immigration Services Agency said foreign residents reached a record 4.28 million as of end-June 2026, up 3.8% from end-2025. Foreign workers hit a record 2.57 million as of October 2025, up 11.7% year on year. A government survey found 91% of foreign residents satisfied with life in Japan, even as Business Manager and permanent residency screenings tighten and renewal fees rise.
Yesterday · Sunday 25 October
- Middle East & Africa·Policy & Law
UAE warns employers of five labour violations carrying fines up to Dh1 million
The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation issued a sweeping warning on October 23, 2026, identifying five categories of labour law violations that carry fines of Dh100,000 to Dh1 million (about KSh 3.5 million to KSh 35 million) for private companies. The crackdown targets sectors like construction, hospitality, retail, security and domestic service that rely on migrant workers, including many from Kenya.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Eighteen Categories of Foreign Workers Exempt from Vietnam Work Permits
Vietnam's Decree 393/2026/ND-CP effective December 15 exempts 18 categories of foreign workers from work permits, including investors, strategic tech experts, AI professionals, limited-liability and joint-stock shareholders meeting thresholds, foreign lawyers, and foreign nationals married to Vietnamese citizens residing in Vietnam.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Canada's Express Entry to implement new CRS points rules effective November 3
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced on October 16, 2026 that changes to the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) will take effect November 3, 2026. The reform awards extra CRS points for high-wage job offers or qualifying Canadian work experience based on occupation wage levels, and removes the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirement for qualifying job offers under certain categories. A new Labour Market Integration Factor grants points based on how an occupation's median wage compares to the national median, with occupations below 1.3x the threshold ineligible.
- Asia-Pacific·Product
Japanese Builder Takenaka to Offer 'Meister' Credential for Foreign Staff
Takenaka, a major Japanese builder, will offer a 'meister' credential for highly skilled foreign workers to develop leadership talent and address Japan's skilled construction labor shortage.
- United States·Policy & Law
US Scraps Automatic Work Permit Extensions for H-4 Spouses, Tightens Visa Renewal Scrutiny
USCIS eliminated automatic work permit extensions for multiple immigration categories including H-4 visa holder spouses. A separate proposal would impose stricter visa renewal scrutiny; Indian-American families are identified as significantly affected populations.
- Middle East & Africa·Policy & Law
Qatar Announces Four Conditions Foreigners Must Meet for Company-Sponsored Work Visa
Qatar announces four conditions foreign nationals must meet to obtain company-sponsored work visas for employment in local enterprises.
- Asia-Pacific·Research
Survey Finds 35.9% of Japanese Organizations Lack Enough Language Teachers for New Foreign Worker System
Japan's immigration authority and Labor Ministry surveyed 1,880 organizations through October 7, receiving 348 valid responses. Some 35.9% lack sufficient registered Japanese language teachers with no hiring prospects; 19% expect recruitment success. From April 2026, the new Skill Development Employment System replaces intern programs, requiring foreign workers to pass A1-level Japanese or complete 100+ hours training.
- Asia-Pacific·Research
Japan Faces Shortage of Japanese-Language Teachers for Foreign Workers
A survey finds 35.9% (125) of responding institutions lack sufficient Japanese-language teachers for foreign workers with no hiring outlook. Japan has approximately 20,000 registered Japanese-language instructors as of August.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Vietnam proposes talent visa, five-year income tax exemption for foreign experts
Vietnam's Ministry of Home Affairs has proposed a draft resolution introducing a Vietnam Talent Visa, offering a five-year personal income tax exemption and work permit waivers for qualifying talented individuals and their families. The draft, open for public feedback, would apply to Vietnamese citizens, overseas Vietnamese, and foreign nationals, and will be submitted to the National Assembly for consideration.
- United States·Policy & Law
Immigration Column: I-140 Approval Holder Can Still Switch to F-1 Status If Laid Off from H-1B
A reader holding an approved NIW I-140 with an October 2023 priority date asked whether H-1B layoff permits F-1 status switch. Immigration counsel replied status change applications filed within the US remain viable if the applicant has genuine study intent and plans to depart post-graduation, as USCIS may approve such transfers.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Hai Phong city strengthens management of foreign workers
Vietnam's Hai Phong city strengthens management of foreign workers; specific policy terms, effective dates and scope remain unspecified in available reporting.
Saturday 24 October
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
9 Foreign Workers Found With Suspected Residence, Work Permit Violations in Vietnam's Dong Nai
Vietnamese authorities in Dong Nai raided a manufacturing facility on October 24, finding nine foreign workers (seven Bangladeshi, two Indian) with suspected residence and work permit violations; five Bangladeshi workers exceeded legal stay limits.
- United States·Policy & Law
Florida Governor DeSantis Urges States to Stop H-1B Hiring at Public Universities
Florida has suspended H-1B hiring at 12 public universities, and Governor Ron DeSantis urged other states to follow suit on social media, citing job protection for American graduates. DeSantis has pursued H-1B restrictions at public universities since October 2025.
- United States·Policy & Law
Tech Entrepreneur Palmer Luckey Calls H-1B Program a "Corrupt Sham", Criticizes Lobbyists
Tech entrepreneur Palmer Luckey called the H-1B program a「corrupt sham」and criticized leaders unwilling to fix it, citing VP Vance's reform push. Immigration researchers credited his comments with elevating public discourse on skilled outsourcing.
- United States·Policy & Law
US Immigration Uses AI to Cross-Check H-1B Address and Worksite Records
U.S. immigration authorities increasingly use AI tools to cross-check H-1B records across databases, identifying discrepancies between employee residence addresses and employer-reported worksites. Legal experts warn mismatches may trigger investigation, particularly affecting Indian professionals who comprise a large H-1B share.
- United States·Policy & Law
Infosys Discloses DOJ Investigation Over H-1B Visa Classification
Infosys disclosed in its September 30, 2026 quarterly and interim reports that it is under DOJ investigation over H-1B visa holder classification. The company cannot predict investigation outcomes or potential material adverse business impacts; Infosys paid $34 million in 2013 to settle prior immigration violation allegations.
- United States·Policy & Law
Indian-Origin US Midterms Candidate Backs H-1B Crackdown, Cites Misuse by Fake Firms
Indian-American midterm candidate Nirav Sheth, backing Trump, supports H-1B visa crackdowns before the November 3 election, alleging misuse by 「fake firms」 lacking real products or services, calling for immigration system reform.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Canada Speeds Up Immigration Processing, Work Permit and Express Entry Wait Times Drop
Canada accelerated immigration processing, reducing wait times for work permits and Express Entry applications across multiple categories.
- United States·Policy & Law
Indians Face Backlash Over US Tech Jobs as H-1B Visas Become a Flashpoint
Growing numbers of Indian professionals in U.S. tech trigger backlash over immigration, jobs and wages as critics accuse foreign workers of displacing Americans and helping suppress costs. H-1B visa restrictions loom, potentially affecting tech hiring and housing demand.
- United States·Policy & Law
Indian-American Group Urges Trump to Protect PERM Green Card Program Amid Tech Company Suspensions
An Indian-American group urged the Trump administration to protect the PERM green card program after tech companies suspended immigration sponsorship initiatives.
Friday 23 October
- United States·Policy & Law
November 2026 Visa Bulletin: Final Action Dates Advance, Filing Dates Hold
The November 2026 visa bulletin advanced certain final action dates while filing dates remained unchanged, affecting employer-sponsored immigration and visa priority scheduling.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Canada immigration authority closes PR pathway, returns all related work permit applications immediately
According to the report, Canada's immigration authority announced the closure of a pathway previously allowing transition to permanent residency, with all related work permit applications being returned immediately as the change takes effect. The report does not specify the exact program name, number of affected applicants, or an official document link.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Vietnam decree exempts 18 categories of foreign workers from work permit
Vietnam issued Decree No. 393/2026/ND-CP on October 20, exempting 18 categories of foreign workers from work permit requirements, effective December 5, to streamline procedures and attract high-skilled talent. Exempt groups include owners of companies with capital contributions of VND3 billion or more, ODA project experts, certified foreign journalists, volunteers, and foreign teachers/managers. Vietnam currently has 162,858 foreign workers nationwide.
Thursday 22 October
- Canada & Latin America·Research
Canada's work permit holder total up 8.2% despite 57% drop in new arrivals
New IRCC data shows Canada's total work permit holder population has risen 8.2% since 2024, even as new worker arrivals dropped 57%. The report attributes the gap to continued high levels of temporary residents already in the country.