Immigration news update for all regions
Americas
United States: FY 2026 H-1B initial registration selection process completed
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received sufficient electronic registrations for unique beneficiaries during the initial registration period to meet the fiscal year (FY) 2026 H-1B numerical allocations (H-1B cap), including the advanced degree exemption (master’s cap). The beneficiaries with properly submitted registrations were randomly selected and all prospective petitioners with selected beneficiaries have been notified that they are eligible to file an H-1B cap-subject petition for such beneficiaries.
H-1B cap-subject petitions for FY 2026, including those petitions eligible for the advanced degree exemption, may be filed with USCIS beginning April 1, 2025, if filed for a selected beneficiary and based on a valid registration. Only petitioners with registrations for selected beneficiaries may file H-1B cap-subject petitions for FY 2026.
This summary was prepared using the information from the USCIS
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Roberta Carnaccini (Global Director of Immigration).
Asia-Pacific
Australia: Increased skilled visa income thresholds from July 1, 2025
From July 1, 2025, skilled visa income thresholds will be increased by 4.6%. This is in line with changes to the annual Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE).
Below are the different salary increases for the different visa subclasses:
- The Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) will increase from AUD 73,150 to AUD 76,515. This will impact nomination applications for the Core Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) and the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)
- The Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) will increase from AUD 135,000 to AUD 141,210, impacting nomination applications for the Specialist Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)
- The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) will increase from AUD 73,150 to AUD 76,515. This will impact nomination applications lodged for the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494) and the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) (subclass 187), being in line with the CSIT and subject to approval of relevant legislation.
New nomination applications from July 1, 2025, must meet the new relevant income threshold or the annual market salary rate, whichever is higher. The increased skilled visa income thresholds will not apply to existing visa holders and nominations lodged before July 1, 2025.
This summary was prepared using the information from the Department of Home Affairs
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Debra Jane Beynon (Regional Immigration Manager, APAC) and Roberta Carnaccini (Global Director of Immigration).
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Kazakhstan: Digital Nomad Residency
IT specialists can secure a permanent residence permit in Kazakhstan through the Digital Nomad Residency Program, which aims to attract foreign IT professionals. This program provides a simplified process for obtaining permanent residency in Kazakhstan.
Provided they have an individual identification number (IIN) and a digital signature (DS), foreign IT specialists can submit an application via the Astana Hub portal to obtain a petition from a government agency, confirming their compliance with the list of required professions.
The application review period is 45 calendar days. Once this period is over, specialists can travel to Kazakhstan and finalize the registration process at the Citizen Service Center offices.
This summary was prepared using the information from the Public Services and online information and Astana Hub
Saudi Arabia: Short-term visas temporarily suspended
The Hajj season is one of the busiest times for travel to, from, and within Saudi Arabia. To manage the influx and ensure safety, a temporary suspension of all short-term visas has been announced, this includes business visit visas (both single and multiple entry), e-tourist visas, and family visit visas for citizens of 14 countries.
This suspension affects nationals of Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen, and will remain in effect until mid-June 2025, coinciding with the end of the Hajj pilgrimage season.
Holders of valid short-term visas may enter Saudi Arabia until April 13, 2025, and must exit by April 29, 2025. It is crucial to have the correct visa for any planned travel to Saudi Arabia, as holders of incorrect visas may be refused entry or penalized.
This summary was prepared using the information from Crown’s service partners.
Spain: Golden Visa Program no longer available
As of April 3, 2025, Spain officially concluded its Golden Visa Program, so that non-EU nationals can no longer secure residency and visa-free travel across Schengen Zone countries through financial investments in Spain.
Despite the program providing various options, 95% of all golden visas were predominantly issued via the real estate investment route. The strong demand for real estate investments created challenges for Spanish residents and the housing market, especially in Madrid and Barcelona.
The decision to stop this program was approved by the Congress of Deputies in December 2024 and the decision took effect three months after being published in the Official State Gazette (January 3, 2025).
This summary was prepared using the information from the Schengen Area News
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Roberta Carnaccini (Global Director of Immigration).
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