Immigration news update for all regions
Americas
Canada: Permanent residence pathways for Hong Kong residents
With effect from December 18, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated the instructions for calculating work experience for the permanent residence pathways for Hong Kong residents.
For Stream B applicants, in the last three years before applying, the principal applicant must now have:
- worked in Canada for at least 1560 hours in total (through paid full-time or part-time work); and
- held a Canadian work permit for at least one year.
The temporary public policy for HK residents in Canada provides a pathway to permanent residence for eligible applicants and their families.
There are two streams. Hong Kong residents can apply for permanent residence under one of these two streams:
- Stream A: In-Canada graduates
- Stream B: Canadian work experience
Â
This summary was prepared using information provided from the Government of Canada
Asia-Pacific
China: Extension of fingerprint exemption policy for short-term visa applicants until December 31, 2026
With effect from December 17, 2025, China has extended its fingerprint exemption policy for short-term visa applicants until December 31, 2026. The policy covers tourist (L), business (M), family visit (Q2) short-term study (X2) and transit (G) visas for stays of up to 180 days.
For long-term stay (D), foreign journalists (J1), family members of Chinese citizens or permanent residents (Q1), accompanying a foreign worker or student (S1), long-term study (X1) and work (Z) visas, which require the application for a residence permit after entry into China, fingerprint collection will still be required.
Fingerprint collection will also continue to be waived for the following categories of applicants:
- Children under the age of 14 and adults over the age of 70;
- Holders of diplomatic passports, or those eligible for diplomatic, service or courtesy visas of China;
- Applicants who are missing all ten fingers or whose fingerprints cannot be collected.
Â
This summary was prepared using information provided from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
Â
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 Beynon (Regional Immigration Manager, APAC).
Europe, Middle East and Africa
France: Implementation of Mandatory Civic Examination
The following new regulations have been implemented by French authorities as of January 1, 2026:
1.Civic Exam – Pluriannual Residence Permits (Titre de séjour/ Carte de séjour) , Resident Card ( Carte de Résident)
It is intended for people who are applying for a pluriannual residence permit and a residence card for the first time. The test must be passed before submitting application.
It is made of 40 questions with different levels of difficulty depending on the residence permit applied for (pluriannual residence permit or resident permit): 28 knowledge questions and 12 role-playing questions.
Five themes:
- Â The principles and values of the Republic
- The institutional and political system of France
- Your rights and duties
- The history, geography, and culture of France
- Life in French society
The exam is:
- In French
- Lasts 45 minutes
- Free of charge
The test location will be an approved centre close to your place of residence in France.
A civic training is available to prepare oneself. It is a training given over four days (from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) over four months.
The Ministry of the Interior has put online a website dedicated to civic training. This site provides 222 thematic sheets and questions that can be asked to deepen the essential concepts and prepare for the civic exam.
This summary was prepared using information provided from the various pages from the Legifrance (available in French). Specific pages include:
Â
2. French language requirement for Pluriannual Residence Permits (Titre de séjour/ Carte de séjour) and Resident Cards(Carte de Résident),:
The requirements will be as follows for:
- A Pluriannual Residence Permits (Titre de séjour/ Carte de séjour) (two to four years): level A2
- A first Resident Card ( Carte de Résident): (ten years old): level B1
Â
Approved organizations to take a French test or diploma:
- TCF Test Centres
- TEF Test Centres
- DELF Test Centres
Â
When applying for a Pluriannual Residence Permits (Titre de séjour/ Carte de séjour) and/or Resident Card ( Carte de Résident) the applicant will need to provide:
- A French test (TCF IRN or TEF IRN)
- Or a DELF level required
- Or a diploma obtained in France at least equivalent to level 3 RNCP (baccalaureate, CAP, professional title, bachelor’s, master’s, etc.)
Â
Pluriannual residence permits:
Â
Exemptions for Pluriannual Residence Permits (Titre de séjour/ Carte de séjour)
- Holder of a first pluriannual residence permit
- Exempt from the Republican Integration Contract on arrival in France (Sick foreigner, Student, Au pair, Intern, Talents, Temporary worker, Visitor)
- People over 65 years old
- People with a disability who cannot take a French test
Â
Resident cards (Carte de Résident) :
Exemptions for Resident Cards (Carte de Résident):
- Holder of a first resident card
- People over 65 years old
- People with a disability who cannot take a French test
- Persons covered by certain bilateral agreements
Resident cards involved:
- Resident card (spouse of a French citizen, parent of a French child, family reunification/spouse of a resident card holder)
- Long-term EU card (Talents, CBE and family after more than 5 years, Refugee and family card, subsidiary protection card and family, 5 years of uninterrupted legal residence and sufficient, stable and regular resources)
- Permanent Resident Card
Examples of when applicant already has a pluriannual residence permit:
- When renewing it, no need to prove the level of your knowledge of the French language.
- When the applicant first apply for a Pluriannual Card and/or a Resident Card ( Carte de Résident), they will have to prove they have the necessary B1 level.
This summary was prepared using information provided from the various pages from the Legifrance (available in French). Specific pages include:
3. Naturalisation from January 1, 2026 :
- The level of the French language is raised to level B2
- The creation of a civic exam
When gathering the naturalisation documents for the application, the following documents will need compulsory in addition of the usual ones:
- The level of the French language with a French diploma or a certificate of successful completion of a certified or internationally recognised language test, B2.
- The civic exam with a certificate of success in the civic exam.
The civic exam requires at least 32 correct answers out of 40.
The location will be with one of two state-approved bodies, The Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIP). The approved centres and registration procedures can be found at the following link: Civic Examination Naturalisation.
The Ministry of the Interior has put online a website dedicated to civic training. This site provides 222 thematic sheets and questions that can be asked to deepen the essential concepts and prepare for the civic exam.
To prepare for the exam, the applicant may wish to consult the documents prepared by the Ministry of the Interior:
- Le livret du citoyen
- La charte des droits et devoirs du citoyen français
- La liste des questions de connaissance
This summary was prepared using information provided from the various pages from the Legifrance and Ministry of the Interior (available in French)
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  Joanna Sogeke (Immigration Team Leader).
We track policy changes in over 120 countries. Find out how we can help you in this short video.
