Immigration news updates for APAC and EMEA regions
Asia-Pacific
Japan: Proposed increase to residence-related fees
On July 3, 2026, the Immigration Services Agency announced increases to residence permit fees, scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2026.
Currently, the fee for a residence permit application is JPY 6,000 when submitted in person and JPY 5,500 when submitted online. The fee for a permanent residence application is JPY 10,000.
Under the announced revisions, residence permit fees would be linked to the length of permission granted, with seven fee bands ranging from JPY 10,000 for permits of up to three months to JPY 75,000 for permits exceeding five years. In addition, the fee for permanent residence applications would increase to JPY 200,000.
The announced revised fees are as follows:
| Length of Permission | In-person fee (JPY) | Online fee (JPY) |
| Up to 3 months | 10,000 | 10,000 |
| 3 – 6 months | 18,000 | 15,000 |
| 6 – 12 months | 25,000 | 21,000 |
| 1 year | 33,000 | 27,000 |
| 1 to 3 years | 48,000 | 42,000 |
| 3 – 5 years | 64,000 | 56,000 |
| 5 years + | 75,000 | 65,000 |
| Permanent residence | 200,000 | Not applicable |
The announced changes are currently subject to a public consultation process. If adopted, they would formalize the revised fee structure and establish criteria for fee reductions and exemptions.
This summary was prepared using information provided from the Japan Today and Japan Times
South Korea: Official launch of the Digital Nomad (Workation) Visa (F-1-D)
On July 7, 2026, the Ministry of Justice announced the official launch of the Digital Nomad (Workation) Visa (F-1-D), effective June 30, 2026. The visa had been operating as a pilot program since 2024.
The updated framework extends the maximum permitted stay from two years to three years, allowing eligible foreign nationals to live and work remotely from South Korea for a longer period.
To qualify, applicants must be at least 18 years old and have been employed by a foreign company—or owned a foreign business—for more than one year. Applicants must also be able to perform their work remotely while residing in Korea. Spouses and dependent children may accompany the principal applicant.
Applicants are generally required to demonstrate annual income equivalent to at least twice Korea’s Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, approximately USD 65,800 after tax deductions. However, applicants aged 18–34 who intend to reside outside the Seoul metropolitan area (Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi Province) may qualify under a reduced income threshold equivalent to the previous year’s GNI per capita, which was USD 36,963 in 2025.
Additional eligibility requirements include maintaining a clean criminal record and holding medical insurance coverage of at least USD 75,000 for medical treatment and repatriation throughout the period of stay in Korea.
This summary was prepared using information provided from the Korea Immigration Service (available in Korean language)
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 (Director of Immigration Services, APAC).
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Belgium: Change affecting Single Permit applications in Flanders
The Flemish Government has announced a change for employers hiring non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals in the Flemish Region. Effective September 1, 2026, an administrative fee of EUR 180 will apply to all Single Permit applications.
The new fee will apply to both initial Single Permit applications and renewal requests and is intended to cover the administrative costs associated with processing the labour market component of the application by the Flemish authorities.
Work permit applications are not affected by this measure. The new Flemish administrative fee is also separate from the existing federal retribution fee, which will continue to apply to the residence permit component of a Single Permit application.
As a result, employers submitting Single Permit applications in Flanders from September 1, 2026, will be required to pay both the federal retribution fee and the new Flemish administrative fee, where applicable.
This summary was prepared using information provided from our Service Partner.
Ireland: Temporary travel arrangements for foreign nationals facing IRP renewal delays
Ireland has announced temporary travel arrangements to support foreign nationals affected by significant delays in the processing of Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card renewals. According to Immigration Service Delivery (ISD), processing times for some renewal categories currently exceed 17 weeks, with applicants experiencing additional waiting time before receiving their new IRP cards.
To facilitate international travel during the summer period, authorities have introduced a temporary measure allowing certain non-EEA nationals who are legally resident in Ireland to travel using a recently expired IRP card. The arrangement applies to individuals who applied to renew their registration permission before the expiry date of their current IRP card.
Under the initiative, eligible individuals may travel using their expired IRP card between July 13, 2026, and August 31, 2026. Travellers are required to carry a printed copy of the ISD Travel Confirmation Notice, their expired IRP card, and evidence that their renewal application was submitted before the card expired. ISD has also advised travellers to check with their airline before departure to ensure the documentation will be accepted.
The Travel Confirmation Notice states that the temporary arrangement applies only to individuals who applied for renewal before their existing permission expired. Those whose permission expired before a renewal application was submitted are not covered by the measures.
ISD has indicated that the Travel Confirmation Notice is valid only until August 31, 2026. Individuals intending to travel under the arrangement are encouraged to review the conditions carefully, particularly where travel involves transit through third countries, as acceptance of the notice by other jurisdictions cannot be guaranteed.
This summary was prepared using information provided from our Service Partner and Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration
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 (European Client Services Manager – Immigration).
We track policy changes in over 120 countries. Find out how we can help you in this short video.
