Immigration news update for all regions
Americas
United States: Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship
On June 30, 2026, the United States Supreme Court issued a decision confirming that children born in the United States acquire U.S. citizenship at birth, regardless of whether their parents are present in the country unlawfully or on a temporary basis. The ruling invalidates Executive Order 14160, which sought to restrict birthright citizenship for certain children born to non-U.S. citizen parents.
The case arose following legal challenges to the Executive Order, which would have denied automatic U.S. citizenship to children born in the United States where the mother was either unlawfully present or lawfully but temporarily present, and the father was neither a U.S. citizen nor a lawful permanent resident.
The Court reaffirmed that birthright citizenship is rooted in the longstanding legal principle of jus soli (citizenship by birthplace) and emphasized that the Fourteenth Amendment was adopted to guarantee citizenship based on birth within the United States.
The ruling rejects arguments that citizenship should depend on factors such as a parent’s immigration status, lawful residence, domicile, or allegiance to the United States. The Court found no basis for such restrictions in the text of the Fourteenth Amendment.
This summary was prepared using information provided by our service partner.
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).
Asia-Pacific
Japan: Raised entry visa fees from July 1, 2026
The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan announced on June 19, 2026, a decision to increase entry visa fees by 400%, effective July 1, 2026.
The fee for a single-entry visa will increase from JPY 3,000 to JPY 15,000, while the fee for a multiple-entry visa will increase from JPY 6,000 to JPY 30,000. The Japanese government stated the fivefold increase accounts for inflation, foreign exchange rate fluctuations, and aligns visa costs more closely with Western standards
In a further announcement it was highlighted that Japan is planning to introduce an Electronic Travel Authorization (e-ETA) by March 2029 for foreign nationals from countries that currently enjoy visa-free entry.
Alongside the short-term entry changes, Japan enacted laws to raise administrative caps for long-term residency statuses, with some permanent residence application fees proposed to rise to JPY 200,000.
This summary was prepared using information provided from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
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
Armenia: Changes to residency application procedures
Effective November 1, 2026, services related to obtaining residence status in Armenia will be fully digitized.
Following amendments to the Law on Foreigners, the Migration and Citizenship Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs will introduce a new electronic system for processing residence applications. From November 1, 2026, all residence applications and related procedures will be submitted and managed through the new platform.
As part of this transition, the services currently available through the migration.e-gov.am portal and the Early One application will be discontinued on November 1, 2026.
Foreign nationals with appointments scheduled after November 1, 2026, will be able to submit their residence applications through the new electronic system.
This summary was prepared using information by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Armenia
Gibraltar: New Residence Criteria framework
The Government of Gibraltar has announced a new Residence Criteria framework aimed at ensuring that residency is granted to individuals who make a genuine economic contribution, comply with local regulations, and support the sustainability of public services.
Under the new framework, applicants will need to demonstrate a clear connection to Gibraltar through factors such as employment, business activity, suitable accommodation, tax payments, and social insurance contributions. Applicants must also continue to comply with Gibraltar’s legal and regulatory requirements.
The framework introduces stronger safeguards to protect the integrity of the residence system, including enhanced checks on applicants and businesses, anti-abuse measures, and clearer provisions governing the renewal, suspension, lapse, or revocation of residence permits when eligibility requirements are no longer met.
The reforms also clarify the benefits associated with residence, particularly access to healthcare and education for residents and their immediate family members. However, the Government has emphasized that residence status alone will not provide automatic access to broader social benefits and services reserved for individuals who hold Gibraltarian Status.
Draft regulations implementing the new framework are currently being prepared and are expected to be published shortly.
This summary was prepared using information published by the HM Government of Gibraltar
Saudi Arabia: Labour market compliance and immigration updates
Saudi Arabia’s Qiwa labour platform has clarified that Premium Residency holders are required to obtain a dedicated work permit through the platform, subject to a fee of SAR 100. The announcement forms part of broader guidance issued by Qiwa, which is operated by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.
Qiwa also confirmed that establishment subscription fees are determined based on company size and the total number of employees registered under an entity’s unified number. In addition, training contracts for participants in the Tamheer programme may be documented electronically through the platform. However, these contracts do not count towards Saudisation requirements and are not included in employment contract documentation compliance targets.
The platform further clarified that employees may withdraw a resignation request within seven days, provided the employer has not accepted the resignation or postponed a decision during that period. Notice periods continue to be governed by the terms of the individual employment contract.
It was also confirmed that visa information cannot be amended after a visa has been issued. Where incorrect information has been entered, the visa must be cancelled and a new visa issued with the correct details.
Additionally, Saudi Arabia has announced that, from July 1, 2026, United Kingdom citizens will be eligible to travel to KSA using a new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). The ETA will permit multiple entries and allow stays of up to 180 days within a one-year period, either continuously or across multiple visits. It may be used for tourism, short-term study, and business visits. However, the ETA cannot be used for employment, residence, or Hajj purposes.
Alongside these updates, Saudi authorities have implemented and announced several labour market compliance measures. Effective June 30, 2026, engineering professions are subject to a 30% Saudisation requirement, with Saudi nationals counted towards the target required to earn a minimum monthly salary of SAR 8,000. Saudisation requirements for covered procurement professions increased to 70% on May 31, 2026, while covered marketing and sales professions became subject to a 60% localisation requirement from April 19, 2026.
In addition, a further 69 administrative support positions, including various secretarial, clerical, translation, data entry, and administrative support roles, are now reserved exclusively for Saudi nationals under a 100% Saudisation requirement.
Saudi authorities are continuing the integration of the General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI) and health insurance systems to strengthen employment data verification and ensure health insurance coverage remains aligned with employees’ employment and social insurance status. The authorities have clarified that GOSI will not act as a health insurance provider and that the integration is intended solely to improve validation and continuity of coverage.
This summary was prepared using information provided by our service partner as well as published by Gulf 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 Joanna Sogeke (European Client Services Manager – Immigration).
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