Immigration news update for all regions
Americas
United States: DHS ends “duration of status” for international students
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has finalized a regulatory change that will end the longstanding “duration of status” (D/S) framework for several non-immigrant visa categories, including F-1 students. Under the new rule, most F-1 academic students will be admitted to the United States for a fixed period of up to four years, rather than being permitted to remain for as long as they maintain compliance with their academic program.
Previously, F-1 students could remain in the United States for the duration of their studies, provided they maintained full-time enrolment and complied with visa requirements. Going forward, most F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors will be admitted for the length of their programme, up to a maximum of four years, plus a 30-day grace period. Individuals requiring additional time will need to file an Extension of Stay application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The changes will also apply to certain dependants and foreign media representatives in I visa status.
According to DHS, the rule is intended to strengthen national security, improve immigration compliance, reduce visa overstays, and enhance programme integrity. However, universities and professional organisations have expressed concerns that the new framework may increase costs and administrative requirements and could affect long-term academic, research, and medical training programmes.
The rule was published on 17 July 2026 and is scheduled to take effect on 17 September 2026. It is expected to affect more than one million international students in the United States.
This summary was prepared using information provided from 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
Australia: Australia Travel Declaration
The Australian Government has introduced the Australia Travel Declaration (ATD), a new digital system that will gradually replace the paper Incoming Passenger Card for international travellers entering Australia.
Since the pilot programme commenced in October 2024, more than 450,000 passengers on eligible inbound Qantas flights to Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne have used the ATD. In partnership with Qantas, the pilot is expected to expand to additional capital cities, including Perth and Adelaide, before the end of 2026.
Following the pilot phase, the ATD will be introduced at international airports and seaports across Australia over the next 12 to 18 months. Initially available through a webform, the declaration will collect the same customs, travel, and biosecurity information currently required on the paper Incoming Passenger Card.
The introduction of the ATD forms part of the Australian Government’s broader efforts to modernise border processing while maintaining customs, immigration, and biosecurity controls.
This summary was prepared using information provided from Minister for Trade and Tourism
Major updates to the Working Holiday Maker programme
The Australian Government has announced legislative changes to the Working Holiday Maker programme, effective July 1, 2026.
Under the new arrangements, applicants for both the subclass 417 Working Holiday visa and subclass 462 Work and Holiday visa must satisfy the relevant age requirement at the time the application is lodged.
The changes also increase the maximum eligible age from 30 to 35 years for subclass 417 applicants holding passports from Cyprus, Finland, Germany, and the Republic of Korea. Existing age limits will continue to apply to applicants from all other participating countries.
For subclass 462 visa applicants, the updated legislation aligns the programme with the revised age assessment requirements. Other eligibility criteria, including participating-country, education, and government support requirements, remain unchanged.
The changes took effect on July 1, 2026, and may affect eligibility for individuals planning to apply under Australia’s Working Holiday Maker programme.
This summary was prepared using information provided from The Australian Government and The Australian Government
New Zealand: Pathway Student Visa changes to increase study flexibility
From July 20, 2026, changes to New Zealand’s Pathway Student Visa (PSV) will provide international students with greater flexibility when planning their studies.
The PSV allows students to complete multiple courses under a single visa, provided the courses form part of an approved study pathway.
Under the new arrangements:
- Secondary school students in Years 12 and 13 will no longer be required to specify an exact tertiary course when applying for a PSV.
- Pathway options have been expanded across New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) Levels 1–4, including English language programmes, foundation studies, and vocational certificates.
- Eligible students will be able to undertake up to 30 weeks of English language study before progressing to their next qualification.
The changes are intended to provide greater flexibility for international students pursuing study pathways in New Zealand. Applicants must continue to meet all applicable visa requirements, including health, character, and genuine student criteria.
This summary was prepared using information provided from the Immigration New Zealand
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
Hungary: Permanent residence cards update
Family members of EEA citizens and third-country family members of Hungarian citizens holding permanent residence cards in Hungary should be aware of an important upcoming change. Under Regulation (EU) 2025/1208 of the European Parliament and the Council, certain residence documents that do not meet updated security requirements will lose their validity.
According to Article 8(1) of the Regulation, residence cards issued to family members of EU citizens who are not nationals of an EU Member State will cease to be valid either upon their expiry date or by August 3, 2026, whichever occurs first.
As a result, permanent residence cards issued between August 3, 2016, and August 2, 2021, to family members of EEA citizens and third-country family members of Hungarian citizens will no longer be valid from August 3, 2026.
Individuals holding affected residence cards will need to obtain an alternative residence status or residence permit in Hungary in order to maintain their legal right of residence after their current document becomes invalid.
Affected individuals are encouraged to review their residence status and, where necessary, submit appropriate applications before August 3, 2026, to avoid disruptions to their legal residence in Hungary.
This summary was prepared using information provided from the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing
Romania: Methodology introduced for the Shortage Occupations List
On July 8, 2026, the Romanian Ministry of Labour published the methodology for preparing and updating the Shortage Occupations List, marking an important step in implementing the new framework governing access to the Romanian labour market for foreign workers.
The List will identify occupations experiencing genuine labour shortages in Romania and will support the recruitment of foreign nationals where employers are unable to fill positions using the available Romanian, EU, EEA, or Swiss workforce. The Ministry of Labour will compile the List using data from the National Employment Agency, the Labour Inspectorate, and the General Inspectorate for Immigration, together with labour market statistics and studies on recruitment challenges.
Occupations may be included based on criteria related to vacancy levels, employment of foreign workers, and issued work authorisations. Additional factors, such as persistent recruitment difficulties and national development priorities, may also be considered. The List will be reviewed and updated every six months, or more frequently if labour market conditions require.
The new framework is expected to become an important component of future foreign worker recruitment procedures. Employers will be able to propose occupations for inclusion through the WorkInRomania platform and should maintain evidence of vacancies, recruitment efforts, and the business impact of staffing shortages to support future requests.
This summary was prepared using information provided from our Service partner.
Sweden: Government proposes simplified rules for labour migrants
The Swedish Government has published a legislative proposal aimed at simplifying the employment permit process for labour migrants and increasing Sweden’s attractiveness for international talent. The proposed changes are intended to reduce administrative burdens for both employers and foreign workers while implementing the EU Single Permit Directive.
Under the proposal, work permits would no longer be tied to a specific employer or occupation. As a result, individuals holding a valid work permit would not be required to apply for a new permit when changing employers. Instead, permit holders would be required to notify the Swedish Migration Agency when an employment relationship ends and when a new one begins.
The proposal would also extend the period during which certain foreign workers may remain in Sweden while seeking new employment. Individuals who have held a work permit for more than two years would be eligible for a transition period of up to six months in the event of unemployment.
The Government has stated that the proposed measures are intended to make processes more predictable and efficient for businesses and individuals, while supporting Sweden’s competitiveness in attracting international expertise.
If approved, the legislative changes are expected to take effect on February 1, 2027.
This summary was prepared based on information published by the Government Offices of Sweden
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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