Immigration news updates for AMER and APAC regions
Americas
Paraguay: Introduction of revised economic solvency requirements for permanent residence applications
The National Directorate of Migration has approved Resolution No. 407/2026, which updates the requirements for proving economic solvency for foreign nationals applying for permanent residence in Paraguay. The new rules apply to applications submitted from July 6, 2026. The resolution aligns permanent residence requirements under both the Migration Law and the Mercosur Residence Agreement and introduces 12 categories through which applicants can demonstrate economic solvency, each with specific documentation requirements based on their profession and source of income. These categories include professionals, employees, self-employed individuals, digital nomads, property owners, business partners, agricultural workers, religious workers, retirees, dependents, and students. The resolution also introduces a revised Admission Card (Carnet de Admisión), which will no longer display the holder’s profession, although this information will continue to be recorded in the migration authority’s online system.
This summary was prepared using information provided from our Service Partner.
United States: Introduction of Expedited B-1/B-2 Visa interview option in Mexico
The U.S. Department of State has launched a pilot program allowing B-1/B-2 visa applicants in Mexico to pay an additional USD 750 fee for an expedited interview appointment. Available at all U.S. Consulates in Mexico from July 21, 2026, the service is designed for applicants who have already booked a routine visa interview and need an earlier appointment.
Participating consulates will offer interview slots within 10 business days, subject to availability. However, the program only speeds up access to the interview and does not guarantee visa approval or faster post-interview processing. It also does not replace existing emergency or humanitarian expedited appointment options.
The pilot program is currently limited to Mexico and is scheduled to run through December 31, 2026, although additional locations may be added. The new option may be particularly useful for business travelers and employers facing tight travel timelines.
This summary was prepared using information provided from our Service Partner.
USD 100,000 H-1B fee remains unenforceable pending appeal
The legal status of the Trump administration’s proposed USD 100,000 H-1B fee remains uncertain. On July 24, 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit denied the government’s request to temporarily suspend a lower court ruling that struck down the fee. As a result, the district court’s June decision remains in effect while the appeal continues.
For now, employers are not required to pay the USD 100,000 fee when filing covered H-1B petitions for workers applying from outside the United States, and neither USCIS nor the Department of State can enforce the fee while the court order remains in place.
The appeals court determined that the government had not demonstrated a strong enough likelihood of success on appeal to justify pausing the lower court’s ruling. The district court had previously found that the fee operated as an unauthorized tax that had not been approved by Congress.
Employers planning H-1B filings may continue under the current rules. However, the litigation is ongoing, and further appeals—including a potential request for relief from the U.S. Supreme Court—remain possible. Because the outcome is still uncertain, the fee could be reinstated in the future, and its impact on pending or already filed cases is not yet clear. Employers should continue to consult immigration counsel when making long-term workforce planning decisions.
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
Malaysia: Photo validation for Visa with Reference
The Immigration Department of Malaysia has announced that, effective July 1, 2026, the photo validation feature has been activated for all eVisa applications under the Visa with Reference (VDR) category submitted through the MYVISA portal.
All photographs uploaded via the portal will undergo an automated validation process to ensure compliance with the Malaysia Visa Photo Specifications:
- Permitted background colors are white and blue;
- The background must be plain and uniform, with no gradients, patterns, textures, or objects. Shadows or reflections on the background are not permitted.
Photographs that do not meet the validation requirements will fail the automated validation process and must be referred to the relevant VDR issuing office for further action.
This summary was prepared using information provided from the Immigration Department of Malaysia
Taiwan: Extension of trial visa-free program
The Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced an extension of the trial visa-free program for nationals of New Southbound Policy partner countries Brunei, the Philippines, and Thailand, from August 1, 2026, to July 31, 2027.
In addition, the Project for Simplifying Visa Regulations for High-end Group Tourists from Southeast Asian Countries will be extended for a further year through December 31, 2027, and the conditional visa-free entry through the TAC scheme (R.O.C. Taiwan Travel Authorization Certificate) will remain in place, with both continuing to apply to nationals of India, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.
Nationals of Cambodia will no longer be eligible for these two initiatives from August 1, 2026.
This summary was prepared using information provided from the Bureau of Consular 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 Beynon (Director of Immigration Services, APAC).
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