Immigration news update for all regions
Americas
Canada: Temporary border measures introduced in response to Ebola outbreak
The Government of Canada has announced temporary border measures in response to the Ebola disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with increased risks also identified in Uganda and South Sudan.
Effective May 27, 2026, Canada suspended immigration documents for residents of countries assessed as having a high or very high risk of Ebola outbreak, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Uganda, for a period of 90 days.
As a result, individuals holding previously approved temporary resident visas, electronic travel authorizations (eTAs), or permanent resident visas will not be permitted to travel to Canada while their documents are suspended. In addition, the Government will temporarily pause decision-making on applications for these documents from affected countries during this period.
Further measures apply from May 30, 2026, until August 29, 2026, whereby Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and foreign nationals who have been in the affected countries within the previous 21 days and do not present symptoms must quarantine for 21 days upon arrival. Travelers without a suitable quarantine location will be provided with appropriate accommodation, while those with symptoms will be isolated in a hospital for further assessment.
These measures are being implemented under the Quarantine Act as part of a precautionary approach to reduce the risk of the virus entering and spreading within Canada.
This summary was prepared using information provided from the Public Health Agency of Canada
United States: Federal court invalidates $100,000 H-1B consular processing fee
The U.S. federal court has invalidated the $100,000 fee requirement for certain H-1B visa applicants undergoing consular processing, removing what had become a significant financial barrier for affected foreign nationals.
The fee was introduced under Presidential Proclamation 11011 and applied to certain H-1B workers seeking visa issuance at U.S. consulates abroad. Subsequent guidance from U.S. authorities expanded its application, raising concerns among employers and foreign nationals due to the substantial costs involved and the potential impact on international mobility and travel planning.
In its decision issued on June 8, 2026, the court determined that the government lacked the legal authority to impose the fee, concluding that existing legislation does not permit federal agencies to require such payment as a condition of visa issuance. As a result, the requirement has been vacated.
This development is expected to reduce uncertainty for employers managing international travel for H-1B employees and to remove a significant obstacle for individuals requiring visa stamping abroad to activate or maintain their status in the United States. Standard visa eligibility criteria, security screening processes, and consular procedures remain unchanged.
While the ruling represents a notable policy shift, further developments remain possible, including a potential government appeal or additional implementation guidance. Employers and affected individuals are therefore advised to continue monitoring updates as the situation evolves.
This summary was prepared using information from the United States District Court as well as Crown’s service partners.
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
New Zealand: Introduction of a new Short-term Graduate Work Visa
New Zealand Immigration has announced that there will be a launch of a new visa and changes made to the Post Study Work Visa. The authorities are introducing a new Short-term Graduate Work Visa and extending Post Study Work Visa eligibility to better align graduate pathways with New Zealand’s skills needs. The changes may provide employers with broader access to international graduates already trained in New Zealand and support longer term workforce planning.
Eligible international graduates who completed study in New Zealand will be able to apply for the new Short-term Graduate Work Visa from Monday November 16, 2026. This visa provides six months of open work rights, allowing time to look for work and, where appropriate, transition to an Accredited Employer Work Visa.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- hold a qualification at NZQCF Level 5 to 7 that:
- was studied full‑time for at least 24 weeks in New Zealand
- is not an English language, foundation, or bridging qualification
- does not make them eligible for a Post Study Work Visa
- have at least NZD $5,000 available to support themselves
- have a valid medical certificate and chest X-ray, dependent on their intended length of stay in New Zealand
- not have previously been granted a Short‑term Graduate Work Visa or Post Study Work Visa
- have written approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade or Education New Zealand, if their study was supported under the New Zealand Scholarship Programme
- Any work undertaken on a Short-term Graduate Work Visa must be for an employer under an employment agreement or contract for services. Business ownership is not allowed.
- Short-term Graduate Work Visa holders cannot support a partner for a work visa or children for a Dependent Child Student Visa.
- Short-term Graduate Work Visa holders cannot apply for a second Short-term Graduate Work Visa or extend their first.
This summary was prepared using information from the Immigration of New Zealand
South Korea: Expansion of the scope of the Top-Tier Visa from June to cover professors and researchers in science and technology
On May 31, 2026, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Science and ICTÂ announced an expansion of the scope of the Top-Tier Visa from June to include professors and researchers in science and technology. The visa had previously been limited to staff at companies in eight high-tech industries, such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence.
The Top Tier Visa program which took effect in April 2025, aims to attract top-tier foreign talent with residency support in Korea by granting ‘Top Talent Resident (F-2)’ status to senior engineers and their family members. Permanent residence can be granted after three years of stay.
Top-Tier Visa eligibility includes a foreigner who has obtained a master’s or doctoral degree from a university ranked among the world’s top 100 with experience in a global company or research institute and who receives a salary exceeding three times the GNI per capita.
Education or work experience requirements are exempted for those whose annual earned income is four times the GNI per capita.
Eligibility also includes individuals from Korea-based universities or companies fulfilling the above requirements as well as those from overseas universities and companies.
This summary was prepared using information provided from Korea.net
Vietnam: Changes in digital administrative system
Effective June 1, 2026, a significant and immediate change has taken place in Vietnam’s digital administrative system. Enterprises, representative offices, and other registered organizations must now use Business VNeID (VNeID for Enterprises and Organizations) to access government online portals. The previous login method using a company e-signature or token has been discontinued without a transition period.
This development has direct and potentially disruptive implications for immigration procedures and broader business operations in Vietnam.
Since the introduction of Business VNeID in July 2024, companies had the option to access the National Public Service Portal and other government systems using either a company e-signature/token or Business VNeID.
As of June 1, 2026, the e-signature/token login method is no longer available.
Companies must now rely exclusively on Business VNeID to:
- Access government portals
- Submit administrative applications
- Manage ongoing regulatory processes
There are currently no alternative submission channels, including offline filings
The change has an immediate and critical impact on immigration-related processes, which are now fully dependent on Business VNeID access.
Affected procedures include:
- Visa pre-approval applications
- Temporary Residence Card (TRC) applications
- Exit visa applications
- Other submissions through the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) portals
Without a valid Business VNeID, companies are effectively unable to file or process immigration applications, which may lead to delays or compliance risks for foreign employees and assignees.
Currently, applications submitted to the Department of Home Affairs (DOHA), such as work permits, may still be processed using the personal VNeID of an authorized individual where a Business VNeID is unavailable.
However, given the government’s direction toward a unified digital ecosystem, it is widely expected that Business VNeID will soon become mandatory for:
- Work permits
- Labor-related filings
- Other administrative procedures
Businesses should proactively prepare for this likely expansion.
A significant practical issue arises for organizations whose sole legal representative is a foreign national.
Current practice suggests:
- A valid TRC is required for a foreign legal representative to obtain a Business VNeID
- However, TRC applications now require Business VNeID to be submitted
This creates a circular dependency:
- Business VNeID requires TRC
- TRC requires Business VNeID
At present, no formal workaround has been announced. This may create a critical barrier for foreign-invested entities.
If no regulatory solution is introduced, some organizations may need to consider structural changes, such as:
- Appointing a Vietnamese national as legal representative
- Amending business licenses
- Revisiting governance arrangements
Such changes may not be desirable or feasible for companies that intentionally maintain a foreign-led structure and typically require time to implement.
This summary was prepared using information provided from the Ministry of Public Security
Introduction of a Health Declaration for entry to Vietnam
The government has announced that effective July 1, 2026, all inbound and outbound travelers are subject to presenting a health declaration.
Travelers must complete the health declaration within seven days before entering, exiting or transiting Vietnam. The health declaration form, provided by the Ministry of Health, is bilingual (English and Vietnamese).
In the event of an infectious disease outbreak, the Ministry of Health will provide further instructions at border gates, depending on the disease situation.
This summary was prepared using information provided from the Government 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 Debra Beynon (Director of Immigration Services, APAC).
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Denmark: Additional information required for offshore work applications
The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) has introduced updates to the certain work and residence permits. The changes took effect on June 3, 2026.
Under the updated process, employers submitting applications involving offshore work are now required to provide additional employment details as part of the application.
Specifically, companies must indicate:
- The duration of shift work
- The number of working days per week
- The daily working hours
- Whether hourly-paid employees receive holiday allowance
The new requirements are intended to support more efficient processing of applications involving offshore work arrangements.
This summary was prepared using information provided from New to Denmark
Qatar: Automatic extension of entry visas to end
The Ministry of Interior in Qatar has confirmed that the temporary policy allowing automatic extensions of expiring or expired entry visas ended on June 7, 2026.
With the expiry of this measure, entry visas have reverted to the standard regulatory framework, with normal validity periods, renewal requirements, and applicable fees now in force for all visa types.
Authorities have reminded residents, visitors, and sponsors of the need to review their immigration status and ensure that visas are either renewed within the permitted timeframe or that individuals depart Qatar before their authorized stay expires, to avoid penalties or legal consequences.
The automatic extension arrangement had been introduced as a temporary measure on March 3, 2026.
This summary was prepared using information provided from Qatar Information Guide
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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