Immigration news updates for APAC and EMEA regions
Asia-Pacific
New Zealand: Skilled Migrant Category changes
In September 2025, INZ announced significant reforms to modernise the system and better reflect labour market needs. Additional details released now clarify how these new settings will operate when they take effect from late August 2026.  The update introduces new residence pathways, revised wage assessment rules and occupation lists designed to target genuine skill shortages while managing immigration risk.
Key highlights include:
- A new Trades and Technician residence pathway for skilled workers in ANZSCO skill level 1, 2 and 3 occupations. Eligibility requirements will include:
- work in a specified ANZSCO skill level 1, 2 and 3 trade or technician occupation
- hold a Level 4 or higher qualification relevant to the occupation
- have at least four years of directly relevant experience after qualification
- complete at least 1.5 years of skilled work in New Zealand, earning at least the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) median wage
- The introduction of Red and Amber occupation lists, affecting eligibility for new SMC pathways. Designed to manage immigration risk and ensure residence pathways remain targeted to genuine skill needs.
- Simplified wage assessment rules, locking wage thresholds at the start of skilled work experience. Two key changes have been introduced: Wage thresholds locked at the start of experience and Five-month grace period for new workers
- Extended English language test validity for certain applicants. From late August 2026, English language test results will be valid for five years for applicants who hold recognised occupational registration. This change reduces the need for repeat testing for experienced professionals already working in regulated occupations
- A new recognised occupational registration pathway for accountants
- A future option to extend the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) to complete residence requirements. Looking ahead, the Government has confirmed that migrants who require additional work experience to qualify for residence will eventually have access to a new extension option for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). Scheduled for introduction in 2027, this measure will allow eligible migrants to extend their AEWV by up to 12 months to complete the skilled work experience needed to meet SMC requirements.
This summary was prepared using information provided from the Immigration New Zealand
Working Holiday visa – fixed opening dates and annual quotas
Immigration New Zealand has capped working holiday schemes (WHS) for 2026. The scheme will operate on fixed opening dates and annual quotas. These schemes allow eligible young people from partner countries to live, work and travel in New Zealand for a limited period, with each country allocated a specific number of places each year. Once opened, applications for each location
remain available only until the cap is reached. When all places are taken, the scheme closes again until their next scheduled opening in 2027.
The full list of opening dates and quotas for each participating country is available . High-demand schemes such as the United Kingdom, Korea, Spain, and Taiwan typically fill quickly, so applicants should prepare early:
- Spain: April 9, 2026 – 2,000 places
- United Kingdom: June 25, 2026 – 15,000 places
- Korea: May 14, 2026 – 3,000 places
- Taiwan: May 28, 2026 – 600 places
- Malaysia: February 11, 2026 (1,150 places)
- China: July 2, 2026 (1,000 places)
- Thailand: August 5, 2026 (100 places)
- Vietnam: November 3, 2026 (200 places)
This summary was prepared using information provided from the Immigration New Zealand and 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
Israel: Visa extension
Visas with validity expiring between February 22, 2026, and March 31, 2026, will be automatically extended by three months.
This extension is processed automatically, and no visit to our offices is required.
This visa extension applies to holders of the following visa types
B/1 – General Work Visa
B/2 – Tourist Visa
B/4 – Volunteer Visa
A/1 – Temporary Resident Visa
A/2 – Student Visa (excluding agricultural trainees)
A/3 – Clergy Visa
A/4 – Companion Visa
A/5 –Temporary Resident Visa
DCL permit- for family reunifications and humanitarian
This summary was prepared using information provided from the Government of Israel
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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