Immigration news updates for AMER and EMEA regions
Americas
Canada: Updated guidance on work authorization
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada have clarified its instructions on continued work authorization under R186(u) for individuals awaiting a decision on a work permit renewal (R201(1)).
The interim WP-EXT letter, automatically issued after submitting an online application, now has an extended validity of 365 days (previously 180). This letter confirms that the applicant may continue working if all R186(u) conditions are met.
If the application is still in process after the 365-day period, individuals may continue working without interruption under R186(u), provided they remain eligible. They do not need to request a new letter.
The updated guidance also includes new instructions on handling multiple work permit applications submitted while a previous one is still pending.
This summary was prepared using information provided from the Government of Canada
United States: FY 2026 H-2B returning worker supplemental visa cap reached
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that the cap for the second allocation of returning worker H‑2B visas for fiscal year (FY) 2026 has been reached. This allocation made 27,736 additional H‑2B visas available to qualifying employers with employment start dates between April 1, and April 30, 2026, under the FY 2026 H‑2B Supplemental Cap Temporary Final Rule.
USCIS confirmed that April 21, 2026, was the final receipt date for petitions filed under this second returning worker allocation. Petitions received after this date are no longer eligible for consideration under this portion of the supplemental cap.
The supplemental H‑2B visas are intended to support U.S. employers experiencing seasonal or temporary labour shortages, particularly in industries considered critical to the U.S. economy. Employers were required to attest that they would suffer irreparable harm without access to the requested H‑2B workers.
The FY 2026 H‑2B Temporary Final Rule, jointly announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) on January 30, 2026, increased the annual H‑2B cap by up to 64,716 supplemental visas, of which this second returning worker allocation formed part.
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).
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Belgium: Mandatory use of online portal for work authorisation applications
As of May 4, all applications for work authorisations, covering both short‑term and long‑term employment, must be submitted exclusively through the designated online portal. The use of PDF forms has been discontinued, and applications sent via email will no longer be accepted.
For companies located in the Brussels Region, the processing of work authorisation applications will continue to be handled by Brussels Economy and Employment. All applications for work permits for non-European nationals must be submitted through the federal portal “One-Stop counter.”
This summary was prepared using information provided from the Brussels Economy and Employment
Romania: Immigration law reform introduced for Non-EU workers
Romanian authorities have enacted a significant reform of the immigration framework governing access to the Romanian labour market for non‑EU nationals. An Emergency Ordinance was published in the Official Gazette on April 27, 2026, and is now in force. However, full operational implementation is dependent on the launch of the new WorkinRomania.gov.ro digital platform, currently expected on August 8, 2026. Until then, applications will continue to be processed under the existing rules.
Under the new framework, the current work permit and visa system will be replaced by two long‑stay visa categories:
- D/AM1 – for highly qualified workers and special categories; not subject to quotas or the List of Shortage Occupations.
- D/AM2 – for general labour; subject to an annual quota and a newly introduced List of Shortage Occupations.
The new centralised digital platform will serve as a single point of submission for employer registration and visa applications. The legislation also introduces two employer classifications (Registered and Authorised), with stricter eligibility requirements applying to Authorised employers.
The Ordinance further clarifies the definition of “posted workers” for non‑EU nationals and introduces additional employer obligations, including bilingual employment contracts, minimum language training requirements, and enhanced reporting duties. New visas and residence permits will also include additional traceability features, such as the employee’s Romanian personal identification number (CNP) and the employer’s registration code (CUI).
This summary was prepared using information provided by our Service partner.
Sweden: More stringent requirements introduced for Swedish citizenship
On April 29, 2026, the Swedish Parliament approved the Government’s proposal to introduce more stringent requirements for acquiring Swedish citizenship. The changes aim to reinforce the value of Swedish citizenship and encourage active participation in Swedish society.
Key changes include:
- An increase in the required period of residence in Sweden from five to eight years
- Stricter lifestyle requirements for citizenship applicants
- A requirement for applicants to be able to support themselves financially
- A requirement to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the Swedish language and Swedish society
- Children may acquire Swedish citizenship independently, provided an application is submitted by their custodian
The amendments will enter into force on June 6, 2026. Language testing requirements for reading and listening comprehension in Swedish at a functional level will apply from October 1, 2027, or an earlier date as decided by the Government. Other Swedish language proficiency requirements will apply from a date yet to be determined.
This summary was prepared using information provided from the Swedish Parliament
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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