Immigration news update for all regions
Americas
Venezuela: Digital application process available for PRO-V 90 visas
Venezuela’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has published guidance for foreign nationals applying for a PRO-V 90 visa through its CancillerÃa Digital platform.
Applicants can create a visa request through the online portal, select the relevant Venezuelan embassy or consulate, complete the required application information and upload supporting documentation. The online form requests information including details of the inviting company, travel arrangements, intended period and purpose of stay, accommodation in Venezuela and local contact details.
According to the guidance, required supporting documents include a passport with at least six months’ validity, a passport-style photograph, an application form, evidence of financial means, a request letter from the company and company registration documentation. A criminal record certificate is also listed as an optional document.
Once the required documents have been uploaded, the applicant can complete and submit the application. The system then sends an email notification containing a summary of the request. Once the resulting document has been signed, it becomes available by email and can also be downloaded through the applicant’s CancillerÃa Digital profile.
Applicants should ensure that all information and mandatory supporting documents are correct before completing the application. The Ministry’s guidance states that once a filing has been finalised, its contents and supporting documents cannot be modified; instead, the filing would need to be deleted and registered again.
This summary was prepared using information published the Ministry of Foreign 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 Joanna Sogeke (European Client Services Manager – Immigration).
Asia-Pacific
Japan: Expansion of pre-entry tuberculosis screening to Indonesian nationals
Japan will expand its pre-entry tuberculosis (TB) screening program to Indonesian nationals applying for medium – to long-term residence. Under updated guidance from the Immigration Services Agency, designated medical facilities in Indonesia are scheduled to begin conducting TB examinations on November 2, 2026, and applicants filing from January 4, 2027, onward will be required to submit a Tuberculosis Clearance Certificate as part of the immigration process.
The measure forms part of Japan’s broader effort to address the increase in TB cases among foreign-born residents and builds on the screening framework already implemented for nationals of the Philippines, Nepal, and Vietnam. Indonesia is the latest country to be added to the program, while Myanmar and China have also been identified as target countries, with implementation dates yet to be announced.
The requirement will generally apply to Indonesian nationals seeking medium – to long-term residence in Japan. Applicants must undergo screening at a designated medical institution and obtain a Tuberculosis Clearance Certificate for submission with their Certificate of Eligibility application. Where an applicant applies directly for a visa without obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility, the certificate must generally be submitted at the visa application stage. Certain exemptions apply.
This summary was prepared using information published by the Immigration Service Agency
Malaysia: Budget 2027 introduces new measures for expatriates and global businesses
Malaysia has announced a series of immigration and investment measures under Budget 2027 aimed at strengthening the country’s attractiveness to highly skilled foreign talent, remote workers, and multinational companies.
Effective January 1, 2027, spouses of Category I Employment Pass holders who hold a Dependant Pass will be permitted to work in Malaysia, subject to applicable requirements. The government stated that the change is designed to make Malaysia a more appealing destination for international professionals by allowing accompanying spouses to continue their careers while residing in the country.
The government has also introduced greater flexibility for digital nomads. Professionals holding a Professional Visit Pass under the Nomad category who reach the current two-year stay limit may be eligible for an additional two-year extension, provided they continue to meet program requirements. The measure will enable qualifying remote workers to remain in Malaysia for longer periods while continuing to work remotely.
In addition, Malaysia will enhance incentives available under the Global Services Hub (GSH) Scheme from January 1, 2027. New qualifying GSH companies will benefit from a 5% corporate tax rate on income derived from eligible GSH activities, while existing participants will be entitled to the same rate on income exceeding a prescribed baseline threshold. The government also announced that incentive periods may be extended in five-year increments for up to 30 years, further strengthening Malaysia’s position as a regional business and investment hub.
This summary was prepared using information published by the Prime Minister’s Office of Malaysia
Taiwan: Notice for visa applicants with recent travel history to certain countries
On October 2, 2026, the Bureau of Consular Affairs announced that, in line with World Health Organization recommendations, applicants for a Taiwan (ROC) visa must provide proof of polio vaccination if they have resided in or visited any of the following countries for four weeks or more within the previous 12 months:
- Afghanistan
- Cameroon
- Chad
- Djibouti
- Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo)
- Laos
- Pakistan
- South Sudan
Applicants must demonstrate that they received either the Oral Polio Vaccine or the Inactivated Polio Vaccine within the past 12 months.
Under the previous guidance, the vaccination was also required to have been administered at least four weeks before the visa application date. This requirement is not referenced in the latest announcement.
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).
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Iceland: Government proposes stricter residence permit requirements
The Icelandic government has proposed amendments to the country’s residence permit legislation, primarily affecting nationals from outside the European Economic Area (EEA). The proposed changes aim to bring Iceland’s immigration framework more closely into line with the rules applied in other Nordic countries.
Under the proposal, the residence period required before an individual can apply for a permanent residence permit would increase from four to six years. The bill also proposes changes to age and cohabitation requirements for spouses, including a two-year cohabitation requirement, as well as revised conditions for family reunification.
Further measures include the introduction of a new residence permit for victims of labour market offences, and the removal of residence permits for au pairs from outside the EEA. The government states that the reforms are intended both to strengthen requirements for applicants and to improve protection for people who may be vulnerable to exploitation, including victims of human trafficking and labour market abuses.
The bill would not invalidate residence permits that have already been issued, and the rights of EEA nationals to live and work in Iceland would remain unchanged.
The proposals are based on recommendations from a working group appointed by the Minister of Justice in 2025, which identified a number of areas where Icelandic legislation or practice differed from that of neighbouring countries.
This summary was prepared using information published the Government of Iceland
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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