UK increases priority settlement visa processing time to 30 days
People applying for UK settlement using the priority service will now wait up to 30 working days for a decision instead of five.
For: People applying for settlement in the UK
The wire
Every article is a rule change the agent caught on an official page.
Each one carries its report.
New Zealand updates identity document rules for Skilled Migrant Category visa
Applicants must now provide a copy of their passport rather than a certificate of identity as initial proof of identity.
For: Applicants for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
Germany offers co-financing for AMIF innovative skills projects
Organizations applying under the AMIF special call can request national co-financing from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.
For: Organizations applying under the AMIF special call 'Kompetenzen innovativ stärken (KIS)'
UK adds Erasmus+ courses to eligible Student visa options
Students on an Erasmus+ programme can now apply for a UK Student visa to study courses at RQF level 2 or above.
For: Students on an Erasmus+ programme
UK updates EU Settlement Scheme deadlines for family members and reapplicants
The UK has updated how it calculates application deadlines for joining family members and people reapplying to the EU Settlement Scheme.
For: Joining family members of EU, Swiss, or EEA citizens; People reapplying to the EU Settlement Scheme after an unsuccessful application; People who already hold pre-settled status
UK allows Erasmus+ study on Student and Child Student visas
The UK has updated its Student and Child Student visas to allow study and traineeships through the Erasmus+ programme.
For: Children aged 4 to 17 wanting to study in the UK; Students aged 16 or 17; Student visa holders
Canada updates rules for expired Venezuelan passports on temporary residence applications
Venezuelan citizens with expired passports face new rules and validity limits depending on when their passport was issued.
For: Venezuelan citizens with passports issued before June 7, 2019 that have been expired for less than five years; Venezuelan citizens with passports issued before June 7, 2019 that have been expired for five years or more
New Zealand removes birth certificate requirement for Skilled Migrant Category
Applicants no longer need to provide a birth certificate showing their parents' legal names, and special document rules for several nationalities have been deleted.
For: Applicants for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
Canada removes a Vancouver school from its designated learning institutions list
Canada has removed a private institution in Vancouver from its list of schools approved to host international students.
For: Prospective international students who want to study at the removed private institution in Vancouver
Saudi Arabia updates digital services on Ministry of HRSD portal
The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development added four new digital services for businesses, nonprofit entities, and family counselors.
For: Establishments and businesses; Owners or delegates of an Ahli Center; Family counselors and 1 more
Portugal suspends Guinea-Bissau regulated labour migration protocol
Portugal has temporarily suspended its regulated labour migration protocol for workers from Guinea-Bissau.
For: Workers migrating under the regulated labour migration protocol from Guinea-Bissau
Canada updates designated learning institutions list for study permits
Canada has updated its list of approved schools for international students in Alberta, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island.
For: International students planning to study in Alberta, Ontario, or Prince Edward Island
UK warns ATAS applicants against using AI to generate false details
The UK has added a warning that ATAS applications will be refused if they contain false details created by AI tools.
For: Foreign students and researchers applying for an ATAS certificate
UAE publishes official rules for Emirates ID applications and renewals
The UAE government launched an official page detailing Emirates ID rules, renewal fees, and urgent services for citizens and residents.
For: UAE citizens and residents; UAE nationals and GCC nationals residing in the UAE; Expatriate residents who are not GCC nationals and 1 more
Canada extends temporary Ebola measures until November 27, 2026
Canada has extended its temporary immigration measures in response to Ebola until November 27, 2026.
For: People affected by the temporary Ebola measures
UAE details green, standard, and domestic work visa options
The UAE government updated its official portal to outline work visa options for self-sponsored skilled workers, standard employees, and domestic helpers.
For: Skilled workers, freelancers, and self-employed individuals; Employees of government and private sectors; Domestic helpers
UAE updates Golden visa eligibility criteria and residency durations
The UAE government has updated the requirements and visa lengths for investors, entrepreneurs, students, and other specialized talents.
For: Investors in public investments or real estate; Entrepreneurs; People with exceptional talent or rare specialisations and 2 more
UAE launches Work Bundle to simplify private sector work permits
The UAE has introduced an integrated platform called the Work Bundle to simplify work permit and residency visa procedures for private sector companies.
For: Private sector companies in the UAE
UAE details five-year Green visa for investors and skilled workers
The UAE government has published details on its five-year residence visa that does not require a sponsor.
For: Investors establishing or participating in commercial activities; Skilled workers, freelancers, self-employed people, and business partners
Canada removes several Ontario campuses from designated learning institutions list
Canada has removed multiple college and language school campuses in Ontario from its list of approved institutions for international students.
For: Prospective international students planning to study in Canada
Canada removes three British Columbia institutions from its DLI list
International students can no longer get study permits for three private institutions in British Columbia after they were removed from the designated learning institutions list.
For: International students planning to study at the removed British Columbia institutions
Canada removes three schools from designated learning institutions list
Canada has removed three post-secondary schools from the list of institutions approved to host international students.
For: International students planning to study at the removed post-secondary schools
Canada removes Top Toques Institute of Culinary Excellence from study permit list
Canada has removed the Top Toques Institute of Culinary Excellence from its list of approved schools for international students.
For: International students planning to attend the Top Toques Institute of Culinary Excellence
Canada adds Alberta Business and Health Institute Calgary campus to DLI list
Canada has added the Calgary campus of the Alberta Business and Health Institute to its list of designated learning institutions for international students.
For: International students who want to study at the Calgary campus of the Alberta Business and Health Institute
UK warns visa applicants not to book travel before receiving a decision
The UK government has updated its guidance to warn people applying for visas from outside the country not to book travel or expect reimbursement for expenses if their application is delayed.
For: People applying for a UK visa from outside the UK
UK Skilled Worker visa: Prison officer applicants will not get 2026 sponsorship
People applying for UK prison officer roles now will not get a certificate of sponsorship before the December 2026 visa switching deadline.
For: Applicants seeking to switch to a Skilled Worker visa to become a prison officer
France requires long stay visa appeals to the CRRV to be sent by mail only
Applicants who want to appeal a French long stay visa refusal to the CRRV must now submit their appeal by mail only.
For: People appealing a long stay visa refusal to the CRRV, including the applicant, their lawyer, or anyone with a legitimate interest.
Canada closes permanent residence program for Hong Kong residents
Canada has closed its special immigration pathway for Hong Kong residents.
For: Hong Kong residents in Canada
Canada removes Omni College from its designated learning institutions list
International students can no longer use an acceptance letter from Omni College in Richmond to apply for a study permit.
For: International students who want to study at Omni College
Canada extends temporary Ebola travel measures until September 2026
Canada has extended its temporary travel measures related to Ebola disease until September 28, 2026.
For: People affected by the temporary Ebola measures
UK adds multi-factor authentication manual for visa sponsors
The UK government has added a link to a new multi-factor authentication manual for visa sponsors.
For: UK visa sponsors
Canada removes Alberta ERP College from designated learning institutions list
Canada has removed Alberta ERP College from its list of approved schools for international study permit applicants.
For: Prospective international students planning to study at Alberta ERP College
Canada updates its list of designated learning institutions for study permits
Canada removed two schools and renamed another on its list of approved institutions for international students.
For: International students planning to study at Alberta MaKami College
France updates long-stay visa duration and lists exemptions
The French government clarified that long-stay visas cover stays starting from over three months and listed who is exempt from needing one.
For: Holders of a retired person or retired spouse residence card; Seasonal workers holding a seasonal worker residence card; Third-country family members of an EU citizen holding a residence card issued by an EU member state and 4 more