Bahrain Lowers Real Estate Investment Threshold for Golden Residency
Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior has reduced the minimum real estate investment required for its Golden Residency visa from BHD 200,000 to BHD 130,000 (USD 345,000). Read more.
Bulgaria Increases Minimum Wage for 2026
Bulgaria has adopted a decree establishing new minimum wage levels effective 1 January 2026. Read more.
Canada Sets 2026 International Student Cap
Canada has released the 2026 allocations for study permits under the international student cap. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will process up to 408,000 study permits in 2026, divided between new applicants and extensions for current students. Read more.
Canada Updates Visa Requirement for Qatari Citizens
On November 25, 2025, Canada officially lifted the visa requirement for citizens of Qatar. Qatari nationals can now travel to Canada for business or leisure without a visa. Read more.
Germany Residence Permit Thresholds Rising in 2026
Germany will increase the social security thresholds and with it, the salary thresholds for different residence permit categories. Read more.
Ireland ISD Launches Christmas Travel Initiative
Ireland’s Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) has introduced a temporary Christmas travel initiative to support non-EEA nationals legally resident in the country. Read more.
Ireland Publishes New Employment Permit Salary Roadmap
Ireland’s Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) has published a roadmap that gradually increases minimum salary thresholds for employment permits, effective 1 March 2026 and continuing through 2030. Read more.
Ireland Work Rights for Minor Dependents
Ireland now allows minor dependent children of employment permit holders to work from the age of 16 under Stamp 1G, replacing the previously restrictive Stamp 3. Read more.
Poland to Launch New Online System for Residence Permit Applications in 2026
Poland announced that beginning in 2026, all residence permit applications will be submitted exclusively online through the new MOS2 portal (Case Handling Module). Read more.
Singapore Ends Performing Artist Work Permit
Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will end the Work Permit (Performing Artiste) scheme on 1 June 2026, citing widespread abuse. Read more.
United Kingdom to Enforce ETA Scheme in February 2026
The United Kingdom (UK) announced that, starting 25 February 2026, travelers from 85 visa-exempt countries will be required to hold an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before boarding flights to the UK. Read more.
