Visa Updates

Argentina: Residencia Temporaria (Pensionado) — pension income threshold rises to ARS 1,883,000/month, grant period corrected to 1 year

The minimum pension income requirement (5× the national minimum wage, SMVM) rose to ARS 1,883,000/month after the August 2026 SMVM increase to ARS 376,600. The permit is granted as a 1-year renewable temporary residence (previously listed as up to 3 years, which is actually the statutory ceiling before permanent residency). DNU 366/2025 adds economic-means and clean-criminal-record requirements at the permanent-residency stage.

Japan: Long-Stay Visa for Sightseeing and Recreation — visa issuance fee rises to ¥15,000 from 1 July 2026

Japan's visa issuance fee increased to ¥15,000 (single-entry) / ¥30,000 (multiple-entry) for applications submitted on or after 1 July 2026 — the first increase since 1978. Separately, a June 2026 amendment to the Immigration Control Act raised the statutory caps for status-related fees, with new tiered amounts to be set by Cabinet Order. The ¥30 million savings requirement, one-year duration, spouse-only dependants and no-work restriction are unchanged.

New Zealand: Temporary Retirement Visitor Visa — processing time now around 2.5 weeks

Immigration New Zealand's published processing time for the Temporary Retirement Visitor Visa improved to 80% of applications decided within about 2.5 weeks (previously about 5 weeks). Eligibility and financial thresholds are unchanged: age 66+, NZD 750,000 invested for two years, NZD 500,000 in maintenance funds, and NZD 60,000 annual income.

France: Talent – Porteur de Projet (Création d'Entreprise) — 2026 income threshold rises to €22,404.20 and fees jump to €350

The minimum income requirement rose to €22,404.20, tracking the June 2026 SMIC revaluation (up from €21,876.40). Under the 2026 Finance Law effective 1 May 2026, the residence-permit issuance fee rose to €350 (€300 tax + €50 stamp), renewal to €250, and the long-stay visa fee to €300. The €30,000 minimum business investment, up-to-4-year duration, and eligibility criteria are unchanged.

France: Talent – Projet Économique Innovant (French Tech founders) — 2026 income threshold rises to €22,404.20 and fees rise to €350

The minimum income requirement rose to €22,404.20, tracking the June 2026 SMIC revaluation (up from €21,876.40). Under the 2026 Finance Law effective 1 May 2026, the residence-permit fee rose to €350, renewal to €250, and the long-stay visa fee to €300. This innovation pathway has no minimum investment (DRIEETS recognition plus ecosystem endorsement); duration remains up to 4 years.

Malaysia: Tech Entrepreneur Programme (MTEP) — fees corrected and new MD Location Recognition framework live from 1 Jan 2026

Official MTEP fees were corrected to a non-refundable MYR 530 application fee for all applicants, plus on-approval fees of MYR 2,120 processing + MYR 360 pass for New Entrepreneurs (PVP-MTE) and MYR 4,770 + MYR 500 for Established Entrepreneurs (RP-MTE). Effective 1 January 2026, MDEC replaced the Malaysia Digital Hub designations with the MD Location Recognition (MDLR) framework (MD Hub, MD Nexus, MD Tech Zone), which now governs where New Entrepreneurs must be located. The MYR 50,000 minimum balance requirement is unchanged.

Taiwan: Investor Resident Visa — investment approvals now run by the Department of Investment Review

A September 2023 MOEA reorganisation dissolved the standalone Investment Commission (MOEAIC) and folded its functions into the new Department of Investment Review (DIR), which now approves the required foreign investment (minimum USD 200,000 / ~NT$6,000,000). The visitor-to-resident-visa status-change surcharge was also corrected to NT$800 (USD 24). The USD 200,000 minimum and application process are otherwise unchanged.

Paraguay: new Investor Pass offers immediate permanent residency from US$150,000

On 17 April 2026 Paraguay launched the Investor Pass, a new investment-based route granting immediate permanent residency and a Paraguayan cedula, bypassing the temporary-residency stage. Qualifying investments (from US$150,000) include approved tourism projects, real estate and Paraguayan stock-market securities. This is a distinct program from Paraguay's existing SUACE investor residency and is not yet in our database — flagged for review.

New Zealand: Visitor Visa (Remote Work) — "non-resident visitor" tax category now enacted

The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2025-26, Compliance Simplification, and Remedial Measures) Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 30 March 2026, turning the previously proposed rule into law. For visits commencing on or after 1 April 2026, qualifying remote-working visitors can stay non-resident for NZ tax on foreign income for up to 275 days in any 18-month period, beyond the usual 183-day threshold. The underlying visitor-visa remote-work policy, fees, and funds thresholds are unchanged.

Kazakhstan: Digital Nomad Residency — new QazETA travel authorization mandatory from 25 Aug 2026

Kazakhstan launched QazETA, an electronic travel authorization platform, in January 2026; it becomes mandatory for eligible travellers from 25 August 2026, adding an entry-authorization step for many nationalities. The B9-1 Digital Nomad Residency program itself is unchanged — no income requirement, Astana Hub IT-qualification verification, and a path to a 10-year residence permit.

Kazakhstan: Neo Nomad Visa — new QazETA travel authorization mandatory from 25 Aug 2026

Kazakhstan's new QazETA electronic travel authorization platform (launched January 2026) becomes mandatory for eligible travellers from 25 August 2026. The B12-1 Neo Nomad Visa's core terms — USD 3,000/month foreign income, up to 2 years total stay, and family inclusion — remain unchanged.

Nepal: digital nomad visa proposed — five-year multiple-entry remote-work visa in the works

Nepal's government announced plans (Economic Reform Implementing Work Plan 2025) for a digital nomad visa reportedly structured as a five-year multiple-entry visa with one-year renewable stays, requiring about USD 1,500/month income or USD 20,000 in savings plus USD 100,000 health insurance. As of August 2026 it has not officially launched; watch immigration.gov.np.

United Kingdom: Global Talent Visa — prestigious-prize list updated (HC 259, in force 3 Aug 2026)

Statement of Changes HC 259 renamed the former W H Pierce Prize to the WH Pierce Global Impact in Microbiology Prize (Applied Microbiology International) and corrected other prize names in Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes. Eligibility, endorsing bodies, the new design-industry pathway, fees, and settlement rules are unchanged.

Bahrain: Golden Residency (Talented Individuals) — residency alone does not grant the right to work

Bahrain's official Golden Residency FAQ clarifies that the 10-year permit lets holders live in Bahrain and explore employment but does not by itself authorize work — a separate work permit from the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) is required. Fees, 10-year validity, and the six eligibility groups are unchanged.

Saudi Arabia: Gifted Premium Residency — working holders now need a SAR 100 Qiwa work permit

As of June 2026, Premium Residency holders (including the Gifted/talent category) who take up employment must obtain a dedicated Qiwa work permit for SAR 100. Core terms — SAR 4,000 fee, 5+5-year duration, and Ministry of Culture/Sports endorsement — are unchanged.

South Korea: new K-STAR visa for global STEM professionals

As part of its 2026 Immigration Policy Strategy (announced March 2026), South Korea introduced a top-tier K-STAR visa aimed at attracting highly skilled STEM professionals. Not yet in the NomadVisa database — flagged for review.

France: Visitor residence card income requirement rises after the 1 June 2026 SMIC increase

France's SMIC was automatically revalorised by +2.41% on 1 June 2026 (net €1,443.11 to €1,477.93/month; gross €1,823.03 to €1,867.02/month). Because the Carte de Séjour Temporaire Visiteur's minimum-resources threshold is the net SMIC, the required passive income rose from €17,317 to about €17,735 per year (€1,477.93/month). Separately, the Loi de finances 2026 residence-permit fee increases are now in force for decisions from 1 May 2026 (first issuance €350, renewal €250).

Portugal: StartUP Visa — naturalisation now requires 7–10 years of residence

Portugal’s new Nationality Law (Lei Orgânica 1/2026), in force since 19 May 2026, raises the legal-residence requirement for citizenship from 5 years to 7 years for CPLP and EU nationals and 10 years for other third-country nationals, counted from the first residence permit, and adds a civics/history test. StartUP Visa eligibility and the 2026 financial requirement (12×IAS = €6,445.56) are otherwise unchanged.

Mauritius: New USD 1 million Golden Visa launched and added to the database

Mauritius formalised a new Golden Visa scheme in its 2026-2027 Budget (Annex §12.1), offering high-net-worth investors an up-to-two-year renewable visa in exchange for a minimum USD 1 million investment in high-value sectors (FinTech, AI, biotechnology, renewable energy and others) within 12 months of arrival. It grants Premium Visa-equivalent tax treatment and immediate eligibility to apply for a Permanent Residence Permit once the investment is made, targeting roughly 100 recipients a year. The EDB Board took note of the operational guidelines on 27 June 2026; detailed application procedures and fees are still being finalised pending the enacting Finance legislation.

Vietnam: UĐ1 tech-talent visa now in force and added to the database

Vietnam's new UĐ1 visa for high-quality digital technology personnel — created by Law No. 118/2025/QH15 — became legally effective on 1 July 2026, granting up to 5 years' validity (residence card up to 10 years for eligible categories) plus a companion UĐ2 visa for spouse and children under 18. As of late July 2026 the Ministry of Public Security has not yet published the implementing decree, fee schedule, or application forms for the general (non-IFC) pathway, so applications outside the International Financial Centre framework are not yet operational.

Australia: National Innovation Visa — 2026-27 fee and income-benchmark increase

From 1 July 2026 the subclass 858 base visa application charge rose about 25% (AUD 4,985 to AUD 6,235) and the Fair Work High Income Threshold used to assess earning capacity increased to AUD 190,100 (from AUD 183,100). The 2026-27 Federal Budget's skilled-migration fast track targets trades and technical occupations only and does not change the National Innovation Visa's eligibility, invitation process, or planning treatment.

Colombia: Visa M Pensionado — 2026 visa fee schedule updated

Colombia issued a new consular fee framework (Resolución 3969 of 26 March 2026), setting the visa study fee at USD 52 while the Visa M issuance fee remains USD 270. The cédula de extranjería (foreigner ID) also rose to COP 294,000 for first-time issuance under Migración Colombia's Resolución 0599 of 2026. The 3-SMMLV monthly pension income requirement is unchanged.

Colombia: Visa V Rentista — 2026 visa fee schedule updated

Under Resolución 3969 of 26 March 2026 the visa study fee is now USD 52, with the Visa V issuance fee held at USD 177, and the cédula de extranjería raised to COP 294,000 (Resolución 0599 of 2026). The 10-SMMLV monthly passive-income requirement and 2-year duration are unchanged.

Saint Kitts and Nevis: Temporary Residence Permit — eTA entry requirement added

Documentation now reflects the Federation's electronic travel authorisation (eTA / e-Border), launched 26 May 2025, which applies to visitors entering to establish residence (US$17, 90-day validity). The permit's core terms are unchanged: property ownership or a rental agreement as the means test, annual 31 December expiry, and no right to work.

Ecuador: Visa de Residencia Temporal Jubilado — document requirements refreshed

Re-verification against official sources confirmed the retiree visa's USD 1,446/month pension requirement (3 × the 2026 SBU of USD 482) and USD 320 in fees are unchanged, and documented the registro migratorio step introduced by the 2025 Ley Orgánica de Movilidad Humana reform.

Ecuador: Visa de Residencia Temporal Rentista — document requirements refreshed

Re-verification confirmed the rentista visa's USD 1,446/month passive-income requirement (3 × the 2026 SBU of USD 482), USD 320 in fees and 2-year duration are unchanged, and added the registro migratorio requirement from the 2025 Ley Orgánica de Movilidad Humana reform.

Japan: Business Manager visa — Diet enacts immigration fee-cap increase (Act No. 32 of 2026)

Japan's Diet formally enacted the immigration fee-cap increase on 29 May 2026 (Act No. 32 of 2026, promulgated 5 June 2026), raising the statutory ceilings to JPY 100,000 for status change/extension and JPY 300,000 for permanent residence, effective no later than 31 March 2027. June 2026 ISA FAQ guidance also confirmed that existing holders do not lose status during the transition to the Oct 2025 JPY 30 million capital-plus-employee rules.

Netherlands: Start-up residence permit — means-of-support thresholds raised for H2 2026

The IND raised the required means of support effective 1 July 2026 to EUR 1,766.77/month for a single applicant and EUR 2,523.96/month for a couple or family (including holiday allowance), up from EUR 1,734.57 and EUR 2,477.95 in H1 2026. The EUR 423 application fee, 1-year non-extendable duration, and mandatory RVO-approved facilitator requirement are unchanged.

Singapore: Tech.Pass — renewal criteria restructured into three standalone conditions

EDB has replaced the old “income plus achievement columns” renewal framework with three standalone conditions — meet any one: S$270,000+ assessable income; S$100,000+ annual business spend plus employing 1 local PME or 3 LQS workers; or a Singapore-incorporated tech company that raised over US$10M cumulatively in the past 36 months from recognised investors. The salary threshold (S$22,500) is unchanged.

France: Talent — Artistic and Cultural Profession — income threshold rises with mid-year SMIC increase

The resource requirement rose to about €1,306.91/month (70% of the €1,867.02 SMIC in force since 1 June 2026), of which at least 51% (≈€666.52) must come from artistic activity. Residence-card fees are now €350 for first issuance and €250 for renewal (in force since 1 May 2026).

South Korea: new Top-Tier Visa and K-Core Visa for skilled tech professionals

South Korea announced (3 March 2026) new immigration pathways for high-tech foreign professionals — a Top-Tier Visa aimed at highly skilled talent in semiconductors, AI, and robotics (with planned expansion to science and technology professors and researchers), plus a K-Core Visa for skilled workers with intermediate technical qualifications. No dedicated talent program for South Korea exists in the database yet — flagged for review.

Cape Verde: Retired Foreigner Residence Authorization — no official minimum income confirmed

Re-research against official sources found the retiree residence permit has no statutory minimum income or minimum age; the previously listed €1,200/month figure was a practitioner estimate. The real standard is proof of an adequate, regular pension assessed case-by-case.

Wallis and Futuna: Visitor residence card income requirement rises to ~€17,735/year

The SMIC-linked income requirement for the Carte de Séjour Temporaire Visiteur rose from about €17,317 to approximately €17,735 per year, reflecting the net annual SMIC after France's 1 June 2026 minimum-wage revaluation (€1,477.93 net/month).

Malawi: Retiree Permanent Residence Permit updated for 2024/2026 immigration reforms

The retiree PRP listing now reflects the Immigration (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (in force 3 January 2025) and the 2026 Corrigendum, which modernized the permit and visa regime but did not add a statutory minimum income — eligibility still rests on the discretionary assured-income test.

Cook Islands: Retiree Visa details refreshed — NZD 470 fee, 20-day processing

The Retiree Visa and Permit listing was updated from official sources with a NZD 470 visitor-class application fee (no charge on airport arrival), up to 20 working days processing, pension-based (not age-based) eligibility, mandatory comprehensive insurance, and discretionary sufficient-funds tables that differ between Rarotonga and the Pa Enua.

French Polynesia: Visitor card income requirement corrected to ~€17,735/year

The income requirement for the Carte de Séjour Temporaire Visiteur was corrected to the net annual SMIC of €17,735/year (~€1,478/month net), replacing an earlier ~€21,876 figure, and its legal basis was updated to CESEDA Article L426-20 (applicable via L445-1) after the former Ordonnance n° 2000-372 was abrogated in 2021.

United Kingdom: Innovator Founder Visa — completing students can switch in-country; post-study switching threshold confirmed at 24 months

From 25 November 2025 (Statement of Changes HC 1333), the Student route's work conditions were relaxed so that holders who have completed their course can switch directly into the Innovator Founder route from inside the UK and begin establishing their business. Our entry was also corrected to show the Immigration Rules and GOV.UK set the post-study switching threshold at 24 months (not 12), and to reconfirm there is no fixed minimum investment (the former £50,000 requirement was removed in April 2023).

Cyprus: Startup Visa — fixed capital thresholds replaced with revenue-based Category A/B eligibility

Following the renewed scheme notice (posted 28 January 2026), Cyprus's Startup Visa no longer imposes the previously-cited fixed minimum-capital figures (€50,000 individual / €25,000 / €20,000 team) or personal-income gates. The official Practical Guide instead classifies applicants by revenue — Category A (pre-revenue or under €1M) and Category B (audited revenue ≥ €1M with R&D ≥ 10% of operating costs). The €150,000 investment threshold, 25% equity rule, 150-visa cap and renewal of the scheme through December 2026 were reconfirmed.

Turks and Caicos Islands: Self-Employed Work Permit — dependant fees corrected and business-licence moratoriums updated

Re-verification against the TCI Government fee schedules corrected the dependant endorsement fee to a $150 non-refundable administrative fee plus $500 per endorsee, and the annual business-licence renewal range to $10–$7,500. The active business-licence moratorium now covers Immigration Brokerage/Consultancy, Taxis and VIP Transportation Services (the Contractor moratorium expired 21 September 2025). No fixed capital requirement applies to the permit.

Ghana: GIPC Automatic Expatriate Quota Permit — investment-reform bill passed Parliament, existing capital thresholds still in force

Ghana's Parliament passed the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority Bill on 2 April 2026, which would rename GIPC as the GIPA and overhaul investor rules — removing the minimum-capital requirements for joint ventures (USD 200,000) and wholly foreign-owned enterprises (USD 500,000), cutting the trading threshold from USD 1,000,000 to USD 500,000 (with a 75% skilled-Ghanaian employment rule), and switching re-registration from biennial to annual. As of July 2026 the bill still awaits presidential assent, so the current Act 865 thresholds remain fully in force.

South Korea: Workation (F-1-D) Visa — pilot becomes permanent with eased income and 3-year stay

On 30 June 2026 the Ministry of Justice converted South Korea's F-1-D Workation (Digital Nomad) Visa from a pilot into a permanent programme. The flat 2x per-capita GNI income requirement was replaced by a tiered 1x-2x GNI scale based on age and region — applicants aged 18-34 settling in non-capital or population-decline areas now qualify at just 1x GNI (~USD 38,000/year, roughly half the previous ~USD 76,000 threshold) — and the maximum stay was extended from 2 years to 3 years.

Greece: Talent Visa — degree-recency condition surfaces as scheme still awaits implementing decision

Greece's Talent Visa (category Z.15, created by Law 5275/2026) remains not fully operational pending its implementing ministerial decision. Multiple sources now consistently report that the qualifying master's/PhD/post-doctoral degree must have been obtained within the last five years — added to the listing pending confirmation of the exact statutory wording. The '2026 Tech & Talent Visa' branding refers collectively to this Talent Visa plus a separate employer-tied Tech Visa, not a new standalone programme.

United Kingdom: Global Talent Visa — UKRI endorsed-funder route expanded to remaining AIRTO members

In June 2026 the Global Talent visa's UKRI endorsed-funder / host-organisation route was widened to cover the remaining AIRTO members (including IBM), with the approved research-organisations list updated on 16 June 2026 and a further expansion to around 100 R&D-intensive businesses flagged for end of July 2026. Fees, duration and eligibility are unchanged; the new Design Industry endorsement pathway remains in force from 1 July 2026.

New Zealand: Talent (Arts, Culture, Sports) Work Visa — faster processing

Immigration New Zealand now processes 80% of Talent (Arts, Culture, Sports) work visa applications within 9 weeks, down from 9.5 weeks. Core settings — the sponsorship structure, NZD $1,630 work-visa fee, 30-month duration, age limit of 55, and 24-month path to residence — are unchanged. Related Skilled Migrant Category work-to-residence reforms are confirmed to take effect on 24 August 2026.

Hong Kong: Quality Migrant Admission Scheme — annual quota abolished, extension pattern now 3+2

The QMAS listing was corrected against Immigration Department sources: the scheme's annual quota — suspended in 2023 — was formally abolished under the 1 November 2024 General Points Test reform, so there is no cap on approvals. The post-initial-stay extension pattern is the official '3+2' years (not '3+3+2'). Points thresholds, fees and the Talent List are unchanged.

Portugal: D7 Passive Income Visa — nationality-law overhaul settles as citizenship moves to 10 years

The D7's €920/month passive-income requirement for 2026 is unchanged, but the citizenship path is now longer: Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026 (in force 19 May 2026) raised naturalisation to 10 years for third-country nationals (7 for EU/CPLP), with a transitional provision preserving the 5-year rule for applications pending on that date. The companion Decree 49/XVII (loss of nationality as an accessory penalty) was definitively rejected — struck down by the Constitutional Court (Acórdão n.º 409/2026, 8 May) and voted down by Parliament on 3 July 2026. D7 residency rights are unaffected.

Aruba: Retiree / Interest Rate Earner Permit — applications now fully online via DIMAS portal

The income thresholds are unchanged (Afl. 50,000/year for the guaranteed-income category, age 55+; Afl. 100,000/year for the non-guaranteed category, age 18+), but DIMAS has completed its move to a digital process: applications for the retiree/rentier permit are now submitted online through the DIMAS customer portal, and an in-person appointment for submission is no longer required.

New Caledonia: Entrepreneur/Profession Libérale card — higher income floor and permit fees for 2026

The minimum income floor, tied to the gross SMIC, rose to €1,867.02/month (≈€22,404.24/year) after the 1 June 2026 revaluation, up from €1,823.03/month. Separately, the loi de finances pour 2026 raised residence-permit charges from 1 May 2026: first issuance of the card now costs €350 (€50 stamp duty + €300 tax), up from €225.

United Arab Emirates: Golden Visa (Investor) — 50% property down-payment rule dropped

As of February 2026 the UAE property route no longer requires a 50% upfront cash payment: Dubai's GDRFA and DLD now accept mortgaged or financed property based on total DLD-certified value of at least AED 2,000,000 (~USD 545,000), provided the lending bank issues a no-objection certificate. The federal ICP page still lists the 5-year route as requiring property held without loans.

Costa Rica: Investor Temporary Residence — USD 150,000 incentive window closes 14 July 2026

The reduced USD 150,000 investment threshold and its tax incentives come from the temporary Ley 9996 regime, open only to applications filed before 14 July 2026. After that date, absent a legislative extension, new applicants revert to the general USD 200,000 baseline under Article 87 of the Reglamento de Extranjería.

France: Talent — Economic Investment permit — residence-permit taxes rose on 1 May 2026

The 2026 Finance Act (Loi n° 2026-103) raised the first-issue tax on the multi-year 'Talent' card to €350 (€300 tax + €50 stamp) and the renewal tax to €250, effective 1 May 2026, and the SMIC-based resources threshold was updated. The core €300,000 direct economic investment criterion is unchanged.

Brazil: Real Estate Investor Residence — naturalization timeline corrected

A review against official CNIg sources confirmed the investment thresholds are unchanged (R$1,000,000 nationally; R$700,000 in the North/Northeast) and corrected the record: there is no 3-year naturalization shortcut for real-estate investors — ordinary naturalization takes 4 years under the Migration Law, reduced to 1 year only for specific personal circumstances.

Paraguay: new Investor Pass golden visa launched (USD 150,000)

On 17 April 2026 Paraguay launched the 'Investor Pass', an investment route to immediate permanent residency requiring a minimum USD 150,000 in real estate, securities, or tourism projects, with citizenship eligibility after three years. This is distinct from Paraguay's existing SUACE investor residency already in the database and is flagged for review as a potential new program.

Mauritius: new USD 1 million 'Golden Visa' reported

Industry reporting indicates Mauritius launched a new Golden Visa in 2026 requiring a minimum USD 1,000,000 investment with a five-working-day review, aimed at high-growth sectors. Flagged for review as a potential new program pending confirmation against official Mauritian government sources.

United Kingdom: Global Talent Visa — new Design Industry endorsement pathway now live

The UK added a dedicated Design Industry endorsement route to the Global Talent visa on 1 July 2026, letting leading and emerging designers qualify on merit — assessed by the Design Business Association on behalf of Arts Council England, with no job offer or sponsor required.

Canada: Self-Employed Persons Program — intake pause now open-ended

Canada's federal Self-Employed Persons Program (for people with cultural or athletic self-employment experience) remains paused to new applicants, and as of December 2025 the pause is now open-ended ("until further notice"). The official processing time for existing files is listed at over 10 years, fees rose on 30 April 2026, and no replacement entrepreneur pilot has launched yet.

Ecuador: Professional Residence Visa — 2025 immigration law reform adds new requirements

Ecuador overhauled its Human Mobility Law in October 2025 (Registro Oficial No. 151): a criminal-background certificate and migrant registration are now legally required to obtain or renew any residence visa, and deportation and re-entry-ban rules are tougher. The professional visa's fees (USD 320), solvency requirement (one basic salary, USD 482/month in 2026) and 2-year duration are unchanged.

France: Talent « Renommée Internationale » — 2026 resources threshold and fees updated

France's merit-based Talent "international renown" card (CESEDA L421-21) is unchanged in substance for 2026, but the proof-of-resources threshold rose with the 1 June 2026 SMIC increase to about EUR 22,404/year (EUR 1,867/month), and residence-permit fees went up on 1 May 2026 to EUR 350 for first issuance (EUR 250 to renew).

Cyprus: Category F Immigration Permit — foreign-pension tax break improved for 2026

The annual exemption on foreign pension income rose from EUR 3,420 to EUR 5,000 effective 1 January 2026; tax residents may still elect each year between the standard progressive rates and a flat 5% on foreign pension income above the threshold. Category F income and eligibility requirements are unchanged.

Peru: Calidad Migratoria Rentista — naturalisation path clarified pending new nationality law

Re-verification confirmed the USD 1,000/month income requirement is unchanged. Perus new Nationality Law (Ley 32421, published 15 August 2025) is not yet in force pending its implementing regulation, so the existing 2-year naturalisation path still applies; the new law will add an economic-solvency test of at least 10 UIT (about S/ 55,000/year).

Nicaragua: Residencia Temporal Pensionado — income confirmed at US$600/month

Re-verification confirmed the US$600/month pension requirement (an earlier unverified US$1,000 figure was removed). DGME Disposicion No. 002-2026 (effective 16 February 2026) reformed entry-visa categories by nationality but does not change the income requirement. The permit remains a temporary-residence category with a 7-year naturalisation path.

Nicaragua: Residencia Temporal Rentista — income confirmed at US$750/month

Re-verification confirmed the US$750/month passive-income requirement; Law 1228 (2024) published no revised threshold. The permit remains a temporary-residence category with a 7-year naturalisation path. DGME Disposicion No. 002-2026 reformed entry visas but not income rules.

Nigeria: Retirement Visa (N5B) — updated for the 2025 visa policy and e-CERPAC

The Nigeria Visa Policy 2025 (effective 1 May 2025) retains the N5B retirement permanent-residence visa, issued via embassies/consulates (the new e-Visa covers short visits only). CERPAC is now handled through e-CERPAC, the exclusive digital channel since 1 August 2025, with fees of USD 2,000 standard / USD 600 students. No fixed minimum income is published.

Canada: Start-Up Visa closes to all new applicants as the 30 June 2026 deadline passes

The federal Start-Up Visa is now effectively closed to new applicants. Intake was set to zero on 1 January 2026, and the transitional window for holders of a valid 2025 commitment certificate expired on 30 June 2026 without extension, so IRCC no longer accepts any new Start-up Business Class applications. A replacement 'high-impact' entrepreneur pilot is expected (federal business-class admissions are capped at 500/year for 2026-2028), but IRCC has still published no parameters for it.

Luxembourg: Self-Employed Worker Permit income base rises after the June 2026 wage indexation

A wage indexation effective 1 June 2026 (+2.5%) raised Luxembourg's minimum social wage, lifting the self-employed minimum social-security contribution base from EUR 2,703.74 to EUR 2,771.33/month (maximum base to EUR 13,856.65) and the family-reunification income reference accordingly. The self-employed pension contribution rate also rose from 24% to 25.5% for 2026 (Law of 18 December 2025), though the self-employed share stays at 17%. Core permit terms — EUR 80 fee, up to 3-year duration, ~3-month processing — are unchanged.

Mauritius: 2026-2027 budget to add performance indicators for the Innovator Occupation Permit

The 2026-2027 National Budget (presented 19 June 2026) announced a review to streamline Occupation Permit criteria under which performance indicators will be introduced for the Innovator / Innovative Start-up category; the budget also abolishes the separate Family Occupation Permit category. These measures are pending enactment via the Finance Bill 2026. The Innovator category's core terms are unchanged: no minimum investment, R&D of at least 20% of operational expenditure during the research phase, a 10-year renewable permit, and a USD 50 application fee plus USD 1,000 on approval.

Malta: Malta Permanent Residence Programme — fee structure updated under Legal Notice 146 of 2025

Re-research against the consolidated MPRP regulations (S.L. 217.26, as amended by L.N. 146 of 2025, effective 22 July 2025) confirms a unified €37,000 government contribution for both the property-purchase and lease routes, a €60,000 administration fee, and a €2,000 NGO donation. The qualifying property minimum remains €375,000 (or €14,000/year lease), and applicants must hold €500,000 in assets (minimum €150,000 financial). An unsupported €30,000 health-insurance figure was removed.

Estonia: Residence Permit for Major Investor — subsistence-based income requirement rises for 2026

The €1,000,000 investment threshold is unchanged, but Estonia's monthly subsistence level rose to €220 on 1 January 2026, lifting the 'six times subsistence level' income requirement from €1,200 to €1,320/month (with updated dependant amounts). Research also corrected a prior error: personal income tax remains 22% in 2026 after the planned increase to 24% was scrapped.

Greece: Golden Visa — government consults on a new long-term-rental property category

Enacted thresholds are unchanged (€800,000 in high-demand areas / €400,000 elsewhere, plus €250,000 conversion/heritage and start-up routes under Law 5100/2024). On 18 June 2026 the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family opened a public consultation (closing 3 July 2026) on the National Housing Policy Strategy 2026-2035, proposing a new Golden Visa category for a portfolio of properties conditioned on exclusive long-term rental (excluding short-term/Airbnb letting). This is a proposal under consultation, not yet enacted law.

Paraguay: new Investor Pass grants immediate permanent residency from $150,000

On 17 April 2026 Paraguay launched the Investor Pass, a residence-by-investment route to immediate permanent residency: from $150,000 in a tourism project, or $200,000 in real estate or securities, with a one-entry-per-three-years presence requirement and citizenship eligibility after three years. Not yet in the NomadVisa database — flagged for review as a potential new program distinct from Paraguay's existing SUACE investor residency.

Mauritius: new $1 million Golden Visa announced for high-net-worth investors

In May 2026 Mauritius announced a Golden Visa requiring a written pledge to invest US$1 million within 12 months, granting a two-year multiple-entry visa (renewable on continued investment) for the holder and family, capped at around 100 approvals per year with due-diligence checks. Not yet in the NomadVisa database — flagged for review as a potential new program.

Indonesia: Remote Worker KITAS (E33G) — passport-validity and processing details corrected; no residency path confirmed

Re-research against the official Directorate General of Immigration catalogue confirms the E33G Remote Worker visa is the same program (operational since April 2024), not a new launch — the 2026 'official launch' reports reflect continued promotion plus stricter enforcement. The minimum passport validity is 6 months (not 18), processing is 5 working days after payment, and no sponsor is required. Income (USD 60,000/year) and the USD 2,000 bank-balance proof are unchanged; the visa grants no path to residency or citizenship.

Argentina: Digital Nomad Transitory Residence — new health-insurance declaration under immigration Decreto 366/2025

Re-research against official DNM and Boletín Oficial sources incorporates Decreto DNU N° 366/2025 (29 May 2025), the reform of Migrations Law 25.871. Holders now face a sworn-declaration health-insurance requirement (not yet fully regulated/enforced as of mid-2026), and free public-hospital care is conditioned on holding insurance or paying. Disposición 758/2022 remains in force and the program is still active; there is no minimum income threshold (applicants prove active remote work).

Andorra: Digital Nomad Residence Permit — income threshold rises to ~€4,576/month with the 2026 minimum-wage increase

Re-research against official Andorran sources updates the economic-means requirement to 300% of the 2026 minimum wage (€1,525.33/month, set by Decret 450/2025), i.e. about €4,576/month for the main applicant plus about €1,525.33/month per dependant (up from ~€4,342/month in 2025). All other conditions are unchanged: 90-day minimum annual presence, exemption from the AFA deposit, 2+2+3+10-year durations, and the €224.61 immigration fee.

Bahamas: Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS) — official application channel decommissioned; status unresolved

Verification against official Bahamas government sources finds BEATS in administrative limbo: the official application portal is decommissioned (domain no longer resolves) and the program is absent from the Department of Immigration's current permit-category listing, though there is no official notice of discontinuation. The last-published terms (USD 25 application fee; USD 1,000 remote-worker / USD 500 dependant permit; 1-year validity to a 3-year maximum) remain on the tourism marketing site but are currently un-actionable.

Wallis and Futuna: Talent — National or International Renown card — income threshold rises to €22,404 and the residence-card fee to €350

Re-research against Service-Public and Légifrance confirms two material changes. The minimum resource requirement (gross annual SMIC) rose to €22,404.20/year following the 1 June 2026 SMIC revaluation (previously about €21,876). The first-issuance residence-card cost rose to €350 (€300 tax + €50 stamp duty) from €225, effective 1 May 2026 under Loi n° 2026-103 du 19 février 2026. The 2024 'talent' reform (Loi n° 2024-42, which replaced 'passeport talent') was also formally extended to the territory by Ordonnance n° 2025-646 du 16 juillet 2025. The card remains valid only within Wallis and Futuna and the long-stay visa fee stays €99.

Germany: Settlement Permit for Highly Qualified Professionals — 3-year fast-track citizenship abolished, uniform 5-year minimum now applies

Re-verification against the Federal Ministry of the Interior confirms the Sixth Act to Amend the Nationality Act (BGBl. 2025 I Nr. 257), in force since 30 October 2025, abolished the 3-year 'Turbo-Einbürgerung' fast-track naturalization. A uniform 5-year minimum residence period now applies to standard naturalization (a 3-year track survives only for spouses of German citizens); dual citizenship and the earlier 8→5 year reduction remain in place. The §18c(3) permit itself is unchanged — no fixed minimum income, €147 issuance fee, immediate permanent residence — and the 2026 AufenthG amendments did not touch it.

South Korea: Top-Tier (Global Talent) Visa expanded to professors and researchers — a potential new talent program

Effective 1 June 2026, South Korea's Ministry of Justice expanded the Top-Tier Visa beyond AI and semiconductor industry professionals to include world-class professors and science-and-technology researchers (e.g. Nobel/Fields laureates, Highly Cited Researchers, and triadic-patent holders). The visa grants F-2 resident status, family benefits including unrestricted spousal employment, a 2-year job-seeker permit, and a 3-year pathway to permanent residence, aiming to recruit 2,000 science and technology professionals by 2030. It is not yet in the NomadVisa database and is flagged for review as a candidate addition.

Portugal: D7 Passive Income Visa — citizenship now takes 10 years (7 for CPLP nationals) under the 2026 Nationality Law

Re-verification against the Diário da República confirms the new Nationality Law (Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026, in force 19 May 2026) extends the naturalisation timeline for D7 holders from 5 to 10 years of legal residence (7 years for EU and CPLP / Portuguese-speaking nationals), adds language and civic/cultural exam requirements, and preserves the old 5-year rule only for procedures pending on 19 May 2026. A subsequent official correction, Declaração de Retificação n.º 17/2026/1, fixed the criminal-conviction bar to 'effective imprisonment of more than 3 years.' Permanent residency remains available after 5 years and the income requirement is unchanged at €920/month (RMMG).

Italy: Elective Residence Visa — court bars consulates from charging the full ~€32,000 income to every family member

Re-research against official consulate guidance confirms the passive-income threshold of roughly €32,000/year (3× 'Table A') for the main applicant, and clarifies a ruling by TAR Lazio (Sez. 5B, Sentenza n. 19676 of 6 November 2025) that consulates may not demand the full single-applicant income from each dependant — only a lower added amount per additional family member. Income must be passive and sourced from abroad; the visa permits no work.

Kenya: Class K Ordinary Residents Permit — terms reconfirmed for 2026, with new permit classes added alongside it

A periodic re-verification against the Directorate of Immigration Services confirms the Class K (assured-income / rentier) permit is unchanged: minimum age 35, USD 24,000/year assured passive income from outside Kenya, KES 20,000 processing and KES 250,000/year issuance fees, and no local employment permitted. Separately, Kenya's Citizenship and Immigration (Amendment) Regulations (Legal Notice No. 198 of 2024, operationalised from 2025) introduced new permit classes — Class N (Digital Nomad) and Class R — without altering Class K.

Canada: Start-Up Visa — paused for new applicants since 1 January 2026, final transitional deadline 30 June 2026

Re-verification against IRCC confirms the federal Start-Up Visa remains paused: under December 2025 Ministerial Instructions (MI 72) the intake cap was set to zero effective 1 January 2026 "until further notice," and commitment certificates have not been accepted since 31 December 2025. Applicants holding a valid 2025 commitment certificate have until 30 June 2026 to file for permanent residence — a deadline now only days away and not extended. A replacement "high-impact" entrepreneur pilot is planned under the 2026–2028 Levels Plan (federal business class cut to ~500 spots/year) but its parameters are not yet published.

UK: Innovator Founder Visa — application fees rose on 8 April 2026 to £1,357 (outside UK) / £1,693 (inside)

Comparison of the official Home Office fee schedules confirms the 8 April 2026 uplift raised the Innovator Founder application fee from £1,274 to £1,357 for entry clearance (outside the UK) and from £1,590 to £1,693 for leave to remain / switching (inside the UK); the £3,226 ILR fee, £1,000 endorsement fee and £500 contact-point fee were unchanged. The four authorised Business Endorsing Bodies (UK Endorsing Services, Innovator International, Envestors, and the invitation-only Global Entrepreneurs Programme) were re-confirmed, and under Statement of Changes HC 1333 (effective 25 November 2025) Student visa holders who completed their course may switch into the route and establish a business. New grants are now issued as eVisas. The visa has no fixed minimum investment.

US: International Entrepreneur Parole — founder's own capital does not count toward the $311,071 investment threshold

Re-verification against 8 CFR 212.19 clarifies that the entrepreneur's personal capital — including funds from the entrepreneur, their parents, spouse, siblings or children, or entities they own, plus personal savings and loans — does NOT count toward the qualified-investment threshold. Only money from a qualified third-party U.S. investor (minimum $311,071) or a qualified U.S. government award/grant (minimum $124,429) qualifies, alongside the 10% ownership requirement. The inflation-adjusted thresholds (effective 1 October 2024) are unchanged; the next triennial adjustment is due for FY2028. Initial parole runs up to 30 months, with one re-parole up to 30 months (5-year maximum).

Hungary: Guest Self-Employment Permit — 2026 income bar rises to HUF 7.75M/year (~EUR 19,600)

The minimum-income requirement for Hungary's guest self-employment residence permit rose from HUF 6,979,200/year (2025) to HUF 7,747,200/year (~EUR 19,600) for 2026, tracking the statutory monthly minimum wage's 11% increase to HUF 322,800 under Government Decree 426/2025 (XII.23), effective 1 January 2026. The 1+2-year duration (3-year cap), fees (EUR 110 / HUF 39,000 / HUF 26,000), 21-day processing, employment restrictions and the absence of any path to permanent residence are unchanged.

Malta: Startup Residence Programme — updated to V4.2 (Aug 2025): Syria dropped from ineligible list, FDI screening and new fee schedule added

Re-research against the official V4.2 (August 2025) eligibility document corrected several points: Syria was removed from the ineligible-nationalities list (now Afghanistan, North Korea, Iran, DR Congo, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Yemen, Venezuela), a National FDI Screening requirement was added, and the fee schedule was corrected — EUR 300 residence-card issuance (not the previously listed EUR 82.50), plus Jobsplus employment-licence fees (EUR 690 initial) and renewal fees. The core terms are unchanged: EUR 25,000 paid-up/tangible capital (+EUR 10,000 per extra co-founder, max 6), EUR 750 application fee, 7-year startup age cap, and a 3-year initial permit (+5 years for founders/co-founders).

Argentina: Investor residency holds steady as citizenship-by-investment stalls

Argentina's Residencia Temporaria Inversionista rules are unchanged (ARS 1,500,000 minimum investment, 3-year residency), but the planned direct citizenship-by-investment pathway remains non-operational: on 14 April 2026 the Ministry of Economy cancelled (Resolución 522/2026) the international tender to design and run the programme, and Ley 27.802 (March 2026) clarified that citizenship obtained via investment does not by itself create Argentine tax residency.

Japan: Digital Nomad Visa — eligible nationalities widened to 51 countries

Japan's Immigration Services Agency expanded the digital nomad visa's eligible-nationality lists to 51 countries/regions for main applicants (adding Luxembourg, Sweden, Taiwan and the UAE) and 73 for dependants. The core terms are unchanged: JPY 10 million (~USD 68,000) annual foreign-source income and a 6-month, non-renewable stay.

UAE: Virtual Work Residence Permit now requires six months of bank statements

Effective 27 January 2026, the UAE remote-work (Virtual Work) residence permit requires six consecutive months of bank statements, up from three. Applicants who recently changed jobs or started freelancing must wait until six months of salary deposits exist under the current contract. The USD 3,500/month income threshold is unchanged.

Portugal: D8 income threshold tracks the 2026 minimum-wage rise to EUR 3,680/month

Portugal's D8 digital nomad visa income requirement is four times the national minimum wage, which rose to EUR 920/month for 2026 — putting the threshold at EUR 3,680/month (some reports citing EUR 3,280 are incorrect). Separately, from 17 April 2026 Portugal visa applications filed in Brazil must be submitted in person via VFS Global.

Philippines: Digital Nomad Visa still not operational a year after launch

More than a year after Executive Order No. 86 took effect (May 2025), the Philippines Digital Nomad Visa remains non-operational: the implementing guidelines are still unpublished and the e-Visa portal does not list the DNV as a visa category. The ~USD 24,000/year income figure and 1-year-renewable validity remain official intent but unconfirmed.

Kazakhstan: In-Demand Professions PR — Education category added to the in-demand list (Order of 26 May 2026, in force 12 June 2026)

Follow-up research confirms the in-demand professions list amendment is now enacted: an Order of the Minister of Labour and Social Protection dated 26 May 2026 (effective 12 June 2026) amends Order No. 49 to add an Education category and to base future list-formation on the medium-term workforce forecast and the state "Electronic Labour Exchange" portal (from 12 July 2026). The total remains 51 professions — the widely reported 51-to-174 expansion and the new 10-year "Altyn" (Golden) Visa (decree of 25 April 2026) are still announced plans not yet in force. The B9 in-demand route stays merit-based (diploma plus a sectoral-ministry petition), independent of any single employer, and exempt from the income/financial-solvency requirement.

New Caledonia: Passeport Talent (Talent) card — first-issuance fee raised to €350 (1 May 2026); 2026 SMIC-indexed thresholds updated

Re-research confirms the unified "talent" card (post loi du 26 janvier 2024) is intact in New Caledonia, but the Loi de finances pour 2026 raised the first-issuance cost to €350 (€50 droit de timbre + €300 taxe) effective 1 May 2026, and the 1 January 2026 SMIC revaluation lifted the SMIC-indexed category thresholds (artistic professionals €1,306.91/month; renowned persons/project carriers €22,404.20/year). The talent — salarié qualifié reference salary (€39,582/year) and the EU Blue Card threshold (€59,373) are unchanged for 2026; the card remains valid only within the collectivity.

French Polynesia: Passeport Talent (renown) card — legal basis corrected to CESEDA L421-21; 2026 resource threshold €22,404.20 and €350 fee

Re-research corrected the legal basis: the previously cited Ordonnance n° 2000-372 (Art. 18-3) was abrogated in 2021, so the renown card now rests on CESEDA Article L421-21, extended to French Polynesia via Chapitre V (Articles L445-1 to L445-5). Ordonnance n° 2025-646 du 16 juillet 2025 applies the 2024 "passeport talent" → "talent" rename to the territory, with key provisions effective by 1 January 2026. The proof-of-resources threshold was updated to the 2026 annual gross SMIC (€22,404.20, from €21,876.40) and the card fee to €350 (from €225). The renown category remains merit-based on established national/international standing.

Thailand: Non-Immigrant Visa O-A (Long Stay) — embassy income letters replaced by 12-month FET bank statements; thresholds unchanged

Re-verification against the Thai MFA, Royal Thai Embassy and Immigration Bureau confirms all O-A rules are unchanged: a THB 800,000 deposit (held 3 months), THB 65,000/month income, or a combination totalling THB 800,000/year, plus THB 3,000,000 health insurance, 90-day TM.47 reporting and the annual TM.7 extension. The clarification: because many missions (starting with the U.S. Mission on 1 January 2019) no longer issue income-verification letters, applicants now prove the monthly-income method with a Thai bank statement showing 12 consecutive months of Foreign Exchange Transfer (FET) inflows.

Turkey: Short-Term Residence Permit (Tourism Purpose) — 2026 figures re-verified; closed-neighbourhood address restriction documented

A staleness re-verification confirms the 2026 settings are current under Law No. 6458: the financial-means requirement tracks the Turkish net minimum wage (about 42,113 TL/month for a single applicant), the residence-card fee is 964 TL, and the e-ikamet application process, duration and absence rules are unchanged. The refresh documented the official closed-neighbourhood (mahalle kapatma) address restriction that limits where tourism-purpose permits can be registered — a measure in force since July 2022, not a new 2026 change.

Uruguay: Permanent Residence for Rentistas and Pensioners — USD 1,500/mo is the Ley 16.340 retiree-benefit threshold, not a residence minimum

Re-research corrected a key point: the widely cited USD 1,500/month figure is NOT a minimum income for permanent residence itself. Uruguay's DNM grants permanent residence directly and assesses sufficiency of passive income via a notarial income certificate, with no fixed statutory minimum. The USD 1,500/month threshold applies only to the separate, optional Ley 16.340 retiree/pensioner benefit (duty-free imports plus passport eligibility), which additionally requires USD 100,000 in Uruguayan real estate or government securities held for 10 years. The citizenship pathway was refined: legal citizenship after 3 years with an established family or 5 years if single, conditioned on habitual residence (absences not exceeding 6 consecutive months).

Belize: Qualified Retired Persons Incentive Program — acceptance fee corrected to USD 1,000 (from USD 1,200)

Re-verification against the Belize Tourism Board fee schedule corrected the main applicant's QRP acceptance (program) fee from USD 1,200 to USD 1,000. All core parameters are unchanged: minimum age 40, USD 2,000/month qualifying foreign income, a minimum 30 consecutive days per year in Belize, and full exemption from Belizean tax and import duties on foreign-sourced income.

Guatemala: Permanent Residence for Rentistas or Pensioners — 2025 reform (IGM-017-2025) drops Boleto de Ornato at registration

Re-research surfaced Acuerdo IGM-017-2025 (Reglamento del Registro del Estatus Ordinario Migratorio; published 8 July 2025, effective 7 October 2025), part of the 2025 migration-reform package, which eliminated the Boleto de Ornato requirement at resident registration and streamlined guarantor (fiador) file handling and required documentation. The income thresholds (USD 1,250/month plus USD 300 per dependant), the USD 40 annual fee, and the direct grant of permanent residence are unchanged for 2026.

Qatar: Mustaqel Entrepreneur Residency — "10-year golden visa" framing clarified; now promoted via Invest Qatar platform

Re-verification against official Invest Qatar, Jusoor and QNA sources confirms the self-sponsored Mustaqel entrepreneur residency is a five-year permit renewable for a further five-year term, not the standalone "10-year golden visa" described in February 2026 press coverage. Since February 2026 the program is also promoted through the Invest Qatar "Residency Program" platform in partnership with Qatar Development Bank, adding incubator mentorship, investor-network access and a 320+ partner-merchant discount programme. Core eligibility is unchanged: incubator-endorsed business plan, QAR 250,000 project value, QAR 36,500 (residents) or USD 10,000 (overseas) bank balance, and 90 days/year minimum presence.

Portugal: Golden Visa — 10-year citizenship requirement now in force

The Nationality Law reform that was awaiting publication has now been enacted as Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026, de 18 de maio (Diário da República, 1.ª série), in force since 19 May 2026. Naturalisation now requires 10 years of residence (7 for nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries and EU citizens), counted from issuance of the first residence card, with new Portuguese language, culture and civic-knowledge requirements. Golden Visa investment routes (€500k funds, business creation, €500k R&D, €250k cultural heritage) and AIMA fees are unchanged; applications pending on 19 May 2026 stay under the prior 5-year regime.

Italy: Investor Visa — 2026 thresholds and process confirmed; Russia/Belarus suspension dates clarified

Re-verification against the official MIMIT portal confirms the four investment routes are unchanged for 2026 (€2M government securities, €500k Italian company equity, €250k innovative startup, €1M philanthropic donation), along with the 30-day Nulla Osta decision and 2-year renewable residence permit. The suspension of applications from Russian and Belarusian nationals is now sourced to the Investor Visa Committee decision of 14 July 2023 and the MAECI note of 20 March 2024. The 2026 flat-tax for new residents stands at €300,000/year.

United Arab Emirates: Golden Visa (Investor) — AED 2M thresholds and 10-year validity confirmed unchanged in 2026

Re-verification against official UAE government sources (ICP, GDRFA Dubai, DLD) confirms the investor routes are unchanged: AED 2M public investment/deposit, AED 2M company capital and AED 2M real estate, with 5–10 year validity. The 2026 reporting about 'stricter eligibility' reflects documentation and compliance emphasis rather than any published threshold change; the AED 30,000/month basic-salary rule applies to the Skilled Professional category, not investors.

New Zealand: Active Investor Plus Visa — settings unchanged; processing and uptake figures refreshed

Re-verification against Immigration New Zealand confirms the two categories are unchanged: Growth (NZD $5M, 3-year hold, 21 days in NZ) and Balanced (NZD $10M, 5-year hold, 105 days). Applications are currently approved in about 36 working days once investment documentation is provided. The June 2026 statistics show 734 applications and NZD $4.29 billion added to the investment pipeline since the April 2025 relaunch.

Brazil: Business Investor Residence — thresholds unchanged; MJSP authority formalised by RN 51/2025

A staleness re-check confirms the RN 13/2017 investment thresholds are unchanged (R$500,000 general track / R$150,000 innovation track). Resolução CNIG/MJSP nº 51/2025 (published in the DOU on 10 July 2025) amended the general procedural resolution to formalise the Ministério da Justiça e Segurança Pública's competence over residence-authorisation procedures, with all requests processed exclusively via MigranteWeb.

Paraguay: new Investor Pass residency-by-investment program reportedly launched

News reports indicate Paraguay launched an 'Investor Pass' on 17 April 2026 — a new investment-based route to immediate permanent residency requiring roughly US$150,000–200,000 in real estate, securities or tourism, with a 3-year path to citizenship. Distinct from Paraguay's existing SUACE investor residency; not yet verified against official Paraguayan government sources — flagged for review.

Mauritius: Golden Visa reportedly planned for 2026

Reports indicate Mauritius intends to launch a 'Golden Visa' in 2026 with a minimum investment around US$1 million, targeting high-growth sectors with rapid processing. Distinct from Mauritius's existing Occupation Permit and real-estate residence routes; not yet confirmed against official Mauritian government sources — flagged for review.

Argentina: citizenship-by-investment program reportedly planned for late 2026

Reports indicate Argentina is preparing a citizenship-by-investment program for Q3/Q4 2026 with an investment threshold around US$500,000. Distinct from Argentina's existing investor residence (Residencia Temporaria Inversionista); not yet confirmed against official Argentine government sources — flagged for review.

Latvia: Long-Stay Visa for Remote Work — standard income-tax rates updated to 2026 brackets (25.5% / 33%)

For the 2026 tax year Latvia's standard progressive personal income tax replaced the former 20%/23%/31% bands with 25.5% on annual income up to EUR 105,300 and 33% above, plus a 3% solidarity surcharge on income over EUR 200,000. The preferential 15% flat rate for qualifying OECD-citizen remote-work visa holders (first 365 days of tax residency) remains in force, and the EUR 4,213/month income threshold and other program terms are unchanged.

Nepal: digital nomad visa reportedly planned for early 2026

News reports indicate Nepal intends to introduce a digital nomad visa in early 2026 with accessible requirements (around US$1,500/month income or US$20,000 in savings). Not yet confirmed against official Nepali government sources — flagged for review, no database entry exists.

United Arab Emirates: Golden Visa (Talented) — new Dubai KHDA nomination pathway for outstanding educators

Dubai launched a dedicated KHDA-administered Golden Visa nomination route for outstanding private-sector educators under Education Strategy 33 (E33). The first cohort of 223 educators was announced on 4 October 2025 (from 435 applications), with a second application round running 15 October to 15 December 2025; selection is merit-based and disregards nationality, gender and years of experience. Existing talent categories, fees and the 10-year duration are unchanged.

Azerbaijan: Highly Skilled Migrant Programme — points criteria reweighted toward work experience (April 2026)

A Cabinet of Ministers decision reported on 6 April 2026 revised the points-based assessment: the maximum score for professional experience rose from 35 to 55 points, and the separate education (0-15) and foreign-language (0-5) scoring criteria were removed. The 70-of-100 passing threshold is unchanged, shifting the assessment toward demonstrated experience over formal credentials.

Georgia: IT Residence Permit — official fees/processing corrected to GEL 500 (90 days) / GEL 750 (60 days)

Re-research against the Public Service Development Agency fee schedule corrected the IT residence permit processing fees and times to GEL 500 for a 90-calendar-day decision or GEL 750 for 60 days, replacing previously listed GEL 300/450/600 tiers (which are the general residence-permit fees, not the IT permit). The USD 25,000 income basis, 3-year/12-year validity and eligible categories are unchanged.

Guatemala: Residence for Intellectuals/Researchers/Scientists — Boleto de Ornato dropped from registration

Under the 2025 migration reform package (Acuerdo IGM-017-2025), the Boleto de Ornato (Municipal Tax Receipt) is no longer required at the resident-registration step. The Guatemalan guarantor requirement remains — only the notarial act of guarantor constitution was removed. The category remains merit-based with no income threshold.

South Korea: Overseas-pension permanent residence — minimum pension income raised to KRW 104.8M (~$73,700/yr) for 2026–2027

The F-5-13 permanent-residence income bar (2x per-capita GNI) rose from KRW 99,910,000 to KRW 104,832,000/year after the Bank of Korea published the 2025 per-capita GNI of KRW 52,416,000; the new threshold applies to applications filed 1 April 2026 – 31 March 2027. Only the applicant's own foreign pension income counts, and the age-60 requirement is unchanged.

El Salvador: Pensioner residency — new 90-day-per-year physical-presence rule (Decreto 531)

Decreto Legislativo No. 531, in force 31 March 2026, now requires temporary residents including pensionados to be physically present in El Salvador at least 90 days per year (continuous or intermittent) to retain their status, replacing the previous cap on absences. The minimum income — USD 1,226.40/month, three times the commerce-sector minimum wage — is unchanged for 2026.

Mauritius: Retired non-citizen permit — duration confirmed at 10 years; no minimum-stay requirement

Re-research against the Economic Development Board corrected the permit duration to 10 years (renewable for further 10-year terms) — the 5-year figure applies only to the permanent-residence holding period — and removed a 180-day annual residency requirement that was discussed in the 2025–2026 budget but never enacted. The USD 2,000/month foreign-income transfer requirement and the new USD 50 application fee (effective 1 December 2025) were confirmed unchanged.

Portugal: D7 visa — 2026 income confirmed at €920/month; salaried income does not count

Re-verification against official sources confirmed the D7 minimum passive income for 2026 is €920/month (€11,040/year — 1x the national minimum wage under Decreto-Lei 139/2025), and that it must be a constant, stable passive-income flow: active or salaried employment income does not count toward the threshold. The 2026 Nationality Law (in force 19 May 2026) lengthens the citizenship timeline to 10 years (7 for EU/CPLP nationals) while permanent residency remains at 5 years.

Latvia: Startup Visa — VC investment milestones corrected to €30,000 (6 months) / €60,000 (18 months)

Re-research against PMLP and the Start-up Companies Law corrected the venture-capital milestone figures: a qualified VC investment of at least €30,000 within 6 months and €60,000 in total within 18 months of the first permit (or an activity report confirming continued product development), replacing the prior “€30,000/€15,000 within 12 months”. Subsistence proof of €500/month per adult and €150/month per minor and the up-to-3-year permit duration were confirmed current; non-official sources were removed.

Sweden: Self-Employment Residence Permit — processing time cut to 15 months; 2026 maintenance figure updated

Re-verification against Migrationsverket confirmed the self-support funds requirement is unchanged (SEK 200,000 for the applicant, plus SEK 100,000 per spouse and SEK 50,000 per child) and fees unchanged, but updated the published first-time processing time from 21 to 15 months and the permanent-residence/extension maintenance figure to the 2026 amount (SEK 6,243/month for a single adult). The new 1 June 2026 labour-immigration salary threshold applies to employee work permits, not to the self-employment permit.

Andorra: Entrepreneur Residence Permit — Llei 2/2026 reaffirms AFA-deposit exemption; 2026 means test updated

Re-research confirmed the Llei 42/2022 entrepreneur-programme permit remains active and unchanged in scope (Article 33 ter; 100-authorization quota split 50 digital nomad / 50 entrepreneur). Llei 2/2026 (“Omnibus 2”, in force 13 February 2026) made the ordinary compte-propi €50,000 AFA payment definitive and non-refundable but preserved the exemption for digital-economy, entrepreneurship and innovation companies. The economic-means test was updated to the 2026 minimum wage (€1,525.33/month, ~€4,576/month at 3×); the €224.61 immigration fee and 1-year renewable duration were confirmed.

Brazil: Innovation Investment Residence — new procedural rule RN 51/2025 mandates MigranteWeb filing

Re-verification against the CNIg text confirmed the RN 13/2017 innovation-investment threshold (BRL 150,000, below the BRL 500,000 general-business level) and all eligibility criteria are unchanged. Resolução CNIG/MJSP nº 51/2025 (DOU, 10 July 2025) amended the governing procedural resolution — vesting labour-immigration competence in the Ministério da Justiça e Segurança Pública, requiring electronic MigranteWeb filing, and adding chronological processing and procedural deadlines. Fees confirmed at R$168.13 (residence authorization) + R$204.77 (CRNM issuance).

Greece: Golden Visa — Law 5275/2026 transposes EU single-permit directive; investment thresholds unchanged

Re-research clarified that Law 5275/2026 (FEK A' 17, 6 February 2026) transposed EU Directive 2024/1233 — the recast single combined residence-and-work permit, modernised D-visa categories, a 3-year EU Blue Card and revised family-reunification documentation, with most provisions applying from 21 May 2026 — but it did NOT change Golden Visa investment thresholds. Those remain governed by Law 5100/2024's three-tier real-estate system: Zone A EUR 800,000 (Attica, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, islands over 3,100 population), EUR 400,000 elsewhere, and EUR 250,000 for commercial-to-residential conversion/restoration. Ministry of Migration Circular No. 1/2026 (22 April 2026) provides the operational guidance.

Latvia: Investor Residence Permit — state-fee schedule corrected; government-bond route slated for removal

Re-verification against the PMLP and the consolidated Immigration Law (in force from 20 May 2026) confirmed the investment thresholds are unchanged (EUR 50,000/100,000 company equity, EUR 250,000 real estate, EUR 280,000 subordinated capital to a credit institution, EUR 250,000 government bonds) along with the one-time state-budget payments. Two corrections were made: the prior application-fee figures were the Russian-Federation 2-year schedule, not the investor schedule (correct standard fees are EUR 100/200/400 examination + EUR 45/90/180 registration); and the 9 December 2025 Cabinet-supported draft amendments — removing the interest-free government-securities route and adding a 60-working-day decision plus a language exemption for investments over EUR 500,000 — were documented as pending, not yet enacted.

Luxembourg: Investor Residence Permit — re-verified current; abolition bill 8586 advanced in committee but not yet voted

Re-verification against guichet.lu confirmed all four investment routes are unchanged and operational: EUR 500,000 in an existing Luxembourg company, EUR 500,000 in a new company creating 5 jobs within 3 years, EUR 3,000,000 in a management/investment structure (75% equity, min. 2 non-owner employees), and EUR 20,000,000 deposited with a Luxembourg financial institution — plus the EUR 80 fee, 3-year renewable permit and 3-month ministerial opinion. The abolition bill projet de loi n. 8586 (tabled 21 July 2025) is now in committee with a rapporteur appointed and amendments adopted 15-16 April 2026, correcting a prior 'no rapporteur' note; it has not been voted and the program remains open to new applications.

Malawi: Business Residence Permit — core facts unchanged; 2026 immigration amendment documented

Re-verification confirmed the USD 50,000 minimum investment, five-year renewable validity, and the USD 2,100 MITC One Stop Service Centre upfront payment are all unchanged for 2026. The refresh added that BRP fees are payable within 30 days of approval, and documented the Immigration (Amendment) Regulations 2026 plus corrigendum (Government Gazette Supplement 2a, 9 January 2026), which introduced a reciprocity-based short-stay visa regime but did not alter Business Residence Permit requirements.

Mexico: Temporary Resident Visa for Investors — 2026 UMA-based threshold confirmed; 15 May 2026 DOF amendment captured

Re-verification confirmed the investor threshold remains 45,850 days of UMA, which at the official 2026 daily UMA of MXN 117.31 (effective 1 February 2026) equals approximately MXN 5,378,664 (about USD 299,000); the economic-solvency (680/11,460 UMA), dependant (220 UMA) and consular (USD 56) figures are unchanged. The Acuerdo published in the Diario Oficial de la Federacion on 15 May 2026 amended the visa Lineamientos to add a strategic-projects knowledge-transfer pathway and tighten job-offer rules but did not change the investor, economic-solvency or dependant thresholds; INM 2026 resident-card fees rose roughly 109%.

Spain: International Telework Visa — switching from a non-lucrative or tourist stay into digital-nomad residency from inside Spain is no longer possible

Spain's UGE-CE confirmed in its official FAQ that holders of a non-lucrative residence (and those on a tourist/visa-exempt stay) cannot obtain the international telework authorization from within Spain, since that status does not authorize work — closing a previously-assumed in-country modification pathway. Such applicants must now apply for the telework visa at a consulate abroad. Social Security registration is also enforced strictly: failure to register (alta) extinguishes the authorization for the holder and dependants. The income threshold is unchanged at 200% of the SMI (~EUR 2,849/month for 2026).

Moldova: Digital Nomad Visa — 2026 income threshold confirmed at ~52,200 MDL/month (3x average salary), correcting the widely reported "EUR 1,300" figure

Re-research against official sources (Invest Moldova, gov.md) confirmed the income requirement is three times Moldova's average forecasted monthly salary, i.e. ~52,200 MDL/month (≈ EUR 2,610 / USD 2,950) for 2026, based on the 17,400 MDL average salary set by Government Decision No. 773 of 17 December 2025. Media reports describing the requirement as "around EUR 1,300/month" conflate the threshold with the 1,300-lei year-on-year increase in the average salary. State fees were also clarified under Law No. 213/2023, and family reunification under Article 38 of Law No. 200/2010.

Bermuda: listed among 2026 digital-nomad visa destinations — no dedicated remote-work program in the database yet

Industry round-ups of 2026 digital-nomad visas list Bermuda (alongside its long-running "Work from Bermuda" one-year residential certificate for remote workers). Bermuda currently has no digital-nomad program in the database — only investor, entrepreneur, and passive-income entries. Flagged for manual review to research and add the Work from Bermuda remote-work certificate.

Nepal: digital nomad visa reported to launch in early 2026 with low income/savings thresholds

News round-ups report Nepal will introduce a digital nomad visa in early 2026 with accessible requirements of roughly USD 1,500/month income or USD 20,000 in savings. No Nepal digital-nomad program exists in the database yet — flagged for manual review pending confirmation from official Nepali government sources.

Nigeria: Highly Skilled Immigrant Visa (N4A) — now under Nigeria Visa Policy 2025; skills recommendation via the Nigerian Skills Gap Assessment (ITF)

Re-research confirmed the N4A is carried forward unchanged under the revised Nigeria Visa Policy 2025 (in force 1 May 2025, superseding NVP 2020), with visa adjudication now centralised at NIS headquarters in Abuja. The official NIS page now names the merit recommendation body as the Nigerian Skills Gap Assessment, administered under the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), rather than a generic 'scarce skills audit'. Eligibility (individual merit, no income threshold) and the 5-year multiple-entry permanent-residence terms are unchanged.

South Korea: Top-Tier (Global Talent) visa expanded and new K-STAR STEM track launched (June 2026)

Effective 1 June 2026, South Korea expanded eligibility for its Top-Tier/Global Talent visa beyond corporate professionals in strategic industries and lifted hiring caps for skilled foreign workers, and introduced a K-STAR visa track for top international talent in STEM fields (AI, biotechnology, advanced engineering) with a streamlined path to long-term residency and eventual citizenship. No South Korea talent program exists in the database yet — flagged for review.

Portugal: D7 Passive Income Visa — new Nationality Law in force, citizenship now needs 10 years (7 for EU/CPLP)

Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026, de 18 de maio entered into force on 19 May 2026, raising the residency requirement for citizenship by naturalisation from a uniform 5 years to 10 years for third-country nationals and 7 years for EU/CPLP nationals. A transitional provision (Art. 7.º n.º 2) preserves the 5-year rule for naturalisation applications already pending on 19 May 2026; only applications filed on or after that date face the longer requirement. The D7 income threshold remains EUR 920/month.

Germany: Self-Employment Residence Permit for Business Founders — fee schedule and over-45 rules corrected

Re-research corrected the §21(3) old-age-provision exemption to the five countries currently named by the Berlin authorities (Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, Sri Lanka) and updated the residence-permit issuance and settlement-permit fee breakdown. The core financial guideline (~€41,000 net annual income for managing directors; €25,000 GmbH share capital) is unchanged.

Hong Kong: Entry for Investment as Entrepreneurs — extension application window clarified

Re-research corrected the extension timing: applications must be filed within three months before the limit of stay expires (and at least six weeks before expiry), not the previously stated four weeks. The required business financial proof was clarified to a three-year forecast (profit-and-loss, cash flow, balance sheet). Fees (HK$600 application + HK$600/HK$1,300 issuance) are unchanged.

Israel: Innovation Visa for Foreign Entrepreneurs — expert-transition route and Tnufa grant updated

Re-research confirmed the program remains active and updated the post-incorporation pathway: founders transition to the B/1 Expert Visa under PIBA Procedure 5.3.0041 (up to 63 months cumulative, salary at least twice the Israeli average wage). The Tnufa (Ideation) incentive grant is now an approved budget of NIS 250,000 at 80% (grant up to NIS 200,000), open before incorporation.

Kazakhstan: C5 Business Immigrant Visa — new 2026 visa-issuance rules and mandatory biometrics

Re-research updated the governing rules to the Joint Order (MFA No. 11-1-4/584 + MIA No. 749) effective 1 January 2026, added mandatory dactyloscopy (fingerprinting) for foreigners aged 16+, and clarified the authorised-capital tiers (0 KZT for small LLPs, 100 MCI ≈ USD 870 for medium/large LLPs, 50,000 MCI for JSCs; 2026 MCI = 4,325 KZT).

New Zealand: Active Investor Plus Visa — Growth category opens to philanthropy (up to 20%) from 1 June 2026

Immigration Minister Hon Erica Stanford announced on 25 May 2026 that, effective 1 June 2026, new Active Investor Plus Growth-category applicants may direct up to 20% of their total investment (a maximum of NZD $1 million of the NZD $5 million minimum) toward philanthropy, with the remaining 80% staying in other acceptable investments. To qualify, the recipient charity must have operated for at least 5 years and hold Tier 1–3 status, or the gift must go to an eligible Department of Conservation project; the gift must benefit New Zealand and cannot personally benefit the applicant. This builds on the 6 March 2026 pathway letting qualifying AIP holders buy or build one NZD $5 million+ residential property; the NZD $5m Growth / NZD $10m Balanced thresholds are otherwise unchanged.

Thailand: Destination Thailand Visa — 500,000 THB bank-balance must be held for 3 months; short-stay visas tightened

Re-verification against official Royal Thai Embassy checklists confirms DTV applicants must hold a bank balance of at least 500,000 THB (~$14,200) maintained for the full 3 months before applying — recent lump-sum top-ups are rejected — while the visa keeps no fixed minimum income, 5-year multiple-entry validity, and 180-day stays per entry. Separately, a 19 May 2026 Thai Cabinet decision revoked the 60-day visa exemption and slashed Visa-on-Arrival eligibility, reinforcing the DTV as the main long-stay route for remote workers.

Georgia: Remotely from Georgia — COVID-era program discontinued; foreign-employer remote workers exempt from new work-permit law

Georgia's new mandatory 'right to work' permit system took effect on 1 March 2026, but the official Law on Labour Migration confirms remote workers earning income from foreign (non-Georgian) employers or clients fall entirely outside its scope and need no Georgian work permit. The COVID-era 'Remotely from Georgia' registration program remains discontinued; visa-free entry (up to 1 year for 90+ nationalities) is still the practical basis for remote stays.

Germany: Freelance Residence Permit — cheaper same-day sticker-label permit option confirmed in fee schedule

Germany's freelance residence permit (§21 AufenthG) now offers a cheaper sticker-label permit (Etikett) at €56 issuance / €49 extension issued same-day, alongside the standard electronic permit (eAT) at €100 / €93 that takes 4–6 weeks to collect. Turkish-national reduced rates (€46 for 24+, €27.60 under 24) and a €6 digital passport-photo terminal fee were also confirmed; the €75 national visa fee, income thresholds, and the 5-year settlement-permit pathway are unchanged.

Nepal: Digital Nomad Visa expected to open in 2026 with a $1,500/month income threshold

Nepal is reported to be finalising a Digital Nomad Visa expected to open for applications in 2026: a 5-year multiple-entry permit (1-year renewable stays) for remote workers earning at least $1,500/month or holding $20,000 in savings, requiring $100,000 health coverage and offering a 5% tax rate on foreign income for stays over 186 days. Not yet officially launched and no program exists in the database — flagged for review.

United Kingdom: Global Talent Visa — dedicated design industry pathway takes effect 1 July 2026

Re-verification against gov.uk one month ahead of commencement confirms the UK Global Talent Visa is adding a dedicated design industry pathway (Arts Council England endorsement expansion under Statement of Changes HC 1691), effective 1 July 2026, alongside a simplified fast-track for applicants with established peer recognition. As of 1 June 2026 the live Appendix Global Talent (last updated 29 April 2026) does not yet contain the design pathway and no further Statement of Changes has landed since 8 April 2026. Fees remain unchanged (£561 endorsement + £205 visa = £766; Immigration Health Surcharge £1,035/year), the route stays non-sponsored and self-determined with grants of 1–5 years, and the B2 English requirement for settlement applies from 26 March 2027.

Kazakhstan: In-Demand Professions PR — holders exempt from new 2026 KAZTEST and points system

Kazakhstan's 2026 permanent-residence pilot (Joint Order of 13 February 2026, in force to 31 December 2026 and revised effective 12 June 2026) now requires general PR applicants to pass a KAZTEST Kazakh-language exam, clear a criteria-based 'immigration potential' points assessment, and show a bank balance of roughly USD 12,000 (1,320 MCI). Holders of in-demand professions are explicitly EXEMPT from the language test and points system, qualifying instead via a petition from the relevant sectoral ministry. Separately, the Ministry of Labour has drafted — but not yet enacted — an expansion of the in-demand professions list from 51 to 174 specialisms, adding nuclear, energy, biotechnology, genomic medicine, water management and healthcare occupations.

Austria: Settlement Permit (Artist) — 2026 income thresholds corrected and €218 fee confirmed

Re-verification against oesterreich.gv.at and the RIS confirms the 2026 figures for the Settlement Permit – Artist: the single-person ASVG reference-rate income threshold is €1,308.39/month (correcting a prior transposed €1,308.93), €2,064.12 for couples and €201.88 per child, with the 'freie Station' deduction at €386.43. The application fee rose to €218 effective 1 January 2026 (from €212), and the income-tax-free threshold is now €13,539 (2025: €13,308). The §43a NAG legal basis, A1 German requirement, AMS artistic-activity assessment and 12-month initial validity are unchanged.

Cyprus: Category D Immigration Permit — now issued by the new Deputy Ministry of Migration

Re-verification confirms Cyprus has completed its immigration reorganisation: the Civil Registry and Migration Department now sits under the new Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection (established by the 2024 law; migration functions transferred from the Ministry of Interior on 17 June 2024), so Category D immigration permits are now granted by the Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection rather than the Minister of Interior. Departmental web content has migrated to gov.cy/mip-md (old mip.gov.cy URLs now redirect). The substantive requirements — being duly qualified with adequate secured income and demand for the profession or science, with no fixed capital minimum — and the €500 + €70 ARC fees are unchanged.

Indonesia: Golden Visa (Global Talent) — re-verified; merit criteria confirmed and statistics refreshed

Re-verification against official immigration sources confirms the Golden Visa Global Talent track (E33A/E33B) is unchanged: world-class talent qualify on merit (e.g. graduation from a top-100 global university or a GPA of 3.5+), with proof of roughly USD 2,000 for living expenses and no investment required, for a 5- or 10-year stay. Program-wide statistics were refreshed to the latest official figures (more than 1,270 Golden Visas issued / about IDR 52 trillion in investment as of 18 May 2026), and the January 2026 IKN/Nusantara investor-threshold reduction was noted as not affecting the merit-based Global Talent route.

South Korea: Top-Tier visa expanded to global AI and science talent (June 2026)

South Korea announced an expansion of its Top-Tier visa from June 2026 to include authors of Science and Nature papers, triadic patent holders, and researchers from top-100 global universities, as part of a broader drive to recruit AI and science talent amid its 2026 population challenge. A new E-7-M 'K-CORE' (Korea College-to-Regional Employment) visa also targets international graduates of domestic vocational colleges. South Korea currently has no dedicated self-sponsored talent program in our database; flagged for manual research once immigration authorities publish detailed eligibility criteria and application channels.

Canada: Start-Up Visa Program suspended to new applicants from 1 January 2026 — pending pilot has no published parameters

Ministerial Instructions signed by the Hon. Lena Metlege Diab on 5 December 2025 (published in Canada Gazette, Part I, Vol. 159, No. 51, 20 December 2025) set the number of new Start-Up Business Class applications accepted for processing in any calendar year to zero, effective 1 January 2026 and continuing until further notice. Applicants holding a valid commitment certificate received by IRCC before that date may still file their permanent-residence application up to 30 June 2026. IRCC's 2026–27 Departmental Plan and a canada.ca notice announce a replacement "high-impact" entrepreneur pilot targeting elite founders within the 500/year federal business-class cap, but no eligibility criteria, intake numbers, application procedure or launch date have been published as of 28 May 2026. Posted processing time for the existing backlog (~44,000–46,000 files) now exceeds 10 years.

Japan: Startup Visa now allows family accompaniment; Jan 2025 nationwide expansion and 2-year stay confirmed

The Immigration Services Agency's Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion Project page now publishes a dedicated application track for family members of Startup Visa holders, covering Certificate of Eligibility, change of status, period extension and status acquisition — reversing a long-standing program limitation that JETRO had publicly flagged. The January 2025 reforms are confirmed: the prior National Strategic Special Zone scheme and the METI nationwide scheme have been consolidated into a single framework available in any prefecture or municipality via a METI-certified Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion Organization, with maximum stay extended from 18 months to 2 years. Confirmation certificates issued from 16 October 2025 onward must meet the simultaneously tightened Business Manager standards (JPY 30M capital, one full-time employee, management qualifications, CEFR B2 Japanese); pre-15 October 2025 certificates are grandfathered.

United States: International Entrepreneur Parole HR-1 fee adjusted to $1,020 for FY 2026; investment thresholds unchanged

The statutory HR-1 International Entrepreneur parole fee adjusts annually with the CPI-U. Per USCIS's April 29, 2026 Interim Final Rule (DHS Docket USCIS-2026-0133), the fee rose by $20 to $1,020 for FY 2026 (a 2.70% CPI-U increase, July 2024 → July 2025), payable on grant of parole and to each accompanying family member. The qualified U.S. investment threshold remains $311,071 and the qualifying government-grant alternative remains $124,429; re-parole revenue and qualified-investor thresholds are likewise unchanged. USCIS published the updated Form G-1055 Fee Schedule (edition 05/06/26) on 6 May 2026; the next triennial adjustment to the 8 CFR §212.19 investment thresholds is scheduled for 1 October 2027.

Italy: Italia Startup Visa included in DPCM 2 October 2025 Flussi 2026–2028 quota; 65% IRPEF de minimis incentive in force from 1 Jan 2025

The Italian government's Decreto del Presidente del Consiglio dei Ministri of 2 October 2025 (Gazzetta Ufficiale n. 240 of 15 October 2025) sets a self-employment (lavoro autonomo) entry quota of 650 per year for 2026–2028, including a 500-unit sub-quota shared among five categories (high-investment entrepreneurs, regulated liberal professionals, company officers under DM 850/2011, artists of established reputation, and foreign nationals intending to constitute an innovative startup). Capital requirements are unchanged (€50,000 to found a new innovative startup, €100,000 to join an existing one). Under Law 193/2024, the maximum registration period as an innovative startup is now 5 years standard, extendable up to 9 years for scale-up companies. From 1 January 2025, individual investors qualify for a 65% IRPEF deduction under a de minimis regime (up to €100,000/year, 3-year holding period, prior MIMIT digital-platform application required).

United Kingdom: Innovator Founder Visa fees unchanged in April 2026 schedule; endorsing-body Legacy list updated and vignettes decommissioned

The Home Office's 8 April 2026 immigration and nationality fees schedule left Innovator Founder fees unchanged — £1,357 outside the UK / £1,693 inside the UK, plus the £1,000 endorsement fee, £500 contact-point meeting fee and £3,226 ILR fee. The four Business Endorsing Bodies that may endorse new applications remain UK Endorsing Services, Innovator International, Envestors Limited and the Global Entrepreneurs Programme; on 16 March 2026 GEP's endorsement scope was narrowed to Innovator Founder only (no longer Scale-up). The Legacy list saw housekeeping removals of Community and Business Partners (17 Feb 2026) and Innovate Britain (20 Apr 2026). Caseworker guidance updated 27 February 2026 confirms vignette stickers are being decommissioned in line with the eVisa rollout. Statement of Changes HC 1333 made a missed contact-point meeting an explicit ground for cancelling permission.

Paraguay: Investor Pass formalised by Resolución MIC No. 0283/2026 — four investment routes with defined conditions

Resolución MIC No. 0283/2026, signed 21 April 2026, is the formal legal instrument behind the Paraguay Investor Pass; it abrogates and replaces Resolución MIC No. 1052/2025 and brings all four investment routes under a single Foreign Investor Certificate (CIE) regime granting direct permanent residency. The resolution defines per-modality conditions: productive investment (USD 70,000 + business plan + 5 jobs); tourism (USD 150,000 + business plan + semi-annual progress reporting); real estate (USD 200,000, no jobs, evidenced by a registered deed or notarised contract with at least 30% paid, personal/family-use property excluded); and financial instruments (USD 200,000, no jobs, minimum 2-year hold + annual reporting). The CIE must be issued within 5 business days of a complete filing. Investment thresholds are unchanged.

Kazakhstan: "Altyn Visa" golden-visa framework introduced by presidential decree (25 April 2026)

A presidential decree signed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on 25 April 2026 launches a broad migration reform shifting Kazakhstan from a quota-and-permit model to an incentive-based system. Its flagship element is a new "Altyn Visa" (Golden Visa) offering tax incentives — exemption from personal income tax, property tax and land tax, exemption from the universal declaration of income and assets, and equal access to government and financial services on par with citizens — to qualifying investors, skilled workers, IT specialists and AIFC tax-residency participants, with eligibility accruing after as little as one month of residence for some categories. It is distinct from the existing A6 investor visa and is not yet operational: phased implementation is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026, with no implementing regulations, application procedure, or fee schedule yet published. Flagged for follow-up.

Portugal: Residence Permit for Highly Qualified Activity — citizenship path extended to 7/10 years; AIMA salary thresholds updated

Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026, de 18 de maio (in force 19 May 2026) amended the Portuguese Nationality Law (Lei n.º 37/81), raising the legal-residency requirement for naturalisation from a uniform 5 years to 7 years for EU and CPLP (Portuguese-speaking) nationals and 10 years for all other nationals, and adding language, civic-knowledge and democratic-allegiance requirements; nationality procedures pending on that date keep the prior 5-year rule. The 5-year permanent-residence path under the Foreigners Law is unchanged. The program's minimum-income highlight was also corrected to AIMA's published Article 90 figures: €2,157/month (1.5x the national average gross salary) for general roles, or €1,725.60/month (1.2x) / €1,018.52/month (2x IAS) for shortage occupations in ISCO groups 1 & 2.

Latvia: Pensioner Residence Permit minimum income raised to €1,231/month from April 2026

Effective 1 April 2026, the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP) recalculated the required pension subsistence for the Temporary Residence Permit for Pensioners to €1,231 per month (up from €1,101). The figure is set as double the average old-age pension disbursed in the previous year, reflecting the higher 2025 average published by the Central Statistical Bureau. The €234/month per-child supplement, retirement age (65), and all other conditions are unchanged.

Belgium: Professional Card for Entrepreneur — Flanders subsistence threshold corrected to 110% of GAMMI

Re-verification against Vlaanderen.be and IBZ found the Flanders "economic added value" stable means-of-subsistence requirement is 110% of the Guaranteed Average Monthly Minimum Income (€2,408.79 net/month after 1 April 2026 indexation, ~€28,905/year, +10% per dependant) — not the family-reunification 120% of income-support metric the file previously cited. The €22,838 initial-capital requirement, €140 application fee + €90/year issuance fee, and €242 D-visa contribution fee (indexed 1 January 2026) are unchanged. Source URLs migrated: Brussels portal moved to economy-employment.brussels and the Vlaanderen.be requirements page was reorganised.

Portugal: Golden Visa — promulgated 10-year nationality law and 2.2% AIMA fee CPI update applied

Two recent changes affect the ARI (Golden Visa) pathway. First, on 3 May 2026 President António José Seguro promulgated Decreto da Assembleia da República n.º 48/XVII amending the Nationality Law (Lei n.º 37/81): once published, the residency requirement for naturalisation doubles from 5 to 10 years (7 years for citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries), counts from the date of the first residence card issuance, and adds tests on Portuguese culture, fundamental rights, and the organisation of the state. The new regime applies only to processes initiated after entry into force — pending citizenship applications remain under the prior 5-year regime. Second, on 1 March 2026 AIMA implemented the annual CPI update to its fee table (Portaria n.º 307/2023, 2.2% increase): ARI application reception €842.80, residence permit issuance €8,418.90, renewal €4,210.30 per person. The €500,000 investment-fund route, 7/14-day minimum stay, and CMVM/60%/no-real-estate fund criteria remain unchanged.

Aruba: Investor/Shareholder permit — Afl. 150,000 threshold harmonised and DIMAS online portal now mandatory

Re-verification against the Handboek Toelating 2023 (in force since 1 February 2023) and DIMAS clarifies several previously misstated parameters. The investor track is harmonised at a single Afl. 150,000 minimum investment (was documented as Afl. 125,000), and the shareholder track now requires 40% of issued share capital plus Afl. 50,000 of company capital (replacing the prior Afl. 250,000 share-value framing). Investments in the designated Oranjestad and San Nicolas downtown zones qualify under a begunstigend beleid that effectively waives the investment-amount requirement. Multi-year shareholder permits up to 5 years are now available against an additional fee, and a vertrouwenspersoon incentive recognises investments of Afl. 1,000,000+. Filing has shifted entirely online via portal.dimasaruba.aw, which has been the exclusive channel since 24 April 2025. Fees per the DIMAS Lijst van Vereisten: AWG 65 retributie + AWG 2,500 leges for the initial permit; AWG 40 + AWG 600 for renewal; waarborgsom AWG 1,000–4,500 by zone.

Azerbaijan: Investor TRP — 7-year 0% tax exemption expired; new progressive scale starts 3% from 2026

The investor permit itself is unchanged (AZN 500,000 in the economy, or AZN 100,000 in real estate, deposits, or securities; 15–20 day processing; AZN 30–480 state fees), but the tax regime affecting resident investors has changed materially. The 7-year 0% personal income tax exemption for non-oil/non-gas private-sector salaries (introduced 1 January 2019) expired on 1 January 2026. Tax Code amendments adopted 21 November 2025 replaced it with a progressive scale: 3% on monthly income up to AZN 2,500 (rising to 5% in 2027 and 7% in 2028); AZN 75 + 10% on AZN 2,500–8,000; AZN 625 + 14% above AZN 8,000. From 28 January 2025 TRP/PRP/work-permit applications can be submitted through the Electronic Government Information System (e-gov.az); a Highly Skilled Migrant electronic portal was regulated by Cabinet of Ministers Decision dated 30 October 2025.

Bahrain: Golden Residency (property owner) — LMRA work-permit fee schedule clarified

Core program parameters are unchanged after re-verification against the official goldenresidency.gov.bh portal: BHD 130,000 (≈USD 345,000) property value, 10-year permit, BHD 305 total NPRA fees, 5-working-day NPRA processing, no minimum stay, and family sponsorship via the standard sponsor link. The LMRA work-permit fee schedule for Golden Residency holders who wish to be salaried is updated from BHD 172/year to BHD 195/year (or BHD 390 for two years) plus BHD 5 admin, with 3-working-day LMRA processing. Investors who are partners in a registered Bahraini establishment remain exempt from a separate LMRA work permit; other holders need one to take salaried employment.

Mauritius: USD 1,000,000 "Golden Visa" scheme announced — distinct from existing OP / IRH / PDS routes

Mauritian authorities have publicly outlined a new "Golden Visa" scheme that would require applicants to sign a written undertaking, at the time of application, pledging to invest USD 1,000,000 in the country within 12 months of issuance. The stated objective is to attract high-net-worth individuals and their families for long-term physical relocation. The proposal sits alongside — not replacing — the existing Occupation Permit (Investor), the Property Development Scheme (PDS) / Real Estate Investment route, the Integrated Resort Scheme (IRH), and the Residence Permit for Retired Non-Citizens. Not yet in our database; flagged for manual follow-up once the implementing legislation, official EDB Mauritius programme page, and application channel are published.

Portugal: D8 Digital Nomad Visa — Lei Orgânica 1/2026 extends naturalisation to 10 years (7 for EU/CPLP)

Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026, de 18 de maio, published in the Diário da República on 18 May 2026 and in force from 19 May 2026, amended Lei n.º 37/81 (Portuguese Nationality Law) to extend the standard naturalisation residency requirement from 5 years to 10 years for most foreign nationals (7 years for EU citizens and CPLP nationals). The D8 visa framework itself and the 5-year permanent residency timeline under the Foreigners Law remain unchanged — D8 holders pursuing citizenship now face a longer path. Administrative procedures pending at the date the law entered into force continue to be governed by the previous 5-year framework. The site's citizenship pathway has been updated accordingly.

El Salvador: Temporary Residency for Rentistas — minimum presence cut to 90 days/year under Decreto 531

Decreto Legislativo No. 531, published in the Diario Oficial on 23 March 2026 and effective from 31 March 2026, reformed El Salvador's Ley Especial de Migración y Extranjería. The reform replaced the previous minimum-presence regime — which effectively required temporary residents not to be absent for more than 6 consecutive or cumulative months — with a far more lenient requirement of just 90 calendar days of physical presence per year, consecutive or accumulated. Exceptions are admitted only for force majeure, demonstrated to the DGME. Failure to meet the 90-day floor is direct grounds for cancellation of temporary resident status. This applies to rentistas alongside all other temporary residents.

Russia: Impatriation Residence Permit operational from 15 April 2026 — operator and digital service launched

Russia's talent-based Impatriation Residence Permit (Presidential Decree No. 883) became operational on 15 April 2026. The autonomous non-profit organization "Agency for Attracting Foreign Talent to Russia" — established by the Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI) — began work as the program's free "single window" operator, and the digital service "Время жить в России" (Time to Live in Russia), developed jointly by ASI and the Ministry of Digital Development, went live the same day for online applications. The operator's published end-to-end processing window is 95–125 days, and recognized impatriates receive a "green corridor": TRP outside the quota, the right to work before formally obtaining status, and an accelerated path to PRP for Russian-speaking applicants. The service is planned to integrate with the Gosuslugi portal.

Sweden: Highly Qualified Persons permit re-verified — major 1 June 2026 work-permit overhaul flagged for downstream transitions

Re-verification against Migrationsverket confirmed the highly qualified job-seeker permit is unchanged (SEK 13,000/month proof of funds, SEK 2,200 fee, 9-month non-renewable duration). Processing times have shortened: 75% of complete applications are now decided within 7 months (8 months for incomplete). Separately, Sweden's standard work-permit overhaul enters into force on 1 June 2026: the salary threshold rises to SEK 33,390/month (90% of median, up from 80% / SEK 29,680), with a new comprehensive health insurance requirement for stays up to one year. These rules do not amend the job-seeker permit itself, but they raise the bar for holders transitioning to a standard work permit; 152 shortage occupations are exempt.

Singapore: ONE Pass (AI and Tech) — new top-tier tech talent track announced for 2026

Singapore announced the introduction of an Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass) variant focused on top-tier AI and tech talent, with more favourable terms than the existing Tech.Pass. The pass is distinct from the current Tech.Pass entry in our database. Flagged for manual research once MOM publishes detailed eligibility, salary thresholds, and application channels.

Vietnam: New UD1 and UD2 talent visas launching 1 July 2026

Vietnam announced two new talent visa categories — UD1 for high-quality professionals and UD2 for accompanying family members — with a launch date of 1 July 2026. These are distinct from the existing Special Visa Exemption Card already in our database and represent Vietnam's first dedicated self-sponsored talent route. Flagged for manual research once the implementing regulations and application procedures are published.

Croatia: Temporary Stay (Property Ownership) — subsistence threshold rises to EUR 869.40/month

The Subsistence Amounts Regulation amendment (NN 3/2026, in force 17 January 2026) added a dedicated 60% of average net salary threshold for the "other purposes" residence category (Article 2(4)), separate from the new 57% general/work threshold. Combined with the 2025 average net salary of EUR 1,449 published by the Croatian Bureau of Statistics, the practical 2026 minimum rises to EUR 869.40/month (was EUR 790.80). A pending April 2026 Aliens Act amendment package (3-year permit validity, mandatory Croatian A1.1, 90-day processing deadline) was submitted to Parliament on 23 April 2026 but is not yet in force.

Ireland: Stamp 0 (Person of Independent Means) — renewals now online-only and authority renamed

Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) confirmed renewals are processed exclusively through the ISD Customer Service online portal — the previous postal route to Burgh Quay is no longer offered, and a passport is no longer required at renewal. The issuing authority has been renamed from "Department of Justice" to "Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration" on all official correspondence. ISD now states an average 4-month processing time for initial applications. A 14 May 2026 ISD notice ended issuance of acknowledgement letters for posted documents. EUR 50,000/year (single) and EUR 100,000 lump-sum requirements are unchanged.

Ghana: Retiree Residence Permit — Non-Citizen Ghana Card renewal fee raised to USD 78/year

The FIMS portal now lists the Non-Citizen Ghana Card renewal fee at USD 78/year (annual) or USD 75/year (multi-year), up from the previously cited USD 60/year. First-issuance fee remains USD 120. The May 2025 GIS dependent residence-permit fee schedule (GHS 388 / GHS 259 / GHS 194) is still in force, and no 2026 amendments have been made to the Immigration Act 2000 (Act 573) or LI 1691. The GIS FAQ has been added as an additional official source confirming retirement as a valid residence-permit purpose.

Germany: Residence Permit for Financially Independent Persons — 2026 Bürgergeld held at EUR 563/month

Bürgergeld Regelbedarf RBS 1 (the social-welfare reference amount used to assess gesicherter Lebensunterhalt under § 2(3) AufenthG) remains EUR 563/month for 2026 — a second consecutive Nullrunde, with the Besitzschutzregelung preventing a calculated reduction to EUR 557. The Aufenthaltsgesetz was most recently amended by Article 2 of the Act of 2 April 2026 (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 95), implementing EU Directive 2017/541; this and six other 2025–2026 amendments left §7(1) sentence 3 (the legal basis for this discretionary residence permit for financially independent persons) untouched. Application/issuance fees under AufenthV §45 are unchanged at EUR 100 / EUR 93–96.

Fiji: Residence Permit on Assured Income — Medical Report and T&C forms updated September 2025

The Ministry of Immigration updated the Medical Report form and Terms & Conditions acknowledgement in September 2025 — applicants must use the latest versions submitted via the IMMI HUB portal. The 8 May 2025 "Adherence to Application Requirements and Processing Guidelines" directive does not affect the assured income permit (it ended QE/SPEC work permit acceptance only). Substantive criteria are unchanged: age 45+, FJD 100,000 deposit (waivable with property purchase), FJD 30,000–40,000 family annual deposits, FJD 650.05 application/extension fee, and a 21-working-day processing target. No amendments to Section 48 of Immigration Regulations 2007 have been published.

Canada: Start-Up Visa Program paused — intake set to zero from January 1, 2026

IRCC's Ministerial Instructions published in Canada Gazette Part I, Vol. 159, No. 51 (20 December 2025) set intake for the Start-Up Business Class to zero effective 1 January 2026, pausing the program until further notice. Applicants holding a valid 2025 commitment certificate may still apply by 30 June 2026 under transitional provisions. The 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan cut federal business class admissions to 500/year (down from 2,000 in 2025). IRCC's 2026–27 Departmental Plan confirms a new "high impact" Start-Up Visa pilot targeting elite entrepreneurs will replace the program, but parameters have not been published as of mid-May 2026. Bill C-12 (Royal Assent 26 March 2026) grants IRCC new powers to cancel, suspend, or change large groups of immigration applications — expected to be used on the ~44,000-application SUV backlog, particularly applications linked to incubators where integrity concerns have been identified.

United States: International Entrepreneur Parole — HR-1 parole fee codified by DHS Interim Final Rule

DHS published an Interim Final Rule on 29 April 2026 (91 FR doc 2026-08333), effective 29 May 2026, codifying the statutory parole fees imposed by the H.R.1 Reconciliation Bill (One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Pub. L. 119-21). USCIS confirmed the FY 2026 inflation-adjusted parole fee at $1,020 per applicant. The IER monetary thresholds remain unchanged ($311,071 qualified investment / $124,429 qualified government award/grant / $622,142 for re-parole), with the next triennial inflation adjustment scheduled for 1 October 2027. Form I-941 remains at the 01/20/25 edition. The program continues to grant up to 2.5 years of initial parole and up to 2.5 years of re-parole based on demonstrated business growth.

Spain: Entrepreneur Visa — IPREM frozen at €600/month, ENISA unifies financing into a single "Startups y pymes" line

Verification against official sources confirms the Entrepreneur Visa (Ley 14/2013) financial-means threshold remains IPREM-based, with IPREM frozen at €600/month (100%) for the main applicant and €300/month (50%) per family member because no new General State Budget has been approved for 2024, 2025, or 2026 — refuting third-party claims of a ~€3,000/month requirement. Real Decreto 316/2026 (in force from 22 April 2026) updates Reglamento de Extranjería provisions but does not amend the entrepreneur regime. ENISA has consolidated its prior Young, Growth, and Emprendedoras financing lines into a single "Startups y pymes" line under the FEPYME mechanism with an indicative 2026 budget of around €303M, retaining the participation-loan model that backs entrepreneur and startup applications. Orden PJC/44/2026 publishes the 2026 EU Blue Card salary threshold (relevant for the parallel highly-qualified residence path).

Austria: Red-White-Red Card for Start-up Founders — application fee raised to €218 effective 1 January 2026

Verification against migration.gv.at, oesterreich.gv.at, and the RIS (Federal Legal Information System) confirms all substantive eligibility criteria for the Red-White-Red Card for Start-up Founders remain in force for 2026: €30,000 minimum founding capital with at least 50% equity from the applicant, 50-of-85 points threshold on the Anlage D AuslBG points scheme, and dedicated AMS expert evaluation of the business plan. The application fee rose from €212 to €218 effective 1 January 2026. The most recent NAG amendments (BGBl I Nr. 50/2025, 70/2025, 87/2025) do not touch §41 start-up founder provisions.

United Arab Emirates: Golden Visa (Entrepreneur) — entrepreneur thresholds unchanged, broader programme expanded to new categories

Verification against u.ae, GDRFA Dubai, the ICP Federal Authority's Golden Residency service page (last updated 23 March 2026), MoET and ADRO confirms the three entrepreneur Golden Visa pathways remain in force: a registered SME with at least AED 500,000 in capital backed by an approved auditor and authority (innovation pathway), a registered SME with annual revenue of at least AED 1,000,000, or a founder of a successful start-up sold for at least AED 7,000,000. The 5-year renewable duration is unchanged. The May 2025 expansion of the broader Golden Visa programme (nurses, educators, creators/influencers, e-sports professionals, luxury yacht owners, Waqf donors) adds new categories alongside the entrepreneur pathway but does not modify entrepreneur eligibility.

UAE: Golden Visa (Investor) — reported Feb 2026 federal circular removes 50% upfront-cash rule for property route

Industry advisories report that a federal policy circular dated around 20 February 2026 removed the previously applied 50% upfront cash-payment requirement (AED 1,000,000 minimum paid) for the property-linked Golden Visa, and clarified that the AED 2,000,000 threshold is assessed against the total contracted value of title deeds and/or Oqood off-plan contracts — so off-plan, mortgaged, and combined-deed purchases all qualify (bank NOC still required for mortgaged units). Official UAE primary sources (u.ae, ICP, GDRFA Dubai, DLD) do not yet reference the change as of 13 May 2026, so applicants should verify directly with GDRFA or DLD before relying on it. Separately, on 29 April 2026, DLD removed the AED 750,000 floor for the unrelated 2-year Taskeen property-investor visa — the 10-year Golden Visa still requires AED 2,000,000.

Saint Lucia: CBI — Eastern Caribbean ECCIRA reforms announced but not yet in force; $240k NEF baseline confirmed

On 23 September 2025, all five OECS CBI states signed the ECCIRA Agreement, which would introduce a regional regulator (headquartered in Grenada), mandatory biometrics, a 30-day residency obligation within 5 years (5 days in year one), a civic-orientation programme, and a 5-year passport convertible to 10 years on compliance. Four of five states have ratified, but Saint Lucia did not complete ratification before its 1 December 2025 general election dissolved Parliament — implementation across the bloc is postponed to at least mid-2026. The USD 240,000 NEF baseline (effective 1 July 2024 under the Caribbean MOA) remains in force; the public CIP Saint Lucia FAQ page still shows legacy figures but is out of date — the dedicated investment-options page is authoritative.

Grenada: CBI — ECCIRA Agreement ratified; planned 2026 repeal-and-replace of 2013 CBI Act

Grenada has ratified the September 2025 ECCIRA Agreement, with both Houses of Parliament approving the enabling legislation in late 2025. The Agreement establishes a regional CBI regulator headquartered in Grenada and introduces mandatory biometrics, a 30-day residency obligation within 5 years, civic-orientation requirements, and a 5-year passport convertible to 10 years on compliance. The new requirements are not yet binding — they await ECCIRA operational launch (mid-2026) and a planned repeal-and-replace of the 2013 CBI Act announced by Finance Minister Cornwall on 1 December 2025 as part of the 2026 budget. The USD 235,000 NTF baseline (effective 1 July 2024 under the Caribbean MOA) remains in force.

Andorra: Llei 2/2026 makes AFA payments non-refundable and raises amounts to €50,000 / €12,000

Llei 2/2026 del 22 de gener (the "Llei Òmnibus 2"), in force from 13 February 2026, converts the AFA financial-authority deposit for residence without work permits — including the Scientific, Cultural and Sporting Interest category — into a definitive, non-refundable contribution to the State. The principal amount rises from a refundable €47,500 deposit to a €50,000 final payment, and the per-dependant amount rises from €9,500 to €12,000. Refunds are now only available if the initial authorization is denied. The law also raised the minimum investment for the separate passive-residence category from €600,000 to €1,000,000, but that change does not affect the scientific/cultural/sporting interest category (which remains investment-exempt).

China: K Visa for foreign STEM talent launched October 2025

China introduced the K Visa, its first dedicated talent visa for foreign STEM professionals, via State Council Decree No. 814 (August 2025) and effective from 1 October 2025. The visa is fully self-sponsored — no employer, job offer, or invitation letter is required — and multi-entry for up to five years, with each stay up to 180 days. Eligibility is open to young STEM graduates (bachelor's or higher from a recognised institution in engineering, mathematics, computer science, life sciences, physical sciences, or related disciplines) and to researchers or teachers actively employed at recognised institutions. Holders may work, study, conduct research, or start a business. Not yet in our database; flagged for manual follow-up once Chinese consular practice and the implementing rules stabilise.

Portugal: D7 Passive Income Visa — President promulgates new Nationality Law extending citizenship timeline to 10 years (7 for EU/CPLP)

On 3 May 2026 President António José Seguro promulgated Decree 48/XVII amending Lei n.º 37/81 (the Nationality Law). Once published in the Diário da República, the law extends the residence requirement for naturalisation from 5 to 10 years for third-country nationals (7 years for EU and CPLP nationals), counts residency from the date of issuance of the first residence permit card, and bars applicants with criminal convictions of 3+ years. A transitional provision preserves the existing 5-year rule for naturalisation procedures already pending on the entry-into-force date. The D7 visa itself remains unchanged — €920/month minimum income for 2026 — but D7 holders planning to naturalise should now expect a longer path. Decree 49/XVII (Criminal Code, loss of nationality as accessory penalty) remains under preventive constitutional review.

UAE: Retirement Visa — federal vs Dubai income thresholds clarified

Re-verification against u.ae, Dubai GDRFA and ICP confirmed that the federal Retirement Visa baseline is AED 180,000/year (~AED 15,000/month) in passive income or pension, while Dubai applies a higher AED 240,000/year (~AED 20,000/month) threshold. Property and savings options (AED 1m property; AED 1m fixed deposit) and the 5-year renewable validity for applicants 55+ are unchanged. The financial highlight on the site has been corrected to reflect the federal threshold as the primary figure.

Austria: Settlement Permit (Privatiers) — 2026 quota raised to 450 places

The Niederlassungsverordnung 2026 (Settlement Ordinance) raises the nationwide annual quota for the Niederlassungsbewilligung – ausgenommen Erwerbstätigkeit (Privatiers) category from approximately 400 to 450 places. The 2026 ASVG §293 reference rates that determine the financial-means threshold (€1,308.39 single, €2,064.12 couple, €201.88 per child — all required at 2x for 12 months) and the €218 application fee remain in force. The A1 German pre-arrival requirement and embassy-based pre-registration system are unchanged.

Belgium: Rentier Residence Permit — RIS reference indexed to €1,340.47/month from 1 March 2026

The revenu d'intégration sociale (RIS) for an isolated person was re-indexed to €1,340.47/month effective 1 March 2026, raising the practical floor for sufficient-resources proof on the rentier (passive income) residence pathway. The family-reunification income threshold (110% of GAMMI) was likewise indexed to €2,408.79 net/month from 1 April 2026. The previously-cited family-reunification amendment is now identified as the Law of 18 July 2025 (in force 18 August 2025), not the earlier rumored 2024 law. D-visa fee (€180) and rentier redevance (€242) are unchanged.

Bulgaria: Continuous Residence Permit for Pensioners — 2026 minimum wage and pension figures updated

From 1 January 2026 Bulgaria's national minimum wage rose to BGN 1,213 / EUR 620.20 (a 12.6% increase) and the minimum old-age pension to EUR 322.37, rising further to EUR 346.87 from 1 July 2026. The June 2025 amendment to the Foreigners Act (SG No. 52, 27 June 2025) restructured Article 24(1) but did NOT change item 10 (the pensioner ground), so substantive eligibility for retirees on this continuous residence permit is unchanged. Health insurance, accommodation and pension-receipt-in-Bulgaria requirements remain in force.

United Kingdom: Innovator Founder Visa — PhD switching threshold confirmed at 12 months

The Home Office Innovator Founder caseworker guidance — the operationally binding source for UKVI decision-makers — sets the minimum PhD course duration for Student visa holders switching into the route at 12 months, not 24 months as still shown on the user-facing GOV.UK switch page. Site copy has been corrected to reflect the caseworker guidance. The Migration Advisory Committee call for evidence on Global Talent and Innovator Founder closed on 1 May 2026; recommendations are awaited.

Nepal: digital nomad visa reportedly launching in early 2026

Multiple international travel and immigration publications reported in early 2026 that Nepal plans to launch a digital nomad visa with accessible thresholds of around USD 1,500/month income or USD 20,000 in savings. As of 5 May 2026, the Department of Immigration of Nepal has not yet published official guidelines or an application page, and no implementing notice could be located on the Ministry of Home Affairs portal. Flagged for manual follow-up; if/when the program is confirmed by an official source it should be added to the database.

Kazakhstan: B9 In-Demand Professions visa — President Tokayev signs decree launching new Golden Visa programme to consolidate talent visa categories

On 2 May 2026 President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree launching a comprehensive overhaul of Kazakhstan's migration policy. A new Golden Visa framework is expected to consolidate or supersede the current B9 in-demand professions visa with three new categories: a business visa for investors and entrepreneurs, a skilled worker visa for scientists, medical professionals, cultural figures and graduates of leading international universities (with automatic recognition of foreign diplomas), and a temporary worker visa for specialists in government-approved investment projects. IT professionals will be able to have their visa processed in approximately one month. Golden Visa holders receive tax exemptions on personal income, property and land taxes, plus access to government services comparable to Kazakh citizens. A new unified QazETA digital platform will allow remote one-stop applications, including an e-Residency module. The government has been instructed to complete the reforms by the end of 2026; the existing B9 framework remains in effect until implementing legislation is issued.

Mexico: Permanent Resident Visa for Retirees — INM card fees roughly doubled in 2026 under Reforma 62 to the LFD

On 7 November 2025 Mexico published Reforma 62 to the Ley Federal de Derechos in the DOF, raising INM migratory tariffs by approximately 109% effective 1 January 2026. The standard permanent resident card fee (Article 8, Fraction VII LFD) jumped from MXN 6,494 to MXN 13,578.96. The new 50% statutory reduction applies only to family-unity, employer-offer, or non-profit-invitation cases — NOT to direct retiree/pensioner permanent residence by economic solvency. Underlying UMA-based income/savings thresholds (1,140 UMA monthly income, 45,850 UMA savings) remain unchanged; USD equivalents on the site refreshed to ~USD 7,650/month and ~USD 307,000 savings using the 2026 UMA value of MXN 117.31/day.

Costa Rica: Pensionado — proposed minimum-income increase NOT enacted; USD 1,000/month threshold remains in force

During April–May 2026 there was widely-reported speculation about a Costa Rican government proposal to raise the Pensionado minimum monthly pension threshold (currently USD 1,000) with no grandfathering for existing residents. Verified against La Gaceta and the Asamblea Legislativa SIL: as of 1 May 2026, no such reform has been published in La Gaceta, no DGME executive decree has been issued, and no bill has been enacted. The most recent DGME publication (Alcance N° 148, 17 November 2025) deals only with consular entry-visa categories. The 10-year tax incentive lock-in window under Law 9996 still expires in July 2026.

Costa Rica: Rentista — USD 2,500/month and USD 60,000 deposit thresholds confirmed unchanged for 2026

Re-verified against DGME and La Gaceta on 1 May 2026: the Rentista minimum stable-income threshold of USD 2,500/month for two years (or alternative USD 60,000 deposit, subject to existing prohibition on simulated fixed-term deposits) remains in force unchanged. The April–May 2026 commentary about possible passive-income reforms has not produced any enacted change to the Rentista category. The 10-year Law 9996 tax incentive enrolment window still closes in July 2026.

Portugal: D7 — AIMA fees raised ~33% effective 1 March 2026; 10-year citizenship reform awaits presidential decision

AIMA published an updated Tabela de Taxas effective 1 March 2026 raising most categories by approximately 33%. The granting/renewal fee for a temporary residence authorization (Article 75.º, n.º 1) — the operational AIMA fee for D7 holders — rose from EUR 170.40 to EUR 307.20. Separately, on 1 April 2026 Parliament approved Decree 48/XVII reforming the Lei da Nacionalidade to require 10 years of residency for citizenship (7 for EU/CPLP nationals), counting residency from card issuance. The decree was sent to President António José Seguro on 13 April 2026. As of 1 May 2026 it has not been promulgated; the existing 5-year rule under Lei n.º 37/81 remains operative for all current naturalisation applications.

Spain: Non-Lucrative Visa — IPREM-based income threshold unchanged; "termination letter" requirement clarified as consulate-specific practice

Re-verified against the BOE and consular sites on 1 May 2026: the 2026 IPREM remains EUR 600/month / EUR 7,200/year (12 payments) under Ley 31/2022, prorogued because no new General State Budget for 2026 has been enacted. The 400% IPREM principal-applicant requirement (~EUR 28,800/year) and 100% per dependant under RD 1155/2024 are unchanged. The widely-reported "termination letter or notarized affidavit proving cessation of employment" is a consulate-level documentation practice — mandatory in LA, Houston and Bogotá, advisable in Washington, and NOT listed on Manchester or Ottawa pages — rather than a uniform MAEC rule codified in the Reglamento.

Greece: Golden Visa — Circular 1/2026 (22 April 2026) cracks down on fraud and tightens conversion-pathway rules

On 22 April 2026, the Ministry of Migration and Asylum published Circular No. 1/2026, a 31-page directive signed by Secretary General Konstantina Papakosta. It instructs one-stop services to refer misleading property advertisements and sham investments to AADE and the Hellenic Anti-Money Laundering Authority (with possible permit revocation), and clarifies 22 procedural questions — most notably that the €250,000 commercial-to-residential conversion pathway only qualifies if the conversion occurred after 5 April 2024 and that residential-to-commercial-back-to-residential reclassifications do not qualify.

Antigua and Barbuda: CBI — ECCIRA regional regulator (signed 22 September 2025, headquartered in Grenada) and April 2026 postponement of mandatory residency

Antigua and Barbuda joined the four other Eastern Caribbean CBI states in signing the agreement establishing the Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority (ECCIRA), a single regional regulator with binding standards-setting, agent-licensing, shared-registry, and uniform-vetting powers, headquartered in Grenada. ECCIRA was originally targeted for an April 2026 launch but its full operational rollout is now reported to slip to June 2026. In April 2026, the participating jurisdictions (including Antigua and Barbuda) postponed introduction of the mandatory 30-day residency rule by approximately six months, until mid-2026.

Saint Kitts and Nevis: CBI — biometric enrolment from 14 April 2026; mandatory 30-day residency phased in (with mid-2026 postponement); ECCIRA accession

On 8 January 2026, the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis announced two structural CBI reforms: a mandatory physical residency requirement (30 cumulative days within the first 5 years, including 5 days in year 1), replacing the historical no-residency rule with a "genuine-link" framework; and global biometric data collection from CBI applicants worldwide. The biometric component was operationalised by the National Biometric Enrolment and Passport Modernisation Programme effective 14 April 2026. Saint Kitts and Nevis also signed the September 2025 ECCIRA agreement (single regional regulator, headquartered in Grenada) — full operational launch reportedly slipped to June 2026, and the participating jurisdictions postponed introduction of the mandatory 30-day residency rule by approximately six months, until mid-2026.

Paraguay: Investor Pass launched 17 April 2026 — investment-based path to immediate permanent residency from $150,000

Reports indicate Paraguay launched the Paraguay Investor Pass on 17 April 2026 — a new investment-based pathway to immediate permanent residency requiring USD 150,000 to USD 200,000 in real estate, securities, or tourism, with visits required once every three years, permanent status held for a decade, and citizenship eligibility after three years. This is potentially distinct from Paraguay's existing SUACE-based investor residence and is flagged here for review and possible addition as a separate program.

Japan: Future Creation Individual Visa (J-Find) — January 2026 university list (85 schools); ISA online-system update; fee-hike bill pending

The Immigration Services Agency refreshed the J-Find–eligible university list (As of January 2026, 85 universities) and updated its online application system to specifically support J-Find Change-of-Status and Extension filings. A bill submitted to the 217th Diet would raise statutory upper-limit fees (Change-of-Status / Extension up to JPY 100,000; Permanent Residence up to JPY 300,000) on a future Cabinet-Order date no later than 31 March 2027 — current fees still apply. The new JESTA pre-screening (FY2028) does not affect J-Find since it targets visa-exempt short-stay travel.

Turkey: Turquoise Card — 2026 valuable-paper fee set; redesigned cards with QR-code verification

The 2026 work permit / valuable-paper fee schedule (964.00 TRY) was formally established by Fees Law General Communiqué Serial No. 98 (Official Gazette No. 33124, 31 December 2025), effective 1 January 2026. From March 2026 the Directorate General began issuing newly designed Turquoise Card / work permit documents with enhanced anti-counterfeiting features and QR-code verification via izinsorgula.csgb.gov.tr. The Turquoise Card Regulation itself (14 March 2017) has not been substantively amended.

Ukraine: Highly Qualified IT Specialist permit — new 2026 specialty list and multiple-citizenship pathway from 16 January 2026

Ministry of Economy Order No. 3663 of 3 March 2026 superseded Order No. 574/2025 as the current annual list of immigration specialties for highly qualified IT roles. Law No. 4502-IX of 18 June 2025 entered into force on 16 January 2026, formally legalizing controlled multiple citizenship for nationals of an initial set of countries (US, Canada, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic) — qualifying applicants can now naturalize without renouncing their original citizenship. Martial law has been extended (18th time) to 4 May 2026; the immigration permit and naturalization processes remain operational.

United States: EB-1A — premium processing rises to $2,965 (1 March 2026); enhanced vetting under EO 14161; April 2026 Visa Bulletin

Form I-907 premium processing for I-140 increased to $2,965 effective 1 March 2026 (from $2,805). Executive Order 14161 (20 January 2025) and the new USCIS Vetting Center in Atlanta (announced December 2025) strengthen screening across all immigration petitions, with potential processing impacts. April 2026 Visa Bulletin: EB-1 is current for All Chargeability Areas; India and China-mainland show 1 April 2023 (final action) / 1 December 2023 (dates for filing), with the State Department flagging possible later-FY26 retrogression. The $715 I-140 base filing fee is unchanged after FY 2026 inflation rounding.

United States: EB-2 NIW — separate discretionary analysis (PA-2025-16); country-specific factors and INA 212(f) added; premium processing now $2,965

USCIS Policy Alert PA-2025-16 (19 August 2025) confirmed that the National Interest Waiver — alongside EB-5 — is the only EB petition type subject to a separate discretionary analysis, with anti-American activity and support for antisemitic terrorism / ideologies designated as overwhelmingly negative factors and expanded social-media vetting. The 27 November 2025 Policy Manual update (Vol 9, Part A, Ch 5) directs officers to weigh country-specific facts and the impact of INA 212(f) / Presidential Proclamation 10949 in that analysis. Premium processing for I-140 rose to $2,965 on 1 March 2026; FY 2026 HR-1 inflation rounding leaves the $715 I-140 fee and $300/$600 Asylum Program Fee unchanged. April 2026 Visa Bulletin: EB-2 worldwide is current; India 15 July 2014 / China 1 September 2021 (final action), with retrogression warning later in FY26.

Philippines: SRRV — Clark Satellite Office closing 15 April 2026; new ID photo requirement

The PRA Clark Satellite Office temporarily closes effective 15 April 2026; Central Luzon retirees will be served through the Makati Head Office and a new SRRV Service Caravan from 1 May 2026. As of October 2025, all SRRV holders must submit a fresh photograph when renewing their PRA ID cards. The September 2025 restructure (age lowered to 40, age-tiered deposits, Smile/Human Touch categories retired, USD 1,500 processing fee, Bureau of Immigration Clearance Certificate requirement) remains in force.

South Africa: Retired Person's Visa — Cabinet approves White Paper proposing age 55 minimum and higher income thresholds

The Revised White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection was approved by Cabinet on 26 March 2026. It proposes introducing a minimum age threshold (targeted at 55) for the Retired Person's Visa, raising financial requirements in line with the cost of living, and allowing waivers only in exceptional cases. The DHA is now drafting legislative amendments for Parliament; current rules (ZAR 37,000/month, no age minimum) remain in force until the legislation is enacted.

France: Talent Porteur de Projet (Business Creation) — fiscal stamp rises 1 May 2026; A2/civic precondition does not apply (CIR exemption)

The 2026 Finance Law (LOI 2026-103, Art. 128) increases the fiscal stamp for residence titles from 1 May 2026; service-public.fr confirms the rise but the new per-category amount has not yet been published. Décret 2025-647 introduces an A2 French and civic-exam precondition for first-issuance multi-year residence cards from 1 January 2026, but talent-porteur de projet holders are statutorily exempt from CIR under CESEDA Art. L413-7.

France: Talent Porteur de Projet (Innovative Project / French Tech Visa) — fiscal stamp rises 1 May 2026; A2/civic precondition does not apply (CIR exemption)

The 2026 Finance Law (LOI 2026-103, Art. 128) increases the fiscal stamp for residence titles from 1 May 2026; service-public.fr confirms the rise but the new per-category amount has not yet been published. Décret 2025-647 introduces an A2 French and civic-exam precondition for first-issuance multi-year residence cards from 1 January 2026, but talent-porteur de projet holders are statutorily exempt from CIR under CESEDA Art. L413-7.

Canada: New high-impact Start-Up Visa pilot to replace paused SUV program

IRCC paused the existing Start-Up Visa Program effective 1 January 2026 (transitional applicants with 2025 commitment certificates may apply until 30 June 2026). A new high-impact pilot focused on elite entrepreneurs is planned, with parameters expected to include shorter processing, sector-specific quotas (cleantech, AI, life sciences), and mandatory performance milestones. Detailed program parameters had not been published as of April 2026.

Paraguay: Investor Residency — 'Paraguay Investor Pass' expansion adds USD 150k–200k tourism, real estate, and securities routes

On 17 April 2026, Paraguay rebranded and expanded its SUACE investor residency as the 'Paraguay Investor Pass'. New investment routes added on top of the existing USD 70,000 productive-investment route (with 5 local jobs): USD 150,000 tourism projects; USD 200,000 Paraguayan real estate; USD 200,000 stock-exchange securities — the last two waive job creation. Resolución MIC No. 1052/2025 (19 Sept 2025) also caps investor-certificate issuance at 5 business days and replaces notarisation with digital sworn statements.

UAE: Golden Visa (Investor) — GDRFA–DLD MoU unifies real-estate residency services under a single digital channel

On 11 April 2026, the Dubai Land Department and GDRFA–Dubai signed an MoU consolidating three real-estate residency services — Golden Residency, Retiree Residency and Property Residency — onto a single GDRFA-managed digital channel. Fee corrections (DLD initial AED 9,884.75; family sponsorship AED 5,774.50 + AED 318.75 file-opening) were applied. Widely reported claims of a '50% cash payment removal' for the property-based Golden Visa could not be verified against any official UAE government source as of April 2026.

Argentina: Investor Residency — unchanged; new Citizenship-by-Investment route approved but not yet operational

The Residencia Temporaria Inversionista is unchanged: ARS 1,500,000 minimum investment under Art. 23(d) of Ley 25.871 / Decreto 616/2010. Separately, DNU 366/2025 (Art. 38) added Article 2 bis to the Citizenship Law No. 346, creating a direct Citizenship-by-Investment route regulated by Decreto 524/2025 (31 July 2025). As of April 2026 the Ministerio de Economía has not published the complementary resolution defining qualifying investment amounts, so the CBI pathway is approved in law but not yet operational. DNU 366/2025 also introduced a health-insurance requirement for non-permanent residents and reduced precarious-residency validity from 180 to 90 days.

South Korea: IISPB — thresholds unchanged; new mandatory online employment reporting for F-2 holders from January 2026

Re-verification confirmed the June 2023 thresholds remain in force: KRW 1.5 billion for F-2-12 residence; KRW 3 billion for direct F-5-25 permanent residence. From 2 January 2026, F-2-12 investor-residence holders must report employment changes online via Hi Korea within 15 days of any change (F-5-25 permanent residents are exempt). The Ministry of Justice's 3 March 2026 '2030 Immigration Policy Future Strategy' focuses on Top-Tier Visa expansion for advanced-industry talent and does not modify IISPB.

South Korea: Tourism and Leisure Facility Investment Immigration — sunset extended to 31 December 2027

In February 2026, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province and the Ministry of Justice extended the programme's sunset from 30 April 2026 to 31 December 2027 (an additional ~20 months). Investment threshold (KRW 1 billion), eligible property types, designated zones (Jeju, IFEZ Songdo/Yeongjong/Cheongna, Pyeongchang Alpensia, Yeosu Gyeongdo, Busan), F-2-8 visa structure, and 5-year F-5 conversion path remain unchanged. IFEZ's official portal has been updated to reflect the new expiry date.

Cyprus: Digital Nomad Visa — 60-day tax residency rule loosened for mobile nomads from 1 January 2026

The Cyprus tax reform approved by Parliament on 22 December 2025 (Government Gazette, 31 December 2025) removed the "no tax residency elsewhere" condition from the 60-day tax residency rule effective 1 January 2026. Dual-residency conflicts are now resolved via tax treaty tie-breakers, making Cyprus tax residency substantially more accessible to highly mobile digital nomads. Core programme parameters (€3,500/month net income, 1,000-permit annual quota, 1+2-year duration) are unchanged.

Indonesia: Remote Worker KITAS (E33G) — now issued by new Kemenimipas, in-person biometrics required for renewals

Under Presidential Regulation No. 157 of 2024 (5 November 2024), immigration services transferred from Kemenkumham to the new Ministry of Immigration and Corrections (Kementerian Imigrasi dan Pemasyarakatan / Kemenimipas). Immigration Circular IMI-417.GR.01.01 of 2025, effective 21 May 2025, ended online-only ITAS renewals: all E33G renewal applicants must now attend a local immigration office in person for biometrics. Substantive eligibility rules (USD 60,000/year income, USD 2,000 bank balance, 1+1-year duration) are unchanged.

Spain: International Telework Visa — UGE-CE tightens Social Security enforcement in practice

Practitioner reports in early 2026 describe the Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos (UGE-CE) enforcing Social Security affiliation requirements more strictly, with bilateral-agreement substitution (US SSA Certificate of Coverage, UK HMRC A1, etc.) as the main alternative for non-EU applicants. No amendment to Ley 28/2022 and no new BOE-published joint instruction supersedes the April 2023 framework, but applicants should budget for closer documentation scrutiny on social-security compliance.

Philippines: Digital Nomad Visa — implementing guidelines still unpublished nearly a year after Executive Order

Executive Order No. 86, s. 2025 (signed 24 April 2025) directed the DFA, DOJ, DOT, BI and BIR to issue implementing guidelines within 30 days. As of 21 April 2026 no implementing guidelines, official income threshold, application fee, dependant provisions, or reciprocity country list have been published on officialgazette.gov.ph, dfa.gov.ph, immigration.gov.ph, pco.gov.ph or evisa.gov.ph. Widely circulated third-party figures (USD 24,000/year income, ~USD 200–300 fee) remain unofficial; the e-Visa portal does not list DNV as a distinct visa category.

Ecuador: Visa Nómada — minimum income rises with 2026 basic salary increase to USD 482

The Ministerio del Trabajo confirmed the 2026 Salario Básico Unificado at USD 482, raising the Visa Nómada minimum income threshold to USD 1,446/month (3 × SBU). The October 2025 LOMH reform and the eVISAS online-filing framework (serviciosdigitales.cancilleria.gob.ec) remain in force with no new Acuerdo Ministerial affecting the programme in 2026.

Nepal: Digital Nomad Visa flagged for launch in 2026 — not yet legislated

Third-party immigration trackers report Nepal will introduce a digital nomad visa in early 2026 with very accessible requirements (~USD 1,500/month income or USD 20,000 in savings). The scheme was announced in May 2025 but as of April 2026 had not yet been legislated or made operational by the Department of Immigration. Not yet in the NomadVisa database — flagged for monitoring.

United Kingdom: Global Talent Visa — new design industry endorsement pathway commences 1 July 2026

Statement of Changes HC 1691 (laid 5 March 2026) introduces a dedicated design industry endorsement track under Appendix Global Talent from 1 July 2026, alongside a simplified appointments fast-track for PhD-level academic, research and innovation roles. Settlement English requirement rises from CEFR B1 to B2 on 26 March 2027 via Appendix KoLL. The 8 January 2026 B2 increase under HC 1333 applies only to Skilled Worker, Scale-up and High Potential Individual — not Global Talent.

Bahrain: Golden Residency for Talented Individuals — clarified as permanent residency with no minimum-stay rule

NPRA and the Golden Residency portal now frame the programme as permanent residency with a BHD 300 administrative renewal every 10 years rather than a 10-year permit, and the official FAQ explicitly confirms no minimum-stay requirement (removing the previously reported 90-days-per-year figure). Eligibility aligned to the six official categories: entrepreneurs, researchers/scientists, artists/creatives, innovators, athletes, and other exceptional talent, with a higher-education priority-specialisation requirement for academics.

Saudi Arabia: Gifted Premium Residency — Nitaqat exemption confirmed, qualifying sports and cultural fields enumerated

Review against the Premium Residency Center and Bureau of Experts sources confirmed no new Royal Decree since M/84 (January 2024). Holders are exempt from the Nitaqat/Saudisation quota system. Qualifying Olympic sports (football, handball, basketball, volleyball, swimming, combat sports, athletics) and cultural/artistic fields (music, writing, design, theatre, cinema) are now documented. A prospective UHNW Premium Residency category remains under discussion but is not formally enacted as of April 2026.

Argentina: Rentista visa — April 2026 SMVM lifts minimum income to ARS 1,789,000/month

Resolución 9/2025 of the Consejo Nacional del Empleo set a staggered Salario Mínimo Vital y Móvil schedule through August 2026. With the SMVM at ARS 357,800 from April, the 5× threshold is now ARS 1,789,000/month (approx. USD 1,550–1,850). Decreto 524/2025 introduced a separate Ciudadanía por Inversión route — it does not alter the rentista pathway.

Argentina: Pensionado visa — April 2026 SMVM lifts minimum pension to ARS 1,789,000/month

Resolución 9/2025 set the April 2026 SMVM at ARS 357,800, making the 5× SMVM minimum foreign pension ARS 1,789,000/month (approx. USD 1,500–1,800). Further scheduled SMVM increases continue monthly through August 2026 (ARS 376,600). The pensionado subcategory itself remains unchanged under DNU 366/2025.

United Kingdom: Innovator Founder Visa — fees increased, student switching enabled, settlement English rising to B2

Application fees rose from GBP 1,274/1,590 to GBP 1,357/1,693 (outside/inside UK). ILR fee increased to GBP 3,226. Student visa holders can now switch directly to Innovator Founder route (HC 1333, Nov 2025). Settlement English requirement will rise from B1 to B2 effective March 2027 (HC 1691). Migration Advisory Committee reviewing the route with responses due May 2026.

Portugal: StartUP Visa — AIMA fees increased up to 33%, citizenship law change pending

AIMA revised fee table effective March 2026 with increases up to 33%. Parliament approved revised Nationality Law in April 2026 increasing citizenship residency from 5 to 10 years (7 for CPLP nationals), pending presidential promulgation. 94 incubators now certified by IAPMEI. IAS 2026 set at EUR 537.13 (+2.8%), making financial requirement EUR 6,445.56.

Spain: Entrepreneur Visa — now principal business pathway after Golden Visa abolition

Spain abolished the Golden Visa (investor visa) effective April 3, 2025 via Ley Organica 1/2025, as 94% of golden visas were real estate-linked. The Entrepreneur Visa is now one of the main business-oriented residence pathways. Immigration fees updated by Orden PJC/617/2025. CIRCE Entrepreneur Service Points network expanded in March 2026.

Netherlands: Startup Residence Permit — fees increased 4.4%, facilitator count corrected to 31

IND application fees increased 4.4% from January 2026, startup permit fee now EUR 423. RVO registry shows 31 recognised facilitators (corrected from previous count). Foreign investor admission scheme abolished April 2024 due to low uptake. Essential Start-up Personnel pilot ends June 2026.

Singapore: EntrePass — expanded ineligible business list, detailed renewal escalation

Food courts, karaoke lounges, and acupuncture/traditional medicine practices added to ineligible business types. Renewal criteria now include detailed TBS/LWF escalation from SGD 0 to SGD 1,150,000 over 11 renewal cycles. Startup SG Network profile required for renewals. Employment Pass minimum salary updated to SGD 5,600.

Canada: New high-impact entrepreneur pilot expected in 2026

The Start-Up Visa program was paused for new applicants on January 1, 2026. IRCC has announced plans for a new high-impact Start-Up Visa pilot with stricter eligibility and lower intake caps (500/year vs 1,000). Details expected later in 2026. Existing 2025 certificate holders have until June 30, 2026 to apply.

Cyprus: Golden Visa — citizenship path codified, Schengen accession nearing

December 2023 citizenship law amendments (effective March 2024) codified 7-year naturalization with Greek B1 requirement; 3-4 year fast-track exists for strategic company employees only, not investors. Parents/in-laws removed from eligible dependants since May 2023. Schengen accession technical prerequisites ongoing through 2026, visa-free activation expected early 2027.

Malaysia: Premium Visa Programme — March 2026 amendments expand eligibility

Effective 16 March 2026: new 10-year dependent visa option at MYR 50,000 (50% reduction), fixed deposit withdrawal window shortened from 12 to 6 months, eligibility expanded to accept net worth ≥ MYR 1 billion or onshore income as alternatives. Renewal applications now accepted 6 months before expiry. Budget 2026 extended foreign-sourced income tax exemption to 31 December 2036.

Nicaragua: Investor Residence — new RUIE registration required, dual citizenship abolished

Decreto A.N. No. 8902 (June 2025) requires all foreign investments to register with MIFIC/DGIE (RUIE) before residency procedures; minimum USD 50,000 for MIFIC registration vs USD 30,000 for residency. 2025 constitutional amendments (ratified January 2026) eliminated dual citizenship — naturalizing foreigners must renounce original nationality.

Kenya: Class G Investor Permit — 2024-2025 amendments add new permit classes

Legal Notices 155/2024, 198/2024, and 93/2025 introduced Classes N (digital nomad), P, Q, and R (EAC nationals, gratis). Class G requirements unchanged at USD 100,000. EAC nationals should now use the free Class R permit instead of Class G for investment activities.

United States: Gold Card — new USD 1M fast-track permanent residency program launched

The US Gold Card program offers permanent residency for a USD 1 million contribution to the Department of Commerce, with a Corporate tier at USD 2 million and Platinum tier at USD 5 million. Unlike EB-5, no job creation is required. Includes spouse and dependent children.

Argentina: Citizenship by Investment — first CBI program in South America

Argentina approved a Citizenship by Investment law in July 2025, becoming the first South American country to offer direct citizenship through investment. This is a separate program from the existing investor temporary residence permit.

Portugal: D8 Digital Nomad Visa — AIMA fees increase ~25%, expanded tax warnings

AIMA residence permit fees increased approximately 25% effective March 2026 under updated Portaria 307/2023 (now EUR 247.30 in person or EUR 185.60 via digital channel). Tax implications expanded: self-employed digital nomads face combined burden approaching 70% (income tax up to 48% + solidarity surcharge up to 5% + social security ~21.4%). IFICI regime confirmed as generally inapplicable to digital nomads.

Portugal: Digital Nomad Residence Permit — updated AIMA fees and processing guidance

AIMA residence permit fees updated to EUR 247.30 (in person) or EUR 185.60 (digital) effective March 2026. AIMA Portal de Renovacoes launch corrected to July 2025. Added warning about 400,000+ case backlog — applicants advised to start 4-6 months early.

Croatia: Digital Nomad Permit — income threshold rises to EUR 3,622.50/month

Monthly income requirement increased from EUR 3,295 to EUR 3,622.50 (2.5x the 2025 average net salary of EUR 1,449). Lump-sum alternatives updated to EUR 43,470 (12 months) and EUR 65,205 (18 months). Regulation on Maintenance Funds amended by NN 3/26.

Uruguay: Digital Nomad Permit — fee remains ~USD 9, reported $500/$750 increase unverified

Application fee confirmed at 55.71 UI (approximately USD 9). Reports of a new USD 500/750 fee structure could not be verified from any official source — no amending decree found on IMPO or gub.uy. USD equivalent updated to reflect current UI exchange rate.

Nepal: Digital nomad visa reportedly launching in early 2026

Multiple sources report Nepal will introduce a digital nomad visa with requirements of USD 1,500 monthly income or USD 20,000 in savings. No official program entry exists in the database yet.

Taiwan: Employment Gold Card — tax exemption extended to 5 years, new Environmental Protection field, fast-track APRC for high earners

The September 2025 amendments (effective January 2026) extended the 50% income tax exemption from 3 to 5 years, added Environmental Protection as the 12th eligible field, expanded eligible universities from top-500 to top-1,500, and introduced a 1-year APRC fast-track for earners of NT$6M+ annually. Spouses can now directly apply for open work permits.

France: Talent — Artistic and Cultural Profession — residence card fees increase from 1 May 2026

Law 2026-103 of 19 February 2026 (loi de finances pour 2026, Article 128) increases the first-issuance fee for multi-year talent residence cards from EUR 225 to EUR 350 and renewal fees from EUR 225 to EUR 250, effective 1 May 2026.

Portugal: Highly Qualified Activity Permit — AIMA fee schedule updated from March 2026

AIMA updated its fee schedule under Ministerial Order No. 307/2023, effective 1 March 2026. Residence permit fees increased to EUR 133 filing + EUR 307.20 issuance (in-person), with a 25% discount for digital submissions. The IAS for 2026 is EUR 537.13, adjusting salary thresholds to EUR 1,611/month (3x IAS) and EUR 1,074/month (2x IAS).

Portugal: D7 Passive Income Visa — nationality law update and new family reunification rules

Parliament approved revised nationality law on 1 April 2026 extending citizenship residency from 5 to 10 years (7 for EU/CPLP nationals), awaiting presidential action. Family reunification now requires 2 years of residency under Lei 61/2025 (with exceptions for minors and co-parent spouses). AIMA issued 386,000 permits in 2025 but 400,000+ backlog remains.

Greece: Financially Independent Persons Permit — Law 5275/2026 extends renewal grace period

Law 5275/2026 (enacted February 2026) extended the late renewal grace period from 1 to 3 months with a EUR 100/month fine, mandated the Integrated Information System for processing, and clarified the 2-month pre-expiry submission window. Core requirements (EUR 3,500/month income) unchanged.

Indonesia: Retirement KITAS — ministry restructuring and new digital arrival card

Immigration functions moved to the new Ministry of Immigration and Corrections under President Prabowo's cabinet restructuring (October 2024). New visa classification decree (June 2025) streamlined indices from 133 to 110 but retained the E33F retirement category. All Indonesia digital arrival card mandatory since October 2025.

Japan: Designated Activities Long Stay — visa fees increased for first time since 1978

Visa issuance fees increased effective 1 April 2026: single-entry from JPY 3,000 to approximately JPY 15,000, multiple-entry from JPY 6,000 to JPY 30,000. Immigration Control Act amendment bill (March 2026) proposes raising extension/change fee caps. Core savings requirement (JPY 30 million) unchanged.

New Zealand: Temporary Retirement Visitor Visa — IVL fee increase and investment types clarified

International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy increased from NZD 35 to NZD 100 (October 2024). Expanded documentation of acceptable investment types including government bonds, NZDX-traded bonds, BBB- rated bonds, managed funds, and residential developments. Core requirements (NZD 750,000 investment, NZD 60,000 income) unchanged.

Canada: Start-Up Visa Program — Bill C-12 grants IRCC new powers over application backlog

Bill C-12 (Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act) received Royal Assent on March 26, 2026, giving IRCC new powers to cancel, suspend, or change large groups of immigration documents. These powers are expected to be used to address the ~44,000 pending SUV applications, particularly those linked to business incubators with integrity concerns. The program remains paused since January 1, 2026; the December 2025 Ministerial Instructions remain in effect until March 30, 2030.

United States: International Entrepreneur Parole — new $1,020 statutory parole fee under HR-1

The 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' (H.R. 1) imposed a new statutory parole fee of $1,000 (inflation-adjusted to $1,020 for FY 2026) on all grants of parole under INA Section 212(d)(5)(A), effective October 16, 2025. This fee applies to each entrepreneur and family member paroled in, in addition to existing filing fees. Form I-941 edition 01/20/25 became mandatory since March 24, 2025.

Italy: Italia Startup Visa — quota reduced, startup criteria reformed by Law 193/2024

The Decreto Flussi 2026-2028 reduced the annual self-employment quota from 730 to 650 places. Law 193/2024 (in force January 2025) reformed innovative startup criteria: turnover threshold raised from €5M to €50M (aligned with EU SME criteria), standard registration period changed from 5 to 3 years (extendable to 7 with scale-up criteria), and companies primarily in consultancy/agency services now excluded. Renewal duration corrected to 2-year periods.

Japan: Business Manager Visa — new document requirement, proposed fee increases, health insurance enforcement

From April 15, 2026, Category 3-4 applicants must submit a Representative Affidavit Form. The Cabinet approved a bill to raise immigration fee caps to JPY 100,000 for status changes (from JPY 10,000) and JPY 300,000 for permanent residence — the first revision since 1982. Starting June 2027, status changes and renewals will be denied for residents delinquent on health insurance or pension premiums.

Ireland: STEP — details corrected, R&D tax credit updated to 30%

Sales target timeline corrected to 'within 3 years' per September 2023 Guidelines. R&D tax credit rate updated from 25% to 30% (effective January 2024). Financial proof details expanded with specific acceptable funding sources. Programme for Government 2025 confirmed STEP's continuation.

Portugal: Golden Visa — Parliament approves revised nationality law extending citizenship wait to 10 years

On 1 April 2026, Parliament approved a revised nationality law (152-64 votes) extending the residency requirement for citizenship from 5 to 10 years (7 for Portuguese-speaking nationals), counting from residence card issuance rather than application date, with new cultural knowledge tests. Awaits presidential promulgation; current 5-year path remains in effect.

Greece: Golden Visa — startup pathway operational, backlog drops 75%, processing time corrected

The startup investment pathway (Article 100A) is now operational, allowing EUR 250,000+ investments in Elevate Greece registered startups. The application backlog fell from 49,000+ (mid-2025) to 10,613 (January 2026). Processing time is 12-16 months (not the previously stated 2-3 months). Permit validity now runs from card issuance date.

Hungary: Guest Investor Residence Permit — second fund approved, accommodation rules relaxed

Granit Asset Management's Gravitas Hungary Real Estate Fund became the second eligible fund (January 2025). Government Decree 88/2025 (effective April 2025) allows applicants to use their authorised representative's Hungarian address as accommodation proof, simplifying the application process.

Angola: Investor Visa — digital portal launched, FATF grey list implications noted

SME launched a new digital portal (sme.gov.ao) in May 2025 requiring all migration acts online. Angola remains on the FATF grey list since October 2024, which may affect banking relationships for foreign investors. Tax Benefits Code (Lei 8/22) incentive details added.

Colombia: Visa M Inversionista — 2026 minimum wage increases thresholds by 23%

The 2026 SMLMV was set at COP 1,750,905 (23% increase over 2025, well above ~6.5% inflation), raising the real estate threshold to approximately USD 140,000-160,000 and the direct investment threshold to approximately USD 260,000-300,000. Article 79 investor requirements remain otherwise unchanged.

Argentina: New Citizenship by Investment program approved

Argentina became the first South American country to approve a Citizenship by Investment law in July 2025, offering a direct route to citizenship through investment. Program details and implementation timeline pending.

Botswana: Economic Citizenship Program expected to launch in 2026

Botswana is preparing to launch an economic citizenship program starting at USD 75,000-90,000 to offset declining diamond revenues. Launch expected in 2026.

Italy: Digital Nomad Visa — income threshold clarified, mountain community incentives added

Income threshold clarified as approximately €24,789–€25,500/year (three times the healthcare exemption threshold), with consulates in practice expecting €28,000–€30,000. Law 131/2025 introduces employer social security exemptions for remote work in mountain municipalities under 5,000 inhabitants. A proposed 50% tax incentive for digital nomads was not enacted in the 2026 Budget Law.

Brazil: Digital Nomad Visa — streamlined e-Consular process, permanent residency pathway planned

Brazil has streamlined its VITEM XIV application via the e-Consular online portal. The draft National Plan on Migration (PlaNaMIGRA) includes a commitment to establish a permanent residency pathway for digital nomad visa holders by end of 2026. US, Canada, and Australia citizens now require a separate eVisa (USD 80) since April 2025.

Spain: International Telework Visa — 2026 SMI increase confirmed, consulate discrepancy noted

The 2026 income threshold of €2,849/month is confirmed (200% of the annualized SMI per Real Decreto 126/2026). Some consulates incorrectly display €2,442/month using the raw monthly SMI figure — applicants should budget for the higher annualized figure.

UAE: Virtual Work Residence Permit — 6-month bank statement requirement confirmed

The bank statement requirement increased from 3 to 6 consecutive months effective January 27, 2026. Income threshold remains USD 3,500/month via the federal GDRFA/ICP scheme. Application fee includes 5% VAT.

Thailand: Destination Thailand Visa — new Immigration Bureau order, stricter bank balance enforcement

Immigration Bureau Order No. 4/2568 (January 2025) consolidates DTV operational guidelines. Embassies now strictly enforce the 500,000 THB bank balance requirement for 90 consecutive days prior to application. Application fees confirmed at USD 400 at Washington D.C./Los Angeles.

Nepal: Potential new digital nomad visa with USD 1,500/month income requirement

Reports indicate Nepal plans to introduce a digital nomad visa in 2026 with accessible requirements of USD 1,500 monthly income or USD 20,000 in savings. No official program exists in the database yet.

Hong Kong: QMAS — extension window expanded to 3 months before expiry

From 1 March 2026, QMAS holders can apply to extend their stay up to 3 months before expiry (previously 4 weeks), aligning with the TTPS advance window. In 2025, the QMAS received 18,707 new applications with 7,101 approved.

Hong Kong: Top Talent Pass — mandatory survey required for extensions

From 30 January 2026, all TTPS extension applicants must complete a mandatory online survey and attach the acknowledgement receipt. The eligible university list was expanded to 200 institutions from 1 January 2026. In 2025, 35,705 new TTPS applications were received with 31,508 approved.

Singapore: Tech.Pass — to be replaced by ONE Pass (AI and Tech) from January 2027

Singapore announced that the Tech.Pass will be replaced by a new ONE Pass (AI and Tech) track from 1 January 2027 (new applications) and 1 January 2028 (renewals). The new track offers 5-year validity, S$30,000/month salary requirement with equity compensation allowed, targeting AI, quantum computing, advanced robotics, biotech, and deep-tech talent.

Malaysia: Residence Pass-Talent — EP salary threshold doubling impacts future RP-T pipeline

From 1 June 2026, Malaysia's Employment Pass Category I minimum salary doubles from MYR 10,000 to MYR 20,000/month. While the RP-T threshold remains at MYR 15,000, future RP-T applicants entering on a new EP will already be earning MYR 20,000+. Industry observers expect similar RP-T threshold revisions. Changes align with the Thirteenth Malaysia Plan targeting 5% foreign workforce by 2035.

Vietnam: Special Visa Exemption Card — new UĐ1/UĐ2 talent visas from July 2026

Vietnam introduces UĐ1 (for high-quality digital technology personnel) and UĐ2 (for their spouses and children under 18) visas effective 1 July 2026, valid up to 5 years. These complement the existing SVEC. The Digital Technology Industry Law also grants 5-year residence cards and work permit exemptions for digital tech talent. At the International Financial Centre, UĐ1/UĐ2 cards can be issued for up to 10 years with a permanent residence pathway.

China: New 'K Visa' for STEM talent reported

Reports indicate China is introducing a new 'K Visa' targeting STEM and tech talent, potentially as a response to global competition for skilled workers. No matching program exists in the database yet.

Spain: Non-Lucrative Residence Visa — 183-day residency rule now codified, stricter enforcement

Royal Decree 1155/2024 (in force since May 2025) introduces an explicit 183-day effective presence requirement for renewal under Article 64.1(f). Consulates now require formal employment cessation documentation and apply stricter passive vs. earned income scrutiny. Health insurance enforcement tightened to require unlimited coverage with no copayments or deductibles.

Thailand: Non-Immigrant O-A Visa — stricter health insurance enforcement in 2025-2026

Thailand is enforcing stricter compliance checks on health insurance documentation and financial deposit maintenance for O-A retirement visa holders. TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card) became mandatory from May 2025 for all arrivals. Financial thresholds remain unchanged at 800,000 THB deposit or 65,000 THB/month income.

Thailand: Non-Immigrant O-X 10-Year Visa — enforcement tightening and TDAC requirement

Stricter compliance checks on OIC-approved health insurance and financial deposit requirements for the 10-year retirement visa. Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) now mandatory. Financial thresholds unchanged: 3,000,000 THB deposit required.

Thailand: LTR Visa (Wealthy Pensioners) — dependant limit removed, new TIESC centre

BOI reforms in early 2025 removed the dependant limit for LTR visa holders. The new Thailand International Expat Service Centre (TIESC) at One Bangkok opened in March 2025 for consolidated visa processing. Income requirements unchanged at USD 80,000/year.

Italy: Elective Residence Visa — flat tax rises to €300,000, pensioner regime expanded

The HNWI flat tax on foreign income increased to €300,000/year (from €200,000) effective 1 January 2026 under the Budget Law. The 7% pensioner flat tax regime expanded to municipalities with up to 30,000 inhabitants (from 20,000). A TAR Lazio court ruling clarified that family income requirements must use tiered calculations, not the full amount per person.

France: Carte de Séjour Visiteur — new fee schedule from 1 May 2026, civic exam for long-term residence

France's 2026 Finance Law (Loi n° 2026-103) raises visitor residence card fees to €350 for first issuance and €250 for renewal effective 1 May 2026. A civic exam requirement for the carte de résident de longue durée-UE was introduced by Décret n° 2025-648, alongside the existing B1 French language requirement.

Cyprus: Startup Visa — 2026 tax reform raises corporate rate to 15%

Cyprus enacted comprehensive tax reform effective 1 January 2026: corporate tax increased from 12.5% to 15%, IP Box effective rate now 3% (from 2.5%), stamp duty abolished, R&D super-deduction of 120% extended through 2030, and tax loss carry-forward extended from 5 to 10 years.

Estonia: Startup Visa — income requirement rises to €880/month, tax changes take effect

Estonia's subsistence level increased to €220/month (from €200), raising the startup visa income requirement to €880/month. Income tax rose to 22% (from 20%), VAT to 24%, and the preferential 14/86 dividend tax rate was eliminated. Visa state fees also increased (Type D visa now €120).

Finland: Startup Residence Permit — new permanent residence pathways from January 2026

January 2026 Aliens Act amendments introduced 5 permanent residence pathways: standard 6-year path, 4-year income path (EUR 40,000/year), 4-year degree path, 4-year C1 language path, and Finnish degree path (no residence period required). Post-decision compliance monitoring expanded to cover startup permits.

Japan: Startup Visa — nationwide expansion and 2-year stay now in effect

Japan's Startup Visa was expanded nationwide in January 2025 (previously limited to National Strategic Special Zones) with stay extended to 2 years. Over 26 local governments now participate. As of May 2024, 716+ visas had been issued with roughly 50% successfully transitioning to Business Manager status.

Canada: Start-Up Visa Program — IRCC evaluation data added, program remains suspended

Added IRCC evaluation findings showing SUV immigrants brought more human capital than predecessors, with entrepreneurs receiving CAD $3.7M+ from designated entities. 7,635 individuals were admitted through SUV and Self-Employed programs in 2024. The replacement pilot has not yet been announced; June 30, 2026 deadline for transitional applications approaches.

New Zealand: Active Investor Plus Visa — residential property purchase pathway opens, processing time extended

The Overseas Investment Amendment Regulations 2026 (effective 6 March 2026) now allow qualifying investor visa holders to buy or build one residential property valued at NZD $5 million or more, subject to Overseas Investment Office consent. Processing time updated to 80% within 4 months (previously 11 weeks). As of March 2026, 609 applications received with NZD $1.32 billion committed.

UAE: Golden Visa Investor — 5-year/10-year tier distinction clarified, DLD fees updated

The u.ae portal now clearly distinguishes real estate investors (5-year Golden Visa) from public investment/fund/deposit/business investors (10-year Golden Visa). DLD application fees updated to AED 9,985. GDRFA deposit freeze requirement confirmed at minimum 2 years. Digital currency investments do not qualify.

Turkey: Citizenship by Investment — 2026 residence permit fees updated, thresholds unchanged

Residence permit document fees updated to 964 TL effective 1 January 2026 per Official Gazette No. 33117. Investment thresholds remain unchanged since May 2022 (USD 400,000 real estate, USD 500,000 other categories). YUVAM special deposit account discontinued in 2025. Enhanced due diligence and source-of-funds requirements introduced in 2025.

Singapore: GIP — parliamentary statistics reveal ~450 PRs granted, S$930M invested (2015-2025)

In a February 2026 parliamentary reply, the Minister of State for Trade and Industry disclosed that around 450 individuals were granted PR through the GIP between 2015 and 2025, with cumulative investments of approximately S$930 million. From 1 December 2025, a 180-day grace period applies for PRs whose Re-Entry Permit expires while overseas.

Malaysia: MM2H — January 2026 MOTAC terms published, online application system launched

MOTAC published updated Terms and Regulations documents in January 2026 for both the main MM2H categories and the SEZ/SFZ category. Processing confirmed at 90 working days. The MM2H Check N' Track System at mm2honline.motac.gov.my is now the online submission channel. Foreign-source income tax exemption extended through 31 December 2026.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: Citizenship by Investment programme expected mid/late 2026

Saint Vincent is expected to launch a citizenship by investment programme in mid or late 2026 with a residency condition, joining other Caribbean nations offering CBI programmes.

Thailand: Destination Thailand Visa — embassies now strictly enforce 90-day bank balance requirement

Multiple Royal Thai Embassies (Seoul, Washington D.C., Oslo, Frankfurt) now strictly require the 500,000 THB bank balance to be maintained for at least 90 consecutive days prior to application. Applications showing a recent large deposit without prior consistent balance history are being rejected. The Los Angeles consulate updated the USD equivalent to $17,000.

UAE: Virtual Work Residence Permit — ICP launches dedicated service page

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) now offers a dedicated online service page for virtual work residence applications. Applicants do not need to be physically present in the UAE for visa issuance. The 6-month bank statement requirement (effective January 2026) and USD 3,500/month income threshold remain unchanged.

Japan: Digital Nomad Visa — 257 visas issued in first year, eVisa not yet supported

In its first year of operation (April 2024 – March 2025), 257 digital nomad visas were issued, indicating modest initial uptake. A third application route is now documented: entering on a Temporary Visitor visa and changing status at an ISA regional office. The Japan eVisa system does not yet support digital nomad visa applications.

Malaysia: DE Rantau — foreign income tax exemption extended to 2036, Terengganu added as 6th hub

Malaysia's Budget 2026 extended the individual foreign-sourced income tax exemption from 31 December 2026 to 31 December 2036. Terengganu was added as the sixth DE Rantau destination, bringing the total to 2,183 certified hubs. The DE Rantau Sarawak variant opened for applications in November 2025.

Aruba: One Happy Workation — sustainability fee now per rolling 12-month period, automatic repeat exemptions

The USD 20 Sustainability Fee is now charged once per rolling 12-month period (not per calendar year). Since July 2025, automatic exemptions apply for repeat travellers re-entering within 12 months. A new US-Aruba Preclearance Agreement was signed in October 2025.

Nepal: new digital nomad visa expected in 2026

Nepal is reported to be introducing a digital nomad visa in early 2026 with accessible requirements of $1,500 monthly income or $20,000 in savings.

Australia: National Innovation Visa — 4,300 places under new Talent and Innovation category

The 2025-26 Permanent Migration Program consolidates the Global Talent Independent, Distinguished Talent, and National Innovation visa programs into a single Talent and Innovation category with 4,300 places. The Fair Work High Income Threshold benchmark rose to AUD 183,100 from 1 July 2025. Employer-sponsored visa thresholds (Core Skills AUD 79,499, Specialist Skills AUD 146,717) increasing from 1 July 2026 do not apply to the NIV.

Canada: Self-Employed Persons Program — intake pause extended through end of 2026, fees increasing April 30

IRCC confirmed the application intake pause will continue through end of 2026. Processing fees increase April 30, 2026: principal applicant total rises from CAD $2,385 to CAD $2,495. The 2026 Express Entry reforms introduced five new category-based selection categories (medical doctors, researchers, senior managers, transport, military) — none cover cultural or athletic self-employment.

France: Talent — International Reputation — residence card fees rising to €350 from May 2026

Finance Law 2026-103 increases first-issuance residence card fees from €225 to €350 effective 1 May 2026 (stamp duty doubles to €50, main tax rises to €300). Talent card holders are fully exempt from the new civic exam and A2 French language test requirements introduced January 2026.

Ecuador: Professional Visa — 2026 SBU confirmed at USD 482, eVISAS portal now live

The 2026 Salario Básico Unificado was set at USD 482/month (up from USD 470), the first consensus agreement in nearly a decade. All visa applications now processed through the MREMH eVISAS electronic platform launched July 2024. Permanent residency costs confirmed at USD 275 total with indefinite duration.

New Zealand: Talent (Arts, Culture, Sports) Work Visa — no changes, core requirements confirmed

Official sources confirm no changes to the Talent (Arts, Culture, Sports) pathway for 2025-2026. Processing time updated to 9.5 weeks (80th percentile). The Specific Purpose Work Visa for sports professionals was extended to 36 months in May 2025, but that is a separate category with no residency pathway.

Spain: Non-Lucrative Visa — consulates now require employment cessation documentation

Spanish consulates have implemented stricter documentation requirements in 2026: working-age applicants must provide an employer termination letter, sabbatical approval, or notarized affidavit confirming cessation of work. Retirees must submit official pension documentation. All applicants must sign a notarized sworn declaration (declaración jurada) committing not to work, including remotely.

Portugal: D7 Visa — consular fee increased to €110, nationality law vetoed

The consular visa fee for D7 applications increased from €90 to €110 effective March 2025 (Portaria 91/2025/1). Parliament's October 2025 attempt to increase the citizenship residency requirement from 5 to 10 years was declared partly unconstitutional and vetoed by the President in December 2025 — the 5-year citizenship path remains in force. 2026 tax brackets updated with 3.51% adjustment.

Cyprus: Category F Permit — 2026 tax reform raises tax-free allowance, SDC on dividends cut

Cyprus's 2026 tax reform raised the income tax-free allowance from €19,500 to €22,000 and reduced the Special Defence Contribution on dividends from 17% to 5% for profits earned after 1 January 2026. The Migration Department now operates under the newly established Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection. Processing backlog remains significant, with applications from 2019-2020 still being processed. Schengen evaluation is ongoing.

Colombia: Visa M Pensionado — medical certificate now required, 2026 SMMLV confirmed

Colombia's Pensionado visa now requires a medical certificate (certificado médico de aptitud psicofísica) per the current Cancillería page. The 2026 SMMLV is COP 1,750,905 (set by Decreto 1469/2025, maintained by Decreto 159/2026 pending judicial review), making the minimum pension COP 5,252,715/month (~USD 1,300).

Canada: Start-Up Visa Program — Suspended with new 'high impact' pilot announced

IRCC paused the Start-Up Visa Program effective January 1, 2026, setting intake to zero. Federal business class admissions reduced to 500/year (2026-2028), down from 2,000 in 2025. A new 'high impact' pilot targeting 'elite entrepreneurs' with higher verified investment and commercialization milestones is confirmed in the 2026-27 Departmental Plan but formal parameters are not yet published. Transitional applications accepted until June 30, 2026 with a valid 2025 commitment certificate.

United States: International Entrepreneur Parole — Updated evidence guidance and H-1B founder rules

USCIS issued expanded policy guidance on acceptable evidence types for IER applications (December 2024). Separately, the H-1B Modernization Rule (effective January 2025) now permits founders with controlling interest to petition for H-1B but limits validity to 18-month periods. IER investment thresholds remain at $311,071 (adjusted October 2024); next CPI adjustment in 2027.

Chile: Start-Up Chile — Ignite funding increased, Growth eligibility tightened

Ignite program funding increased from CLP 25 million to CLP 30 million. Co-financing percentages formalized: Build 90%, Ignite 80% (90% for female founders), Growth 50% (60% for female founders). Growth program now requires legal entities to have at least 24 months of SII seniority. BIG 11 selected 71 startups from 8 countries.

Colombia: Visa M Socio o Propietario — 2026 SMLMV increase raises capital threshold

The 2026 SMLMV increased 23% to COP 1,750,905, raising the 100 SMLMV minimum capital threshold from approximately COP 142.4 million to COP 175.1 million (~USD 46,690). Resolución 16157 de 2025 adjusted certain visa tariffs. Decreto 159 de 2026 transitionally confirms the SMLMV pending a final judicial ruling.

Denmark: Start-up Denmark — Aliens Act consolidated, 2026 fees confirmed

Aliens Act re-consolidated as LBK nr 1183 af 25/09/2025 (Section 9 a(2)(10) governing Start-up Denmark unchanged). 2026 fees confirmed: DKK 3,060 application, DKK 3,080 family member. Annual cap remains at 75 permits. Program expanded in April 2023 to allow foreign company branches and transitions from other residence grounds.

Greece: Golden Visa — Ministerial Decision clarifies conversion/heritage pathways, 2026 reforms announced

Ministerial Decision 214926/2025 (November 2025) standardized documentation for the €250,000 conversion and heritage building routes, unblocking ~13,499 pending applications. Government announced forthcoming legislation to reform permit validity dating and streamline renewals. New applications declined to 6,978 in 2025 (from 9,391 in 2024) following the September 2024 threshold increases.

Portugal: Golden Visa — AIMA launches online renewal portal, citizenship law challenge upheld

AIMA launched the Portal das Renovações in February 2026 as the exclusive online channel for ARI renewals. Parliament's October 2025 attempt to extend the citizenship residency requirement from 5 to 10 years was struck down by the Constitutional Court in December 2025 — the 5-year citizenship path remains. Over 20,000 investors remain in the processing backlog.

Hungary: Guest Investor Residence Permit — property option abolished, cultural exam introduced

The EUR 500,000 direct property purchase pathway was repealed in December 2024 before its scheduled launch, leaving real estate fund (€250,000) and donation (€1,000,000) as the only investment routes. From January 2025, a Hungarian cultural knowledge exam is required for permanent residence card applications, affecting investors pursuing EC permanent residence after 5 years.

Panama: Qualified Investor — $300K real estate threshold temporary, expires October 2026

The USD 300,000 real estate minimum is a temporary threshold extended through October 15, 2026, after which it increases to USD 500,000. Law 493/2025 authorized special passports for qualified investors and dependants, with implementing regulations due by April 2026.

United States: EB-5 — FIFO processing transition, Gold Card alternative launched

USCIS is transitioning to first-in, first-out processing with rural TEA priority. A proposed EB-5-specific fee rule was published in October 2025. The new Gold Card program (Executive Order 14351, September 2025) offers a $1M contribution pathway to permanent residency via Form I-140G, providing a faster alternative to EB-5 for high-net-worth individuals.

United States: Gold Card — new $1M investor residency pathway launched

The Trump Gold Card program launched in December 2025 as a new pathway to U.S. permanent residency through a $1 million financial contribution. Unlike EB-5, no job creation or business involvement is required. Applications via Form I-140G with $15,000 filing fee per person.

Botswana: Economic citizenship program reportedly in preparation

Reports indicate Botswana is preparing to launch an economic citizenship program in 2026 starting at $75,000–$90,000, aimed at offsetting declining diamond revenues. No official launch date confirmed.

Bulgaria: Digital Nomad Residence Permit fees converted to EUR after euro adoption

Following Bulgaria's adoption of the euro on 1 January 2026, all BGN-denominated fees have been converted to EUR at the fixed irrevocable rate (1.95583 BGN/EUR). Residence permit application fee is now €56 (was BGN 110), residence card issuance €23 (was BGN 45). No policy changes to program requirements.

Spain: International Telework Visa income threshold corrected to EUR 2,849/month

Corrected income threshold calculation for Spain's International Telework Visa. The 2026 SMI of €1,221/month is paid in 14 installments; annualized over 12 months this is €1,424.50/month. At 200%, the minimum income is €2,849/month (previously incorrectly listed as €2,763). Dependant amounts also corrected: first family member €1,068/month, additional €356/month.

UK: Global Talent Visa adds design pathway and expands prestigious prizes

New design pathway effective 26 March 2026 covering additional design roles. 27 prestigious prizes added in November 2025. English language requirement for settlement increases from B1 to B2 effective March 2027. GBP 54 million Global Talent Taskforce launched.

UK: High Potential Individual Visa raises English requirement to B2

English language requirement raised from CEFR B1 to B2 effective 8 January 2026. Eligible institutions list approximately doubled and annual cap of 8,000 applications introduced from November 2025. Secretary of State gained power to exclude universities on national security grounds.

UAE: Golden Visa expands talent categories and adds Skilled Professionals pathway

New Skilled Professionals pathway requires AED 30,000 minimum monthly salary verified through 6 months of bank statements. Expanded categories include content creators, frontline heroes (nurses with 15+ years at Dubai Health), education specialists, and digital technology specialists.

Germany: Settlement Permit updated with 2026 thresholds and EU talent recommendation context

Updated with 2026 EU Blue Card salary thresholds (EUR 50,700 standard). Added fast-track procedure for skilled workers (§81a AufenthG). Naturalization reform now allows 3-year fast track and dual citizenship. EU Commission's January 2026 talent recommendation signals upcoming procedural overhauls.

Nepal reportedly planning a Digital Nomad Visa

Reports from Nepali media suggest the government is drafting legislation to launch a digital nomad visa program aimed at attracting remote workers and boosting tourism revenue.

UAE: Virtual Work Residence Permit bank statement requirement increased to 6 months

The UAE updated its Virtual Work Residence Permit requirements, extending the required bank statement history from 3 months to 6 months.

Thailand: Destination Thailand Visa adds TDAC registration and bank balance requirements

Thailand updated the Destination Thailand Visa conditions: applicants must now register with the Thailand Digital Nomad Advisory Council (TDAC) and maintain a 3-month bank balance. Accommodation booking confirmation is also required.

Sri Lanka: Digital Nomad Visa inaugural issuance details and termination provisions added

Sri Lanka's Digital Nomad Visa program has been updated with inaugural issuance details and clarified termination provisions for visa holders.