Canada introduces short-course study flexibility for eligible work permit holders
Canada announced a temporary study measure on September 9, 2026, for eligible work permit holders already in the country.
Event · Sep 9, 20264 min read
THE DIPLOMATICAL JOURNAL
Immigration news
Policy changes and programme updates, explained with original sources and clearly dated events.
25 articlesOrdered by event date
Thailand changes DTV supporting documents from 31 August 2026
Thailand revised the supporting documents for Destination Thailand Visa applications with effect from 00:00 on 31 August 2026, Thailand time.
Event · Aug 31, 20264 min read
Canada closes Hong Kong permanent residence pathways to new applications: what existing applicants should check
An IRCC notice dated August 28, 2026 confirmed that Canada's temporary Hong Kong permanent residence pathways would stop accepting new applications on August 31, 2026.
Event · Aug 28, 20264 min read
DE Rantau ends rejected-application appeals from 1 August 2026: what applicants should review
MDEC's DE Rantau FAQ, version 10 dated 28 August 2026, states that appeals for rejected applications are no longer accepted effective 1 August 2026.
Event · Aug 1, 20264 min read
France raised the student visa resource threshold from 1 August 2026
France-Visas now states a monthly resource minimum of €877.50 for relevant long-stay student applications submitted from 1 August 2026.
Event · Aug 1, 20265 min read
Australia replaces its family visa processing direction: what applicants should check
On 25 July 2026, Australia replaced Ministerial Direction 102 with Ministerial Direction 117 for the order in which certain family visa applications are considered and disposed of.
Event · Jul 25, 20264 min read
New Zealand expands Pathway Student Visa flexibility from 20 July 2026
Immigration New Zealand announced changes to the Pathway Student Visa effective 20 July 2026.
Event · Jul 20, 20264 min read
Canada pauses new Parents and Grandparents Program applications: planning for families
Canada's immigration department announced on July 15, 2026 that it was pausing new application intake under the Parents and Grandparents Program.
Event · Jul 15, 20264 min read
New Zealand broadens its Business Investor Work Visa investment options
Immigration New Zealand announced changes to the Business Investor Work Visa on 6 July 2026.
Event · Jul 6, 20264 min read
Australia expands working-holiday age eligibility: planning after the July 2026 change
Australia extended the upper application age for the Working Holiday visa, subclass 417, to 35 inclusive for passport holders from Cyprus, Finland, Germany and the Republic of Korea from 1 July 2026.
Event · Jul 1, 20264 min read
New Zealand requires police certificates upfront: preparing after the July 2026 notice
Immigration New Zealand published a notice on 1 July 2026 explaining that required police certificates must be supplied upfront with student and other temporary visa applications.
Event · Jul 1, 20264 min read
South Korea makes its workation visa permanent in June 2026 and revises the income framework
South Korea's Ministry of Justice announced on 7 July 2026 that the digital-nomad or workation visa had entered regular operation from 30 June 2026.
Event · Jun 30, 20264 min read
New Zealand moves temporary visa family applications to enhanced Immigration Online
On 1 June 2026, Immigration New Zealand moved new applications for specified partners and children of temporary visa holders to its enhanced Immigration Online system.
Event · Jun 1, 20264 min read
Canada removes a separate co-op permit step for eligible post-secondary students
In a notice published April 9, 2026, IRCC said eligible post-secondary international students no longer needed a separate work permit for required student work placements, effective April 1.
Event · Apr 1, 20264 min read
Canada changes super visa income assessment: how families can organize their evidence
IRCC announced on March 20, 2026 that new super visa income assessment rules would begin March 31.
Event · Mar 31, 20264 min read
UK ETA enforcement: what changed on 25 February 2026
A dated explainer on digital permission to travel, the difference between an ETA and immigration status, and the checks to make before departure.
Event · Feb 25, 20265 min read
Singapore’s December 2025 Re-Entry Permit changes: what permanent residents should review
Singapore's ICA explains revised consequences for permanent residents who leave without a valid Re-Entry Permit or whose permit becomes invalid while they are overseas, effective from 1 December 2025.
Event · Dec 1, 20254 min read
Japan’s Business Manager rule changes: why older investment guides need a fresh check
Japan's Immigration Services Agency states that amendments affecting Business Manager status took effect on 16 October 2025.
Event · Oct 16, 20254 min read
Germany ended visa remonstrations on 1 July 2025: how to read a refusal now
A dated explainer of the end of Germany’s voluntary visa reconsideration procedure and the importance of the refusal notice.
Event · Jul 1, 20254 min read
Spain’s investor residence closure: the 3 April 2025 dividing line
Spain closed its investor route to new applications. Understand why application dates and transitional rules matter more than old golden visa advertisements.
Event · Apr 3, 20254 min read
New Zealand’s remote-work visitor rules: the change and its limits
New Zealand announced on 27 January 2025 that new visitor conditions would allow remote work for overseas employers or clients.
Event · Jan 27, 20254 min read
Australia’s BIIP closure: what investors should understand before following old advice
Australia permanently closed the Business Innovation and Investment Program, known as BIIP, to new applications on 31 July 2024.
Event · Jul 31, 20244 min read
Germany’s Opportunity Card: understanding the route introduced in June 2024
A dated explainer on job-search residence, recognition and points, and the transition from looking for work to holding a work permission.
Event · Jun 1, 20245 min read
The Netherlands ended its foreign investor route in April 2024: an explainer
New wealthy foreign national applications stopped on 17 April 2024. Existing renewals and active business routes are separate questions.
Event · Apr 17, 20244 min read
Ireland’s investor programme closure: what the February 2023 decision means now
The Immigrant Investor Programme is closed to new applications. Earlier approved cases and the separate entrepreneur route need different treatment.
Event · Feb 15, 20234 min read