Global Immigration Recap: March 2026

Our March global immigration recap includes the latest on the EU’s implementation of the digital Entry/Exit System (EES), the United Kingdom’s guidance for sponsors of foreign workers, Australia’s skilled visa nomination income thresholds, Singapore’s new AI & Tech ONE Pass, and more.

EU – Entry/Exit System (EES) to Be Fully Operational by April 10, 2026

The European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES) is expected to be fully operational at the external land, sea, and air borders of all 29 Schengen Area countries by April 10, 2026. This digital system, which launched on October 12, 2025, replaces manual passport stamping with biometric registration and automated entry and exit records at participating countries’ external borders.

Foreign nationals traveling to the Schengen Area on short-stay visas or under a visa-free agreement (e.g., US, Canadian, and Australian passport holders) who have not yet encountered the EES should be prepared to register their biometric data upon their next entry. This data is stored in the system, facilitating faster border checks and streamlining subsequent entries to the Schengen Area.

The EES enhances authorities’ ability to detect overstays, so it is important that employees carefully track their travel and do not exceed the maximum permitted stay as a visitor, typically up to 90 days in a rolling 180-day period. Please note that exiting and re-entering the Schengen Area does not reset this allowance.

UK – New Compliance Obligations for Sponsors Now in Effect; Visa and Immigration Fees Set to Increase on April 8, 2026

New Compliance Obligations for Sponsors Now in Effect

Earlier this month, the Home Office published updated guidance introducing additional compliance obligations for sponsors of foreign workers in the UK. As of March 5, 2026, sponsors must meet several new requirements to remain in good standing, including:

• An express requirement for sponsors to have read all relevant sections of the sponsor guidance and remain aware of any changes.
• “Genuine vacancy” has been replaced by “eligible role”, which stipulates that the role must align with the sponsor’s business model, business plan, and scale.
• For individuals who are not direct employees (e.g. consultants), sponsors are now required to keep evidence of their right to work on file. This may be obtained via a right to work check conducted by the sponsor or by requesting such documentation from the individual’s direct employer.
• Sponsors must retain evidence that they have made their sponsored workers aware of their employment rights in the UK.

Further updates to sponsor guidance are expected on April 8, 2026. In the meantime, sponsors should review and revise their internal HR and record-keeping protocols to ensure compliance with these new obligations.

Visa and Immigration Fees Set to Increase on April 8, 2026

The UK Home Office will be increasing many of its visa application and Sponsorship fees beginning next week. A full list of revised fees can be found on GOV.UK

Australia – New Income Thresholds for Skilled Visa Nominations Beginning July 1, 2026

Skilled Visa Nominations lodged on or after July 1, 2026, will be subject to a 3.75% increase in the income threshold. This increase aligns with the Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE) and will impact the following visa categories:

• Skills in Demand (subclass 482)
• Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)

The income thresholds for the Core Skills and Specialist Skills streams will rise to AUD 79,499 and AUD 146,717, respectively.

Singapore – New AI & Tech Track of Overseas Network and Expertise (ONE) Pass Coming in 2027

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has announced a new track under the Overseas Network and Expertise (ONE) Pass. Beginning on January 1, 2027, an “AI & Tech” track will be available to qualified founders, senior leaders, and highly experienced technical specialists in the AI and technology sectors. To qualify, applicants must be employed in an eligible role, have at least five years of senior-level or technical experience within the past decade, and earn a minimum monthly salary of SGD 30,000. While the ONE Pass is not employer-sponsored, this new track provides an additional pathway for top global talent in emerging sectors to live and work in Singapore.

Canada – IRCC Government Fee Increases, Bill C-12 Approval, and Upcoming Changes to the OINP

IRCC Government Fee Increases

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has published its annual fee adjustments. While the increases are modest, they are effective as of the dates indicated below.

• Permanent Residence – New fees apply to applications filed on or after April 30, 2026.
• Removal Expenses – Effective April 1, 2026.
• Right of Citizenship Fee – Effective March 31, 2026.

A complete list of updated fees is available here.

Bill C-12 Now in Effect

Bill C-12, also known as the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act, received Royal Assent on March 26, 2026. This bill introduces significant changes to Canada’s immigration framework, including:

• New restrictions on refugee eligibility;
• Expanded information sharing within government and, in certain cases, with foreign governments; and
• Broader executive powers to pause, refuse, or modify applications and immigration documents in the public interest.

While these powers are subject to oversight and formal approval processes, they represent a notable shift toward greater centralized control over immigration processing.

Upcoming Changes to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has confirmed that its current streams will be discontinued as of May 30, 2026, with a redesigned program expected to be introduced soon. Based on proposals released to date, the new framework is expected to consolidate OINP’s eight existing streams into four new streams, to be introduced in two phases.

• Phase 1: Ontario is expected to streamline its current Employer Job Offer pathways by consolidating them into a single program with two tracks based on job level. For higher-skilled roles (TEER 0–3), the focus will remain on candidates already working in Canada, with requirements largely aligned with current criteria (e.g., competitive wages, relevant work experience, and licensing where applicable).

• Phase 2: Ontario is expected to introduce new, targeted streams focused on key priority areas, including healthcare, entrepreneurship, and “exceptional talent” in fields such as technology and innovation.

Further details have not yet been released. Individuals currently in the OINP pool may need to be reassessed under the new framework once it is implemented.

New Zealand – Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa Reforms Announced

Immigration New Zealand has released additional details regarding reforms to the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa that will be rolled out beginning in late August 2026, including:

New Trades and Technician Pathway

A new Trades and Technician pathway will officially be added, offering skilled workers in eligible occupations a dedicated route to residence.

To qualify under this pathway, applicants must:

• Be employed in a specified ANZSCO skill level 1–3 Trades and Technician occupations;
• Hold a Level 4 or higher qualification in a relevant field; and
• Have at least four years of relevant post-qualification work experience, including a minimum of 1.5 years of experience in New Zealand at or above the SMC median wage.

A full list of eligible occupations can be found on the Immigration New Zealand website here.

Option to Extend Accredited Employer Work Visas (AEWV)*

Applicants who need additional time to meet SMC work experience requirements will have the option to apply for an extension of their Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) for up to 12 months.

*This option is expected to be introduced in 2027. Further details regarding eligibility and renewal procedures will be released at a later date.

Other Noteworthy Reforms

Additional updates include changes to qualification points, wage requirements, and English language test validity for the SMC. Immigration New Zealand has also flagged several occupations as “red” and “amber” based on their identified immigration risk and outlined the eligibility requirements for applicants in those roles.

Further information regarding recent reforms is available here.