Global Immigration Recap: February 2026

Our February global immigration recap includes the latest on Canada’s 2026 Express Entry categories and C20 work permit guidance, Singapore’s minimum qualifying salaries for EP and S-Pass holders, Saudi Arabia’s pause on temporary work visa issuance, the United Kingdom’s transition to a fully digital visa system, and more.

Canada – 2026 Express Entry Categories Announced; New Guidance on C20 Eligibility Released

2026 Express Entry Categories Announced

IRCC has announced its Express Entry (EE) categories for 2026, aimed at inviting candidates with the skills and experience required to address critical labor market needs to apply for permanent residency.

Newly added categories of particular relevance to companies include:

• Senior managers with Canadian work experience; and
• Candidates with work experience in transport occupations, including pilots, aircraft mechanics, and inspectors.

Renewed categories that continue to be relevant include:

• Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) occupations such as civil, mechanical, industrial and electrical engineers, and cyber security specialists;
• Health care and social service occupations;
• Transport occupations, such as air pilots, flight engineers, automotive service technicians, aircraft mechanics and aircraft instrument electrical and avionics mechanics and technicians;
• Trades occupations, including machinists; and
• Candidates with French language proficiency.

New Guidance on C20 Eligibility Released

Recently released IRCC guidance regarding the C20 – Reciprocal Employment category indicates that an applicant’s eligibility to work in Canada under this International Mobility Program may be impacted by reciprocal employment opportunities available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents in the applicant’s country of origin.

The guidance states that, “Paragraph R205(b) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) allows temporary workers to take up employment in Canada when Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada have similar reciprocal opportunities in the country where the worker is coming from.” More information is available here.

While paragraph R205(b) itself refers only to the presence of reciprocal employment opportunities in “other countries” and not specifically in the applicant’s country of origin, the above guidance suggests that C20 applications may be reviewed more closely in this regard.

This development is particularly relevant given the increased scrutiny we have observed in cases involving newly hired employees applying under C20. While it remains to be seen how officers will interpret and apply this language in practice, employers should anticipate a greater expectation for clear, documented evidence demonstrating genuine reciprocal employment opportunities abroad.

Singapore – Minimum Qualifying Salaries for EP and S-Pass Holders Set to Increase Next Year

As of January 1, 2027, employers must meet the following minimum qualifying salaries for new Employment Pass (EP) and S-Pass applications. Additionally, this new minimum will apply to any renewal applications lodged on or after January 1, 2028. Employers are encouraged to plan ahead to ensure compliance with these updated figures.

Saudi Arabia – Pause on Temporary Work Visa Issuance, Increased Saudization Rate for Sales & Marketing Roles, and New GOSI Payment Method

Pause on Temporary Work Visa Issuance

Saudi Arabia has temporarily paused issuance of temporary work visas for nationals of the following 17 countries: Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, Turkey and Yemen.

Please note that this measure only impacts the issuance of temporary work visas, which are typically used for short-term assignments, project-based work, technical support, consultancy visits and secondments of limited duration, for nationals of the above countries. Standard work visas (Iqama-based employment) and other residence visa categories remain unaffected.

Increased Saudization Rate for Sales & Marketing Roles

Effective April 19, 2026, private-sector businesses with three or more employees in the following Sales & Marketing roles will be subject to a 60% Saudization rate: Sales Manager, Sales Specialist, Sales Representative, Commodity Broker, Marketing Manager, Public Relations Manager, Marketing Specialist and Graphic Designer. This means that 60% of the above roles must be filled by Saudi nationals. Additionally, for a Saudi national employee to be counted toward the Saudization requirement in these roles, their monthly salary registered with the General Organization of Social Insurance (GOSI) must be at least SAR 5,500. This marks a stark increase in the current Saudization rates required for these marketing (30%) and sales (15%) occupations. Affected employers are encouraged to act now to ensure compliance and avoid penalties.

New GOSI Payment Method

Monthly social security contributions can now be paid online via the GOSI employer portal using virtual account details or a credit card. All payments and receipts are now being tracked online exclusively within the portal. In light of this, registered employers should ensure their portal accounts remain active and that internal protocols are updated to reflect these changes.

UK – Transition to Fully Digital Visa System Expected in 2026

The UK government is on track to phase out physical visa stickers between now and the end of the year. Currently, most visa recipients are issued an e-Visa as well as a physical sticker in their passport; however, the latter is set to be removed completely in 2026 as the UK transitions to a fully digital visa system. While visa stickers will remain valid until their expiration, all visa holders should set up a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) online account to access and prove their immigration status.

Australia – Delays in Bridging Visa B (BVB) Processing

Bridging Visa B (BVB) applicants are encouraged to lodge their applications as far in advance as possible due to Home Affairs processing delays affecting BVB and many other visa types. Applicants are also urged to avoid booking non-refundable flights until their BVB has been issued. Decisions are often being made close to or even after the anticipated travel date, and applicants are not permitted to exit Australia with Bridging Visa A; they must wait for their BVB to be issued.

Mexico – e-Visa Reinstated for Brazilian Nationals Arriving by Air

A 2022 measure that required Brazilian nationals to obtain a consular visa for travel to Mexico has been reversed, once again enabling Brazilians to enter Mexico by air for tourism or business with an electronic Visitor Visa (e-Visa). Eligible travelers can obtain this e-Visa, which is typically issued same-day and valid for stays of up to 180 days per entry, online via the Mexico e-Visa portal.

Those entering Mexico by land or sea, or who have been refused an e-Visa, must still apply for a consular visa for travel to Mexico. Brazilian nationals who hold valid immigration status in a third country, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, or a Schengen member country, may qualify for an exemption. 

China – Updated Salary Thresholds for Category A and B Work Permits

The salary threshold for Category A and B work permits has been updated to align with the social average wage figures, which are adjusted annually under Chinese regulations. As of February 5, 2026, Category A and B work permit holders in the cities of Beijing and Shanghai must earn the following minimum annual salary, whenever the applicant does not meet the diploma or experience requirements.

Vietnam – Vietnam Joins Hague Apostille Convention

Vietnam has officially joined the Hague Apostille Convention. Beginning on September 11, 2026, the provisions of the Convention will take effect, greatly simplifying the process of authenticating foreign documents required for work permits and other immigration applications in Vietnam.