Global Immigration Recap: July 2026

Our July global immigration recap includes the latest on Canada’s revamped Ontario Immigration Nominee Program (OINP) and eligibility requirements for Reciprocal Employment Work Permits, Ireland’s response to Irish Residence Permit (IRP) renewal processing delays, Saudi Arabia’s regulatory updates for employers and new ETA option for business travelers, India’s new e-OCI card, and more.

Canada – Latest Employer Guidance for the OINP & C20 Work Permits; Annual LMIA Wage Threshold Updates

Ontario Launches New Workforce Priority Stream and Employer-Led Nomination Process

Ontario has introduced the first phase of a significant redesign of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), fundamentally changing how employers support foreign nationals seeking permanent residence. The province has consolidated its previous Employer Job Offer and Express Entry streams into the new Ontario Workforce Priority (OWP) Stream, while introducing a new employer-led application process through the OINP Employer Portal. The redesigned program is intended to streamline the nomination process, better align immigration with Ontario’s labour market needs, and strengthen program integrity.

Key Changes:

• Employer-led process: Employers must initiate the application by submitting a job offer through the OINP Employer Portal before an eligible employee can register an Expression of Interest (EOI). Following an invitation to apply, the employer must also submit an application seeking approval of the employment position.
• New Ontario Workforce Priority Stream: The new stream provides pathways for workers across all NOC TEER levels with qualifying Ontario job offers, as well as eligible self-employed physicians.
• Express Entry nomination option: Applicants in TEER 0–3 occupations, as well as eligible self-employed physicians, may now elect to receive their Ontario nomination through the Express Entry system, provided they meet the eligibility requirements of a federal Express Entry program and maintain a valid Express Entry profile.
• Previous EOIs withdrawn: Expressions of Interest submitted under the former streams that had not resulted in an invitation to apply have been withdrawn as part of the transition. Eligible candidates will need to submit a new EOI once the new system reopens.

Employer Takeaway

The redesigned OINP places employers at the centre of the nomination process while creating greater flexibility for eligible skilled workers. Employers should review their internal processes now, including who will manage the Employer Portal, how position information will be gathered, and whether employees affected by the transition should be reassessed under the new Workforce Priority Stream. For employers with workers in TEER 0–3 occupations, the new Express Entry nomination option may also provide a faster pathway to permanent residence for eligible employees.

IRCC Clarifies Requirements for C20 Reciprocal Employment Work Permits

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated its Program Delivery Instructions for C20 Reciprocal Employment to clarify that a foreign national must already have an employer-employee relationship with the organization abroad before submitting a C20 work permit application.

The updated guidance states that:

“The foreign national must be currently employed by the company abroad… Starting their employment with the company upon arrival in Canada would not provide the foreign national—or Canadian employer—with the opportunity to benefit from an exchange of knowledge or experience.”

It further clarifies that:

“An employer-employee relationship must be in place in the organization abroad before the application is submitted for consideration as reciprocity.”

This is a significant clarification for employers relying on the C20 exemption. While the underlying regulation (IRPR s. 205(b)) has not changed, IRCC has adopted a narrower interpretation of what constitutes reciprocal employment. As a result, new hires who intend to commence employment only upon arrival in Canada may no longer qualify under the C20 exemption, even where the employer has an established reciprocal employment program.

The updated guidance also resolves uncertainty created by IRCC’s February 2026 guidance by confirming that reciprocity is not tied to the applicant’s country of citizenship or residence. Rather, the focus is on whether the employer maintains reciprocal employment opportunities for Canadians. As a result, multinational organizations may satisfy the reciprocity requirement through affiliated offices in different countries, rather than through a direct exchange between two specific countries.

Employer Takeaway

Employers should no longer rely on the C20 category for new hires who will only commence employment upon arrival in Canada. Organizations should ensure prospective C20 applicants are already employed by the foreign entity before pursuing a reciprocal employment work permit and, where appropriate, consider alternative work permit options. We will also be monitoring how IRCC applies this updated guidance to individuals already in Canada under other work permit categories who may seek to transition to a C20 work permit.

Annual LMIA Wage Thresholds Updated

Effective July 17, 2026, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) implemented its annual update to the provincial wage thresholds used to determine whether a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) application is processed under the High-Wage or Low-Wage stream. The updated thresholds apply to all LMIA applications received on or after July 17, 2026.

The annual adjustments may affect:

• Whether an application falls under the High-Wage or Low-Wage stream;
• Applicable recruitment and employer compliance obligations; and
• Workforce planning for employers intending to hire foreign workers under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

Employer Takeaway

Employers preparing LMIA applications should review the updated provincial wage thresholds before extending offers or submitting applications. Even modest wage adjustments may affect the applicable LMIA stream and the associated recruitment and compliance requirements.

Ireland – Measures Introduced in Response to Irish Residence Permit (IRP) Renewal Processing Delays

Temporary Measures Introduced to Address IRP Renewal Processing Delays

With processing times for Irish Residence Permit (IRP) renewals exceeding 17 weeks at the Burgh Quay Registration Office in Dublin in early July, and an additional two weeks required for card delivery, the Irish government has introduced the following measures to protect workers’ rights and facilitate summer travel while they wait for their renewed IRP cards.

1. Interim Extension of Working Rights
Employees with an expired IRP card are legally allowed to remain and work in Ireland under their existing conditions until August 31, 2026, provided they meet the following criteria:

• The renewal application was submitted before their current IRP card expired.
• They have an official receipt of submission that shows their unique application number (OREG number) or an “application completed” confirmation email.
• They hold a valid, in-date employment permit or a Stamp category that permits them to work without one.

*This measure does not apply if the employee’s IRP expired before they submitted their renewal application.

2. Summer Travel Confirmation Notice
The government has also issued a notice to facilitate international travel during the summer months for non-EEA nationals who are awaiting their renewed IRP card. From now until August 31, 2026, individuals may travel outside of Ireland and re-enter using their recently expired IRP card, provided that their renewal application was submitted before their card expired.

Those who meet the above requirement and are traveling with an expired IRP card must carry the following documents with them:

• A printed copy of the official Travel Confirmation Notice;
• Their expired IRP card; and
• Proof of having submitted their renewal application prior to card expiry, i.e. the official receipt of submission showing their unique application number (OREG number) or an “application completed” confirmation email.

Additionally, travelers in this situation are urged to contact their airline ahead of time to ensure they recognize the above notice. If transitioning through a third country in route back to Ireland, affected individuals should check if the jurisdiction in question accepts the notice prior to booking tickets to avoid disruptions in travel.

Notice to Employers Regarding Irish Residence Permit (IRP) Renewal

As a reminder, applicants are legally permitted to submit their IRP renewal application 12 weeks in advance of card expiry. The Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) highly recommends submitting renewal applications at this time given the current processing delays. In addition to this 12-week lead time, applicants are also allowed to remain and work in Ireland under their existing residency and employment conditions for up to 12 weeks after the expiration date listed on their IRP card, so long as their renewal application was submitted prior to card expiry, and they hold a valid, in-date employment permit or a Stamp category that permits them to work without one. This provision will remain in place after the interim extension of workers’ rights ends on August 31, 2026.

To ensure compliance, employers should request official proof of application submission for any employees with an expired IRP card to ensure the renewal application was indeed submitted prior to card expiry.

The official Notice to Employers regarding this 12-week post-expiry provision is available on the IND website.

Saudi Arabia – Regulatory Updates for Employers and New ETA Option for UK Business Travelers

Saudi Arabia has introduced several regulatory updates that impact employers in the Kingdom, including updated Saudization rates and a new work permit requirement for Premium Residency holders. Additionally, a new option has been introduced for UK nationals traveling to the Kingdom for business.

Updated Saudization Rates

Employers are advised that the following Saudization rates must be met for impacted professions to remain compliant with current regulations. 

• Engineering – 30% for all Engineering professions
• Procurement – 70% for covered Procurement roles
• Sales & Marketing – 60% for covered Sales & Marketing roles
• Administrative Support Roles – An additional 69 administrative support roles are now subject to a 100% Saudization rate. This includes a range of secretarial, clerical, translation, data entry, and other administrative support roles.

New Work Permit Requirement for Premium Residency Holders

Individuals who hold Premium Residency in the Kingdom are now required to obtain a dedicated work permit via the Qiwa platform before commencing employment. Previously, Premium Residency holders were permitted to undertake employment without a separate work permit. This change introduces an additional compliance step for employers, as contracts must be registered through Qiwa and employees must be registered with the General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI).

While this new work permit requirement is already in effect, guidance relating to existing Premium Residency holders employed in the Kingdom has yet to be released. It remains unclear whether these individuals will need to obtain a separate work permit and the timeline for compliance.

GOSI & Health Insurance Integration

Saudi authorities continue to integrate the GOSI and health insurance systems in an effort to improve employment data verification and ensure that employees’ health insurance coverage remains aligned with their employment and social insurance status. GOSI will not become the health insurance provider – the integration is designed solely to improve validation and continuity of health insurance coverage for employees.

New Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for UK Citizens

As of July 1, 2026, UK citizens holding any type of British passport are eligible to travel to Saudi Arabia using a new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). This new ETA allows for multiple entries and a cumulative total stay of up to 180 days within a one-year period for business, tourism, or short-term study. Use of the ETA for employment, residence, or Hajj is strictly prohibited.

India – Digital Overseas Citizen of India (e-OCI) Card Introduced

The Government of India has introduced a digital version of the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, known as the e-OCI card. Moving forward, all new OCI applicants will be issued an e-OCI card instead of the traditional physical card. This shift to a digital system is intended to streamline the application process and facilitate travel to India.

It is important to note that existing physical OCI cards remain valid and may continue to be used for travel to India. Physical cardholders who wish to obtain an e-OCI may do so. In most cases, OCI cardholders are eligible to obtain an e-OCI without submitting a new application or undergoing physical verification.

Any miscellaneous OCI services initiated going forward, including passport updates, reissuance, and transfers, will be processed through the new e-OCI platform.

Furthermore, the requirement to replace the existing physical OCI card upon reaching the age of 20 has effectively been removed. When a new passport is issued to an OCI cardholder after the age of 20, passport details can be updated through the e-OCI platform, thus eliminating the need to renew an existing physical OCI card.

Australia – New Government Fees in Effect as of July 1, 2026

As previously reported, the new annual government fees for Australian visas went into effect on July 1, 2026. A full list of the updated fees is available on the Department of Home Affairs website here. These fees will apply to visa applications lodged between now and June 30, 2027.