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Global Visa & Immigration Updates – September 11, 2026
Visa & Immigration Update
The changes that matter today, decoded for consultants by World Visa Academy
The Irish Cabinet secured priority drafting on 10 September for the Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2026. If enacted, it would reshape naturalisation more than any change in decades.
For the first time, applicants would need proficiency in English, Irish, or Irish Sign Language, plus a civics test on Irish society and the Constitution. Time under the Temporary Protection Directive would not count toward residency for Ukrainians, and the Minister for Justice would gain a distinct power to revoke citizenship on national security grounds.
The Bill now goes to the Oireachtas Justice Committee for scrutiny and has not yet passed. Current rules remain in force until legislation is enacted.
Clients near the current five year threshold should file now under existing rules, since the reform would add three years to their wait. Warn Temporary Protection clients their time likely will not count, and plan an alternative route now.
The UK was formally added to Canada's CPTPP work permit provisions from 1 September, with IRCC updating instructions on 10 September. UK citizens can now access LMIA exempt work permits under exemption code T52 across four categories.
Eligible occupations span engineering, technology, finance, business, science and marketing. The UK is the first non founding CPTPP member and first European country to join. Clients can now pick the most favourable pathway alongside existing routes.
Stop defaulting to standard LMIA strategies for UK clients where a CPTPP category fits. T52 removes the labour market test and cuts weeks from processing. Check CPTPP eligibility before any other route.
DHS's proposed rule eliminating the discretionary 60 day grace period for nonimmigrant workers whose employment ends is published in the Federal Register today, 11 September, opening a 30 to 60 day public comment period. The window currently lets laid off workers find new sponsorship or change status without falling out of status.
Publication marks the shift to formal rulemaking. The rule will not take effect until DHS reviews comments and issues a final rule, typically several months away.
Prepare clients for the safety net shrinking, even though nothing is final. Anyone relying on the 60 day window after a layoff should move fast toward new sponsorship or a change of status.
A Fragomen alert on 10 September confirms both the June and August 2026 relaxations remain in force. Growth category applicants can direct up to 20 percent of their investment to qualifying New Zealand charities. Since 12 August, borrowed funds must come from the same jurisdiction as the supporting assets, and managed fund investors need only a legally binding agreement.
Applications have surged since April 2025, particularly from US, Chinese and Hong Kong investors.
For high net worth clients, confirm the current threshold, presence requirement and philanthropy option per category. Keep borrowed funds' jurisdiction consistent with the source of qualifying assets, a mismatch is now an active refusal risk.
China's Regulations on Exit and Entry Administration under State Council Decree No. 841 take effect on 15 September. The 19 article framework requires every application to state a genuine and lawful purpose, with authorities able to verify via documents or electronic data. Penalties include one to five year entry bans for false information.
Immigration intermediary agencies inside China now face filing requirements. New agencies file within 15 days of establishment; existing ones have 90 days to register with the National Immigration Administration.
Keep the stated purpose, invitation letter, bookings and employment details consistent from application through to the port of entry. For clients using intermediaries in China, confirm the agent is properly filed under the new rules first.
Thailand's 60 day visa exemption drops to 30 days for 60 countries; land border entries capped at 2 per year outside ASEAN neighbours.
US DHS fixed period of stay rule replaces duration of status for F, J and I visa holders. Transition group travellers readmitted after this date get a fixed I-94.
China's Decree No. 841 exit and entry regulations take effect.
New US public charge policy takes effect for adjustment of status; the worldwide immigrant visa interview pause is expected to hold at least through this date.
End of US fiscal year and final day for FY 2026 diversity visa issuance. EB-2, EB-1 India and EB-5 unreserved categories may become unavailable before then.
Ukraine TPS designation ends and all Ukraine TPS based employment authorization becomes invalid.
When a major reform is at the Bill stage rather than in force, like today's Irish citizenship overhaul, use the gap between announcement and enactment to move eligible clients into applications under current rules. It is a matter of weeks or months, not years, so speed of outreach matters as much as legal analysis.
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