CA Announced
Canada's 2027-2029 Immigration Levels Plan Is Due by November 1, 2026
The law requires IRCC to table its annual immigration report, with next year's PR projections, by November 1. As of October 11, 2026, no new plan is out.
Immigration news
Dated, sourced reports on the immigration announcements and rule changes that affect people moving permanently to the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia.
Every report links the official announcement. Follow via RSS or email alerts.
AU Announced
Australia Schedules First 2026-27 Skilled Independent Invitation Round for 15 October
Home Affairs will hold a SkillSelect invitation round for the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa on 15 October 2026, the first since June 2026.
CA In effect
Low-Wage LMIA Refusal List Updated: 30 Metro Areas Paused From October 9, 2026
ESDC's quarterly update means low-wage LMIAs in 30 metro areas, including Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Montréal, won't be processed until January 7, 2027.
UK In effect
UK Lets Modern Slavery Victims on Skilled Worker Visas Work for Any Employer
From October 2026, Skilled Worker visa holders formally recognised as modern slavery victims can leave an abusive sponsor and work for any employer.
US Proposed
DHS Proposes $70,000 Fee for F-1 Students' OPT, Paid by Schools
A DHS proposed rule would make schools pay $70,000 for a student's first OPT and $30,000 for each later OPT, including STEM OPT. Comments close November 9, 2026.
UK Proposed
Immigration and Asylum Bill: Home Office Publishes Factsheets as Committee Stage Continues
The Home Office published factsheets on 8 October 2026 for the Immigration and Asylum Bill, which would change Article 8 family claims, asylum and appeals.
CA In effect
Ontario PNP Adds 10 EOI Points for Earning $80,000 or More in One Year
From October 5, 2026, Ontario Workforce Priority registrants who earned $80,000+ in one year in the past 5 get 10 EOI points, applied automatically.
AU In effect
Australia Doubles Student Provider Transfer Restriction to 12 Months
From 2 October 2026 international students must stay with their main course for 12 months before transferring. A new transfer visa starts 1 July 2027.
AU In effect
Australia Stops Most Student Visa Applicants Bringing Family From 2 October 2026
From 2 October 2026 most Student visa (subclass 500) applicants cannot include a partner or children, and no student can add family after grant.
AU In effect
Most Australian Student Visa Applications Must Now Be Lodged Offshore
From 2 October 2026 most temporary visa holders, including working holiday makers and many current students, cannot apply for a Student visa inside Australia.
CA In effect
Express Entry: 13 Rounds and 21,792 Invitations From August 17 to October 1, 2026
IRCC held 13 Express Entry rounds between August 17 and October 1, 2026. CEC cutoffs reached a 2026 high of 523, and French cutoffs fell to 382.
US In effect
October 2026 Visa Bulletin: EB-2 and EB-3 Retrogress, USCIS Uses Filing Dates
The FY2027 opening Visa Bulletin moves worldwide EB-2 back to January 1, 2025 and EB-3 to May 15, 2024. USCIS accepts I-485s under Dates for Filing.
US Blocked in court
Second Court Blocks $100,000 H-1B Payment, Including 2026 Extension
A federal court in California vacated the $100,000 H-1B payment policies on September 30, 2026, including the extension to September 2027. The fee is not collected.
US Announced
H.R. 1 Immigration Fees Rise for Inflation From October 16, 2026
DHS raises H.R. 1 fees for FY2027: asylum fee $105, parole fee $1,050, initial EAD fee $570, TPS fee $520 and ESTA $40.62, all from October 16, 2026.
US Announced
USCIS Final Rule Raises EB-5 Investor Fees From November 30, 2026
A final rule sets new EB-5 fees from November 30, 2026: I-526E $7,850, I-526 $7,615, I-829 $5,000, and a $1,100 Integrity Fund fee per regional center investor.
UK In effect
UK Resettlement Scheme Reopens to New Refugee Referrals
The Home Office reopened the UK Resettlement Scheme on 28 September 2026 and set dates for new community, student and work sponsorship routes for refugees.
AU In effect
New Processing Order for Australian Skilled Visas Under Directions 121 and 122
From 19 September 2026, Ministerial Directions 121 and 122 replace Direction 119 and set new processing priorities for 482, 186, 189, 190 and 491 visas.
US In effect
New Public Charge Rule Takes Effect September 18, 2026
DHS rescinded the 2022 public charge rule. From September 18, 2026, officers weigh all facts with broader discretion, and any means-tested benefit use may count.
AU Announced
Australia Announces Points Test Redesign With Uplift for Housing Trades
Australia will redesign its skilled points test, and housing trades will score the same as a university degree, the Home Affairs Minister said on 17 September 2026.
AU Announced
Australia to Cap Second and Third Working Holiday Visas by Ballot
Second-year Working Holiday visas will be capped at 45,000 and third-year visas at 5,000 through a ballot, the government announced on 17 September 2026.
AU Announced
Australia to Add 'No Further Stay' Condition to All Visitor Visas
Future Australian visitor visas will carry a No Further Stay condition, ending most onshore visa applications by visitors, the government announced on 17 September 2026.
US Proposed
DHS Proposes Ending 60-Day Grace Period for H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN and E Workers
A DHS proposed rule would remove the up-to-60-day grace period after a job ends for H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN, E and H-1B1 workers. Comments close November 10, 2026.
CA In effect
Canada Lets Some Work Permit Holders Study Up to 6 Months Without a Study Permit
From September 9, 2026 to December 31, 2027, eligible work permit holders in Canada can take up to 6 months of training without a study permit.
UK In effect
UK Opens Student and Visitor Routes to Erasmus+ Participants From 8 October 2026
From 8 October 2026, Erasmus+ courses can be sponsored on the Student route and Erasmus+ visitors can train, job shadow or take traineeships of up to 30 days.
UK In effect
EU Settlement Scheme and BN(O) Settlement Rules Change Under HC 584
From 8 October 2026, EUSS joining family face a three-month deadline and BN(O) children can settle sooner; BRPs stop counting as EUSS ID on 9 December.
UK In effect
UK Statement of Changes HC 584: What Changes on 8 October, 29 October, 30 November and 9 December 2026
HC 584, laid on 3 September 2026, changes Erasmus+, visitor, Skilled Worker, EUSS, BN(O), religious worker and student maintenance rules in four stages.
UK Announced
UK Student Visa Maintenance Funds Rise From 30 November 2026
Student visa applicants must show £1,570 a month in London or £1,203 a month elsewhere from 30 November 2026, under Statement of Changes HC 584.
UK In effect
UK Visitors Can Now Attend Workshops, Skills Competitions and Rehearsals
From 8 October 2026, UK visitors can join workshops, debates, skills competitions and rehearsals, and training no longer has to be unavailable at home.
CA In effect
Canada Closes Hong Kong Permanent Residence Pathways to New Applications on August 31, 2026
IRCC's Hong Kong PR pathways stopped taking new applications on August 31, 2026. Applications received by then will still be processed.
CA In effect
Canada Raises Study Permit Proof of Funds to $23,448 From September 1, 2026
From September 1, 2026, single study permit applicants outside Quebec must show $23,448 for living costs, up from $22,895, plus tuition and travel.
US Proposed
DHS Proposes $103,265 Fee on H-1B Cap-Subject Petitions
A DHS proposed rule would add a $103,265 fee to every H-1B cap-subject petition, including master's cap cases. Cap-exempt employers would not pay it.
CA In effect
BC and Alberta Get More 2026 Provincial Nominations: BC Rises to 6,254, Alberta to 6,603
IRCC added 1,000 nominations to the BC PNP (now 6,254) and 200 to Alberta's AAIP (now 6,603) for 2026, announced in August 2026.
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