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.
Immigration briefing: Sep 28 – Oct 4, 2026
9 news reports and 8 tracked rule changes across US, Canada, UK, Australia.
United States
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.
- In effect
October 2026 Visa Bulletin: EB-2 and EB-3 retrogress
The first bulletin of FY2027 moves worldwide EB-2 Final Action Dates back to January 1, 2025 and EB-3 to May 15, 2024. USCIS says to use the Dates for Filing chart for family and employment-based I-485s in October 2026.
- Announced
FY2027 inflation increase to H.R. 1 immigration fees
From October 16, 2026, the annual asylum fee rises to $105 and the initial EAD fee for asylum seekers, parolees and TPS applicants rises to $570. Filings postmarked on or after that date without the new fee will be rejected.
- Announced
EB-5 investor fees rise from November 30, 2026
A final rule sets Form I-526E at $7,850, Form I-526 at $7,615 and Form I-829 at $5,000 for filings postmarked on or after November 30, 2026. The EB-5 Integrity Fund fee for each I-526E investor rises from $1,000 to $1,100.
Canada
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.
- In effect
Express Entry: 13 rounds and 21,792 invitations since mid-August
IRCC held 13 rounds with 21,792 invitations from August 17 to October 1, 2026. Canadian Experience Class cutoffs ranged from 518 to 523, the highest of 2026.
United Kingdom
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.
- In effect
UK Resettlement Scheme reopens to new referrals
Referrals to the UK Resettlement Scheme reopened on 28 September 2026, with first arrivals expected before the end of 2026. Community and student sponsorship applications open in October 2026, and work sponsorship opens in spring 2027.
Australia
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.
- In effect
Most student visa applicants can no longer bring family
Most new Student visa (subclass 500) applicants cannot include a partner or children, and family cannot join later. PhD students, sponsored and scholarship students, and Pacific Island and ASEAN nationals are among those exempt.
- In effect
Most Student visa applications must be lodged outside Australia
Holders of visas such as the 417, 462, 482 and 485 can no longer apply for a Student visa in Australia. Current students can apply onshore only under limited exemptions, such as finishing the same course or moving to a higher qualification.
- In effect
Student provider transfer restriction extended to 12 months
From 2 October 2026, non-school students must stay in their principal course for 12 months, up from 6, before seeking a transfer. From 1 July 2027, students changing provider must get a new Student visa in a transfer stream first.
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