What changed, and what it means

What changed

New Zealand's Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa lets skilled people live in the country forever. To get it, people must have a job or a job offer in New Zealand. There are three ways to qualify: * Points-based system: People need 6 skilled resident points. * Skilled Work Experience pathway: For people with a lot of work history. * Trades and Technician pathway: For people in specific hands-on jobs. All applicants must meet general rules. These include rules about health, character, and English language skills. They must also meet specific wage levels. This visa lets successful applicants live, work, and study in New Zealand forever. Their family members (partners and children up to 24 years old) can also come. They may apply for a Permanent Resident Visa later.

What changed

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has updated its caseworker guidance for settlement applications under family and private life routes, effective 17 August 2026. This version 5.0 introduces specific guidance for paragraphs 297 and 298 within Part 8 of the Immigration Rules and revises references to Part Suitability. It also includes new instructions for managing applications where individuals have simultaneously applied for both settlement and the EU Settlement Scheme, requiring caseworkers to coordinate and applicants to confirm their preferred application within 14 days if both are grantable.

What changed

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has updated its rules for public charge inadmissibility decisions. These new rules start on 18 September 2026. This new guidance cancels the public charge rules from 2022. It explains how USCIS officers will decide if people applying for lawful permanent resident status, which is legally called adjustment of status, are likely to need public support. For means-tested public benefits received before 18 September 2026, USCIS will only consider public cash aid for living costs and long-term care in a government institution. But for benefits received on or after 18 September 2026, USCIS will consider all means-tested public benefits. This is part of looking at the five legal factors for public charge inadmissibility.

What changed

Portugal's Agency for Integration, Migrations and Asylum (AIMA) has again shared rules for renewing paper residence cards. These cards are for people from European Union (EU) countries and their family members who are not EU citizens — legally called third-country nationals. The main rule is still to remove the first zero when you type the card number into the online system. For example, if your card number is 011641, you should type 11641. If you cannot send your application online, you must send an email to geral@aima.gov.pt. The email subject line must be specific. You must attach your personal details and a copy of your card. AIMA also published a new article on 14 August 2026. This article talks about the documents needed for third-country national family members of EU citizens. It specifically covers marriage certificates and applications for children.

What changed

The Department of State has given a 30-day notice. This notice is about collecting information for petitions. These petitions are for special immigrant classifications under section 203(b)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). This particularly affects people who work or used to work for the U.S. Government in other countries. It also affects their spouses or children if the U.S. Government employee has died. They are all seeking special immigrant status.