Alberta Advantage Immigration Programme (AAIP) Reminds Employers of Illegality of Charging Recruitment Fees to Workers

What changed

On 14 October 2026, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), published a proposed rule that would remove the requirement for immigration officers to give deference to certain previous eligibility approvals when deciding subsequent employment-related immigration petitions. The proposal targets 8 CFR 214.1(c)(5), a regulation introduced in December 2024 that generally instructs USCIS officers to defer to an earlier approval when a subsequent request involves the same parties and underlying facts, unless a specified exception applies.

What changed

The UK Home Office has published updated guidance for caseworkers regarding the cancellation and curtailment of pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) and limited leave granted via an EUSS Family Permit. This guidance, updated on 12 October 2026, details new discretionary grounds for cancellation and curtailment, including the submission of false information, fraudulent assistance in obtaining immigration benefits, and involvement in marriages or civil partnerships of convenience. The changes, reflecting Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules HC 584, mean that individuals holding pre-settled status face a broader range of circumstances under which their leave may be withdrawn.

What changed

The United States government has initiated the suspension of prominent technology firms, including Microsoft and Adobe, from a visa programme that facilitates permanent residency for skilled foreign workers. This measure, announced by US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling, stems from claims of visa fraud and aims to prioritise American employment. Concurrently, an investigation has commenced into alleged J-1 visa fraud involving several universities accused of undercutting US wages by employing international students. The policy came into effect immediately following the announcement on 8 October 2026, impacting the ability of these entities to utilise specific visa categories for foreign labour.

What changed

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Programme (OINP) has changed the scoring for Canadian work experience earnings history within its Ontario Workforce Priority (OWP) stream's Expression of Interest (EOI) system. As of 5 October 2026, candidates who have earned CAD 80,000 or more in a single year during the last five years will receive 10 points. This update is automatically applied to all existing EOIs and aims to make the assessment process smoother for highly paid candidates in Ontario's workforce.