Cyprus Introduces Mandatory Medical Examinations for Immigration Permit Applications (Categories A–F)
What changed
From 1 September 2026, the Cypriot Migration Department requires specific medical examination results for Immigration Permit applications in Categories A–F. People who are not citizens of the EU, EEA or Switzerland — legally called third-country nationals — and their family members must meet this new rule. They must provide certified blood tests for certain infectious diseases and a chest X-ray for tuberculosis. This is not needed if an exemption applies or if an agreement between two countries means the documents do not need certification.
The detail
Related changes
United StatesWork PermitsProposalAmended 9 Nov 2026 U.S. Proposes $70,000 Initial Fee for Optional Practical Training
What changed
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has initiated a proposed rulemaking to introduce substantial new fees for Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 nonimmigrant students. This measure, announced on 8 October 2026, aims to enhance the integrity of the immigration system by deterring fraud and protecting the interests of U.S. workers. Under the proposal, an initial OPT application would incur a fee of $70,000, while any subsequent OPT would cost $30,000. Stakeholders have until 9 November 2026 to submit comments on these proposed changes.
Published 8 Oct 2026Federal Register — Immigration rules & notices
CanadaWork PermitsPublishedEffective 3 Nov 2026 Canada Introduces New Express Entry Points for High-Wage Occupations and Removes LMIA Requirement for Qualifying Job Offers
What changed
From 3 November 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will change the Express Entry system. These updates will add new Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for people with eligible Canadian work experience or qualifying job offers in occupations that pay high wages. At the same time, the requirement for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) will be removed for qualifying job offers used to prove you meet the programme's conditions and to get CRS points. This change aims to better help skilled professionals join the Canadian job market by focusing on high-wage occupations.
Published 16 Oct 2026Effective 3 Nov 2026IRCC Newsroom
Canada · British ColumbiaWork PermitsPublishedEffective 15 Oct 2026 British Columbia Provincial Nominee Programme (BC PNP) Updates Skills Immigration Invitations, Adjusting Minimum Scores and Invitation Numbers
What changed
On 15 October 2026, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Programme (BC PNP) issued 16 invitations to apply to candidates registered under its Temporary Rural/Remote Health Support Initiative. These invitations were extended to individuals who achieved a minimum score of 54 points. This recent draw signals the province's continued focus on attracting skilled workers to rural and remote healthcare sectors, allowing invited candidates to proceed with their application for provincial nomination, which supports their permanent residency application in Canada.
Published 10 Sept 2026Effective 15 Oct 2026WelcomeBC — BC Provincial Nominee Program
United StatesWork PermitsEffectiveEffective 14 Oct 2026 U.S. Finalises Rule Removing Automatic Extensions for Certain Employment Authorisation Documents
What changed
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has now finalised its rule to end the automatic extension of Employment Authorisation Documents (EADs) for specific groups of people who are not U.S. citizens, known as 'non-citizens', even if they have applied to renew their documents on time. This final rule, which takes effect on 14 October 2026, confirms changes first made in an interim rule published on 30 October 2025. The main aim is to improve the integrity of the benefits process and ensure that non-citizens are thoroughly vetted and screened before they are allowed to work for a new period or are given new EADs.
Published 14 Oct 2026Effective 14 Oct 2026Federal Register — Immigration rules & notices
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