Ireland Introduces New Employment Permits and Reviews '50:50 Rule' to Address Skills Shortages

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.

What changed

On 20 October 2026, new provisions of Canada's Canada Labour Code came into force, introducing stronger protections against certain fees charged by temporary help agencies and establishing equal-treatment requirements for workers in federally regulated employment. The federal government has published two complementary guidance documents: Temporary Help Agencies – IPG-123 and Equal Treatment – IPG-122. These explain how the new requirements apply, which workers are covered, when differences in pay may be permitted, and how employees can raise concerns.

What changed

Japan's Immigration Services Agency updated the operational guidelines for its Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) programme on 19 October 2026, alongside revisions to official guidance on the documentation required for certain applicants under the Specified Skilled Worker (ii) category. The most clearly documented change concerns how applicants and employers demonstrate that a worker's duties include supervising or instructing other workers. The revision addresses situations in which an employer temporarily lacks the required number of people to be supervised, as well as circumstances in which appropriate supervision may take place across different departments or work locations.

What changed

On 19 October 2026, the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA), in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), published an operational update detailing the examination status and strict processing thresholds for the Specified Skilled Worker (i) (Food Service Industry Field) residency status. Under the updated framework, authorities are prioritising domestic changes of status over overseas entrants, processing Certificates of Eligibility (COE) sequentially only for applications submitted up to 6 February 2026. All COE applications accepted on or after 13 April 2026—the commencement date of the temporary suspension measure—will, in principle, not be issued. For domestic changes of status, authorities are granting standard permissions for job transitions within the sector, as well as transitions from specified Technical Intern Training programmes and preparatory Designated Activities submitted up to 30 September 2026. However, change of status applications from all other visa categories submitted on or after 13 April 2026 face refusal in principle, compelling affected individuals whose permissions are nearing expiry to bridge their legal stay through designated transitional procedures.