UK Visas and Immigration Updates Bulk Data Transfer Guidance for Confirmations of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

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 22 October 2026, UK Visas and Immigration expanded its official guidance on how immigration officials must establish and check the identity of people applying to enter or remain in the United Kingdom. As part of this update, the Home Office revised its core UKVI identity standards guidance and issued two new documents: Identity standards: applications for entry clearance, permission to stay and settlement and Identity standards: impostor and age discrepancy cases.

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.