Global Visa & Immigration Updates – 13 May 2026

World Visa Academy – Daily Global Visa & Immigration Update Date: 13/05/2026

Canada Big Alert — First May Express Entry Draw Done, Bigger Draws Expected This Week

What it means: IRCC held a PNP draw on May 11 issuing 380 invitations at CRS 798. That is done. Now the real action is coming. A CEC draw is expected this week at CRS 512 to 513 with around 4,500 to 5,500 invitations. A French language draw at CRS as low as 393 is also likely right after. The Express Entry reform consultation closes May 24.

Impact: Watch IRCC daily this week. Candidates with Canadian work experience above CRS 510 should be ready. French language candidates at CLB 7 plus are in a strong position for a very low cut off draw. Update all client profiles before the draw lands, not after.

Czech Republic Big Alert — 25 Employer Forms Replaced With One, Blue Card Salary Threshold Also Raised

What it means: From April 2026, Czech employers now submit just one monthly notification instead of around 25 separate forms to register or deregister employees including foreign nationals. Also, the EU Blue Card minimum salary rose to CZK 73,823 per month from May 1. Three administrative offences within 12 months can now lead to a residence permit being cancelled.

Impact: Good news for employer clients on paperwork. But act fast on the Blue Card salary check. Any Blue Card holder currently earning below the new threshold needs a salary adjustment immediately or their work authorisation is at risk. Also warn foreign national clients to avoid even minor repeated public order violations as three strikes now means permit cancellation.

Middle East Big Alert — 50% Drop in Travel From the Region, US Embassy Appointments Cancelled

What it means: Heathrow confirmed travel from the Middle East dropped over 50% in April due to ongoing airspace closures from the regional conflict. American Airlines has cancelled all Middle East routes until May 31. US Embassy visa appointments in Amman and Kuwait are cancelled indefinitely. Importantly, foreign nationals stranded due to airspace closures will not face overstay penalties.

Impact: Do not advise any client to travel through the Middle East this week without first checking airline status. Clients expecting US visa appointments in affected embassies should plan for serious delays. Clients stranded with expired visas must document everything clearly to use the overstay protection.

United States Big Alert — H-1B Salary Hike Proposal Causing Companies to Drop Junior Sponsorships Now

What it means: The proposed 30% H-1B salary increase combined with the existing 100,000 dollar petition fee is already pushing companies to cut entry level sponsorships. This is still a proposal but employers are not waiting.

Impact: Build parallel plans for all H-1B dependent clients right now. Canada, UK, Australia, and Germany are all live options worth exploring immediately.

Saudi Arabia Big Alert — Makkah Fully Locked Down, Hajj Fines in Force

What it means: Hajj falls around May 25 to 30. Anyone caught in Makkah without a permit faces a SAR 20,000 fine, deportation, and a 10 year ban. Umrah restarts around June 10.

Impact: No permit, no Makkah. Any client asking for help doing Hajj on a tourist visa gets a firm no.

Europe Big Alert — Biometric Borders Running, Fake ETIAS Sites Spreading

What it means: All 29 Schengen countries are fingerprinting non-EU travelers at the border since April 10. ETIAS is coming late 2026 but scam sites are already collecting money for it.

Impact: Warn clients about longer queues on first entry to Europe. The only real ETIAS site when it launches is travel-europe.europa.eu/etias. Paying anywhere else today is a scam.

No major new policy changes or big announcements reported from other countries worldwide today.

Pro Tip for Immigration Consultants

This week has two things that need daily attention. Watch IRCC every morning because the Canada CEC and French language draws could drop any day and being even one day slow means your client misses the window to update their profile before the cut off is set. At the same time, if you have any employer clients in the Czech Republic with Blue Card holders on their payroll, call them today and check if salaries meet the new CZK 73,823 threshold that came into force May 1. One quick call this week could protect a client's employee from losing their work authorisation completely.