World Visa Academy – Daily Global Visa & Immigration Update Date: 18/05/2026

Japan Big Alert — New Specified Residence Card Launching June 14, eVisa Now Live for India, UAE, Indonesia and More

What it means: Effective June 14, 2026, Japan will introduce a new Specified Residence Card for long-term foreign residents. This voluntary card consolidates the existing Residence Card and the My Number ID Card into a single chip-based document. Current Residence Cards remain valid and residents are not required to switch immediately. Separately, as of May 15, the Japan eVISA system is now available for residents of India, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Macau, Mongolia, South Korea, Singapore, and the UAE through accredited agencies. Japan is also planning to introduce JESTA, its own electronic travel authorisation system similar to ETIAS, confirmed by the Prime Minister in February.

Impact: Indian, UAE, and Indonesian clients wanting to visit Japan for tourism can now apply for an eVisa through accredited travel agencies without visiting a Japanese embassy in person. This is a big deal for consultants serving South Asian and Middle Eastern clients. Update your Japan visa advisory immediately. For long-term residents in Japan, the June 14 card change is voluntary but worth flagging to clients now so they can plan accordingly.

Thailand Big Alert — Visa-Free Stay Being Cut from 60 Days to 30 Days for 93 Countries Including India, USA, UK, China, Australia

What it means: Thailand is preparing to reduce visa-free stays from sixty days to thirty days for travelers from ninety-three countries including India, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, China, and Japan. Authorities have confirmed the policy is under review but no final decision has yet been made. The review is being driven by documented cases of abuse of the 60-day exemption — particularly by digital nomads and long-stay travelers working illegally on tourist visas. Thailand has also introduced the Destination Thailand Visa for remote workers wanting to stay longer legally.

Impact: If this goes through, every client planning a 60-day stay in Thailand will need to either apply for a proper visa or the Destination Thailand Visa. Digital nomads and remote workers who have been living in Thailand on back-to-back tourist entries are the most affected. Brief your clients now and explore the DTV option for those who want extended legal stays. Final decision expected within weeks — watch this closely.

Venezuela Big Alert — Venezuela Goes Fully Digital for US Tourist and Business Visas

What it means: US nationals applying for a Business Visa or Tourist Visa for travel to Venezuela must now complete the full process online. Visas approved under the new e-Visa platform will be issued in electronic format and sent by email. This eliminates the previously required in-person appearance at a Venezuelan consulate. The new online process is expected to reduce visa processing times from six weeks to as few as 15 days.

Impact: A very practical improvement. US clients planning Venezuela travel now have a much faster and simpler process. Update your Venezuela travel advisory. Processing drops from 6 weeks to 15 days.

European Union Big Alert — EU Scraps A1 Certificate Requirement for Business Travel Across Single Market

What it means: The European Parliament and EU Council reached a provisional agreement eliminating the need for an A1 certificate for companies operating across the EU Single Market. The deal announced on April 27 is expected to be ratified within the coming months. The A1 was a social security document previously required every time an employee travelled to another EU country for work.

Impact: Massive paperwork reduction for any company sending employees across EU countries for short business trips. Once ratified, HR and mobility teams no longer need to file A1 forms for every single trip. Tell your employer clients in Europe today.

Canada Big Alert — Next Express Entry Draw Confirmed for May 25, Consultation Closes May 24

What it means: The expected Canada Express Entry next draw prediction is May 25, 2026. Typically Express Entry draws are conducted at regular two-week intervals on a Wednesday. As of May 11, IRCC has held 27 draws issuing 72,007 ITAs. CEC draws ran at CRS 507 to 511 throughout Q1. French draws ran as low as CRS 393. The Express Entry reform consultation closes tomorrow May 24.

Impact: May 25 is one week away. Every client profile must be fully updated now. French language candidates at CLB 7 and above are in the strongest position in the pool with cut-offs potentially as low as 393. The reform consultation closing tomorrow is also important — if your clients have views on how Express Entry should work going forward, today is the last day to submit feedback at canada.ca.

United States Big Alert — 75 Countries Still Blocked from Immigrant Visas, Green Card Retrogression Warning

What it means: The US paused immigrant visa processing for 75 countries starting January 21, 2026. Confirmed affected countries include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Jamaica, Russia, and many others across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. This affects immigrant visas only — tourist, student, and work visas continue with heightened scrutiny. Separately, a sudden slowdown in the May Visa Bulletin following significant early-year advancements suggests the Department of State is taking a more cautious approach. Historically retrogression often occurs in June. 

Impact: If you have clients from any of the 75 affected countries waiting for immigrant visas, their cases are in an indefinite hold. Explore alternative pathways — Canada, UK, Australia, Germany are all open. For employment-based green card clients, prepare for possible retrogression in June. Review all cases now.

United Kingdom Big Alert — Immigration and Asylum Bill Moving Fast Through Parliament

What it means: The landmark bill announced May 13 is now being actively debated. New appeals body replaces the tribunal, Article 8 family rights being legally narrowed, tougher deportation enforcement. No rule changes yet but moving quickly.

Impact: Clients with UK asylum cases or tribunal appeals need qualified UK immigration lawyers now. Skilled Worker and student visa clients are unaffected for now.

Malaysia Big Alert — EP Appeal Window Just 14 Days, June 1 Salary Threshold in 14 Days

What it means: Since May 15, Employment Pass rejections give employers only 14 days to appeal online. Category 1 EP minimum salary doubles to RM 20,000 from June 1 — now just 14 days away.

Impact: Any EP rejection must land on your desk within 48 hours. Check every Category 1 EP holder salary before June 1.

Indonesia / Bali Big Alert — Bali Cracking Down Hard on Tourists Working Illegally on Tourist Visas

What it means: Indonesian authorities introduced new tourist taxes, stricter visa monitoring, and behavioral guidelines for international visitors. Officials also increased immigration inspections targeting foreigners operating businesses illegally while on tourist visas. Bali in particular is under intensive monitoring.

Impact: Any client working remotely or running a business in Bali on a tourist visa is now at genuine risk of deportation. Advise them to get the correct visa category. Indonesia has proper digital nomad and business visa options that are the legal route.

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

Pro Tip for Immigration Consultants

Today the world handed you three business opportunities in one briefing. First, Japan eVisa is now live for Indian, UAE, and Indonesian clients through accredited agencies — if you serve clients in these markets, Japan tourism consulting is now a real product you can sell. Second, Thailand's 60-day visa-free cut to 30 days is coming for 93 countries. Every client currently planning a long Thailand stay needs to know about the Destination Thailand Visa before the policy finalises. Third, Canada's Express Entry reform consultation closes tomorrow May 24 and the next draw is May 25. Two actions in two days. Send your clients the consultation link today and have all profiles ready for tomorrow's draw. The consultants who turn today's news into client conversations by tomorrow morning are the ones building long-term loyalty.