World Visa Academy – Daily Global Visa & Immigration Update
Date: 22/06/2026

JAPAN Big Alert – Tourist Visa

Japan just confirmed a fivefold increase in visa fees, effective July 1, 2026. The single entry visa goes from 3,000 yen to 15,000 yen, and the multiple entry visa goes from 6,000 yen to 30,000 yen. This is the first fee revision since 1978, nearly 48 years ago. Foreign Minister Motegi made the official announcement following a government ministerial meeting that approved the revised ordinance on June 19.

What it means: Anyone who needs a visa to visit Japan will now pay five times more. Applications submitted before July 1 will still be processed at the old rates. Japan also raised its international departure tax from 1,000 yen to 3,000 yen starting July 2026, affecting all travelers flying out of Japan regardless of nationality.

Impact: Indian, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Filipino, and many other nationalities that require a visa for Japan will feel this directly. Clients planning Japan trips or study programs should be advised to apply now and avoid the July 1 jump.

United Kingdom Active Alert – Scale-Up Visa Fee Grant

The UK launched a new grant scheme allowing eligible scale-up businesses in clean energy, life sciences, and digital technology to obtain reimbursement of visa application fees for overseas hires and their dependents, helping reduce recruitment costs and improve hiring certainty. Funding is capped at GBP 25,000 per business per year, with up to GBP 5,000 per hire, and is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. The scheme applies to eligible fees incurred from June 9, 2026, and is open until March 1, 2027. 

What it means: Tech and clean energy startups in the UK can now get reimbursed for Skilled Worker visa fees for new overseas hires. This is first-come, first-served, so early applications matter.

Impact: Consultants working with UK employers in these three sectors should flag this immediately. It is a meaningful cost reduction that could make global hiring more attractive for smaller companies.

Kuwait Big Alert – Business Visa

Kuwait Commercial Visit Visa Issuance Temporarily Suspended as of June 19, 2026. The suspension appears linked to a domestic effort to audit the labor market and crack down on unauthorized employment being carried out under commercial visitor status. 

What it means: Foreign nationals planning business trips to Kuwait cannot currently get a commercial visit visa. The duration of the suspension is not yet confirmed.

Impact: Any client with pending Kuwait business travel plans must pause and monitor the situation. Check the Kuwait Ministry of Interior portal for updates before attempting to apply or book flights.

Indonesia Active Alert – Work Visa

Ongoing anti-corruption investigations by Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission have caused significant operational disruptions at multiple immigration offices, leading to longer processing times for key visa and permit services. Work visa processing has jumped from 5 business days to 7 to 11 days. Exit permits that previously took 2 days now take 3 to 5 days.

What it means: Immigration offices in Jakarta, Bali, and West Java are running slower as investigators work through corruption probes at these offices. The disruptions are expected to continue for weeks.

Impact: Consultants handling Indonesia-based expat clients or corporate relocations should build extra lead time into all filings until further notice.

Canada Active Alert – AI Fast Track Work Permit

Canada is developing a work-permit pathway for AI professionals. Announced June 4 under the AI for All initiative, Canada introduced a fast-track work permit for global AI professionals. 

What it means: Canada is specifically targeting global artificial intelligence talent for a dedicated fast-track route. This builds on the existing Express Entry system and positions Canada as a destination for the most in-demand tech professionals in the world right now.

Impact: Clients who are AI researchers, machine learning engineers, or data scientists should be actively exploring this route. It is one of the most forward-looking immigration openings of 2026.

Canada Active Alert – Citizenship Processing Delay

Citizenship certificate processing has spiked to 15 months with a queue that added over 11,600 applicants in a single cycle. This was confirmed in the June 17 IRCC processing time update

What it means: Getting a Canadian citizenship certificate is now taking over a year, up from just 3 months earlier this year. The queue has grown dramatically.

Impact: Clients who need their citizenship certificate urgently, for a job application or passport renewal, should plan well ahead and consult IRCC portal notifications frequently.

Hong Kong Active Alert – Employment Visa Renewals

Hong Kong has expanded advanced filing eligibility for extension of stay applications under several employment and talent admission schemes. Eligible applicants and their dependents may now submit extension applications up to three months before the expiry of their current limit of stay.

What it means: Workers in Hong Kong on employment-based visas now have a longer window to file for renewals without risking a gap in authorized status. The earlier filing option applies across employment, talent, investor, graduate, and labor importation schemes.

Impact: Consultants managing Hong Kong-based clients should use this three-month head start to file well in advance and avoid any disruption to work authorization timelines.

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

Pro Tip for Immigration Consultants

Japan's five-fold visa fee hike kicking in on July 1 is the most time-sensitive opportunity on your desk right now. Any client who regularly travels to Japan, studies there, or plans to should be called today. Applications submitted before July 1 lock in the old fee.