Global Visa & Immigration Updates – 23/05/2026

World Visa Academy – Daily Global Visa and Immigration Update

Date: 23/05/2026

USA – Ebola Entry Ban Tightened Further

What it means: The US updated its Ebola travel rules again on May 22. Anyone who has been in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan in the last 21 days cannot enter the US if they are a foreign national. American citizens and green card holders from those countries can still enter but must arrive through Washington Dulles Airport (IAD) for health screening. Starting May 26, Houston George Bush Airport (IAH) will also be added as an approved screening point.

Impact: Consultants with clients traveling from or through East and Central Africa must reroute immediately. Visa operations at US embassies in Kampala, Kinshasa, and Juba remain suspended. Any client planning US travel who has passed through these three countries in the past three weeks needs alternative planning right now.

USA – Banks Will Now Check Your Immigration Status

What it means: President Trump signed an executive order on May 19 directing banks and financial regulators to check whether customers have legal immigration status before they open accounts or take loans. The Treasury Department will issue detailed guidance soon.

Impact: This affects undocumented immigrants and people on certain visa types the most. It does not directly block visa applications but creates financial barriers that can affect sponsorship documents, financial proof requirements, and settlement planning for immigration cases.

USA – Attorneys Must Show Up in Person at USCIS Interviews

What it means: From May 18, immigration attorneys are required to physically attend all USCIS interviews at field offices. Remote or phone representation is no longer allowed. This also covers asylum interviews.

Impact: Clients whose lawyers are based in other cities or states will either need a local attorney or face extra travel costs. Consultants must flag this when setting up interview plans, especially for clients in smaller cities far from major immigration hubs.

Canada – Express Entry Reform Consultation Closes Tomorrow on May 24

What it means: The Canadian government has been collecting public feedback on proposed big changes to the Express Entry system. This consultation closes on May 24. The proposals include replacing the three existing programs with one unified pathway, adding a minimum language requirement of CLB 6 for all applicants, and giving extra weight to high wage jobs.

Impact: Nothing is law yet but whatever comes out of this consultation will reshape how candidates are selected after 2026. If your clients are still building their profiles, now is the time to strengthen language scores and job offer documentation before new rules kick in.

Canada – Ontario Shutting Down All 9 Provincial Immigration Streams

What it means: Starting May 30, Ontario will revoke all nine existing OINP selection categories. This includes popular ones like the Masters Graduate stream, PhD Graduate stream, Employer Job Offer stream, and the In-Demand Skills stream.

Impact: This is a big deal. Anyone who has not yet applied through Ontario's provincial nominee program should check their eligibility this week. After May 30 the door closes on all nine streams. Consultants must act urgently for any Ontario-based clients.

Canada – No New Express Entry CEC Draw Since May 11

What it means: After issuing around 72,000 invitations in the first four months of 2026, Canada has gone quiet on Canadian Experience Class draws. The last draw on May 11 was a Provincial Nominee draw only. Candidates are waiting for the next CEC or category-based round.

Impact: Skilled workers inside Canada on work permits are watching closely. There is no confirmed date for the next CEC draw. Consultants should advise clients to use this time to improve their CRS score by improving language test results or exploring provincial nominations.

UAE – Major Salary Law Comes Into Force June 1

What it means: The UAE announced on May 22 that from June 1, all private sector employers must pay salaries by the first day of every month. The old 15-day grace period is gone. Late payment starts getting flagged from Day 2 and penalties escalate quickly toward work permit suspensions and travel bans on company managers.

Impact: This directly affects the work visa status of millions of expat workers. If an employer delays salary, the worker's work permit could be suspended. Consultants and HR teams handling UAE-based employees must make sure payroll systems are updated before June 1.

Europe – Schengen Appointment Slots Vanishing for Summer 2026

What it means: Spain, Greece, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Norway are all reporting a severe shortage of Schengen visa appointment slots for summer travel. Applicants from India, UAE, and UK are among the most affected, with waiting periods stretching weeks or months beyond normal processing times.

Impact: Anyone planning Europe travel for June or July needs to apply right now. Consultants should stop advising clients to wait. This year the backlog is worse than usual because multiple new digital border systems are being rolled out at the same time, adding pressure to already stretched consulate capacity.

Schengen – Internal Border Checks Still Running Across Europe

What it means: Multiple Schengen countries are continuing passport checks at their own internal borders. Germany is checking all land borders until September 2026. Austria, Denmark, Italy, and Slovenia continue checks until June or July. France, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, and Sweden continue through late 2026.

Impact: Travelers within Europe should carry valid identity documents and residence permits at all times even when moving between Schengen countries. Clients on work assignments across multiple European countries must be briefed on this.

India – Ebola Health Screening Started at All Entry Points

What it means: From May 21, India began intensified health checks at all airports and ports of entry for anyone arriving from DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan. Passengers with symptoms must declare themselves before immigration and may be quarantined.

Impact: Companies moving employees from Africa to India need to factor in possible delays at immigration. Consultants should brief clients traveling this route about the declaration process to avoid being held back or denied entry.

India – OCI Card 6-Month Stay Rule Is Gone, E-OCI Now Available

What it means: India removed the old rule that required foreign nationals to stay six continuous months in India before applying for an OCI card. Now as long as you have a valid visa and correct documents, you can apply immediately. A new electronic OCI option also launched in May 2026 where a physical card is now optional. The application fee stays at USD 275 outside India.

Impact: This is genuinely good news for Indian diaspora families. Spouses and dependants who were stuck waiting months can now apply as soon as they arrive. Consultants should update their OCI checklists and inform NRI clients globally about this change.

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

Pro Tip for Immigration Consultants: The Canada Express Entry consultation closes May 24 and Ontario shuts all its provincial streams on May 30. These two deadlines happen within days of each other. Run a quick audit of all your Canada-bound clients this weekend, identify who qualifies for Ontario nominations or has a strong Express Entry profile, and file or advise before next week. Missing these windows could cost your clients months or even years of waiting.