World Visa Academy  :– Daily Global Visa and Immigration Update Date: 24/05/2026

USA – Green Card Rules Just Got Harder

What it means: On May 22, 2026, USCIS released a major policy memo stating that getting a Green Card while staying inside the United States is no longer a standard option. USCIS announced that immigrants applying for adjustment of status must now go through consular processing with the Department of State outside the United States. In simple words, if you are in the US on a student visa, tourist visa, H-1B, or any temporary visa, you will generally need to go back to your home country and apply for a Green Card from there. This affects F-1 students, H-1B workers, O-1, L-1, B-2 visitors, and all other nonimmigrants with Green Card plans.

Impact: This is one of the biggest shifts in US immigration in years. People with pending Green Card applications inside the US are now in a grey area. H-1B and L-1 workers and their dependants may be less impacted due to the unique dual intent regulations for these visa types. However, visitor visa and student visa holders face the highest risk. Do not take any action like leaving the US or withdrawing an application without speaking to an immigration lawyer first.

USA – India EB-2 Green Card Category Now Closed for New Filings

What it means: The US State Department confirmed on May 22, 2026 that the India per-country limit has been reached in the EB-2 category. This means no new adjustment of status filings can be accepted under EB-2 for Indian nationals for the rest of this fiscal year. 

Impact: Indian professionals already stuck in decade-long backlogs face yet another setback. EB-2 India final action date remains frozen at July 2014. If you are an Indian national in the EB-2 category, talk to your attorney immediately about alternative strategies.

Canada – TODAY Is the Last Day for Express Entry Feedback

What it means: IRCC has asked that responses be submitted by May 24, 2026 for their consultation on proposed Express Entry reforms. IRCC is proposing to replace the three existing Express Entry programs with a single unified pathway, overhaul the Comprehensive Ranking System scoring model, and introduce a new high-wage occupation factor that would fundamentally change how candidates are ranked.

Impact: If implemented, these reforms could alter eligibility requirements and CRS scoring, with a greater focus on wages and job demand. Anyone with a stake in how Canada selects skilled immigrants should submit feedback today. Missing this window means losing your chance to shape policy before regulations are drafted. This is a consultation stage only, no rules have changed yet.

Germany – EU Blue Card Salary Bar Raised

What it means: For an EU Blue Card in Germany, the minimum salary threshold in 2026 is now 50,700 euros gross per year. For shortage occupations, the salary threshold is 45,934.20 euros gross per year.

Impact: Any EU Blue Card application submitted after January 1, 2026 must comply with the new thresholds. If your contract was signed in 2025 with a salary that falls just below the new limits, your visa application may be rejected unless the salary is adjusted. Employers hiring engineers, IT professionals, and healthcare workers in Germany must review all pending job offers and contracts now.

Europe (Schengen) – Digital Border System Fully Running

What it means: As of April 10, 2026, the EES replaces the stamping of passports, allowing automatic detection of overstayers who have exceeded the maximum duration of their authorised stay. The system collects fingerprints and facial scans of every non-EU national entering the Schengen Area. Additionally, ETIAS will become operational in the last quarter of 2026, meaning visa-exempt non-EU nationals such as from the USA, Canada, and Australia will need to apply for a new electronic travel authorisation before entering the Schengen Area.

Impact: Overstaying is now automatically detected. The old method of counting passport stamps by hand is gone. Applicants and their families travelling to Europe need to be extremely careful about their 90-day limit. Start preparing your clients for ETIAS before year-end.

Malaysia – Next-Generation Immigration System Coming

What it means: Malaysia plans to roll out its National Integrated Immigration System called MyNIISe nationwide from September 2026. The new system combines facial recognition, QR codes, and digital passport verification, allowing travellers to clear immigration in as little as four to five seconds.

Impact: Great news for frequent travellers to Malaysia. Processing at major airports like KLIA will become significantly faster. Travel agents and corporate mobility teams should update their client briefings accordingly.

Japan – eVisa System Now Live for More Countries

What it means: As of May 15, 2026, the Japan eVisa system is available for nationals residing in Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the USA. Tourists from these countries can now apply for a short-term Japan visa fully online.

Impact: This removes the need to visit a Japanese embassy or consulate in person for short-term tourism. A smoother, paperless process is now in place for nationals of these nine countries.

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

Pro Tip for Immigration Consultants

The US adjustment of status policy change is the biggest story this week. Review every single client file you have with a pending I-485 or Green Card plan. Reach out to H-1B, L-1, and dual-intent visa holders first since they carry the least immediate risk, but student visa and visitor visa holders with pending cases need urgent attention. At the same time, if you have clients interested in Germany, review their job offer salaries against the new Blue Card thresholds before submission. And if any of your clients want to enter the Express Entry pool for Canada, today is the last possible day to submit their voice on how that system is redesigned.