World Visa Academy – Daily Global Visa & Immigration Update

Date: 09/09/2026

United Kingdom

Big Alert – Statement Of Changes HC 584

What it means

The Home Office published Statement of Changes HC 584 on 3 September, introducing amendments across the Skilled Worker, Student, EU Settlement Scheme, family, private life, Long Residence, Hong Kong BN(O), Visitor and Erasmus+ routes. Most changes take effect on 8 October, with certain provisions relating to the T2 Minister of Religion and Temporary Work Religious Worker routes following on 29 October, new Student visa maintenance requirements from 30 November, and an EU Settlement Scheme identity document change from 9 December. The Home Office has divided the 8 October changes into two groups: Group 1 changes apply from that date regardless of when an application was filed, while Group 2 changes carry transitional protection meaning applications lodged before 8 October will be decided under the rules in force on 7 October. The Statement also introduces new protections for exploited Skilled Workers, extends the Domestic Abuse route to include adult dependent children, and prepares for the UK's return to Erasmus+.

Impact

Consultants advising UK clients should identify every case that will be affected before 8 October and decide, on each one, whether to file now under current rules where transitional protection applies, or wait if the new rules are more favourable. Skilled Worker sponsors and applicants, student visa applicants planning to file after 30 November, and Hong Kong BN(O) families should each get a specific case by case review this month, since the changes vary in impact by route.

United States

Update – Ukraine TPS Employment Authorization

What it means

USCIS issued a supplementary guidance notice on 3 September, confirming that Ukraine Temporary Protected Status and its associated benefits terminate on 19 October. USCIS is now issuing individual notices, by mail and through myUSCIS accounts, to Ukraine TPS holders who filed a Form I-765 during the last re-registration period and whose current employment authorization document expires before 19 October. Those notices automatically extend the affected EAD to 19 October, the final day of the TPS designation. Employers completing Form I-9 for Ukraine TPS employees should enter 19 October 2026 as the expiration date in both Section 1 and Section 2, along with a note in the Additional Information box, and attach the USCIS notice.

Impact

Consultants with Ukraine TPS clients should confirm each client has received either the mailed notice or a myUSCIS message confirming the automatic EAD extension, and should tell them plainly that all TPS based work authorization ends on 19 October. Clients who may qualify for alternative status, including asylum or employer sponsored routes, should be told this is the moment to switch strategy rather than assume TPS will be extended further. Employer clients should update I-9 files for affected employees now to avoid a compliance gap at the October cutoff.

Russia

Active Alert – Monitoring Application Requirements

What it means

Russia's experimental "Amina" mobile monitoring application, active since 1 September 2025, continues to apply as reconfirmed in a Fragomen alert on 8 September 2026. Nationals of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan who work in Moscow or the broader Moscow region must register their address of stay through Amina, which requires continuous geolocation access to confirm they remain at the registered address. If the geolocation stops for more than three days, authorities may de-register the individual and require a fresh Amina registration, with fines or deportation possible for non-compliance. Family members of affected nationals are not currently subject to the requirement. Separately, Russia's medical examination framework introduced under Federal Law No. 162-FZ took effect on 1 September 2026, unifying the mandatory examination window at 30 days for certain foreign nationals.

Impact

Consultants advising employer clients placing citizens of any of the nine affected countries in Moscow or the broader Moscow region should ensure their onboarding process explicitly covers Amina installation on day one, together with clear rules on maintaining active geolocation. Non-compliance is treated as an immigration violation, not a technical glitch, and can affect an employee's continued right to remain in Russia.

European Union

Update – Ukrainian Temporary Protection Military Service Check

What it means

Belgium has now formally implemented the EU Council Implementing Decision 2026/1912 of 30 July, which requires new applicants for Ukrainian temporary protection status to demonstrate compliance with any Ukrainian military service obligations. Applicants at the Brussels registration centre and elsewhere must present supporting evidence, for example through the Reserv+ app, where applicable. This applies only to new applications; those who already hold temporary protection are unaffected. Other member states are implementing the same requirement on varying dates as they update national procedures.

Impact

Consultants with clients of Ukrainian nationality currently outside the EU and considering applying for temporary protection should confirm which member state's implementation of the military service check will apply to them, and identify the supporting evidence needed before filing. Clients who already hold temporary protection can be reassured they need not repeat any check.

Reminder

Upcoming Deadlines This Month

Four major changes remain scheduled to take effect within the next three weeks, all previously covered:

15 September: Thailand's 60 day visa exemption drops to 30 days for 60 countries; land border entries capped at 2 per year outside ASEAN neighbours.

15 September: US DHS fixed period of stay rule replaces duration of status for F, J and I visa holders. Anyone in the transition group who travels abroad and is readmitted after this date will get a fixed I-94.

18 September: New US public charge policy takes effect for adjustment of status applications; the worldwide immigrant visa interview pause is expected to remain in force at least through this date.

30 September: End of US fiscal year, and final day for FY 2026 diversity visa issuance. EB-2, EB-1 India and EB-5 unreserved employment based categories may become unavailable before then.

19 October: Ukraine TPS designation ends and all Ukraine TPS based employment authorization becomes invalid.

No major new policy changes or big announcements reported from Africa, Oceania, South America, the wider Middle East or the rest of Asia dated specifically to the past 48 hours.

Pro Tip for Immigration Consultants

When a country publishes a Statement of Changes or similar consolidated rules package, as with the UK's HC 584, the biggest client value comes from mapping the transitional protection details, not just the effective dates. A file that qualifies for protection under old rules but would fail under new ones should be prioritised over any case where new rules are neutral or beneficial.