Global Visa and Immigration Updates for Businesses and Professionals
Governments across Asia, North America and Europe are tightening some business and professional immigration routes while opening others for highly skilled talent and major investors. Changes introduced or announced between April and August 2026 could affect the cost of hiring foreign professionals, establishing overseas businesses and travelling for commercial purposes.
Malaysia: Malaysia introduced major changes to its Employment Pass system from June 1, 2026, significantly increasing salary requirements for foreign professionals. Category I now requires a minimum monthly salary of RM20,000, while Category II covers salaries from RM10,000 to RM19,999. Category III ranges from RM5,000 to RM9,999, with a RM7,000 minimum for certain manufacturing sectors. Category II has a cumulative tenure limit of up to 10 years, while Category III is limited to five years. Both categories also require succession or localization plans. The changes increase the cost and administrative responsibility of employing foreign talent. The policy clearly reflects Malaysia’s effort to give greater priority to local workers while requiring expatriates to contribute to knowledge and skills transfer.
United States: The United States is also making foreign recruitment more expensive. The State Department’s B-1/B-2 visa bond programme has been made permanent, potentially requiring applicants from designated countries with high visa overstay rates to post substantial bonds. Separately, the Department of Homeland Security has proposed a $103,265 fee for certain new H-1B petitions. If implemented, the H-1B proposal would particularly affect smaller employers that depend on overseas professionals. The H-1B programme is widely used by technology, research and other specialised industries, and the proposed fee could force companies to reconsider where and how they recruit international talent.
Canada: Canada’s Start-up Visa Program is now officially paused. Only applicants holding a valid 2025 commitment certificate and who applied by the June 30, 2026 deadline qualified under the remaining provisions. The government is continuing to process applications already received. Entrepreneurs and immigration advisers should therefore avoid presenting the Start-up Visa as a generally available route for new applicants. Founders seeking to establish themselves in Canada will need to examine other immigration and work options.
United Kingdom: The UK expanded its Global Talent visa route on August 6, 2026, allowing more than 100 research-intensive businesses to support leading international researchers. Companies include AstraZeneca and Jaguar Land Rover, with opportunities spanning areas such as life sciences, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and digital technologies. The expansion gives eligible businesses greater access to international scientific and engineering talent. The route also offers researchers flexibility, including the ability in certain circumstances to move between organizations or establish spin-out businesses.
Japan: Japan’s higher ¥30 million Business Manager Visa capital requirement continues to raise the financial threshold for foreign entrepreneurs seeking to establish businesses in the country.
Saudi Arabia has increased business visa fees, making repeated commercial travel more expensive, particularly for smaller companies.
Kazakhstan, meanwhile, is moving in the opposite direction by promoting its planned Altyn Visa program for major foreign investors and skilled technology professionals. This could strengthen the country’s appeal as a regional business and investment hub if the program is implemented as announced.
South Korea: South Korea has expanded E-7 visa support by adding occupations, reducing documentation requirements and introducing digital assistance for foreign applicants. The changes could help companies facing labour shortages, although employers must still meet salary and eligibility requirements.
The broader direction of global business immigration is becoming clearer. Countries increasingly want foreign capital and specialised knowledge, but many are raising the financial and compliance requirements for companies that employ overseas workers. For entrepreneurs and businesses planning international expansion, immigration policy is becoming an increasingly important part of investment, recruitment and market-entry decisions.
Disclaimer: This article reflects major visa and immigration developments reported between April and August 2026. Immigration rules can change quickly, and this article is for general information only, not legal advice. Businesses and applicants should consult official government sources or qualified immigration advisers before making decisions.
