Immigration policy changes, explained for you

Why it matters

Effective 24 August 2026, New Zealand's Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced final changes to the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa and Work to Residence visas. Most SMC applicants will now only need to meet one wage threshold, set at either when their skilled work experience began or when their work visa was granted if work starts within five months, providing greater certainty. Work to Residence visa applicants (Care Workforce, Transport) will similarly use the wage rate applicable at their work visa grant date. New evidential requirements include needing a supporting bachelor's degree for certain Level 8 or 9 qualifications, increasing points for bachelor's and accredited qualifications from 3 to 4, and removing the 120-credit requirement for overseas Trades and Technician qualifications. Self-employment will no longer count as relevant work experience for the new Trades and Technician and Skilled Work Experience pathways, and the definition of 'genuine employment' for all skilled residence visas has been clarified to require offers that are 'available and ongoing' with a 'genuine need to be based in New Zealand'.

Why it matters

New Zealand's Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa provides a pathway to indefinite residence for skilled individuals with a job or job offer in the country. The policy outlines three distinct pathways for eligibility: a Points-based system requiring 6 skilled resident points, a Skilled Work Experience pathway for those with extensive work history, and a Trades and Technician pathway for specific practical roles. All applicants must meet general requirements including health, character, English language proficiency, and specific wage thresholds. The visa allows successful applicants and their included family members (partners and dependent children up to 24) to live, work, and study in New Zealand indefinitely, with the potential to apply for a Permanent Resident Visa in the future.

Why it matters

The U.S. government is preparing to implement the largest mass visa revocation in its history, targeting up to 200,000 foreigners. This action will revoke B1 (business) and B2 (tourism) visas for individuals who have applied for or are currently seeking asylum status in the United States. The State Department, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, expects to announce this measure in the coming weeks. While the revocations would not lead to immediate deportation, affected individuals would lose their status as short-term visitors.

Why it matters

The Trump administration has proposed a new rule to formalize and permanently set the H-1B work visa fee at $103,265 per application in the US. This proposal, published in the US Federal Register, follows a temporary imposition of a $100,000 fee last year which was blocked by court rulings and is set to expire in September. If finalized after a 30-day public comment period, this would dramatically increase the cost of H-1B visas, which historically ranged from $2,000 to $5,000, affecting foreign workers and employers in sectors like tech, education, and research.

Why it matters

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed an additional fee of $103,265 for all H-1B cap-subject petitions, including those for the advanced degree exemption. This new fee, announced on August 24, 2026, would be paid at the time of filing in addition to existing fees. The proposal aims to generate approximately $8.8 billion annually to cover federal government costs for administering the lawful immigration system. The fee will apply to employers and individuals filing H-1B cap-subject petitions, while petitions not subject to the cap, such as those from non-profit research organizations and institutions of higher education, would be exempt.

Why it matters

A federal judge in Manhattan has struck down the Trump administration’s ban on immigrant visas for nationals from 75 countries, deeming it “contrary to law.” The State Department had previously paused the issuance of immigrant visas from these nations, including Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Haiti, Somalia, and Russia, based on concerns about public benefit usage. This ruling, issued on Friday, reverses any visa denials that were based solely on this specific policy. It reaffirms that an immigrant's likelihood of becoming a public charge must be assessed individually, considering their finances, age, health, skills, and family situation, rather than their country of origin.