June’s Global Immigration Roundup provides important updates on changes in immigration policies across several countries, including the overhaul of Canada’s Ontario Immigration Nominee Program (OINP), new requirements for Vietnamese employers regarding Business VNeIDs, modifications to India’s FRRO registration and employment visa categories, as well as minimum wage adjustments impacting French work and residence permits.
Canada implements new OINP framework and updates border measures
The Ontario government has officially introduced changes to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), terminating the previous employer-driven recruitment stream and replacing it with a new system focused on employer-driven nominations.
Key changes to note include:
- The cessation of the former Employer Job Offer stream, with no further invitations issued under this category. Applications already submitted will be processed based on the eligibility criteria in effect at the time of submission. The OINP Expression of Interest (EOI) system is expected to relaunch later this summer, with existing EOIs and job offers automatically canceled if no invitations have been issued.
Employer considerations:
Employers who have previously registered do not need to register again when the system reopens. Each candidate will require a new job offer, and upon job posting, employees must submit a new Expression of Interest (EOI).
The province has also released preliminary eligibility criteria for the new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream, detailing minimum work experience, language skills, educational background, and wage standards according to the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER categories. As the details are still under review, employers are advised to await the final regulations before making any eligibility assumptions.
Additionally, eligible business travelers from Indonesia and Malaysia can now apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) in lieu of a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) for air travel to Canada. To qualify, applicants must have held a Canadian tourist visa within the last decade or currently possess a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa.
This update is a significant time-saver for employers with operations in Southeast Asia, facilitating faster travel for essential business visitors.
Vietnam mandates Business VNeID for all sponsors
As of June 1, 2026, all sponsors in Vietnam are required to possess a Business VNeID to access the National Civil Service Portal and the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) Portal. Without a valid Business VNeID, company representatives will be unable to proceed with administrative tasks such as visa applications, as previous login methods are no longer in use. It is crucial for sponsors to obtain this VNeID promptly to prevent immigration disruptions.
India streamlines FRRO registration and updates employment visa categories
India has revised its schedules for registration with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) and made changes to employment visa categories. Foreign nationals arriving on visas valid for 180 days or less must now register with the FRRO before the expiration of their visa, as the earlier 14-day grace period post-expiration has been eliminated.
As for employment visas, the previous four subcategories have been condensed into three:
- E-1: Covers all types of employment, including internal transferees, though it excludes those under E-2 or E-3.
- E-2: Pertains to Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
- E-3: Applies to missionaries, religious activists, and recognized organizations.
France raises minimum wage and reviews immigration processing platform
As a result of a recent increase in the French Minimum Wage (SMIC), employers are encouraged to reassess the salaries of foreign employees whose work and residence permits are tied to the SMIC. This is especially critical for pending, status change, or renewal applications based on SMIC salary requirements, including categories such as Salarié and Talent – Mandataire social.
Failure to meet the updated salary criteria could compel employers to conduct a labor market test to establish that no qualified local candidates are available for the role.
The French government is also mandated to implement corrective measures concerning the ANEF digital immigration platform within six to twelve months due to ongoing issues. These steps aim to reduce backlogs and ensure timely processing of future residence permit applications.
Uruguay announces visa exemption for Chinese nationals
Uruguay is set to offer visa exemptions for Chinese nationals visiting for business or tourism, following Brazil’s recent introduction of a 30-day visa waiver for Chinese citizens. Other South American nations may follow suit as China extends visa exemptions to various countries in the region. Further details on Uruguay’s exemption are expected to be announced shortly.
Israel experiences delays in multiple entry work visa processing
The Population and Immigration Department of Israel has indicated that the processing time for multiple entry work visas is currently extending up to three weeks upon arrival. This delay necessitates careful consideration by employers in planning travel and project timelines to avoid potential disruptions in their employees’ immigration status.
Philippines centralizes AEP application processing
Effective June 9, 2026, all new and renewal applications for Alien Employment Permits (AEPs) will be processed at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Central Office in Manila. Employers should anticipate some delays during this shift to centralized processing.
Australia sets new income thresholds and government fees for sponsored visas
Employers should be aware that new annual income criteria for sponsored visas will take effect starting July 1, 2026:
- Core Skills: AUD 79,499
- Specialist Skills: AUD 146,717
Any visa applications submitted after this date must meet these salary requirements, and associated government fees will increase by approximately 3%. For a complete list of current fees, employers can refer to the Home Office website.
