MixedIn force since 15 September 2026
Latvia: the new immigration law closed residence through property and self-employment but eased some paths to permanent status
What changed
The new immigration law has applied since 15 September. Residence through real estate and through subordinated liabilities to a bank is closed. Existing permits on these grounds stay valid until expiry and can be extended once for another five years. The company-investment route remains, but the permit is cut from five to two years.
The law provides a new route: at least EUR 150,000 invested for a minimum of five years in a state alternative investment fund, but the fund has not been created, so the route does not work yet. Permits for self-employed people and individual merchants are abolished and existing ones cannot be extended. For new permanent residence permits, the single EU long-term resident status remains, and funds can be proved with savings instead of regular income. A student's family can join only in exceptions: NATO citizens and doctoral students.
What it means for you
Latvia became noticeably less accessible for anyone counting on property, a bank deposit or self-employment as the basis for residence. For some long-term residents the single EU status and proof of means through savings improve the outlook, but only after the required period of temporary residence.
Watch out
The EUR 150,000 fund route cannot be treated as available until the fund exists. A self-employed person will need another basis, for example the startup founder route. For students the family scenario now depends on citizenship and programme level. From 31 December 2027 integration requirements in Latvian language, history and culture apply. Fragomen's consolidated analysis came out on 27 October, so the change reaches this issue late. We have a separate guide on the law.
Sources: Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs of Latvia (PMLP): new immigration law takes effect · Fragomen: Latvia, wide-ranging reforms
More about the country: Moving to Latvia
BetterIn force: new points since 5 October 2026, REDI expansion since 16 October 2026 until the end of 2027
Canada: Ontario widens its regional route to nomination and adds points for high Canadian income
What changed
The new phase of the Regional Economic Development through Immigration initiative covers Greater Sudbury, Kenora District, Nipissing District, Rainy River District, Renfrew County and Thunder Bay. Provincial nomination places under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program are set aside for these regions; no separate REDI application is needed.
In the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream a candidate gets 10 points if in any of the last five years they earned at least CAD 80,000 in Canada and can prove it with a Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency. The new points were added automatically to existing Expressions of Interest.
What it means for you
For a skilled worker with a regional job offer there is a clearer path to nomination and then to permanent residence. A small Ontario town may make more sense than Toronto for someone who cares about permanent residency, not only the big-city labour market. A profile with earlier high Canadian earnings gets an extra competitive edge.
Watch out
This is not an open programme for anyone who wants to move to Ontario. You must meet the stream and OINP requirements and have a suitable employer and job offer; participating communities can only pick candidates within the allocated places. Ten extra points and a region's participation do not guarantee an invitation or nomination. The candidate must be ready to actually live and work in the chosen community. The professional update was published on 26 October, so the change reaches this issue late.
Sources: Government of Ontario: REDI · Envoy Global: Ontario expands REDI and updates OINP Workforce Priority scoring
More about the country: Moving to Canada
MixedAnnounced 28 October 2026, salary thresholds from spring 2027
United Kingdom: Budget 2026 widens some routes for specialists and improves tax for some new residents, but removes certain reliefs
What changed
Occupation-specific Skilled Worker salary thresholds will be lowered from the median to the 25th percentile, but the general threshold will be indexed to 2026 data at the same time and then updated every year. New-entrant reliefs will be merged into one rate and the PhD discount abolished. The High Potential Individual route will be extended to graduates of the world's top 150 universities with a proportional rise in the cap.
The Graduate visa will grow from 18 months to two years, but only for graduates of universities with strong compliance and labour-market outcomes. The most highly skilled sponsored workers are promised up to six months to find a new job after losing their sponsor. Alongside this, the government announced a mechanism to remove double taxation for some investors in US LLCs and a temporary easing of the CGT exit charge for trusts when trustees migrate.
What it means for you
In occupations with high going rates sponsorship may become more accessible, HPI will cover more graduates, and a longer period after losing a sponsor lowers the risk of forced departure when changing employer. For people with a US LLC or an existing trust the structure of a move potentially becomes less risky tax-wise.
Watch out
The general salary threshold will rise, so the actual bar for a specific role may not fall. Abolishing the PhD discount worsens the position of some researchers. HPI is not a direct route to settlement. For HPI, the Graduate route and the period after losing a sponsor, Immigration Rules and exact dates are still needed; current rules apply for now. The tax relief for the Immigration Skills Charge and Certificate of Sponsorship fee applies to payments from 28 October 2026 but will be enacted by the Finance Bill 2026-27. The US LLC mechanism is expected from early 2028.
Sources: HM Treasury: Budget 2026 · Vialto Partners: UK immigration, Budget 2026
More about the country: Moving to the UK
BetterAnnounced 22 October 2026, implementation date not published
South Korea: an easier move from E-7-4 to F-2 and a clearer path to F-5
What changed
The number of documents for renewing an E-7-4 is planned to fall from 12 or more to seven or fewer. An online guide will show suitable vacancies, documents and the points calculation. Long service with one employer will earn extra points. The required stay for moving to F-2 will be shortened, and the route E-9 or E-10, then E-7-4, F-2 and F-5 will be formalised.
What it means for you
For a low- or mid-skilled worker already building a career in Korea, the path from temporary status to long-term residence and permanent residency becomes more predictable.
Watch out
This is not a new entry route from abroad: it is for people already in the country on E-9, E-10 or H-2. The points table and implementation date are not yet published, and current requirements apply until then. Extra points for staying with one employer may reduce a worker's mobility. The professional confirmation was published on 28 October, so the change reaches this issue late.
Sources: Ministry of Justice, Republic of Korea · BAL Immigration: South Korea updates to E-7-4 skilled worker visa
More about the country: Moving to South Korea