Immigration News
Stay informed on global immigration policy trends — professional insights on every opportunity and change.
580,000 Population Welcomes 4 Million Tourists! Malta Immigration Dividends Explode
A country with a resident population of just over 580,000 received more than 4 million inbound tourists in 2025. Moreover, this momentum is continuing. WorldWay Immigration noted that according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office of Malta, in the first half of 2026, Malta received a total of 2.1318 million inbound tourist arrivals, a year-on-year increase of 18.1%; tourist stays reached 11.8 million nights, and tourism expenditure was approximately 1.796 billion euros, representing a year-on-year increase of 14.8%. For a small Mediterranean island nation, such international visitor traffic is quite impressive.
F-1 Refusal Rates Rise and D/S Is Overhauled: How Can Students Secure Their Stay in the U.S.?
Recently, a set of data regarding F-1 student visas has drawn attention. WorldWay Immigration has learned that a recent report released by Shorelight based on U.S. Department of State data shows that the global refusal rate for F-1 student visas reached 35% in 2025, higher than 31% in 2024, hitting a near ten-year high. Back in 2015, this proportion was only 23%.
A Second Passport Empowers Families with Multiple Choices!
International travel, overseas education for children, cross-border business operations, living abroad... the living radius of an increasing number of families is no longer confined to a single country. At the same time, visa, entry, and residency policies across different countries are constantly evolving. According to the 2026 Henley Passport Index, the average passport globally currently grants visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to approximately 108 destinations, while the top-ranked passport provides access to 192 destinations. Over the past 20 years, overall global travel convenience has improved significantly. For individuals who need to travel across borders multiple times a year for business, leisure, or family visits, a second passport can reduce visa application, appointment, and waiting times, while providing an additional set of residency options for their children's education, career development, and future life. This is also a genuine need observed by WorldWay through its long-standing service to numerous families.
H-1B Approved: Is Staying in the U.S. Worry-Free?
Once your H-1B is approved, can you rest easy? Recently, scrutiny by U.S. authorities over H-1B non-compliant filings and actual employment practices has continued to tighten. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently disclosed an H-1B non-compliance case: several highly skilled technical positions at a large IT consulting firm were filed under lower wage levels that did not match their actual job duties and position requirements.
Greece Plans Significant Increase in Property Transfer Tax for Non-EU Buyers!
Property purchasing costs in Greece may see a significant increase. On September 5 local time, Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis announced in his opening speech at the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) that the government has decided to increase the property transfer tax (i.e., property transaction tax) for non-EU third-country buyers purchasing residential properties from the current 3% to 15%. The new tax rate is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027.
Heavy Blows! US Birthright Citizenship Restrictions Escalating
On September 4 local time, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a temporary final rule, establishing new provisions for the status determination of children born in the United States to certain foreign government employees. WorldWay Immigration has noted that under the new DHS rule, if neither parent is a US citizen at the time of the child's birth, and at least one parent qualifies as a "foreign government employee" as defined by the rule, the child may not automatically acquire US citizenship by virtue of being born in the United States. Meanwhile, eligible children may apply to register as US permanent residents.
Alert! New Hurdles Being Added for Studying in the U.S.
This autumn, review procedures for international students at U.S. universities have taken another step forward. WorldWay Immigration has noted that Purdue University, a renowned U.S. STEM institution, has officially launched a new research security screening policy. Pursuant to Indiana SB 256, certain international students and postdoctoral researchers from specific countries, including China, who apply for related majors must undergo additional research security review before receiving formal admission or employment. This new rule officially came into effect on August 15, 2026. In short, while many security screenings previously occurred during the visa application process, research projects, or after entering laboratories, this review step has now been moved even earlier to the university admission stage.
Major Status Overhaul for U.S. International Students on Sept 15! Urgent Warnings Issued by Harvard and Other Universities
Returning to the U.S. this fall, international students need to pay special attention to one date—September 15, 2026. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a final rule stating that starting September 15, the long-applicable "Duration of Status (D/S)" framework for F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and others will transition to a fixed period of admission system. As the effective date of the new rule approaches, several U.S. universities—including Harvard, Columbia, Georgetown, and Ohio State—have begun issuing reminders to international students regarding their return to the U.S. and international travel plans. WorldWay Immigration notes that this change is not merely a simple adjustment of an entry date, but a significant shift in how international student status is managed.
2026 Global Wealth Mobility Report: Cyprus Tops the EU
For global high-net-worth families, residency and citizenship planning is an essential component of global allocation, while tax environments, asset allocation, business convenience, and family development opportunities are also becoming increasingly critical comprehensive considerations. Henley & Partners' latest 2026 Global Wealth Mobility Report highlights Cyprus, which scored 73.5 points to earn a spot as a "Strong Wealth Mobility Jurisdiction," joining premier wealth planning destinations such as Singapore, New Zealand, and the Cayman Islands on the featured list. Among EU jurisdictions listed in the report, Cyprus achieved the highest score.
Alarm Sounded on US Residency Status! Giving Birth in the US Faces a New Round of Strict Scrutiny
News about additional parental status checks for children applying for US passports has just drawn attention (for details, click to read WorldWay's report: Sudden Shift! New Draft Bill on US Birthright Citizenship Arrives), and new tightening signals have emerged regarding "giving birth in the US". WorldWay Immigration noted that, according to a Newsweek report on September 3, US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated in an interview with Fox News that the Department of Homeland Security is collaborating with the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services to study new restrictions on "giving birth in the US," including the possibility of restricting foreign travelers in their third trimester from entering the United States.
São Tomé Immigration: Chinese Applicants Lead the Way!
The São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment Programme has released its first annual report since officially launching operations. Officially launched in August 2025, this new program has accumulated a batch of genuine application and approval data during its first operating year. Among these, Chinese applicants have shown particularly prominent participation. WorldWay Immigration has also noted that as the program's operations gradually stabilize, São Tomé is entering the horizon of second citizenship planning for an increasing number of families.
Sudden Shift! New Draft Guidelines for U.S. Birthright Citizenship Arrive
Another noteworthy shift has emerged regarding U.S. birthright citizenship. WorldWay Immigration notes that according to a Reuters report on September 1, the U.S. Department of State has drafted a new set of passport vetting guidance. Under the draft guidance, in the future, when parents apply for a U.S. passport for a child born in the United States, in addition to proving parentage and identity, they may also need to submit documentation of the parents' own U.S. citizenship or lawful immigration status.