Immigration News
Stay informed on global immigration policy trends — professional insights on every opportunity and change.
Emergency Alert! Seismic U.S. Immigration Proposal
Recently, U.S. immigration policy has once again signaled a strong tightening. The "Americans First Immigration Act," proposed by Republican Congressman Barry Moore, is attracting attention. This 70-page proposal has gained support from multiple Republicans and is currently in the preliminary discussion stage in the House of Representatives. The core of the proposal is to significantly restrict family-based immigration, eliminate the green card lottery, and introduce a new points-based system. Once passed, it could become a major adjustment to the U.S. legal immigration system in years.
Breaking! New Portuguese Nationality Act Implemented
On May 3, 2026, local time, the Office of the President of Portugal confirmed that the President has promulgated Parliamentary Decree 48/XVI, which amends the Portuguese Nationality Act. The decree is expected to take effect on May 5, following its publication in the official gazette of Portugal, marking a significant adjustment to the Portuguese naturalization policy. Two Core Changes in the New Law 1. Increase in Required Residency Period for Naturalization: The required period of legal residency for naturalization for applicants from non-Portuguese-speaking countries has been adjusted to 10 years. Citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries may apply after meeting a 7-year requirement. 2. Change in Calculation Point for Residency Time: The starting point for calculating residency for naturalization has been changed to the date of issuance of the first residence permit. According to reports, the President specifically emphasized when signing the decree that it should be ensured that applications currently in process will not be affected. • Applications already submitted: In principle, these are not affected by the new law and will continue to be processed under the old rules. • Applications not yet submitted: Applications submitted after the new law takes effect are expected to be processed under the new rules.
Sudden Change in Studying in the U.S.! The H-1B Status Threshold Has Been Moved Forward
In the past, many families of international students were accustomed to considering immigration status only after graduation: study first, find an internship, work using OPT after graduation, see if they can be selected for an H-1B, and finally plan for a Green Card. However, the current U.S. job market is undergoing significant changes. Competition for international students no longer begins after graduation; the threshold for immigration status has already moved forward into the stages of internship applications, campus recruitment, and employer screening. Many students feel the disparity caused by their status during the internship phase, long before they even reach the steps of OPT and H-1B.
EB-5 Price Hike Incoming! Countdown to the $800,000 Window
For families considering the U.S. EB-5 investment immigration program, 2026 is a critical window to watch. The reason is straightforward: the current $800,000 investment threshold is expected to increase in 2027. According to the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (RIA), the minimum EB-5 investment amount will be automatically adjusted every five years based on inflation levels. This first routine adjustment of the current cycle will take effect on January 1, 2027. This means that the current investment standards—$800,000 for Targeted Employment Area (TEA) and infrastructure projects, and $1,050,000 for non-TEA projects—are highly unlikely to be maintained in the future.
U.S. Immigration Processing Suspended? Truth Explained
Recently, a report regarding a "suspension of U.S. immigration processing" has sparked concern on social media, causing many families currently processing U.S. status, preparing for study abroad in the U.S., or planning for a U.S. Green Card to worry about whether their applications will be affected. However, it must be clarified that this is not a "comprehensive suspension of immigration processing by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)." What is truly worth noting is that U.S. immigration vetting is further strengthening security background and compliance requirements. Not a comprehensive suspension but an increase in background review standards. More accurately, starting from April 27, 2026 (U.S. time), USCIS has implemented a more robust FBI background check mechanism for certain immigration benefit applications that require fingerprint submission. For some pending cases such as Green Card adjustment of status, naturalization, and asylum, if previous fingerprint checks have not been reviewed by the new system, final approval may be deferred while USCIS internally resubmits the fingerprints for re-verification.
U.S. Visa Screening Tightened Again!
Recently, U.S. visa screening has once again drawn attention. On April 28, local time, the U.S. Department of State issued an urgent notice to all embassies and consulates worldwide: effective immediately, all applicants for U.S. non-immigrant visas must answer two additional questions during their interviews! What are the two new questions? The new regulation specifies that U.S. embassies and consulates abroad must ask applicants the following two questions when processing non-immigrant visa applications: 1. Have you ever suffered harm or abuse in your country of nationality or last habitual residence? 2. Do you fear that you will suffer harm or abuse if you return to your country of nationality or permanent residence? The visa review process can only proceed if the applicant verbally answers "No" to both questions; if the applicant answers "Yes," the visa will be denied on the spot.
Service has no end! WorldWay's event for existing clients in the US is warmly staged
From Los Angeles to Boston, and then to New York, from the West Coast to the East Coast, a relay of services spanning across the United States continues to be written. Recently, the WorldWay Group US Customer Service Center successfully held the "WorldWay US Service Upgrade and Global Residency New Trends Exchange—2026 New York Existing Client Spring Private Luncheon" in Midtown Manhattan. This meticulously prepared private event exclusively for existing clients once again vividly practiced the core philosophy of "WorldWay service has a beginning but no end," and also built a warm bridge for new immigrants in the US, receiving rave reviews!
Nearly 40,000 immigrant families have flocked to Greece in 4 years, what is the truth?
Data shows that from 2022 to March 2026, the Greece Golden Visa program received a total of 39,179 applications, including 30,456 initial applications and 8,723 renewal applications. More notably, Chinese investors remain firmly in first place. Chinese applicants continue to lead. In terms of nationality structure, Chinese applicants remain the primary applicant group for the Greece Golden Visa program. Official data shows that as of March 2026, among the primary applicants for the first-issued Golden Visas, there were 11,136 Chinese nationals, accounting for 48.4%; among the family members of investors for the first-issued visas, there were 23,043 Chinese nationals, accounting for 50.1%.
OPT Suspension Alarm: Don't Wait Blindly in the U.S.!
The spring of 2026, which should have been a critical juncture for international students transitioning from campus to the workplace, has been forced to a standstill due to a policy adjustment. According to multiple media reports, the U.S. government has expanded the scope of the "Travel Ban" in a series of statements, one of which is: suspending the processing of certain immigration benefits for applicants from approximately 40 countries and regions, including the Optional Practical Training (OPT) that countless international students rely on to remain in the United States. This has caused a large number of OPT applications to stall, leaving students to wait in uncertainty for a result with no timeline, even if they submitted their materials on time.
Important Notice! Must-Read for Cyprus Visa Applications
Recently, applicants planning to travel to Cyprus in May 2026 should take special note: due to public holidays, there will be phased adjustments to Cyprus visa processing arrangements. According to the latest arrangements from the BLS Visa Application Centre, the Cyprus Visa Application Centre will suspend services to the public during the following times: • May 1st - May 3rd: Nationwide suspension of operations• May 9th: Closed for the regular weekend, no public services Applicants with travel plans are advised to arrange their appointments and visa submissions in advance to avoid any impact on their itineraries due to the holiday service suspension.
Under the Storm of U.S. Status Retrospective Reviews, Who Can Stay?
Recently, the U.S. government's statement on strengthening enforcement regarding the "revocation of citizenship" has sparked significant concern within the immigration industry and among applicant groups. According to reports, the U.S. Department of Justice has identified approximately 384 individuals whose citizenship may be at risk of revocation, with cases primarily targeting instances involving suspected fraud, concealment, or failure to meet statutory requirements during the naturalization process. This sends a clear signal: The U.S. immigration system is entering a phase that places greater emphasis on authenticity, transparency, and long-term compliance.
Saint Lucia Citizenship: A Priority Choice for Seven Types of People
In the current era of increasing global uncertainty, more and more families are incorporating "identity planning" into their long-term decision-making frameworks. Rather than binding their future entirely to a single country or a single path, it is better to equip the family with a more resilient "second identity." As one of the mature citizenship-by-investment programs in the Caribbean, Saint Lucia citizenship has gradually entered the vision of high-net-worth families and business owners due to its processing efficiency, controllable costs, and travel convenience. So, who is Saint Lucia citizenship actually more suitable for? In what specific scenarios is its value reflected?