Russia has launched an online service called “Time to live in Russia” to bring foreign workers to the country amid widening labour shortages. The initiative targets applicants with in-demand skills and an expressed respect for traditional Russian values, including scientists, entrepreneurs and creative professionals, aiming to match staffing needs with newcomers willing to integrate.
Japan is set to require Japanese language proficiency for applicants to engineer and specialist visas, asking for at least B2 CEFR or JLPT N2 levels. The move is intended to curb foreign hiring into low-skill roles, while international students changing visa status may be exempt. Firms with prior labor violations could also face restrictions on hiring.
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New Zealand has tightened work-visa rules by introducing minimum wage thresholds for foreign workers. The required pay levels are tied to the national median wage and broader job market rates, and immigration officials verify hourly pay to confirm applicants meet the standard. These checks can significantly affect eligibility for multiple work and residence pathways.
Ontario plans a major immigration shake-up on May 30, 2026 by ending all current OINP streams. The province will switch to targeted draws shaped by labor market needs and tighten verification requirements for employer-backed applications. Officials say the goal is a more flexible, selective process designed to better match employers’ workforce demands with immigration selection.
The UK is tightening immigration rules already in 2025 and 2026, including new work-visa measures and stricter English language requirements. But the most consequential shift may arrive later in 2026, when settlement rules are set for major reform. Those changes could extend processing or waiting times and introduce tighter eligibility based on income and personal circumstances.
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