Corporate Immigration 2026

A Global Overview of Immigration in 2026

Over the last 12 months, countries around the world have seen immigration policies change as governments are simultaneously responding to demographic pressures, political shifts, regional instability and the challenges of digital transformation. The result is a complex and often contradictory landscape in which the drive to attract skilled talent sits alongside tightening controls, rising nationalism and, in some cases, administrative systems struggling to keep pace with demand.

This guide provides an overview of immigration by country, outlining the main migrant pathways and relevant factors, such as key requirements, costs and timelines. It also examines any trends and upcoming changes in immigration policy for each country.

Below are some key themes over the last 12 months that will continue to influence immigration policy. These topics will be particularly important for employers of an international workforce, as the landscape of talent sourcing and retention becomes more complex and diverse. How organisations adapt to these challenges will play a crucial role in their future success.

Ageing populations and shortage occupations

Demographic pressures continue to be one of the most powerful drivers of immigration policy reform. For example, in Canada, “immigration is generally recognised as being essential to Canada’s long-term economic growth and to addressing demographic challenges such as an ageing population”, whilst at the same time the government has reduced permanent resident admission targets in 2026. Germany has acknowledged that “the growing shortage of qualified professionals and workers is having a significant impact on German immigration policy”, prompting a series of legislative reforms under the Skilled Worker Immigration Act. Austria similarly recognises its “dire need to fill gaps in shortage occupations”, while France updated its shortage occupation list in 2025, with direct operational consequences for sectors including construction, hospitality, healthcare, logistics and agriculture. Egypt reports that it is emerging as an important part of the global response to these shortages – “companies in jurisdictions facing ageing populations, talent shortages and increased labour costs are engaging Egyptian professionals remotely at unprecedented levels, particularly within the technology sector”.

Political changes and a shift to the right of the political spectrum

Whilst skill shortages abound across the world, at the same time countries continue to tighten controls on work visas – partly driven by an often rightward shift in immigration politics. In Chile, the December 2025 presidential election brought José Antonio Kast to power, representing “the sharpest rightward shift in Chilean migration policy in decades”, with a platform explicitly focused on “criminalising irregular migration and pursuing mass deportations”. In the United States, the Trump administration has implemented sweeping changes, including “a presidential proclamation restricting the entry of certain H-1B workers”, the introduction of a USD100,000 petition fee for qualifying H-1B petitions, expanded social media vetting of visa applicants, and proposals to limit birthright citizenship. Portugal has moved toward a more controlled model, with 2025 reforms indicating “a transition from a relatively flexible immigration model to a more regulated, structured and selective system”.

In Colombia, an upcoming change of government in August 2026 may similarly reshape immigration priorities, with the possibility that “a different political orientation could result in stricter compliance measures, increased labour market protection policies, or greater scrutiny of foreign employment arrangements”. In the UK, the threat of the Reform party winning the next general election is thought to have led the current government to shift its policies, including with its earned settlement proposals, which could double the qualifying time for settlement from as early as Autumn 2026. Stricter immigration policies is a major conversation topic across Europe and beyond.

Regional instability and conflicts causing change in migration trends

Geopolitical instability and war continue to reshape migration across the world. Whilst traditional Middle Eastern centres of trade and migration such as the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain are suffering, Turkey reports that “Gulf region tensions in particular have prompted high net worth investors to seek alternative markets with genuine urgency”. Egypt similarly reports benefiting from regional pressures, with “geopolitical uncertainty, increasing operational costs, growing competition for talent, and broader regional economic shifts” prompting investors to look beyond established Gulf hubs. In Colombia, “the continued impact of regional migration flows – particularly those related to Venezuela – may remain an important factor influencing future immigration policy decisions”. The Ebola outbreak has also caused some immigration policy responses in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The EU Blue Card and other trends across Europe

Europe has seen significant reform of skilled worker immigration frameworks, with the recast EU Blue Card Directive at the centre of developments across multiple member states. A consistent theme has been the broadening of eligibility beyond formal academic qualifications. In Italy, the government has implemented “a broader new concept of ‘highly qualified worker’”, embracing a “substance over form” approach and extending Blue Card eligibility to those with significant professional experience but no university degree. Over the last few years, Germany similarly lowered the salary threshold for the Blue Card and has extended eligibility to non-regulated professions, while also introducing the Opportunity Card – a points-based visa for job seekers.

The Netherlands fully implemented the recast Blue Card Directive in June 2024, introducing reduced salary thresholds for recent graduates and extending job search periods to six months for experienced Blue Card holders who lose employment. Austria has pursued reforms to both its Red-White-Red Card and EU Blue Card regimes, seeking to “lower formal barriers to entry, broaden eligibility criteria and enhance the practical accessibility of the system”. Looking ahead, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is expected to launch in late 2026, requiring visa-exempt travellers to obtain pre-authorisation before entering the Schengen Area – adding a new layer of pre-entry screening across the continent. This is on top of the introduction of the EU’s Entry Exit System (EES), which has caused queues at airports across Europe.

Increased digitalisation does not always lead to better administration

Across the globe, the digitalisation of immigration systems has been embraced as a solution to administrative backlogs and inefficiency – yet the experience of multiple countries demonstrates that technology alone cannot resolve systemic challenges. In France, “digitalisation does not automatically produce predictability”, with employers continuing to report “unclear document requirements, platform access issues, inconsistent requests for additional documents” and “long periods without feedback”. Portugal provides perhaps the starkest illustration: despite significant investment in digital platforms, the immigration authority accumulated a backlog of approximately 440,000 applications. Chile’s experience was similarly cautionary: while the business community welcomed the digitalisation of procedures, “implementation proved difficult, generating significant delays”. Costa Rica is actively transitioning “away from paper-based filings toward centralised electronic platforms”, but acknowledges the practical reality of “navigating occasional administrative bottlenecks”.