WAC Immigrations

Higher English Language Requirements – Effective 8 January 2026 What’s changing: For Skilled Worker, Scale-up, and High Potential Individual (HPI) visas, the English requirement jumps from B1 (GCSE level) to B2 (A-level standard). This affects first-time applicants only; current visa holders can extend without retesting. Graduate visa holders moving to Skilled Worker status will need […]

As of January 1, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that no new applications will be accepted under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) this year. This means Canadian citizens and permanent residents cannot sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residence in 2026. However, there are still practical ways to bring

Canada has a system to control how many international students can get study permits each year. This is part of the country’s immigration policy to manage population growth and ensure resources (housing, services, schools) are sustainable. 1-Total Study Permits In 2026, Canada plans to issue up to 408,000 study permits: 155,000 for new international students

The United States has launched what authorities are calling the largest immigration enforcement operation in its history, with plans to deploy up to 2,000 federal immigration agents in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area. According to the Associated Press, the operation is being led by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

In a major US immigration policy update, a federal judge has ruled in favor of the Trump administration, allowing the government to implement a $100,000 fee on H-1B visa petitions. On December 23, Judge Beryl Howell stated that the President has broad constitutional authority to regulate immigration. She rejected claims by business and education groups

Texas has officially entered 2026 with the implementation of 33 new state laws, bringing major changes across key sectors including immigration enforcement, education, small businesses, and artificial intelligence (AI) regulation. These laws were passed by the 2025 Texas Legislature and are expected to impact millions of residents, businesses, and institutions statewide. As Texas continues its

The U.S. government has introduced a new immigration regulation that strengthens its ability to control asylum access during public health emergencies. Originally drafted during the COVID-19 pandemic, this rule reflects a continued tightening of U.S. immigration policy and may impact future asylum seekers at the U.S. Mexico border. What Is the New U.S. Regulation? The

What happened? The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a final rule to change how H-1B work visas are selected. Instead of the current random lottery, the US will introduce a weighted selection system that favours higher-paid and higher-skilled workers. This rule is expected to take effect on February 27, just before the