Immigration rule changes in 2024
104 dated rule changes recorded in 2024, from 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-07. Each item links to the programme page and the official source we recorded it from. This is a record of what we captured, not a complete legislative history.
← All updates & policy changes
December 2024 (2)
Australia Skills in Demand (SID) Visa (Subclass 482): The Skills in Demand (SID) visa (subclass 482) replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, introducing three streams (Specialist Skills, Core Skills, Labour Agreement) with restructured income thresholds and a shortened 2-year pathway to permanent residency.
source →Australia Visa 858: National Innovation Visa: Subclass 858 became the National Innovation (Class BX) visa. The Migration Amendment (National Innovation Visa) Regulations 2024 commenced on 6 December 2024 and apply to visa applications made on or after that date. They renamed Part 858 of Schedule 2 and added a requirement that the applicant was invited in writing by the Minister, and that the area of achievement is the one stated in the invitation. The current text of the criteria is in the Migration Regulations 1994 (Schedule 1 item 1113 and Schedule 2 Part 858, compilation of 1 July 2026); the amending instrument has itself since been repealed as spent.
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November 2024 (2)
Philippine Citizenship Reacquisition (RA 9225): Philippine Bureau of Immigration digitised the RA 9225 application portal, enabling online submission of supporting documents and reducing in-person appointment requirements. Processing times shortened materially.
source →Canada Study Permit: Permanent off-campus work cap set at 24 hours/week during academic sessions, replacing the temporary pandemic-era 40-hour/unlimited allowances.
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October 2024 (2)
Canada Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker): Government announced 21% reduction in PR admissions targets for 2025-2027; fewer ITAs expected.
source →Canada Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): Federal 2025-2027 immigration plan cut PNP allocations by ~50%, increasing competition.
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September 2024 (7)
United States EB-1A Visa for Individuals with Extraordinary Ability: USCIS increased the automatic Green Card validity extension shown on Form I-90 receipt notices from 24 months to 36 months for permanent residents with a pending renewal application, reducing disruption from processing delays.
source →United States EB-2 National Interest Waiver: USCIS increased the automatic Green Card validity extension shown on Form I-90 receipt notices from 24 months to 36 months for permanent residents with a pending renewal application, reducing disruption from processing delays.
source →Armenian Citizenship by Origin (Law of Return): Armenia simplified the consular processing of citizenship applications for diaspora applicants in countries with large Armenian communities (US, France, Lebanon, Russia, Argentina). E-application portal expanded.
source →Ukrainian Citizenship by Origin / Repatriation: Ukraine's parliament passed the Multiple Citizenship Law (Закон про множинне громадянство) substantially permitting dual citizenship for ethnic Ukrainians abroad and descendants of Ukrainian emigrants. Implementation regulations are being finalised; the law represents a fundamental shift from the 2001 single-citizenship requirement.
source →Greece Golden Visa: Golden Visa thresholds raised: €800k in high-demand zones (Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini); €400k elsewhere; €250k only for heritage preservation.
source →Greece Financial Independence Visa (Type D): Residence permit framework harmonised with new Migration Code (Law 5038/2023).
source →US F-1 Student Visa: USCIS clarified that STEM OPT is available to graduates of designated STEM CIP-code programmes; updated STEM CIP code list publicly maintained.
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August 2024 (4)
Italy Flat Tax Regime for High-Net-Worth New Residents: Budget-Law decree doubled the annual flat substitute tax under Art. 24-bis from €100,000 to €200,000 for new elections made on or after this date; individuals who had already validly elected the regime before this date retained the €100,000 rate.
source →Italy Investor Visa (Visto per Investitori): Legge di bilancio amendment — HNWI flat tax raised from €100,000 to €200,000 per year for new regime entrants from 10 August 2024. Existing beneficiaries grandfathered at €100,000.
source →Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment: Current investment thresholds published by the CIU, effective 1 August 2024: National Development Fund US$230,000; real estate from US$300,000 (five-year hold); business investment US$1,500,000 for a single investor, or a joint investment of at least US$5,000,000 with at least two investors each contributing at least US$400,000.
Antigua and Barbuda rule changes
source →Overseas Citizen of India (OCI): India simplified the OCI re-issuance process for change of passport — re-issuance now no longer required for adult OCI holders changing passports, only for children up to age 20 and the 50-year milestone. Major friction reduction for diaspora.
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July 2024 (10)
Australia Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 188): Business Innovation and Investment Program closed to new applications. Existing in-pipeline cases continue to be processed. Successor visa pathway announced Dec 2024.
source →Spain Non-Lucrative Visa: IPREM threshold updated; minimum funds requirement rose proportionally.
source →Thailand Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): Thailand Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) officially launched. 5-year multi-entry visa, 180 days per stay, for remote workers and freelancers with foreign-source income. Fee THB 10,000.
source →Grenada Citizenship by Investment: Revised pricing took effect under the OECS Memorandum of Agreement on citizenship by investment (IMA Grenada Circular No. 2 of 2024, 27 June 2024, reproduced in the PDF of Circular No. 3 of 2024, "Update to Circular No. 2"): National Transformation Fund contribution USD 235,000 for a single applicant or a family of up to four; approved project investment USD 270,000 plus a USD 50,000 government contribution; additional dependants USD 25,000 or USD 50,000 and an additional sibling USD 75,000.
source →Australia Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190): Visa application charge increased to AUD 4,640 for primary applicants (same fee schedule as Subclass 189). Several states refreshed their nominated occupation lists and introduced stronger evidentiary requirements around genuine commitment to the state.
source →Australia Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189): Visa application charge (VAC) increased to AUD 4,640 for primary applicants. DHA also updated the MLTSSL, removing some over-supplied occupations and adding several healthcare roles.
source →Czech Digital Nomad Visa: Czech Republic launched the Digital Nomad visa programme as a pilot with 100-permit annual quota and restricted-nationality list.
source →Czech Employment Card: Czech Republic expanded the shortage-occupation list and streamlined Employment Card processing for IT and healthcare roles.
source →Hungary Guest Investor Programme: Hungarian Guest Investor Programme launched replacing prior Golden Visa scheme.
source →Mauritius Permanent Residency (Property Purchase): Mauritius increased the property-purchase threshold for PR from USD 375,000 to USD 500,000 for IRS / RES / PDS schemes (G+2 and Smart City schemes maintained at USD 375,000). Existing pre-July 2024 commitments grandfathered.
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June 2024 (7)
German Citizenship by Descent (§ 4 StAG / Restoration under Art. 116 GG): The Nationality Reform Act (Gesetz zur Modernisierung des Staatsangehörigkeitsrechts) took effect on 27 June 2024. Germany now generally permits dual citizenship, reversing the previous rule that required renunciation of prior nationality in most cases. This dramatically increases the attractiveness of German citizenship by descent and Art. 116 GG restoration claims.
source →German Naturalization Abroad under StAG § 14 (Discretionary, Special Ties to Germany): Germany's modernized nationality law (Modernisierung des Staatsangehörigkeitsrechts) took effect, broadly liberalizing acceptance of dual citizenship across German naturalization routes, though it left § 14's discretionary, ministry-consent structure unchanged.
source →Germany EU Blue Card: New citizenship law: dual citizenship permitted, 5-year residence path (B1 German); the 3-year fast-track for exceptional integration was repealed on 30 October 2025.
source →Germany Freelancer Visa (Freiberufler): Germany's new citizenship law took effect — naturalisation now generally permits dual citizenship and is available after 5 years (down from 8).
source →Germany Student Visa: Germany's reformed citizenship law took effect, generally permitting dual citizenship and reducing the standard naturalisation period to 5 years (the 3-year fast-track for well-integrated applicants was repealed on 30 October 2025) -- applicable once a graduate converts to a qualifying long-term permit.
source →Israel Aliyah (Law of Return): Israeli government tightened scrutiny of Aliyah applications from former-Soviet-Union states post-Russia/Ukraine war; processing times for these applicants extended.
source →Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte): Chancenkarte launched as part of broader Skilled Immigration Act reform package
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May 2024 (2)
South Africa Critical Skills Work Visa: Home Affairs launched Trusted Employer Scheme for faster processing for vetted corporates.
source →South Africa Retired Persons Visa: DHA introduced remote-work visa category for digital nomads (separate from retired person visa).
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April 2024 (10)
Canada Start-Up Visa: IRCC announced intake caps and 2-3 year processing target to reduce Start-up Visa backlog.
source →UK Ancestry Visa / British National (Overseas) — BN(O): The UK Ancestry visa application fee increased to £637 per applicant (main applicant and each dependant). The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is also payable: £1,035 per year per person (at 2024 rates). For a 5-year visa, the IHS component is £5,175 per person — a significant additional cost on top of the visa fee.
source →UK Ancestry Visa: UK Visas & Immigration increased Ancestry-visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge.
source →Italy Digital Nomad Visa: Italy Digital Nomad Visa became operational after 2+ year delay from law passage.
source →UK Skilled Worker Visa: Skilled Worker minimum salary raised from £26,200 to £38,700. Shortage Occupation List abolished; Immigration Salary List created with narrower scope.
source →Canada IEC Working Holiday: IEC fees increased: CAD 172 work permit, CAD 156 IEC participation; biometrics CAD 85.
source →Indonesia Second Home Visa (B211B): Indonesia clarified property-purchase eligibility under the Second Home Visa: IDR 2B+ property purchase now an alternative to the bank deposit. Property must be in foreign-eligible scheme (HGB or Hak Pakai title).
source →United States EB-1A Visa for Individuals with Extraordinary Ability: USCIS raised the Form I-140 base filing fee from $700 to $715 and introduced a new Asylum Program Fee for employment-based petitions -- reduced to $300 for EB-1A/EB-2 NIW self-petitioners (vs. $600 for employer-filed petitions, $0 for nonprofits), per the agency's first major fee overhaul since 2016.
source →United States EB-2 National Interest Waiver: USCIS raised the Form I-140 base filing fee from $700 to $715 and introduced a new Asylum Program Fee for employment-based petitions -- reduced to $300 for EB-1A/EB-2 NIW self-petitioners (vs. $600 for employer-filed petitions, $0 for nonprofits), per the agency's first major fee overhaul since 2016.
source →US J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa: State Department updated J-1 sponsor regulations including expanded health-insurance minimums for participants.
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March 2024 (11)
Grenada Citizenship by Investment: The Grenada Citizenship by Investment Unit announced its new name, Investment Migration Agency (IMA) Grenada, and its new website imagrenada.gd (the earlier cbi.gov.gd site no longer resolves).
source →US H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa: USCIS implemented the per-beneficiary H-1B selection process, reducing the multiple-registration gaming that inflated the lottery pool in prior years.
source →Albanian Citizenship by Origin: Albania amended Law 113/2020 to further streamline diaspora applications and expand recognition of Albanian-language community organisation attestations as supporting documentation.
source →Italian Citizenship by Descent (Jure Sanguinis): The Italian Ministry of Interior issued a circular tightening interpretation of jure sanguinis: children born to Italian parents who had already naturalized as adults in a foreign country may be denied recognition at some consulates. This "minor issue" interpretation has created inconsistency across consular posts and has been challenged by applicant advocates.
source →Romanian Citizenship by Descent / Reacquisition (Article 11): ANC implemented administrative reforms to reduce Article 11 application backlogs, including expanded online submission and digital civil-registry verification.
source →Germany Freelancer Visa (Freiberufler): Germany's skilled-immigration reform (Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz) expanded freelance recognition for certain digital professions.
source →Germany Job Seeker Visa: Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz added new "Chancenkarte" (Opportunity Card) point-based job-seeker track alongside this permit, with longer stays and limited work rights.
source →Germany Student Visa: Skilled Immigration Act (Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz) reforms eased work-rights and part-time employment rules for international students and broadened recognition pathways into the EU Blue Card and skilled-worker permits after graduation.
source →Japan Digital Nomad Visa: Japan Digital Nomad Visa officially launched on 1 March 2024 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Services Agency. 6-month stay, single-entry, non-renewable. Open to nationals of 49 treaty countries. Income threshold: JPY 10,000,000 (approx. USD 65,000-70,000). Source: mofa.go.jp and isa.go.jp.
source →Japan Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) Visa: Further expansion: SSW sectors count increased to 14, adding automobile transportation, forestry, and timber industries to the original 11 sectors.
source →UK Global Talent Visa: Tech Nation endorsement route closed; tech talent must use alternative routes.
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February 2024 (2)
O-1 Extraordinary Ability Visa: USCIS clarified O-1A STEM criteria, making evidence standard more accessible for STEM researchers.
source →UK Student Visa: Immigration Health Surcharge increased -- the discounted student/under-18 rate rose to £776/year (from £470); the standard rate rose to £1,035/year.
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January 2024 (45)
France Long-Stay Visitor Visa (VLS-TS Visiteur): France's Loi Immigration enacted — tightened family-reunification rules and language requirements for PR/citizenship; VLS-TS visitor visa itself unchanged.
source →France Talent Passport — Salaried Employee (Salarié Qualifié): Loi Immigration of 26 January 2024 reorganised the Passeport Talent tracks under Articles L421-9 to L421-16 CESEDA. Salaried-employee track preserved, with the salary threshold still defined by reference to the SMIC at that time.
source →France Talent Passport — Innovative Startup Founder (Création d'Entreprise): Loi Immigration of 26 January 2024 retained the Innovative Startup Founder track but tightened the recognition criteria; BPI France updated its assessment framework in early 2024.
source →France Talent Passport — Researcher (Chercheur): Loi Immigration of 26 January 2024 maintained the Chercheur track and the 2-year naturalisation eligibility for distinguished researchers.
source →Canada Study Permit: IRCC introduced a 2-year cap on new international student permits and required Provincial/Territorial Attestation Letters (PAL) for most study permit applications; spousal open work permit eligibility restricted to master's (16+ month), doctoral, and select professional programmes.
source →Ireland Critical Skills Employment Permit: Critical Skills Occupations List expanded; salary thresholds updated.
source →Indonesia Golden Visa: Directorate General of Immigration clarified that the Bank Indonesia (BI) deposit route for Golden Visa involves placement in state equity participation instruments through authorised banking partners (Mandiri, BNI, BRI). Updated guidance published on imigrasi.go.id regarding qualifying investment documentation requirements.
source →Commonwealth of Dominica Citizenship by Investment: 2024 CARICOM Caribbean CBI minimum-price accord raised the EDF donation floor to USD 200,000 for a single applicant (previously USD 100,000), aligning Dominica with a region-wide effort to improve programme quality and reduce low-cost 'passport shopping' risks. Family-of-four pricing rose to approximately USD 250,000.
source →Malta Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment: EU Commission infringement case (C-181/23) against Malta for alleged breach of EU citizenship rules remains active. Court of Justice of the EU ruling expected 2025–2026. Malta continues to accept and process applications while defending the program.
source →Nauru Citizenship by Investment (Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Programme): Nauru launched the Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Programme, resuming CBI activity after historical suspension.
source →North Macedonia Citizenship by Investment: The European Commission's 2024 North Macedonia enlargement report noted the country's economic-citizenship (investor naturalisation) scheme had received only five applications since restandardisation, with none processed to completion, and urged more rigorous background vetting rather than reliance on investment alone.
source →Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment (DSP / VDSP): As of early 2024, the EU Schengen suspension remained in effect. The European Commission had not announced a timetable for review or reinstatement. Vanuatu continues to operate the DSP and market the reformed due-diligence standards to international applicants.
source →Croatian Citizenship by Descent / Origin: Croatia became full Schengen member; Croatian citizenship now confers free movement across the entire Schengen Area.
source →Portuguese Citizenship for Sephardic Jewish Descendants: Portugal closed the Sephardic descent citizenship route to new applicants effective January 2024. The closure was enacted through Lei 26/2022 transitional provisions expiring. The program faced intense scrutiny following investigations into abuse of the route by applicants without genuine Sephardic ancestry, corruption allegations involving issuing communities, and pressure from the Portuguese government. Applications already on file before the closure deadline continue to be processed.
source →Austria Red-White-Red Card: Austria expanded shortage-occupation list further; reduced barriers for IT, healthcare, and engineering roles.
source →Croatia Digital Nomad Visa: Croatia became full Schengen member; DN visa holders now travel visa-free across Schengen during DN visa validity.
source →Greece Skilled Worker Visa (Type D): Greece's EU Blue Card minimum salary for 2024 was set at €31,918.83/year (1.6× the average gross annual salary).
source →Luxembourg Salaried Worker Permit: Luxembourg adjusted the Inpatriate Tax Regime parameters in 2024 budget law.
source →Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H): Further MM2H revision clarifies Platinum tier (RM 5M FD), partial FD withdrawal rules (50% for property/education/medical), and annual reporting requirements.
source →Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP): MPRP government contribution increased; property thresholds adjusted.
source →Nauru Citizenship by Investment (Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Programme): Nauru launched the Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Programme, resuming CBI activity after the country's historical passport-selling scandal and subsequent loss of visa-free access for its citizens.
source →Netherlands DAFT Visa (Dutch-American Friendship Treaty): 30% Ruling reduced from 8-year to 5-year maximum period.
source →Netherlands Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant): Salary thresholds raised to €5,331/mo (30+), €3,909/mo (under 30), €2,801/mo recent graduate.
source →Netherlands Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant): 30% ruling phased down: 30% first 20 months, 20% next 20, 10% final 20. (2025 budget partially reversed — verify at apply time.)
source →Portugal D1 Visa (Subordinate Work / Dependent Employment Visa): NHR (Non-Habitual Resident) tax regime closed to new applicants; replaced by the narrower IFICI programme, which most D1 holders in ordinary salaried roles do not qualify for.
source →Portugal D2 Entrepreneur / Independent Worker Visa: NHR tax regime closed to new applicants; replaced by the narrower IFICI programme.
source →Portugal D3 Visa (Highly Qualified Activity Visa): NHR tax regime closed to new applicants; replaced by the narrower IFICI programme, which some D3 holders in qualifying research, teaching, or innovation roles may access.
source →Portugal D7 Passive Income Visa: NHR tax regime closed to new applicants; replaced by narrower IFICI programme.
source →Portugal D8 Digital Nomad Visa: NHR closed; IFICI replacement with narrower scope announced.
source →Portugal HQA Visa (Highly Qualified Activity): NHR closed; IFICI replacement narrowed scope to research/innovation/high-value activities — HQA is the most direct route to IFICI
source →Singapore Employment Pass: COMPASS also applied to EP renewals from 1 September 2024, meaning existing EP holders whose passes come up for renewal must also pass the COMPASS framework, not just meet the salary threshold.
source →South Korea Digital Nomad Visa (Workcation Visa): South Korea officially launched the F-1-D Digital Nomad Visa (also referred to as Workation Visa). Eligible applicants: foreign nationals employed by non-Korean companies with annual income of KRW 85M (~USD 65,000) or more. Visa valid for 1 year with one renewal, maximum 2 years total. Family (spouse and minor children) eligible on F-3 dependent visa.
source →Sweden EU Blue Card: Expert Tax Relief extended from 5 to 7 years
source →Thailand Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): Revenue Department Instruction No. Por 161/2566: foreign income remitted to Thailand by 180+ day residents is now taxable whatever the year it is remitted; Por 162/2566 limits this to income earned from 1 January 2024.
source →Thailand Privilege (Elite) Visa: Revenue Department Por 161/2566: foreign income remitted to Thailand by 180+ day residents is now taxable whatever the year it is remitted; Por 162/2566 limits this to income earned from 1 January 2024.
source →Thailand LTR Visa – Wealthy Global Citizen: Thai Revenue Department Order Por. 161/2566 (clarified by Por. 162/2566) took effect, making foreign-sourced income earned from 2024 onward taxable for Thai tax residents when it is remitted into Thailand, regardless of the year remitted — a significant tightening of Thailand's remittance-based tax rules for ordinary tax residents that makes the LTR programme's foreign-income tax exemption comparatively more valuable.
source →Thailand LTR Visa – Wealthy Pensioner: Thai Revenue Department Order Por. 161/2566 (clarified by Por. 162/2566) took effect, making foreign-sourced income earned from 2024 onward taxable for Thai tax residents when it is remitted into Thailand, regardless of the year remitted — a significant tightening of Thailand's remittance-based tax rules for ordinary tax residents that makes the LTR programme's foreign-income tax exemption comparatively more valuable.
source →Thailand LTR Visa – Work-from-Thailand Professional: Thai Revenue Department Order Por. 161/2566 (clarified by Por. 162/2566) took effect, making foreign-sourced income earned from 2024 onward taxable for Thai tax residents when it is remitted into Thailand, regardless of the year remitted — a significant tightening of Thailand's remittance-based tax rules for ordinary tax residents that makes the LTR programme's foreign-income tax exemption comparatively more valuable.
source →Thailand Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa: Revenue Department Instruction No. Por 161/2566 effective 1 Jan 2024: foreign income earned from 2024 onward is assessable Thai income when remitted to Thailand by residents (180+ days), regardless of the year remitted.
source →Thailand O-X Long-Stay Visa: Thai Revenue Department announced taxation of foreign-source income remitted to Thailand by Thai tax residents — major shift from prior treatment
source →Thailand Non-Immigrant O-A (Retirement) Visa: Revenue Department Por 161/2566: foreign income remitted into Thailand by 180+ day residents is now taxable whatever the year it is remitted, closing the prior year-end deferral strategy; Por 162/2566 limits this to income earned from 1 January 2024.
source →UAE Blue Residency Visa: UAE introduced the Blue Residency Visa, a renewable 10-year residency for individuals with outstanding contributions to environmental protection and sustainability, building on commitments highlighted at COP28 (held in Dubai, Nov-Dec 2023). Exact launch date is approximate and should be reconfirmed with ICP.
United Arab Emirates rule changes
source →UK Student Visa: Dependant visa eligibility for the Student route restricted to postgraduate research students (9+ months) and government-sponsored students on courses of 6+ months; taught master's and undergraduate students can no longer bring dependants.
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