Lex Visas Weekly Immigration Roundup: Key Global Mobility & Immigration Updates

Global mobility news in October 2026 highlights important immigration policy developments that may affect international employee movement, corporate assignments, and workforce planning. From immigration procedures in India to proposed citizenship changes in Ireland and permanent residence requirements in Japan, these updates are relevant to HR professionals, global mobility managers and multinational employers managing cross-border talent.

This week’s global mobility and immigration roundup covers six important developments across India, Ireland, Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and Hong Kong. From digital visa services to proposed citizenship reforms and new investment-linked pathways, each update presents different considerations for internationally mobile employees and the organisations supporting them.

India: New Online Facility for Transferring e-Visas to a New Passport

India has introduced a Transfer of eVisa/ETA on New Passport service through its official Indian Visa Online portal. The facility provides an additional digital option for eligible foreign nationals whose passports have been replaced but whose electronic travel authorisations remain valid. The official portal now lists this service among its e-Visa facilities.  Foreign employees travelling to India for business meetings, corporate assignments or other eligible activities may need to address passport changes while their travel authorisation remains valid.

HR and travel teams should review the applicable transfer procedure and confirm the employee’s eligibility before departure. Carrying the old passport alongside the new one may remain relevant where the existing instructions permit it. For Indian companies hosting international employees, checking passport validity and travel documentation before an assignment can help prevent avoidable travel disruption. The transfer facility should not be assumed to apply to every e-Visa category or validity period; travellers should confirm the latest official instructions for their specific authorisation.

Japan: Stricter Permanent Residence Requirements from April 2027

Japan has approved stricter permanent residence (PR) assessment guidelines that are scheduled to apply to applications submitted on or after 1 April 2027. The changes place greater emphasis on financial self-sufficiency, projected pension benefits, Japanese language ability and understanding of Japanese laws and social rules. The pension assessment refers to projected benefits equivalent to 30 years of enrolment in the employees’ pension scheme; applicants who fall short may be able to demonstrate sufficient savings or other assets.

Indian engineers, technology specialists and other skilled professionals considering long-term settlement in Japan should review their residence history, income, tax and pension compliance, and language development plans well before applying. Employers supporting long-term assignments should also consider whether employees understand the distinction between maintaining a valid work-related residence status and qualifying for permanent residence. Since the new guidelines are scheduled for 2027, affected employees should seek advice based on their individual circumstances and the rules applicable to their intended application date.

Ireland: Proposed Citizenship Changes Could Extend the Naturalisation Timeline

Ireland is considering significant changes to its citizenship-by-naturalisation framework. Proposals announced in September 2026 include extending the required residence period from five to eight years, introducing a language test and requiring applicants to demonstrate economic self-sufficiency. These measures have been proposed as part of a wider review of citizenship rules and should not be treated as fully implemented without confirmation of the legislation and commencement dates.

For organisations deploying Indian talent to Ireland, long-term workforce planning should account for more than immediate employment and visa requirements. Employees may have separate considerations around continued residence, family relocation and eventual eligibility for citizenship, depending on their individual circumstances. HR and global mobility teams should therefore distinguish between current work authorisation and longer-term settlement objectives when advising employees. As Ireland reviews its citizenship framework, businesses should follow official announcements closely and ensure that relocation guidance reflects confirmed requirements rather than anticipated policy changes.

New Zealand: Family Visa Applications Move to Enhanced Immigration Online

Immigration New Zealand has announced that, from 16 November 2026, eligible family members of New Zealand citizens and residents applying for specified temporary entry visas will be able to submit new applications through its enhanced Immigration Online platform. The transition covers relevant partner and child visitor, work and student visa categories.  The platform is part of New Zealand’s broader effort to modernise immigration services and provide a more streamlined online application experience.

Indian professionals relocating to New Zealand may need to coordinate their own immigration arrangements with those of their eligible family members. Employers should consider dependent visa planning alongside the employee’s assignment timeline, rather than treating family applications as an afterthought. Importantly, this November transition concerns family members of New Zealand citizens and residents. Certain family applications linked to temporary visa holders had already moved to the enhanced platform in June 2026, so applicants should identify the correct category before applying.

Hong Kong: Short-Term Visitor Scheme Expands to 18 Sectors

Effective 1 October 2026, Hong Kong expanded its Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Visitors Participating in Short-term Activities in Designated Sectors (STV Scheme) to cover 18 sectors and approximately 490 authorised organisations. Eligible invited visitors may participate in specified activities for up to 14 consecutive calendar days per entry and receive remuneration for those activities without applying for an employment visa or entry permit under the scheme.  The covered sectors include finance, innovation and technology, higher education, healthcare, aviation, construction and social welfare.

The scheme may provide a more practical route for eligible short-term activities such as specialist training, research, professional exchanges and client engagements in Hong Kong. However, the activity must fall within the scheme’s permitted scope, and the invitation must come from an authorised host organisation. Businesses should not interpret this as a general exemption for short-term work. Routine employment, activities outside the permitted scope or assignments that do not meet the scheme’s conditions may require a different immigration route. Checking eligibility before travel remains essential.

Argentina: Citizenship-by-Investment Programme Announced

Argentina has announced details of a proposed citizenship-by-investment programme, with applications expected to open before the end of 2026. According to recent developments, the announced routes include a USD 350,000 non-refundable contribution to the National Treasury or a USD 800,000 government bond subscription. Eligible family members may also be included subject to additional contributions and requirements. The programme is intended to provide qualifying applicants with a route to citizenship without the standard two-year residence requirement. However, detailed operational guidance, application procedures and processing timelines remain important outstanding considerations.

The announcement may be relevant to high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs and internationally active business owners exploring additional citizenship options. Nevertheless, investment-linked citizenship requires careful due diligence, source-of-funds checks and an assessment of the applicant’s wider tax, legal and financial circumstances. Indian applicants should not make investment decisions based solely on advertised passport mobility benefits. The programme’s eligibility criteria, legal status, implementation, approval process and the actual travel rights associated with the citizenship must be independently verified before proceeding.

It is also important to note that India does not permit dual citizenship. Acquiring foreign citizenship can have significant implications for an individual’s Indian citizenship status and related rights and obligations. Prospective applicants should seek qualified legal and tax advice before making any investment or citizenship-related commitments to avoid unintended legal or financial consequences.

What These Global Immigration Updates Mean for Indian Businesses?

Across these six destinations, the common theme is the growing importance of proactive immigration planning. Digital application facilities may simplify certain processes, while proposed citizenship reforms, permanent residence criteria and short-term work schemes can change the way businesses plan international assignments. For HR and global mobility teams in India, practical priorities include reviewing employee eligibility early, validating official documentation requirements, monitoring implementation dates and coordinating dependent arrangements. Employers should also distinguish between announced proposals and rules already in force to avoid making decisions based on outdated or incomplete information.

Is Your Global Mobility Strategy Ready for What Comes Next?

A visa approval is only one part of a successful international assignment. Passport changes, family applications, long-term residence planning and short-term business activities can each introduce separate requirements and overlooking one detail can affect an otherwise well-planned move.

At Lex Visas, we support businesses with corporate immigration, inbound and outbound immigration assistance, document authentication and destination services. Since 2005, we have helped organisations navigate the immigration-related requirements involved in moving people across borders. As global immigration policies continue to evolve, the important question for businesses is not simply where employees can travel next, but whether their mobility plans are prepared for the rules that apply when they get there.

Planning an international assignment or reviewing your workforce mobility requirements? Connect with Lex Visas to discuss a structured approach to your immigration needs.