This Week in Global Mobility
Portugal Golden Visa Under Scrutiny Portugal's flagship Golden Visa programme has undergone requirement changes—the second update detected this week. This follows ongoing policy reviews aimed at refocusing investment immigration criteria. Prospective applicants should monitor official channels for clarification on investment minimums and eligible categories.
Canada Consolidates Immigration Streams Canada has formally closed three legacy immigration pathways: the Start-up Visa, the Self-Employed Persons Program, and eight Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) streams. Simultaneously, new Category-Based Selection updates for Express Entry are being rolled out in 2026. This represents a significant restructuring of Canada's economic immigration landscape.
New Programmes Emerge Across Continents Several destinations launched or are launching new residency initiatives: Cambodia's "My Second Home" programme, Paraguay's Investor Pass, Malaysia's new international passport option, Greece's startup investment route for Golden Visa holders, and a Mauritius Golden Visa programme. Additionally, a new citizenship-by-descent programme for descendants of enslaved Africans has been discovered.
Digital Nomad Visas Under Review Multiple jurisdictions—Montenegro, Thailand, and Kenya—have updated their digital nomad and remote work visa frameworks. Thailand's Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) and Kenya's new Class N Digital Nomad Visa represent evolving approaches to attracting remote workers.
Cost Adjustments Across Multiple Jurisdictions Price changes have been detected across Caribbean citizenship programmes, Turkish Golden Visa, working holiday visas, visa application fees, and residency taxation regimes. ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) requirements have also been revised ahead of its 2025 implementation.
Bottom Line This week reflects global mobility programmes in flux—established paths tightening while new opportunities proliferate. Portugal and Canada's changes warrant immediate attention for those considering these destinations. Emerging programmes in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean offer alternative pathways, though early-stage details remain sparse. Timing matters: monitor official government sources before committing to applications.
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