April 2026 is a significant month for international travellers, workers, and students. Major changes to visa rules, fees, and border procedures are taking effect across the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, the European Union, New Zealand, and Saudi Arabia. If you are planning to study, work, or relocate abroad, these changes could mean higher costs, additional documentation requirements, and longer processing times. Here is a clear summary of everything that is changing.
United States: H-1B and Green Card Reviews Tightened From 1st April
From 1st April 2026, all employers filing H-1B visa petitions must use the updated Form I-129. The revised form requests significantly more information about the position — including salary level, academic requirements, and specific job skills. Salary level is now a more central factor in approval decisions, particularly for high-skilled positions.
Green card applications are also facing closer scrutiny, with the following changes reported:
- Additional background checks on applicants and employers
- More thorough review of employer sponsorship documentation
- Increased issuance of Requests for Evidence (RFEs)
- Closer examination of financial and relationship documentation for family-based petitions
For foreign professionals — particularly in technology — this means a stronger focus on salary benchmarks and the substantive quality of the job role.
United Kingdom: Visa Fees Increase From 8th April
The United Kingdom has raised visa fees across multiple categories from 8th April 2026. The updated fee structure is as follows:
| Visa Type | Previous Fee | New Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor visa (up to 180 days) | £127 | £135 |
| Student visa | £524 | £558 |
| Skilled Worker visa (up to 36 months) | £719 | £769 |
| Innovator Founder visa | £1,590 | £1,693 |
In addition to the visa fee, most adult applicants must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year. The cumulative cost of relocating to the UK continues to rise for both students and skilled workers.
Canada: PR Fees Rise and Resettlement Support Capped
Canada is introducing two significant changes affecting permanent residents and applicants.
From 1st April 2026, newcomers arriving through economic immigration programmes will have access to government-funded resettlement support for a maximum of six years after receiving permanent residency. Previously, access to certain settlement services was available without a strict time limit.
Permanent residency fees are also rising from 30th April 2026:
| Fee Type | Previous Fee | New Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Right of Permanent Residence fee | C$575 | C$600 |
| Principal applicant processing fee | C$950 | C$990 |
| Spouse processing fee | Increasing | Updated rates apply |
New Zealand: Work Visa Conditions Updated From 20th April
From 20th April 2026, New Zealand is introducing clearer job rights conditions for open work visa holders. Applicants will be assigned one of two categories:
- Full open work rights — including the right to be self-employed
- Restricted work rights — requiring a formal employment contract with a specific employer
The change aims to bring greater clarity to the framework, but may reduce flexibility for workers who previously relied on open visas to move between employers without restrictions.
European Union: Digital Border System Fully Operational From 10th April
The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) becomes fully operational across all Schengen countries from 10th April 2026. Passport stamps will be replaced by digital records, and non-EU travellers will be required to provide biometric data — including fingerprints and a facial photograph — at border crossings when entering or leaving participating countries.
Countries where the system is active include Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain, among others. Travellers should expect longer processing times at airports and land borders during the initial rollout period.
Saudi Arabia: Relief for Expired Visa Holders Until 18th April
Saudi Arabia has introduced a temporary relief programme for travellers whose visas lapsed due to regional travel disruptions. Eligible holders of expired visit visas, transit visas, Umrah visas, and final exit permits that expired before 25th February 2026 can regularise their status or depart the country without overstay fines.
All requests must be completed through official online portals by 18th April 2026. This measure was introduced in response to ongoing travel disruptions in the Middle East.
What Travellers and Applicants Should Do Now
- Check the latest visa fees for your intended destination before submitting any application
- Gather updated documentation that meets the new form and evidence requirements
- Allow additional processing time — particularly for US and UK applications where scrutiny has increased
- Budget for higher total costs, including health surcharges and processing fees
- If you hold an expired Saudi visa, act before the 18th April relief deadline
Conclusion
April 2026 brings a coordinated wave of visa and immigration changes across multiple major destinations. Higher fees, updated forms, biometric border entry, and tighter application scrutiny all point in the same direction: preparation and early action matter more than ever. Whether you are planning to work, study, or relocate, review the specific requirements for your destination carefully and give yourself enough lead time to navigate the updated processes without disruption.