Global Immigration Trends and Highlights

Trends and highlights from April to June 2026

Executive summary

"Across Americas, workforce mobility continues to be shaped by tighter compliance and evolving access pathways. In the United States, stricter adjustment of status approvals and proposed prevailing wage changes are creating uncertainty for employers, while Canada is shifting greater control to provinces and has announced a one-time approval of 33,000 permanent residence applications for work permit holders in smaller communities. Elsewhere, Brazil’s visa-free entry for nationals of the Chinese Mainland and Venezuela’s new e-Visa requirements signal continued regional divergence in entry and mobility frameworks."

George Reis, EY Americas Immigration Leader

At a glance

Global mobility in the second quarter of 2026 is increasingly shaped by governments using immigration policy to advance economic, labor market and national security priorities. Across the Americas, heightened scrutiny of immigration benefits in the United States and Canada's growing reliance on provincial selection are creating new challenges for employers seeking to access and retain talent. At the same time, the Ebola outbreak has demonstrated how quickly public health concerns can re-emerge as a workforce mobility issue, triggering targeted travel restrictions, screening measures and quarantine requirements across multiple jurisdictions.

Digital transformation is also reshaping immigration administration worldwide. Across Asia-Pacific and Europe, governments are deploying technology to streamline processes while enhancing oversight and enforcement. Malaysia's centralized expatriate platforms, Vietnam's electronic work permit initiatives and the European Union's Entry/Exit System signal a shift toward more transparent, data-driven immigration frameworks. For employers, success will increasingly depend on stronger compliance processes, accurate reporting and closer alignment between mobility, HR and business functions.

More broadly, immigration systems are becoming increasingly selective. While some jurisdictions are expanding pathways for highly skilled workers, entrepreneurs and priority talent, others are introducing localization measures, tighter eligibility requirements and enhanced compliance obligations. This divergence is creating a more complex global mobility landscape that requires employers to be deliberate in how they deploy talent and build workforce strategies. Organizations that anticipate policy shifts, embed immigration considerations into workforce planning and maintain flexibility in their mobility programs will be best positioned to navigate uncertainty and secure the skills needed for growth.