Immigration news updates for APAC and EMEA regions
Asia-Pacific
Hong Kong: Expansion of Facilitation Scheme for Invited Persons
Effective October 1, 2026, Hong Kong will expand the Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Invited Persons to nationals of ASEAN, Central Asia and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. In addition, all government bureaus and departments will be able to issue invitations under the scheme.
Launched on March 18, 2025, the scheme currently enables five government bureaus and departments to invite eligible ASEAN nationals and benefit from facilitated immigration arrangements. The expansion aims to facilitate additional visits to Hong Kong for business activities, exchanges and major events.
Countries covered from October 1, 2026:
- ASEAN: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam
- Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan
- GCC: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates
Eligible invitees include individuals who can contribute significantly to Hong Kong’s economic development, as well as those invited to attend important events in the territory.
Under the scheme, the Immigration Department (ImmD) will provide:
- One-stop electronic processing of applications
- Relaxed eligibility requirements for self-service immigration clearance
- Simplified visa application requirements, where applicable
- Access to self-service immigration clearance at Hong Kong control points
This summary was prepared using information published by the Immigration Department
Expansion of short-term visitor activity scheme
As of October 1, 2026, Hong Kong expanded its Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Visitors Participating in Short-term Activities in Designated Sectors (STV Scheme).
Key changes:
- The Social Welfare sector has been added, bringing the total number of covered sectors from 17 to 18.
- Additional authorized organizations and eligible activities have been included in the international and mega events, higher education, and finance sectors.
- The expanded scheme now covers approximately 490 authorized organizations.
Eligible foreign nationals invited by an authorized host organization may enter Hong Kong as visitors and undertake approved activities without obtaining an employment visa or entry permit. Approved activities may be performed for up to 14 consecutive calendar days per arrival, and remuneration is permitted where the activity is covered by the scheme.
Activities must support Hong Kong’s economic development or relevant policy objectives and cannot result in the displacement of local workers.
This summary was prepared using information published by the Government of Hong Kong
New Zealand: Changes to age requirements for partnership-based visas
Effective September 25, 2026, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) requires both applicants and supporting partners applying under dedicated partnership-based visa categories to be at least 18 years old. Only evidence of the relationship from the point at which both partners are aged 18 or over will be considered.
For partnership-based residence applications, the required 12-month period of living together can begin only once both partners have reached the age of 18. As a result, applicants will generally need to be at least 19 years old before becoming eligible. Temporary partnership visas are not subject to a 12-month cohabitation requirement; however, applicants must provide sufficient evidence demonstrating a genuine and stable relationship after both partners have turned 18.
The new requirements apply to dedicated partnership-based visitor, work, and residence visa categories, including culturally arranged marriage visas. They do not apply to partners included in other residence categories or to general visitor visa applications.
All other existing eligibility requirements remain unchanged. Applicants should review the latest INZ guidance before applying, as online application forms and supporting guidance may not be updated immediately to reflect the changes. Resident visa applications submitted before September 25, 2026, as well as visas already granted, are not affected.
This summary was prepared using information published by the Immigration New Zealand
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Debra Beynon (Director of Immigration Services, APAC).
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Sweden: Russian non-biometric passports no longer recognised from October 1, 2026
The Swedish Migration Agency has announced that, effective October 1, 2026, Sweden will no longer recognise ordinary non-biometric passports issued by the Russian Federation. Affected individuals may need to obtain a biometric passport to continue travelling to or securing immigration status in Sweden.
A non-biometric passport is one that does not contain an electronic chip storing the holder’s personal data, such as a photograph and fingerprints. From October 1, 2026, holders of ordinary Russian non-biometric passports are no longer able to use these documents to enter Sweden. In addition, such passports will not be accepted for immigration-related applications, including visas, work permits, study permits, visitor permits, or residence permits based on family reunification.
The authorities have introduced a transitional period running from October 1 to December 31, 2026. During this period, Sweden will continue to accept ordinary Russian non-biometric passports where the holder either has a valid visa issued before October 1, 2026, by Sweden, another EU Member State, or another Schengen country, or holds a valid residence permit issued before that date by Sweden, another EU Member State, or another Schengen country.
The Swedish authorities also confirmed that, from January 1, 2027, non-biometric Russian diplomatic and service passports will no longer be recognised. Individuals affected by these changes are encouraged to apply for a biometric passport through the relevant Russian authorities as soon as possible.
This summary was prepared using information published by the Swedish Migration Agency
Switzerland: Family reunification applications
Guidance published by the Zurich Migration Office highlights that family reunification applications are reviewed to determine whether any revocation grounds (“Widerrufsgründe”) exist and whether there are indications of abuse of rights. These considerations apply across several family reunification categories, including applications submitted by EU/EFTA nationals seeking to sponsor third-country national family members. The guidance also outlines the eligibility requirements and supporting documentation applicable to the various family reunification routes.
This summary was prepared using information published by the Migration Office
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Joanna Sogeke (European Client Services Manager – Immigration).
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