2026 Overseas Immigration Window Period: New Changes in Immigration Policies and Identity Planning Paths of Various Countries

1、 2026: Intensive window period for immigration market

The second half of 2026 to 2027 is a period of intensive window in the field of overseas immigration. The immigration policies of multiple countries are undergoing critical changes, some of which mean tightening of application channels, while others mean opening up new opportunities. For families with overseas identity planning needs, understanding these changes and grasping the timing are prerequisites for making reasonable decisions.

From a global perspective, the overall trend of immigration policies is a combination of tightening and openness. Traditional popular countries are raising their entry barriers, while some emerging destinations are introducing more flexible visa programs. The applicant needs to find a path that matches their own conditions in this dynamically changing landscape.

2、 Review of Major National Policy Changes

(1) United States: Timeline of EB-5 Grandfather Clause

The grandfather clause of the US EB-5 investment immigration program will expire on September 30, 2026, and the regional center authorization will also expire on September 30, 2027. This means that EB-5 applications submitted in the second half of 2026 can be subject to the scheduling rules and investment amount standards under the current policy framework. For families with American identity planning needs, 2026 is an important time window.

The core advantage of the EB-5 program is that one person can apply and the whole family can obtain permanent residency in the United States, without strict residency and language requirements. But scheduling has always been a factor that applicants need to consider. When selecting a project, it is important to pay attention to the compliance history, job creation capabilities, and funding security structure of the regional center.

(2) Europe: Portugal's New Nationality Law and Evolution of Golden Visa

The new Portuguese nationality law has been implemented, with adjustments made to the length of residency and language requirements for naturalization. At the same time, the investment path of Portugal's Golden Visa is also evolving - the real estate investment path has been significantly tightened, instead supporting more economically contributing methods such as fund investment and venture capital.

For applicants who wish to obtain European citizenship, Portugal remains a noteworthy option. The D7 visa (Passive Income Visa) requires a monthly passive income of approximately 920 euros (2026 standard), suitable for applicants with stable rental income or pension. The cost of living in Portugal is moderate, the climate is pleasant, and the convenience of travel brought by Schengen status is a factor that many families value.

(3) UK: Technical worker visa threshold raised

Starting from July 22, 2025, the annual salary threshold for UK skilled worker visas will be raised to £ 41700. On January 8, 2026, the UK raised the English proficiency requirement for skilled workers to CEFR B2 level, and further increased visa fees on April 8. These changes mean that the threshold for obtaining UK status through the work visa pathway is increasing.

For professionals, the UK remains an important destination for global career development, but language exams and salary paths need to be planned earlier. For high net worth families, paths such as the Innovator Visa may be more suitable.

(4) Canada: Start Up Visa suspended and student visa adjusted

Canada suspended the Start Up Visa program on January 1, 2026, with a transition period ending on June 30, 2026. This change has a significant impact on applicants who intend to immigrate to Canada through entrepreneurship. At the same time, the number of Canadian student visas is decreasing, but Chinese students remain an important source of students for Canadian universities. As of the end of 2025, there are approximately 82946 mainland Chinese student visa holders, accounting for 12% of international students in Canada.

The adjustment of Canada's immigration path reflects the country's rebalancing in terms of immigration quantity and structure. Applicants need to pay attention to policy changes in other channels such as provincial nominations and employer guarantees.

(5) Emerging Asian options: Thailand LTR and Malaysia

The Thailand Long Term Resident Visa (LTR) provides long-term residency of up to 10 years for individuals aged 50 and above with certain asset accumulation, without mandatory minimum residency requirements, and offers tax incentives for eligible overseas income. Malaysia has become an emerging destination for education and living due to its lower cost of studying and living.

3、 Core issues of concern to the applicant

When consulting immigration projects, the most concerning issues for families usually focus on the following aspects:

Time cycle. The time from submitting the application to obtaining identity directly affects the overall planning of the family. The cycles of different countries and projects vary greatly, ranging from a few months to several years.

Financial security. The scale of funds involved in investment immigration is relatively large, and applicants need to understand the withdrawal mechanism of funds, the safety of investment projects, and possible risks.

Residential requirements. Many applicants hope to obtain overseas status but do not wish to reside overseas for a long time. The significant differences in residency requirements among different countries are a key consideration when choosing a project.

Child education. Overseas identity is often deeply tied to children's education planning. The joint entrance examination for overseas Chinese students, admission to international schools, and application to overseas universities are all important factors in family decision-making.

4、 How to choose a suitable immigration path for oneself

Choosing an immigration program is not simply about comparing which country is better, but about answering several fundamental questions: why immigrate? How long do you plan to live overseas? How to arrange children's education? How to allocate household assets?

For families whose primary goal is to educate their children, they may be more concerned about the quality of education in the destination and the identity requirements for the overseas Chinese joint examination. For households with asset allocation as their goal, they may be more concerned about tax efficiency and financial security. For families with retirement goals, they may be more concerned about the cost of living, medical resources, and climate environment.

Before making the final decision, it is recommended to have one-on-one communication with a professional immigration lawyer or consultant to clarify the specific situation, budget, and expectations of the family, and then compare the suitability of different projects.

5、 Exhibition docking value

From November 20th to 22nd, 2026, the Overseas Immigrant Study and Property Expo, as well as the Enterprise Overseas Development and Financial Services Expo, will be held at the Shanghai World Trade Exhibition Center. The exhibition gathers immigration agencies and law firms from multiple countries including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Greece, Thailand, Malaysia, etc. Applicants can obtain the latest policy information on-site and communicate face-to-face with professional consultants.

During the three-day extension period, it is expected that about 8000 people will attend, covering the entire chain of services such as immigration, study abroad, real estate, and overseas finance. Exhibition hotline: 13681692751 (same as WeChat), official website: www.qs-expo.com. Whether in the early stages of immigration planning consultation or preparing application materials, corresponding professional support can be found at exhibitions.