FGI UPDATE: This Week’s Summary of Global Immigration News

June 05, 2026

Canada Immigration Updates

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program Pauses New Draws Ahead of System Overhaul

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) announced on May 30, 2026, that it has temporarily paused new invitation draws across its immigration streams while transitioning to a new selection system expected to launch within the coming weeks. During this transition period, no new invitations will be issued from the current Expression of Interest (EOI) pools, and candidates will not benefit from submitting new job offers under the existing framework. While current applications will continue to be processed under the rules in effect at the time they were filed, candidates and employers should prepare for a new process that is expected to place greater emphasis on demonstrated ties to employment in Canada.

Key Points

OINP Has Suspended New Draws: Ontario has paused all new invitation rounds across OINP streams while it transitions to a redesigned selection system. As a result, candidates currently in the existing EOI pools will not receive invitations under the current framework.
Current EOI Pools Will No Longer Be Used for Selections: The province has confirmed that no additional draws will occur from the existing EOI pools. Candidates who are currently waiting in the system should expect to participate in the new process once it becomes operational.
Existing Applications Remain Protected: Applications that have already been submitted will continue to be processed under the rules and requirements that were in place at the time of filing. The transition will not affect pending applications already under review.
A New Employer Submission Process Is Coming: Once the new system launches, employers will need to submit new job offers in order for candidates to enter the new candidate pool. However, Ontario is expected to carry forward much of the employer information previously provided, reducing the need for employers to completely recreate prior submissions.
Selection Criteria Have Not Yet Been Announced: Ontario has not released official details regarding how candidates will be ranked under the new system. The province is expected to provide additional guidance once implementation is complete.

What Employers Need to Know

Submitting New Job Offers Currently Provides No Immediate Advantage: Because no new draws will occur under the existing EOI system, employers are unlikely to gain any practical benefit from submitting new job offers during the transition period. Employers may wish to wait until the new system becomes operational before initiating new submissions.
New Employer Participation Will Be Required: Employers supporting foreign national candidates should be prepared to submit job offers again once the new platform launches. Although some information may transfer automatically, employers will still need to take action to ensure candidates are entered into the new pool.
Pending Applications Continue Uninterrupted: Employers with candidates whose applications have already been filed should not expect processing to stop because of the transition. Those applications will continue to be assessed under the rules that existed when they were submitted.
Workforce Planning May Require Additional Flexibility: Organizations relying on OINP nominations as part of their talent strategy should anticipate temporary uncertainty while Ontario finalizes the new selection framework. Hiring and immigration timelines may need adjustment until details of the new system become available.

Looking Ahead

A New Selection System Is Expected Soon: Ontario has indicated that the replacement system should be implemented within the next several weeks. Candidates and employers should closely monitor provincial announcements for launch dates and operational guidance.
Canadian Employment Connections May Become More Important: Early indications suggest that candidates with strong ties to the Canadian labor market could receive higher rankings under the new system. Factors such as valid job offers and Canadian work experience may play a greater role in future candidate selection.
Competition May Shift Under the New Framework: Once Ontario publishes the new ranking methodology, some candidates may find themselves more competitive while others may face increased challenges. The new system could significantly alter how invitations are distributed across immigration streams.
Further Policy Details Are Expected: Because Ontario has not yet released formal selection criteria, additional announcements will likely clarify eligibility requirements, ranking factors, employer obligations, and transition procedures. Stakeholders should expect more information as implementation approaches.

Ontario’s temporary pause on OINP marks a significant transition in one of Canada’s most important provincial immigration programs. While current applications remain protected and will continue to be processed, candidates and employers should prepare for a new selection system that may place greater emphasis on employment-related connections to Canada. Until Ontario releases additional details, employers and foreign nationals should closely monitor developments and be ready to participate in the new process once it becomes available.

JAPAN : New Fee Structure Proposed for Residence Status and Permanent Residence Applications

Japan has enacted legislation raising the statutory fee caps for immigration procedures, and the government is expected to establish the final fee schedule through Cabinet Order during fiscal year 2026. While estimated fee amounts have been announced, the final fees have not yet been formally established. They are expected to be determined through a Cabinet Order during the current fiscal year.

Due to this amendment, the actual fee is expected to increase depending on the length of the period of stay granted:

Period of stay of 1 year: approximately JPY 30,000
Period of stay of 3 years: approximately JPY 60,000
Period of stay of 5 years: approximately JPY 70,000
Permanent Residence permission: approximately JPY 200,000

Until now, the fee has been a fixed amount regardless of the immigration status granted. Going forward, the system is expected to shift to a beneficiary-pays approach, under which individuals who are granted a longer right to remain in Japan will bear a proportionately higher cost.

Key Points

Variable Fee Structure: Japan is expected to replace its current fixed-fee immigration application system with a fee structure tied to the length of the residence period granted. This means applicants receiving longer periods of stay would pay higher application fees.
One-Year Residence Period: Individuals granted a one-year period of stay are expected to pay approximately JPY 30,000. This would represent the lowest fee level under the proposed framework.
Three- and Five-Year Residence Periods: Applicants receiving a three-year period of stay are expected to pay approximately JPY 60,000, while those granted a five-year period are expected to pay approximately JPY 70,000. The longer the authorized stay, the higher the anticipated fee.
Permanent Residence Applications: The fee for obtaining permanent residence permission is expected to increase significantly to approximately JPY 200,000. This would make permanent residence the most expensive immigration status under the proposed schedule.

What Employers Need to Know

Higher Immigration Costs: Employers sponsoring foreign nationals in Japan may face increased immigration-related expenses if they cover application fees on behalf of employees. Budget planning may need to account for higher costs associated with longer residence periods.
Assignment Planning Considerations: Organizations should consider how the new fee structure could affect long-term assignments and workforce mobility strategies. Employees seeking longer periods of stay may incur substantially greater application costs.
Policy Review Opportunities: Employers may wish to review internal immigration reimbursement and relocation policies. Existing policies may need updates to address varying fee amounts based on residence status duration.
Awaiting Final Regulations: The projected fees remain estimates and have not yet been finalized by the government. Employers should monitor official announcements before making operational or financial decisions based on the proposed amounts.

Looking Ahead

Beneficiary-Pays Approach: The proposed changes signal a move toward a beneficiary-pays model in Japan’s immigration system. Individuals who receive greater immigration benefits through longer residence rights would bear a larger share of the associated costs.
Potential Budget Impacts: If implemented as proposed, the new fee structure could increase the overall cost of obtaining and maintaining long-term immigration status in Japan. This may influence both employer-sponsored and self-funded immigration applications.
Regulatory Clarification Pending: Additional details are expected once the Cabinet Order is issued during the current fiscal year. The final regulation will determine the official fee amounts and implementation timeline.
Future Immigration Policy Trends: The proposal may indicate a broader trend toward aligning immigration fees with the value and duration of immigration benefits received. Similar fee-based policy adjustments could be considered in future immigration reforms.

Japan is preparing to implement a new immigration fee structure that would link application costs to the length of stay granted, replacing the current flat-fee approach. Estimated fees range from approximately JPY 30,000 for a one-year residence period to approximately JPY 200,000 for permanent residence permission. Please note that the actual fees have not yet been finalized and are expected to be officially determined by a Cabinet Order within this fiscal year.

VIETNAM: Business VNeID Required for Immigration and Administrative Filings

Vietnam has implemented an urgent regulatory change requiring companies, representative offices, and other organizations to use a Business VNeID when accessing the National Public Service Portal and the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) portal. Effective June 1, 2026, the previous method of accessing these systems using a company e-signature or token has been discontinued without prior notice. As a result, a valid Business VNeID is now mandatory for submitting a range of immigration and administrative applications, including visa pre-approvals, temporary residence card (TRC) applications, exit visas, and work permit applications. The sudden implementation has created immediate challenges for organizations that have not yet obtained a Business VNeID, particularly those with urgent immigration matters pending.

Key Points

Business VNeID Is Now Mandatory: Companies and organizations in Vietnam must now use a Business VNeID to access the National Public Service Portal and the Ministry of Public Security portal. The previous login method using a company e-signature or token has been fully discontinued.
Online Immigration Filings Require Business VNeID: Administrative and immigration-related procedures submitted through government portals can no longer be processed without a valid Business VNeID. This includes visa pre-approval applications, temporary residence card applications, exit visa applications, and work permit filings.
Offline Submissions Are No Longer Accepted: Authorities have stopped accepting direct or offline submissions for affected immigration processes. Organizations without a Business VNeID currently have no alternative filing mechanism available.
The Change Was Implemented Without Advance Notice: The new requirement took effect on June 1, 2026, with little warning to businesses and immigration stakeholders. The abrupt implementation has created uncertainty for employers and foreign nationals with pending or time-sensitive applications.
No Official Alternative Process Exists: As of now, immigration authorities have not announced any workaround or transitional filing process for organizations that have not yet obtained a Business VNeID. This creates an immediate compliance challenge for affected businesses.

What Employers Need To Know

Urgent Immigration Cases May Be Delayed: Employers that have not yet obtained a Business VNeID may be unable to submit immigration applications for foreign national employees and assignees. Time-sensitive visa, work authorization, and residence-related matters could be affected until the necessary registration is completed.
Foreign-Led Organizations Face Additional Challenges: In some cases, obtaining a Business VNeID requires the company’s legal representative to hold a valid temporary residence card. This creates a practical dilemma where a TRC may be needed to obtain a Business VNeID, but a Business VNeID is now required to submit the TRC application.
Corporate Structure May Become a Factor: Unless authorities provide an alternative solution, some organizations with foreign legal representatives may need to consider appointing a Vietnamese legal representative in order to obtain a Business VNeID. Such changes could have broader operational and governance implications for foreign-invested companies.
Delegation Options Are Available: Organizations that already possess a Business VNeID may authorize an internal employee or a third-party service provider to submit applications on their behalf. The delegated individual must have a valid personal VNeID in order to exercise those submission rights.

Looking Ahead

Government Clarification May Be Needed: The current requirements create practical difficulties for some organizations, particularly those whose sole legal representative is a foreign national. Immigration authorities may face pressure to issue additional guidance or establish a transitional process to address these situations.
Business VNeID Is Likely to Become a Core Compliance Requirement: The government’s shift to Business VNeID authentication signals a broader move toward centralized digital administration. Companies operating in Vietnam should expect Business VNeID registration to become an essential component of ongoing regulatory compliance.
Immigration Processing Could Experience Short-Term Disruptions: Organizations that have not yet secured a Business VNeID may encounter delays in immigration filings and employee mobility planning. Processing backlogs could develop if large numbers of businesses attempt to register simultaneously.
Additional Digitalization Measures May Follow: The transition away from e-signature token access suggests that Vietnamese authorities are continuing to expand digital identity verification requirements. Future administrative and immigration procedures may increasingly rely on VNeID-based authentication systems.

Vietnam’s new requirement for businesses to use a Business VNeID for immigration and administrative filings represents a significant procedural change with immediate consequences for employers and foreign nationals. With the discontinuation of e-signature token access and the elimination of offline filing options, organizations must obtain a Business VNeID to continue submitting visa, temporary residence, and work authorization applications. Employers should assess their current registration status promptly, particularly if they have pending immigration matters, and closely monitor future guidance from Vietnamese authorities regarding implementation challenges and potential solutions.

The content of this article is intended only to provide a general guide to the subject matter. It should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact FGI at info@employmentimmigration.com or (+1) 248.643.4900 for guidance if you have specific questions.

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