--- title: Belgium Visa D Fees, Japan Specified Card & 2026 Policy Summary description: Belgium increases Visa D fees, Japan launches the Specified Residence Card, Armenia grants 111 visa exemptions, plus a strategic summary of 2026 global immigrat image: https://migrantiq.com/uploads/blog/belgium-raised-visa-fees-how-japan-integrated-residence-card-1786161442744.webp --- Skip to content Ad spot · 728×90Advertise on MigrantIQBuy this spot [/advertise/?format=leaderboard] Policy Updates [/blog/topics/policy-updates/]Reviewed Aug 2026 BELGIUM RAISED VISA FEES & HOW JAPAN INTEGRATED RESIDENCE CARDS: AUGUST 2026 GLOBAL MOBILITY DIGEST & 2026 POLICY SUMMARY Share Reading 0% ~4 min left Belgium Visa D Fees, Japan Specified Card & 2026 Policy Summary [/api/blog/media/belgium-raised-visa-fees-how-japan-integrated-residence-card-1786161442744.webp] Expanding our global surveillance across 180+ jurisdictions, Belgium has increased its Visa D fee while introducing the Flanders Regional Retribution, Japan has launched the integrated Specified Residence Card, and Armenia extended visa exemptions to 111 nations. Read our digest alongside a strategic executive summary of the major 2026 global immigration shifts. As international border management systems advance through Q3 2026, administrative authorities across Europe, Asia, and Latin America have published key fee restructuring directives, digital identity mandates, and entry exemptions. Below is our daily flash brief of the latest 24-hour regulatory shifts, followed by a strategic executive summary of the defining global immigration updates of 2026 across 180+ monitored countries. 1. PAST 24 HOURS: GLOBAL ADMINISTRATIVE & VISA UPDATES Labor and foreign affairs ministries have enacted targeted operational adjustments across several key corridors: * Belgium (Visa D Surcharge & Regional Retribution): The Belgian Federal Government officially increased the administrative processing fee (Visa D fee) for long-stay work and study applicants. Concurrently, the Regional Government of Flanders introduced a mandatory \"Flanders Regional Retribution\" fee for work authorization [/blog/france-shortens-residence-permit-decisions-to-90-days-from-30-october-2026/] adjudications, increasing total upfront corporate sponsorship costs. * Japan (Specified Residence Card Rollout): Immigration Services Agency [/blog/japan-plans-to-reopen-ssw-meal-service-intake-for-hospitals-and-schools/] of Japan (ISA) launched the \"Specified Residence Card\" system. This initiative merges foreign resident identity cards with the national \"My Number\" digital identity framework, streamlining tax, social security, and visa extension verification processes. * Armenia (Visa Exemption for 111 Passport Holders): To encourage regional commerce and foreign investment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs [/blog/montenegro-ends-visa-free-entry-for-turkiye-russia-and-china-from-1-novembe/] of Armenia enacted temporary visa-free entry concessions for passport holders from 111 countries, permitting stays up to 180 days within a 365-day period. * Colombia [/countries/colombia/] (Work visa processing [/blog/australia-reorders-skilled-visa-queues-under-directions-121-and-122-from-19/] Scrutiny): The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cancillería) issued an internal operational advisory extending background verification and corporate documentation review cycles for M and R type work visas, resulting in temporary processing delays. 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: MOST SIGNIFICANT GLOBAL IMMIGRATION POLICY UPDATES OF 2026 Across the 180+ countries tracked in our global surveillance framework, five overarching macro-trends have redefined international talent mobility in 2026: 1. European Union Border Digitalization & Regularization: 2026 marked the full deployment of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) biometric tracking across Schengen borders, alongside preparations for ETIAS pre-travel authorization. Spain executed an extraordinary regularization process granting legal status to over 500,000 long-term residents, while Germany accelerated EU Blue Card processing via a centralized digital portal. 2. United States [/countries/united-states/] Enforcement & Financial Bond Mandates: USCIS and the Department of State [/blog/state-department-cable-reopens-refused-immigrant-and-diversity-visa-cases/] implemented permanent B-1/B-2 visitor visa bond requirements up to $20,000 for high-overstay nations, while maintaining tight employment-based priority date cutoffs (with EB-2 India remaining unavailable through fiscal year-end). 3. United Kingdom [/countries/united-kingdom/] Protection Restructuring & Dependant Tightening: The UK Home Office enacted merged registration asylum interviews, raised Skilled Worker minimum wage thresholds, restricted student/graduate dependant rights, and introduced strict payroll compliance audits under Sponsor Guidance 14.3B. 4. Middle East Nationalization & Flexible Iqama Systems: Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states expanded labor nationalization (notably Saudi Arabia extending Saudization to 69 administrative roles) while introducing operational flexibility,such as Saudi Arabia's installment-based Iqama renewals on Absher/Qiwa and 1-year multiple-entry Umrah visas. 5. Asia-Pacific Targeted Skilled Pathways: Australia restructured its Subclass 482 and 186 visa hierarchy to prioritize defense, healthcare, and onshore candidates, while New Zealand launched dedicated Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) pathways for Trades and Technicians. GLOBAL REGULATORY LANDSCAPE MATRIX (2026 TRENDS) Region / Country Primary Policy Mechanism Key Structural Update Business Impact Belgium Visa D & Regional Surcharges Increased federal administrative fee + Flanders Regional Retribution. Higher upfront cost per assignee; dual payment proof required. Japan Specified Residence Card Merged Residence Card with \"My Number\" national ID. Streamlined payroll tax reporting and automated visa renewals. European Union EES & Regularization Biometric Schengen entry logging; Spain regularized ~500k individuals. Enhanced border audit trail; legal labor pool expanded in Southern Europe. Middle East (GCC) Qiwa & Absher Flexibility Flexible 3/6-month Iqama renewals; 69 expanded Saudization roles. Improved liquidity for local sponsors; strict quota compliance required. > Strategic Mobility Directive: Organizations managing global workforces in 2026 must transition from reactive visa filing to continuous digital compliance tracking. With governments integrating immigration databases with tax and biometric platforms (as seen in Japan and the EU), payroll consistency and immediate reporting are critical to preserving corporate sponsorship licenses. ACTION ITEMS FOR GLOBAL MOBILITY [/blog/immigration-rules-in-the-u-s-belgium-the-philippines-and-australia-are-chan/] OFFICERS 1. Adjust Belgian Filing Budgets: Update corporate expense allocations to incorporate the new Visa D increase and Flanders Retribution fee. 2. Inform Assignees in Japan: Advise long-term foreign employees in Japan on registering for the integrated Specified Residence Card via local municipal offices. 3. Audit 2026 GCC Labor Portals: Conduct quarterly checks on Saudi Qiwa and Absher portals to verify Saudization ratio compliance and active Iqama payment schedules. Feedback WAS THIS ARTICLE HELPFUL? Your answer helps us improve guides and editorial priorities. YesNo Plan your next step with free tools Run the Move Planner or browse corridors — governments make every official decision. Open Move Planner → [/tools/planner/]Browse corridors [/move/] RELATED GUIDES * CANADA MOVES ASYLUM CLAIMS ONLINE WITH A 60-DAY DEADLINE FROM 3 NOVEMBER Canada's new asylum rules took effect on 3 November 2026. Every claim now runs through one online application, with 60 days to finish once you get a due date and a single 30-day extension. Miss a step and your claim goes to the IRB for abandonment. [/blog/canada-moves-asylum-claims-online-with-a-60-day-deadline-from-3-november/] * AUSTRALIA MAKES THE 407 TRAINING VISA OFFSHORE ONLY FROM 12 NOVEMBER 2026 From 12 November 2026, you must be outside Australia to apply for and receive a Training visa (subclass 407). Onshore applications become invalid. Here is what changes, who is affected, and what to do before the 11 November deadline. [/blog/australia-makes-the-407-training-visa-offshore-only-from-12-november-2026/] * ARMENIA MOVES RESIDENCE PERMITS ONLINE AND RAISES FEES FROM 1 NOVEMBER 2026 Armenia moves all residence applications to one online platform on 1 November 2026. Fees rise to AMD 150,000 and AMD 250,000, refused fees are kept, quotas arrive, and the 10-year special passport ends. [/blog/armenia-moves-residence-permits-online-and-raises-fees-from-1-november-2026/] * AUSTRALIA LAUNCHES WEB TRAVEL DECLARATION AT WESTERN SYDNEY AIRPORT FROM 26 OCTOBER Australia's web-based Australia Travel Declaration went live at Western Sydney International Airport on 26 October 2026. Here is who uses the form, the 72-hour window, and what you still need to declare. [/blog/australia-launches-web-travel-declaration-at-western-sydney-airport-from-26/] More on this topic Available inventoryBuy this ad spotReach people planning visas, moves, and settlement — before they pick a product or agent.Rectangle · 300×250View rates & book → [/advertise/?format=rectangle] RELATED GUIDES * Belgium country profile [/countries/belgium/] * Belgium → United States corridor hub [/move/belgium-to-united-states/] Belgium Visa D Fee 2026 [/blog/?tag=Belgium%20Visa%20D%20Fee%202026]Japan Specified Residence Card [/blog/?tag=Japan%20Specified%20Residence%20Card]Armenia Visa Exemption [/blog/?tag=Armenia%20Visa%20Exemption]Global Mobility Summary 2026 [/blog/?tag=Global%20Mobility%20Summary%202026]Flanders Regional Retribution [/blog/?tag=Flanders%20Regional%20Retribution]Saudi Iqama Absher Rules [/blog/?tag=Saudi%20Iqama%20Absher%20Rules]Immigration Policy Trends 2026 [/blog/?tag=Immigration%20Policy%20Trends%202026] ← All posts [/blog/]More in Policy Updates → [/blog/topics/policy-updates/] Summarize this page with AI Opens your assistant with a pre-filled prompt (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude). Gemini uses Google AI Mode. Ask AI ↗ Not affiliated with any AI platform. Always verify immigration rules on official government sites. ARTICLE FAQ IS THIS ARTICLE LEGAL OR IMMIGRATION ADVICE? No. MigrantIQ publishes general migration guidance for planning only. Confirm requirements with official government portals and regulated professionals before you apply or travel. HOW CURRENT IS THIS INFORMATION? Editorial content is reviewed on a rolling basis. This page was last updated September 10, 2026. Rules change — always verify fees, forms, and eligibility on official sites. Plan smarter Save countries, compare destinations, track visa checklists, and sync your migration plan across devices. Open My Plan [/plan/]Account Dashboard [/account/] Free resources TOOLS & GUIDES Full sitemap → [/sitemap/] PLAN YOUR MOVE * Eligibility quiz [/tools/eligibility/] * Tax calculator [/tools/tax-calculator/] * Tax compare [/tools/tax-compare/] * Tax guides [/tools/tax-guides/] * Points calculator [/tools/points-calculator/] * Cost calculator [/calculator/] * Move planner [/tools/planner/] * Best country [/tools/best-country/] * Pathway finder [/tools/pathway-finder/] * Corridor fit [/tools/corridor-fit/] * Compare 3 countries [/tools/compare-three/] * Job → visa matcher [/tools/job-visa-match/] * Scam checker [/tools/scam-check/] * All tools [/tools/] GUIDES & SAFETY * Visa guides [/visas/] * Scholarships [/scholarships/] * Government jobs [/government-jobs/] * Immigration updates [/countries/canada/immigration-updates/] * Embassies [/embassies/] * Laws [/laws/] * Scam alerts [/scam-alerts/] * Checklists [/checklist/] * Country profiles [/countries/] ARRIVAL HUBS * Settle [/settle/] * Driving [/driving/] * Sponsors [/sponsors/] * Ancestry [/ancestry/] * Housing [/housing/] * Money [/money/] * Family [/family/] * Pets [/pets/] * Shipping [/shipping/] * Investment [/investment/] * Retire [/retire/] * Return [/return/] * Safe migration [/safe-migration/] COMMUNITY * Q&A [/qa/] * People stories [/stories/] * Blog [/blog/] * Android app (Google Play) [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.migrantiq.app&hl=en] * Write for us [/write-for-us/] * Experts [/experts/] * Apply for expert listing [/experts/apply/] * Documentation [/documentation/] * Employers (HR) [/employers/] ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://migrantiq.com/#organization","name":"MigrantIQ","url":"https://migrantiq.com","logo":"https://migrantiq.com/logo.png","description":"MigrantIQ publishes free migration guides covering visas, laws, costs, culture, banking, healthcare, scam alerts, and moving checklists for 220 countries.","knowsAbout":["immigration","visa requirements","moving abroad","cost of living","immigrant laws","scam protection","arrival checklists"],"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/migrantiq/","https://x.com/MigrantIQ","https://www.instagram.com/migrantiqorg/","https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.migrantiq.app&hl=en"],"contactPoint":[{"@type":"ContactPoint","contactType":"customer support","email":"Info@MigrantIQ.com","url":"https://migrantiq.com/contact/","availableLanguage":["English"]}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://migrantiq.com/#website","name":"MigrantIQ","url":"https://migrantiq.com","publisher":{"@id":"https://migrantiq.com/#organization"},"inLanguage":"en","potentialAction":{"@type":"SearchAction","target":"https://migrantiq.com/search/?q={search_term_string}","query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}}]} {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://migrantiq.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Blog","item":"https://migrantiq.com/blog/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Belgium Raised Visa Fees & How Japan Integrated Residence Cards: August 2026 Global Mobility Digest & 2026 Policy Summary","item":"https://migrantiq.com/blog/belgium-raised-visa-fees-how-japan-integrated-residence-cards-august-2026-g/"}]} {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://migrantiq.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Blog","item":"https://migrantiq.com/blog/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Policy Updates","item":"https://migrantiq.com/blog/topics/policy-updates/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Belgium Raised Visa Fees & How Japan Integrated Residence Cards: August 2026 Global Mobility Digest & 2026 Policy Summary","item":"https://migrantiq.com/blog/belgium-raised-visa-fees-how-japan-integrated-residence-cards-august-2026-g/"}]} {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Article","@id":"https://migrantiq.com/blog/belgium-raised-visa-fees-how-japan-integrated-residence-cards-august-2026-g/#article","headline":"Belgium Raised Visa Fees & How Japan Integrated Residence Cards: August 2026 Global Mobility Digest & 2026 Policy Summary","description":"Expanding our global surveillance across 180+ jurisdictions, Belgium has increased its Visa D fee while introducing the Flanders Regional Retribution, Japan has launched the integrated Specified Residence Card, and Armenia extended visa exemptions to 111 nations. 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