Global Mobility Policy Updates: Key Regulatory Changes (August 2026)
Immigration authorities across the Middle East, East Asia, Europe, and Eurasia have enacted critical administrative adjustments affecting worker departures, visa fee structures, and document validity. Prominent directives include Qatar's reduction of post-cancellation grace periods, Japan's updated consular fee schedules, and Poland's mandatory replacement of legacy EU residence documentation.
1. Qatar: Ministry of Interior Halves Expatriate Grace Period Following Permit Cancellation
The Ministry of Interior (MoI) Airport Passports Department announced an immediate administrative change regarding expatriate residency permit (RP) cancellations in Qatar. The decision substantially shortens the window allowed for departing or transferring sponsorship.
- 14-Day Grace Period: The allowable timeframe for foreign nationals to remain legally in Qatar after RP cancellation has been reduced from 30 days to 14 days.
- Sponsorship Transfers & Overstay Fines: Expatriates failing to complete sponsorship transfers or exit the state within the new 14-day window face automated overstay penalties calculated on a daily basis.
2. Japan: Cabinet Approves Revised Consular Visa Fees and Expanded eVISA Portal
Following an official Cabinet Order amendment, Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) updated its worldwide visa fee structure alongside expanded eligibility guidelines for digital visa processing.
- Fee Schedule Adjustments: Consular fees for single-entry visas increase to JPY 15,000, while multiple-entry visa fees increase to JPY 30,000 across Japanese embassies and consulates globally.
- eVISA System Expansion: The Japan eVISA digital application portal expands mandatory online filing for foreign business travelers and tourist groups across eligible diplomatic posts.
3. Poland: Legacy EU Residence Documentation Rendered Invalid
The Polish Ministry of Interior and Administration published operational guidelines confirming that all residence certificates and cards issued to EU citizens and their family members prior to August 2021 are officially expired.
- Mandatory Replacement: Holders of outdated residence registration certificates or permanent residence cards must submit replacement applications under current biometric formats.
- Compliance Obligations: Employers in Poland must re-verify the right-to-work status of affected EU staff to maintain corporate compliance records.
4. Türkiye: Presidential Decree Modifies Visa Exemption Tiers
Presidential Decree No. 11456, published in Türkiye's Official Gazette, establishes targeted visa exemption guidelines for specific bilateral passport holders.
- Age-Based Visa Waivers: Select ordinary passport holders under the age of 15 or over the age of 50 are granted visa-free entry for tourism and transit for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
- Transit Regulations: Passengers outside these specific age brackets remain subject to standard electronic or sticker visa requirements prior to border arrival.
| Country | Regulatory Focus | Effective Date | Primary Mobility Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qatar | Residency Permit Grace Period | August 2026 | Departure/transfer grace period cut from 30 to 14 days following RP cancellation. |
| Japan | Consular Fees & eVISA Expansion | August 2026 | Updated visa fee schedules applied; expanded digital eVISA processing. |
| Poland | EU Document Expiration | August 2026 | Pre-2021 EU residence documents expired; mandatory biometric re-issuance required. |
| Türkiye | Presidential Decree No. 11456 | August 2026 | Age-based visa waivers enacted for specific short-stay and transit travelers. |
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