Updates to Immigration News for Amer and EMEA Regions
Americas
US: 2026 H-1B cap has been reached
The US Office of Citizenship (USCIS) has received sufficient H-1B petitions to meet the 2026 regular and advanced degree caps. Petitions that are not selected for the lottery will not progress under this year's limit.
USCIS continues to accept cap exemption H-1B filings such as:
Employers such as eligible “CAP exemptions” institutions of higher education, non-profit research institutes, government research institutes, and other specific amendment petitions, extensions and changes for individual employers already counted within the cap
This summary was created using information from USCIS
Disclaimer: The above information is provided with general information only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Roberta Carnaccini, Global Director of Immigration.
Europe, Middle East, Africa
France: Nationality Rules to be effective in 2026
Starting January 1, 2026, France will implement stricter requirements for individuals applying for French citizenship through naturalization and marriage. According to the order issued on July 15, 2025, applicants must demonstrate higher levels of French proficiency, in both written and spoken language, especially level B2, from previous B1 requirements.
Additionally, people will need to apply for naturalization or reintegration to pass the new civic exam. This test assesses knowledge of French history, Republican values, citizenship, and France's role in the world. These changes will only affect applications submitted after 2026.
This summary was created using information from the integration
Spain: New EU-UK deal
Spain is granted authority over the issuance of Gibraltar residence permits, visas and asylum as part of a new agreement between the EU and the UK. The arrangement is part of a broader effort to finalize post-Brexit border control of UK overseas territories. The deal, which reached June 2025, aims to remove border checks in Gibraltar and southern Spain, while maintaining the integrity of the Schengen region.
Spain handles residency checks, but Gibraltar retains final say on residence and asylum decisions and can also issue a limited number of humanitarian visas. The contract is still finalized and will be adopted and ratified once negotiations are completed.
This summary was created using information from Schengen visa information
Disclaimer: The above information is provided with general information only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Roberta Carnaccini, Global Director of Immigration.
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