September 2026 Outbound Immigration and Global Mobility Recap | APAC

Also Authored by Melvin Ng and Riduan Fattah

Clark Hill’s Outbound Immigration & Global Mobility practice guides corporate clients and individuals through complex global immigration challenges worldwide. We pride ourselves on creative, compliant, and people-centered solutions – looking at global mobility from a holistic perspective in an ever-changing immigration environment. Our team assists with short-term assignments, long-term relocations, consular processing, document procurement, document legalizations/apostilles, and business visas in 100+ countries worldwide.

Below is an overview of the major updates from September 2026 in the Asia-Pacific region.

APAC:

Australia:

Revised Processing Priorities for Visa Applications

Effective September 19, 2026, there are revised processing priorities for certain temporary and permanent skilled visa applications. The two new Ministerial Directions replace Ministerial Direction 119 and apply to applications filed on or after September 19 as well as earlier applications that have not yet been finalized. The Directions change the order in which the Department of Home Affairs processes applications.

• Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visas. Ministerial Direction 121 establishes the following processing order for Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa applications:
  • Priority Group 1 (priority-sector occupations). This group includes all occupations in identified priority sectors. Onshore and offshore primary applicants receive equal priority within this group. The priority sectors now include:
    • Defense (which covers AUKUS-related positions and has been expanded to include certain other roles supported by the Australian Defense Force or Department of Defense through sponsorship, nomination or a qualifying letter) (AUKUS is a trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States)
    • Law enforcement
    • Healthcare
    • Teaching (which now includes Faculty Head)
    • Construction (which now includes Engineering Manager, Civil Engineering Draftsperson, and Civil Engineering Technician)
    • Resources
    • Agriculture, aquaculture, and fishing
  • Priority Group 2 (Specialist Skills Stream applications). Includes applications that must meet the Specialist Skills Income Threshold, currently AUD 146,576 per year.
  • Priority Group 3 (other onshore applications). Covers all other applications where the applicant was in Australia when the application was filed.
  • Priority Group 4 (unaccompanied offshore applications). Covers all other applications where the applicant was outside Australia when the application was filed and did not include family members in the application.
  • Priority Group 5. Covers all other Subclass 482 applications.
• Permanent, regional, and other skilled visas. Ministerial Direction 122 applies to Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme and Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa applications, as well as certain independent, state-nominated, regional and business-skills visas. The Direction establishes the following processing order:
  • Priority Group 1 (priority-sector occupations). Applications involving a specified occupation in one of the priority sectors identified under Ministerial Direction 121.
  • Priority Group 2 (other onshore applications). All other applications where the applicant was in Australia when the application was filed.
  • Priority Group 3 (unaccompanied offshore applications). All other applications where the applicant was outside Australia when the application was filed and did not include family members.
  • Priority Group 4. All other applications covered by the Direction.

With these new Directions, more occupations will receive priority processing, particularly in the newly added resources, agriculture, aquaculture, and fishing sectors. A separate priority group also supports faster processing for Specialist Skills Stream applicants. Employers should consider whether offshore applicants will include family members, as this may affect their processing priority.

New Guidance for Visa Refusal

Effective October 31, 2026, Australia’s migration framework is set to introduce new guidance for visa refusal and cancellation decisions on character grounds. Direction 123 replaces Ministerial Direction 110 and provides updated guidance for decision-makers considering matters under sections 501 and 501CA of the Migration Act 1958. It can be relevant to both visa applicants and existing visa holders.

The changes include a new character test ground relating to hatred and extremism, broader domestic and family violence considerations, changes to the treatment of ties to Australia, and a lower threshold for assessing certain future conduct risks.

One of the key changes is the reduction from five primary considerations under Direction 110 to four under Direction 123. The four primary considerations are:

1. Protection of the Australian community
2. Domestic or family violence
3. Expectations of the Australian community
4. Best interests of minor children, including child victims

Ties to Australia is no longer a primary consideration. It moves to another consideration, alongside matters including legal consequences and impediments if a person is removed from Australia.

A new character test ground for hatred and extremism

Direction 123 introduces a new character test ground relating to hatred and extremism. According to the MIA snapshot, the new ground under section 501(6)(baa) covers matters including:

• Membership in or association with a terrorist organization
• Association with a state sponsor of terrorism
• Association with a prohibited hate group
• Conduct constituting a hate crime
• Making, endorsing or encouraging certain hateful public statements

The Department of Home Affairs’ character guidance also identifies these types of conduct and associations within its explanation of the character test.

The future conduct risk threshold is changing

Another significant change concerns the assessment of potential future conduct. Under Direction 123, the relevant threshold moves from a risk that a person “would” or “will” engage in specified conduct to a risk that they “might” engage in it. The change is set out in Annex A, sections 7 and 7.1–7.3 of the new Direction.

This means the wording used by decision-makers when assessing certain future conduct risks will change when Direction 123 takes effect.

Domestic and family violence considerations are broader

Direction 123 also broadens the definition of domestic and family violence. The updated definition includes additional conduct such as:

• Image-based abuse
• Stalking
• Breaching court orders

The scope of covered relationships is also expanded to include relationships involving caregiving and cultural family groups. Domestic or family violence remains a primary consideration under Direction 123.

Other changes under Direction 123

• Sentence Weighting

Direction 123 removes the previous sentence weighting carve-out. The sentence imposed is now relevant across all offence types rather than being excluded for certain serious categories.

• Australian business interests

The impact on Australian business interests is no longer listed as another consideration that decision-makers must consider under the new Direction. This is a change from the previous framework under Direction 110.

New Reforms Aimed at Reducing Net Overseas Migration

Following the Federal Budget handed down on May 12, 2026, the Australian government has announced further migration reforms aimed at reducing Net Overseas Migration (NOM) to 245,000 by 2027 and 225,000 by 2028. NOM measures arrivals and departures based on whether an individual has spent 12 of the previous 16 months in Australia. Although it includes Australian citizens and permanent residents, temporary visa holders (including international students and working holiday makers) currently account for approximately two-thirds of NOM. The latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that NOM has fallen to 292,000, down significantly from its post-pandemic peak of 556,000 in September 2023.

Summary of reforms announced:

• Skilled, including Employer Sponsored. The latest processing direction will be updated to include new priority occupations in the resources, agriculture, aquaculture and fishing sectors, in addition to the existing sectors of healthcare, construction, education, law enforcement, and defense.
• Independent Skilled. The points test that applies to these visas will be revised to better target skilled migrants who can contribute to the economy, including those in construction to help alleviate the housing crisis.
• Applicants for Student (subclass 500) and Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visas will not be able to include family members in their application, with exceptions for applicants from ASEAN and Pacific Regional countries, and PhD students. Additionally, existing Student visa holders will only be able to obtain a further Student visa onshore if they enroll in a higher-level course (for example, a bachelor’s degree student can move to a master’s course, but not a diploma).
• Working Holiday Makers. Processing of the first Working Holiday visas will resume, albeit at a slower pace. A ballot system will be introduced for second and third Working Holiday visas for those who have completed their specified regional work and wish to renew their visa onshore. A reduced cap will be set at 45,000 for second-year visas and 5,000 for third-year visas.
• The “No Further Stay” condition that is currently discretionary for the Visitor (subclass 600) visa will be applied to all approvals. Travelers on this visa will need to seek a waiver based on exceptional circumstances if they wish to lodge an application for a further visa while onshore.

The government is also expected to update processing directions for cases involving character concerns, strengthen compliance and enforcement measures relating to visa overstayers, and introduce measures allowing migration agents who knowingly support applications without merit to be banned. Although the immigration authorities did not confirm when the reforms would take effect, the measures are not expected to require parliamentary approval and may therefore be implemented in the coming days. Employers, foreign nationals, and other affected applicants should monitor further government announcements and assess how the changes may affect planned or pending applications.

China:

China Expands Entry and Exit Restrictions

Effective September 15, 2026, new State Council regulations expanded the circumstances in which individuals may be restricted from entering or leaving the Chinese Mainland and imposed stricter compliance requirements on applicants and intermediary agencies.

Chinese nationals may be barred from leaving the Chinese Mainland in the following circumstances:

• Administrative detention for fraudulently obtaining documents or engaging in unlawful exit or entry activities: an exit ban of six months to three years
• Criminal activity abroad that threatens national security: an exit ban of six months to three years, as determined by provincial governments
• Violations of export control or technology-transfer rules that threaten industrial or technological security: an exit ban imposed by the Ministry of Commerce and other relevant departments

Foreign nationals may be denied entry to the Chinese Mainland in the following circumstances:

• Submitting false materials in a visa application or upon entry: an entry ban of one to five years
• Receiving criminal penalties for obstructing border management, or administrative penalties for fraudulently obtaining documents or engaging in unlawful exit or entry activities: an entry ban of one to five years
• Placement on a government countermeasures list, unreliable entity list, or similar official list: an entry ban imposed in accordance with law
• Enhanced compliance requirements. The regulations add safeguards intended to deter false submissions and strengthen oversight of intermediary service providers.
• Applicants must provide truthful, legitimate reasons for applying and submit supporting evidence. False materials or statements may result in denial or an exit or entry ban.
• Exit and entry intermediary agencies and their personnel must register with the immigration management authority within 15 days of establishment or, for existing entities, within 90 days after the regulations take effect.

China Launches Online Registration for Non-Hotel Accommodations

China has launched an online accommodation-registration portal for foreign nationals staying in private residences or other non-hotel accommodations. Foreign nationals or their hosts may complete the required registration within 24 hours of arrival through the National Immigration Administration’s website, the NIA 12367 app, or its WeChat or Alipay mini programs. In-person registration with local public security authorities remains available and has the same legal effect.

Hotels will continue registering foreign guests under existing procedures. Failure to register on time may result in a fine.

Japan:

Revised Fees for Residence Permit Extensions

The Japan Immigration Services Agency (ISA) has announced further details of its revised residence permit fee schedule, which is expected to take effect on October 1, 2026.

The fees for Extension of Period of Stay applications submitted physically will be as follows:

• JPY 10,000 for extensions of up to three months
• JPY 33,000 for one-year extensions
• JPY 64,000 for extensions of three years to under five years
• JPY 75,000 for extensions of five years or more

New Zealand:

New Short-Term Graduate Work Visa and Online Filing for Post-Study Work Visas

Beginning November 16, 2026, applications for the new Short-Term Graduate Work Visa and the Post-Study Work Visa must be filed through the enhanced Immigration Online platform, which offers a streamlined process, improved tracking, and updated requirements. Paper Post-Study Work Visa applications will no longer be accepted, although applications submitted by November 15, 2026, will continue to be processed.

International students must apply for the Short-Term Graduate Work Visa within three months after their student visa expires. Therefore, those whose student visas expired before August 16, 2026, will be ineligible when applications open. Post-Study Work Visa applications generally must be filed within three, six, or 12 months after the student visa expires, depending on the applicant’s course of study and prior visa.

Changes to the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa and Work to Residence Pathways

Effective August 24, 2026, Immigration New Zealand has implemented significant changes to the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa and related Work to Residence pathways. The reforms introduce two new SMC pathways, amend the existing points-based pathway, clarify wage threshold rules, strengthen qualification, work experience and genuine employment requirements.

• Three SMC pathways: The existing points-based pathway has been retained and is now accompanied by two new pathways: the Trades and Technician pathway and the Skilled Work Experience pathway.
• Trade and Technician pathway: Applicants must work in an eligible occupation and earn at least the SMC wage threshold. They must hold a relevant New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) level four or higher qualification, have at least two and a half years of relevant post-qualification work experience and complete a further one and a half years of skilled work in New Zealand at the applicable wage threshold, with remuneration at or above the median wage (currently NZD$35 per hour).
• Skilled Work Experience pathway: Applicants must work in, or have a job offer for an Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) skill level one to three occupation paid at least 1.1 times the SMC wage threshold. They must have at least three years of relevant work experience and complete a further two years of qualifying skilled work in New Zealand. Red and Amber occupation List restrictions apply. ANZSCO skill level four or five occupations and roles on the Red List are not eligible. Amber List occupations must be paid at least 1.2 times the SMC wage threshold.
• Wage thresholds: Applicants may begin accruing qualifying New Zealand work experience when their hourly rate meets the threshold in effect at that time. Their hourly rate does not need to be increased to match increases in the wage threshold over time but cannot fall below their original qualifying rate. A five-month grace period applies if the threshold increases between the grant of the work visa and the start of employment.
• Evidence requirements: Work experience claimed under the new pathways must be directly relevant and supported by independently verifiable evidence. Self-employment cannot be used to meet these requirements.
• Related pathways: The Work to Residence, Care Workforce Work to Residence and Transport Work to Residence pathways have also been aligned with the updated SMC wage settings.
• Points-based pathway: Additional points are now available for certain New Zealand qualifications:
  • Level seven bachelor’s degree: five points for a New Zealand qualification and four points for an offshore qualification.
  • Level eight honors or postgraduate qualification: five points for a New Zealand qualification and four points for an offshore qualification. A bachelor’s degree is required.
  • Level nine master’s degree not completed through full-time study: five points for a New Zealand qualification.
  • Level nine master’s degree completed through 30 weeks of full-time study: six points for a New Zealand qualification and five points for an offshore qualification. A bachelor’s degree is required.
  • Level 10 doctoral degree: six points for both New Zealand and offshore qualifications.

• Stronger genuine employment requirements: Employment offers across skilled residence categories must be available and ongoing, with a genuine need for the role to be based in New Zealand. The revised provisions apply to the SMC Resident Visa, Work to Residence Visa, and Straight to Residence Visa and provide clearer grounds to decline applications where employment arrangements are considered non-genuine.

Singapore:

New Artificial Intelligence and Technology Pass to Replace Tech.Pass

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has announced that applications for the new Overseas Networks & Expertise (ONE) Pass Artificial Intelligence and Technology (AI and Tech) track will open on January 28, 2027.

The ONE Pass AI and Tech track replaces the existing Tech.Pass facilitated by Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB). The announcement also confirms that EDB will no longer accept new and renewal Tech.Pass applications from January 28, 2027. Existing Tech.Pass holders can remain on their pass until its expiry. Eligible Tech.Pass holders can consider applying for the new ONE Pass AI and Tech track or other alternative work pass options thereafter.

The MOM has also announced a modified compensation assessment framework for applicants under the new route. Candidates may apply for the new ONE Pass AI and Tech track if they meet the following criteria:

• Earn at least SGD 30,000 per month, or its equivalent in foreign currency, for 12 consecutive months leading up to the date of application comprising of the following:
  • Fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 22,500 With remainder as vested non-cash compensation components, including employee stock option plans (ESOPs) and employee share ownership awards (ESOWs), subject to assessment.
• Have at least five cumulative years of experience in either or across both of the following roles within the past 10 years from the date of application:
  • Founder or C-suite role in a tech firm
  • Technical role
• Be currently employed or have most recently been employed in a tech company, a tech division within a company or a tech venture capital firm.
• The company must meet at least one of the following:
  • Valuation or market capitalization of at least USD500 million
  • Annual revenue of at least USD200 million
  • At least USD500 million in assets under management
  • Funds raised of at least USD30 million (for tech start-ups)

ONE Pass AI and Tech track applicants will be required to submit evidence relating to their remuneration, employment history, and the scale of their current or most recent employer. Required documentation includes 12 months of pay slips, proof of employment in a founder role, C-suite or technical capacity within the preceding 10 years, and recent financial information demonstrating metrics such as market capitalization, valuation, revenue, assets under management, or funds raised (for tech start-ups).

ONE Pass AI and Tech track will be valid for up to five years per issuance. To qualify for renewal, pass holders must either maintain an average fixed monthly salary of at least SGD30,000 over the preceding five years in Singapore or operate a Singapore-based company employing at least five local employees who each earns at least the prevailing Employment Pass qualifying salary.

Contact Clark Hill

For additional information, please contact Clark Hill’s APAC team at apac@clarkhill.com.

For further information on any of the updates in this bulletin, reach out to one of the members of our Outbound Immigration & Global Mobility team.

To view August’s updates for the EMEA and Americas regions, click the respective region.

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