Portugal News

Immigrants will automatically receive a Social Security number after going to AIMA.

The goal is to prevent immigrants from having to visit Social Security offices twice to obtain their NISS (Social Security Identification Number)

Lisbon, July 14, 2026 — Starting at the end of this month, immigrants who go to the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) will automatically receive their Social Security Identification Number (NISS).

Spain’s Supreme Court Declines to Refer Migrant Regularisation Case

The court has also refused to suspend the government’s extraordinary regularisation decree, allowing the process to continue while legal challenges from Valencia and Aragón are considered.

Madrid, July 13, 2026 — Spain’s Supreme Court has decided not to refer legal questions concerning the country’s extraordinary migrant regularisation programme to the Court of Justice of the European Union at this stage.

New Rules Close Post-Study Work Visa Loophole for UK-Born Children

London, July 12, 2026 — A major loophole in the UK immigration system has been officially closed, bringing massive relief to international graduates. Under the newly implemented Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules (HC 259), children born in the UK to parents holding a Graduate Route (Post-Study Work) visa can now legally apply for dependant status.

The update officially took effect on August 3, 2026, fixing a strict legal gap that previously left UK-born babies of graduate visa holders in legal limbo.

UK May Offer Transitional Protection to Some Migrants Under New 10-Year Settlement Plan

London July 10, 2026 — The UK Government may introduce transitional protections for certain migrants already living in the country as it prepares to overhaul the pathway to permanent residence.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has indicated that spouses, older family members, children and people whose eligibility depends on household rather than individual income could receive different treatment under the proposed “earned settlement” system.

Japan to Launch New Work System for Foreign Workers in 2027, Starting With Thailand

Tokyo July 06, 2026 — Japan will introduce a new foreign-worker and vocational-training system in April 2027, opening the door for up to 426,200 overseas workers during its first two years. Thailand has become the first country to sign a bilateral cooperation memorandum with Japan under the upcoming framework, giving Thai workers an early pathway into the programme.

UK Proposes £10,000 Repayment Requirement for Some Asylum Support Recipients Before Settlement

London July 04, 2026 — The UK government has announced plans that could require some adults who received state-funded asylum accommodation and basic living support to repay around £10,000 before becoming eligible to apply for permanent settlement in the UK.

Under the proposed scheme, only people who can afford to pay would be asked to contribute. Children would be exempt, and the proposed charge would not apply retrospectively to people who received support before the new rules take effect.

Portuguese Parliament Rejects Decree on Loss of Nationality for Serious Crimes

Lisbon, July 03, 2026 — Portugal’s Parliament on Friday, 3 July, rejected the confirmation of a decree that would have introduced the loss of Portuguese nationality as an additional criminal penalty for certain serious offences.

The decree had previously been vetoed by former President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and had received two findings of unconstitutionality from the Constitutional Court.

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