Policy log
When the rules move, it is recorded here
Every change that affects a Vietnamese family's immigration plan, in order of effective date, with the primary source. When an entry appears here, the related page on this site has already been updated.
18 changes since 2022 · Last updated: 27 August 2026
2026
- 🇺🇸 United StatesTightened
F and J student visas capped at four years
The DHS final rule (91 FR 44976) replaces duration-of-status with a four-year cap. Students in valid status get a transition period to 14 November 2030. Families planning programmes longer than four years should expect at least one extension.
- 🇻🇳 VietnamVietnam side
Decree 330/2026 on personal data protection takes effect
Silence no longer counts as consent. Every form on this site now asks for separate consent per purpose, records the consent as evidence, and deletes data after 24 months.
- 🇻🇳 VietnamVietnam side
Personal Income Tax Law 109/2025 and Decree 252/2026 on tax administration
The tax-residence test and the exit-ban mechanism for tax debts change. Families about to leave should settle tax obligations well ahead of departure, not the week before.
- 🇵🇹 PortugalTightened
Naturalisation raised from 5 to 10 years for Vietnamese
Organic Law 1/2026 raises the residence period for naturalisation to ten years for nationals outside the Portuguese-speaking community. The Golden Visa remains open, but the road to a passport is twice as long.
- 🇻🇳 VietnamVietnam side
Investment Law 143/2025 takes effect
A new framework for outbound investment by individuals, including the registration threshold. It directly affects how capital is moved for investment-migration programmes.
- 🇨🇦 CanadaClosed
Start-up Visa paused for new applications
IRCC stopped accepting new applications. Only holders of a letter of support issued in 2025 may file, until 30 June 2026. Canada is inside its 2025 to 2027 plan with reduced targets.
2025
- 🇺🇸 United StatesNew
Executive Order 14351 creates the Gold Card
A USD 1 million contribution for individuals, not 5 million. Not a new visa category: files still run under EB-1A or EB-2 NIW and remain subject to quotas. The programme is under litigation.
- 🇻🇳 VietnamVietnam side
Law 79/2025 amends the Nationality Law
Keeps the single-nationality principle but widens the cases in which Vietnamese nationality is retained on naturalising abroad. Naturalising abroad does not by itself cost Vietnamese nationality.
- 🇲🇹 MaltaClosed
Court of Justice of the EU ends citizenship by investment
The investment-for-passport route was ruled contrary to EU law and abolished in July 2025. What remains is MPRP permanent residence and merit-based naturalisation, assessed case by case.
- 🇦🇺 AustraliaTightened
Foreign buyers barred from established dwellings
The ban has been extended to 30 June 2029. Only new builds, off-plan units and land committed to a new build remain available, with FIRB approval before signing. Australia grants no visa for buying property.
- 🇲🇹 MaltaTightened
MPRP raises fees and property thresholds
Administrative fee EUR 60,000, government contribution EUR 37,000, property purchase from EUR 375,000 or rent from EUR 14,000 a year, and EUR 500,000 in proven assets.
2024
- 🇦🇺 AustraliaNew
National Innovation Visa (858) replaces Global Talent
A permanent visa by invitation for people of exceptional achievement. It is the remaining route after the 188 investor visa closed on 31 July 2024.
- 🇬🇷 GreeceTightened
Golden Visa moves to three tiers: EUR 250k, 400k, 800k
Law 5100/2024: EUR 800,000 in Attica, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini and islands over 3,100 residents; EUR 400,000 elsewhere for a single property of at least 120 m2; EUR 250,000 for conversions or heritage restoration. Short-term letting is prohibited.
- 🇦🇺 AustraliaClosed
Investor visa 188 (BIIP) closed
No new applications, including the AUD 5 million Significant Investor stream. Applications lodged earlier continue to be processed.
2023
- 🇨🇾 CyprusTightened
Naturalisation by residence: 12 continuous months plus 7 years
Civil Registry Law as amended in 2023, sections 111 and 111B. An investor permanent-residence card does not count years unless the family actually lives in Cyprus.
- 🇵🇹 PortugalClosed
Golden Visa drops the real-estate route
The Mais Habitação law: buying property no longer confers residence. The main remaining route is a CMVM-regulated investment fund, from EUR 500,000.
- 🇨🇾 CyprusTightened
Investor permanent residence requires EUR 50,000 a year of foreign income
Plus EUR 15,000 for a spouse and EUR 10,000 per child. The EUR 300,000 investment before VAT is unchanged.
Source: Civil Registry and Migration DepartmentUpdated page →
2022
- 🇹🇷 TürkiyeTightened
Citizenship-by-property threshold raised to USD 400,000
By official valuation, held for at least three years. Still the only country on the list that grants citizenship directly to investors.