Portugal News

EU and UK sign "absolutely historic" Gibraltar agreement

The existing fence between the British colony and the Spanish city of La Línea de la Concepción will cease to exist. The historic agreement "opens a new era" between Europe and Gibraltar.

The agreement, reached this year, ten years after the referendum that approved Brexit (the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union), was signed in the early afternoon in Brussels.

Portugal’s AIMA Court Task Force Advances One-Fifth of Delayed Immigration Cases

Lisbon July 14, 2026 — A special team of 28 administrative judges has advanced or concluded around one-fifth of the immigration cases filed against Portugal’s Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum, AIMA.

The task force began work in April to deal with roughly 124,000 delayed proceedings involving residence permits, appointments, family reunification and other immigration matters. One-fifth of that total represents approximately 25,000 court files.

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.

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