Five global visa programs face significant changes set to take effect by 2027, impacting eligibility, application procedures, and processing times for travelers and migrants, according to Currently, by AT&T.
H-1B Visa Transitions to Weighted Lottery and Higher Fees
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security finalized a new rule for the H-1B visa on December 29, 2025, effective February 27, 2026, switching from a purely random lottery to a wage-based weighted lottery. Under the new system for fiscal year 2027, applicants with the highest wage offers receive four entries into the selection lottery, the second-highest bracket receives three entries, with entries decreasing in lower wage brackets. This change aims to
incentivize higher wages and deter offshore staffing models.
In addition, the Trump administration imposed a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa entries starting September 2025. Employers and applicants face increased costs in obtaining these work visas under the updated regulations.
ETIAS Introduces Pre-Travel Screening and Fees for Schengen Area
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is scheduled to launch in the fourth quarter of 2026, with mandatory enforcement beginning around April 2027, following a six-month transition. The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs confirmed a €20 fee per traveler, valid for three years per passport.
ETIAS will require travelers from visa-exempt countries including the United
States to complete online screening before entering the Schengen Area. This replaces the previous visa-free entry model, adding a layer of pre-travel authorization and charge.
EB-5 Investor Visa Tightens Rules and Raises Investment Thresholds
The EB-5 investor visa program will introduce stricter regulations and increased investment requirements from January 1, 2027. Current thresholds stand at $1.05 million, but new minimum investments are projected between $900,000 and $937,500. These changes follow the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 aimed at enhancing oversight of investment projects and addressing fraud risks.
Applicants submitting petitions before September 30, 2026, will retain lower investment amounts and stronger legal protections, marking a limited window
before updated rules take effect.
European Golden Visa Programs See Reductions and Increased Requirements
Spain officially abolished its Golden Visa program on April 3, 2025, citing pressures on the housing market. Portugal eliminated its real estate investment option for Golden Visas in October 2023 and extended citizenship eligibility from five to ten years under a law enacted in mid-2026.
Greece continues to offer property-based Golden Visas but raised minimum investment thresholds to €800,000 for cities including Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, and islands with populations above 3,100. These changes reduce the availability of Golden Visa routes and extend timelines for citizenship in affected countries.
U.S. International Student Visa Rules Tighten Admission Periods and Work Authorizations
The Department of Homeland Security proposed
in August 2025 to replace the “duration of status” rule for international students with fixed admission periods, requiring government approval for any extensions. This alters the previous system that allowed students to remain enrolled without repeated renewals.
Additionally, the Trump administration plans to restrict or end Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM OPT programs, which currently allow up to 36 months of work authorization in the United States following graduation. These changes will affect international students enrolled in programs longer than four years and limit post-graduation employment opportunities.
Travelers Face New Costs, Screening, and Stricter Eligibility
From 2027 onward, applicants for the H-1B visa will benefit from weighted
lottery chances favoring higher wages but will also encounter a $100,000 fee. Travelers entering the Schengen Area will be required to secure ETIAS authorization online with a €20 charge, affecting nationals from countries previously enjoying visa-free entry.
Investor visa applicants face increased financial requirements under EB-5 rules, with a narrow grandfathering period closing September 30, 2026. Those seeking Golden Visas in Europe must navigate abolished or altered routes in Spain and Portugal, with Greece imposing higher property investment minimums.
International students in the U.S. should prepare for stricter visa time limits and potential reductions in work authorization options, narrowing the
ability to extend stays after graduation.
