March 2026 Global Mobility News: US Cuts Renunciation Fee to $450, UK Activates "Visa Brake", Costa Rica Simplifies Permanent Residence
Global mobility updates you should not miss this month
Each month I track new visas, residency changes, and travel rules so you don’t miss anything.
Visa launches
Rule and fee changes
Travel access changes
Citizenship & investment news
Here is what changed in the last four weeks.
US Citizenship Renunciation Fee Drops 80%
The State Department just cut the cost of giving up US citizenship from $2,350 to $450.
The final rule was published March 13 and takes effect April 13.
This reverses a controversial 2015 decision that made renouncing US citizenship the most expensive in the world.
At $2,350, it cost more than 20 times the global average.
Why do people renounce?
Mostly taxes.
US citizens must file tax returns no matter where they live.
Add FBAR reporting, FATCA headaches, and foreign banks refusing American clients, and the paperwork becomes a full-time job.
The process itself stays the same.
You still need an in-person appointment at a US embassy or consulate, multiple written and verbal confirmations, a formal oath, and months of waiting.
Some consulates have backlogs over a year.
What this means for you:
If you’ve been holding off on renunciation because of the cost, that excuse is gone.
The $450 fee puts it back in line with other countries.
But remember: renunciation does not erase past tax obligations.
You’ll still need to file a final return and possibly pay an exit tax if you qualify as a “covered expatriate.”
UK Overhauls Immigration Rules
The Home Office published its Spring 2026 Statement of Changes (HC 1691) on March 5, with major provisions taking effect March 26.
The headline is the “visa brake.”
Starting March 26, the new policy mechanism that lets the government pause visa routes for specific nationalities.
For now, it only affects a handful of countries.
But the brake can be expanded at any time, and it signals a shift toward tighter, more reactive immigration control.
Visitor rules also changed.
Nicaragua and St. Lucia have been added to the visa national list, meaning citizens now need a visa for short visits.
Sponsors have new obligations too.
For employers, salary compliance rules get tighter on April 8. Sponsors will face stricter checks on whether they’re actually paying the wages they promised.
One bright spot:
The Global Talent visa expands to include a design pathway, also effective April 8.
If you’re a designer with an international reputation, now a dedicated route is available to you.
Looking further ahead, the English language requirement for settlement rises from B1 to B2 in March 2027.
What this means for you:
The UK continues to tighten the screws.
If you’re planning to sponsor workers or settle in the UK, review the new salary thresholds and language requirements now.
And if you hold a Nicaraguan or St. Lucian passport, add the UK to your “visa required” list.
For anyone thinking about relocating to the UK, read more here:
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Canada Changes Super Visa Income Rules
Canada is updating how it calculates family income for super visa eligibility.
The change takes effect March 31.
The super visa lets parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents stay for up to five years per visit.
To qualify, sponsors must prove they earn enough to support their relatives.
IRCC says the new calculation method aims to be “more equitable.”
The exact formula hasn’t been published yet, but expect changes to how household income is assessed.
What this means for you:
If you’re sponsoring parents or grandparents for a super visa, check the updated income requirements before March 31.
The threshold may shift depending on how IRCC redefines “family income.”
Anyone with an application in progress should confirm their numbers still qualify.
For anyone thinking about relocating to Canada, read more here:
New Zealand Investor Visa Sees Massive Surge
New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus Visa is having a moment.