Denmark
New digital application in the area of work in Greenland
On 16 February 2026, the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) will launch a new digital application GL1/5, which can be used when applying for a residence and work permit in Greenland on the basis of paid work. This means that as of 16 February 2026, applications can be completed and submitted online on newtodenmark.dk.
In the new digital application, employers can fill out and submit the application online. They will only have to insert the email address of the applicant in order to give the applicant access to their part of the application.
Moreover, employers can log in and see their applications for up to 30 days after they have been submitted.
For a period of time, it will still be possible to submit printable applications in person or through the contact form on newtodenmark.dk.
United Kingdom
Government expands Hong Kong British National (Overseas) route
On 9 February 2026, the government announced that adult children of British National (Overseas) status holders who were under 18 at the time of Hong Kong’s 1997 handover to China will now be eligible to apply for the route independently of their parents. Their partners and children will also be able to move to the UK under the expanded route.
In November 2025, the government confirmed they will retain a 5-year pathway to permanent UK settlement – compared to a new standard baseline of 10 years’ residence for most other migrants.
Since the BN(O) route was launched, over 230,000 people have been granted a visa and almost 170,000 have moved to the UK.
Next date announced for India Young Professionals Scheme ballot
UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) has announced that the next ballot for the India Young Professionals Scheme will open at 2:30pm India Standard Time (IST) on 17 February 2026 and will close at 2:30pm IST on 19 February 2026.
Anyone intending to apply for a visa for the India Young Professionals Scheme must enter the ballot and can do so at any time while the ballot is open.
- The ballot is open to Indian citizens who are eligible for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa.
- Successful entries will be picked at random. Results will be sent by email within two weeks of the ballot closing.
- Entry to the ballot is free but the visa application costs £319 and there are financial, educational and other requirements.
- There are 3000 places available for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa in 2026. Most places will be made available in the February ballot. The remaining places will be made available in the second and final ballot later in the year.
- Applicants can only submit one entry per person for each ballot. Any further attempts to enter will not be counted.
- Successful entrants in the ballot will be invited to apply for a visa.
- Visa applicants will have 90 days from the date of the email to apply online, pay the visa application fee, including the immigration health surcharge and provide biometrics.
- Successful entrants in the ballot who choose not to apply for the visa do not need to inform UKVI.
- The results of the ballot are final. With no right to appeal. Unsuccessful entrants can enter future ballots.
An India Young Professionals Scheme visa allows Indian citizens between 18 and 30 years old to live and work in the UK for up to two years. To be eligible for the visa, applicants must:
- be an Indian citizen;
- be between 18 and 30 years old;
- have an eligible qualification;
- have £2530 in savings;
- not have any children under the age of 18 who live with them or who they’re financially responsible for.
Visa holders can:
- study – for some courses they’ll need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate;
- work in most jobs;
- be self-employed and set up a company – as long as the premises are rented, the equipment is not worth more than £5000 and there are no employees.
Visa holders cannot:
- extend their stay;
- apply for most benefits (public funds);
- include family members on their application – they must apply separately;
- work as a professional sportsperson (for example as a coach).
