Migration news of the week: Visa-free rollbacks and bureaucratic hurdles

Russians and Belarusians should brace for a visa regime in Montenegro; those seeking work in Sweden will need higher earnings; and in Portugal — be ready for lengthy court battles. Argentina stood out last week by introducing a simpler online pathway to citizenship filings, but there’s no broad “easing” there either.

Montenegro scraps visa-free entry for four countries

Montenegro’s government has cancelled visa-free entry for citizens of Armenia, Uzbekistan, Egypt and Kuwait. Further changes may affect other states — including Russia and Belarus — as they appear on the list recommended by the European Commission.
The republic has begun meeting requirements under the 2024–2027 Reform Agenda to join the EU. Without alignment, accession won’t happen — and the EU has threatened to withhold €383.5 million from the Reform and Growth Facility.

Authorities acknowledge that introducing visas carries economic risks: tourism accounts for about 26% of GDP. Russians are among the top visitors. In 2023, for example, 246,600 Russian citizens visited the country, recording 3.7 million overnight stays — 23.6% of the total. Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, however, says dependence on the Russian market has fallen from 30% to 7–8%.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Montenegro’s EU entry is “within reach,” potentially by 2028. She confirmed an additional €8 million in support and praised progress on rule of law and financial transparency. By 2026, roaming charges between the EU and Montenegro will be scrapped, and the country will join the SEPA euro payments area.

Sweden wants higher earnings

Sweden will raise the minimum income threshold for foreign workers from 80% to 90% of the median wage. The new rules take effect on 1 June 2026 and aim to curb labour-market fraud while safeguarding employers’ needs.

The decision is a compromise between the government and the Sweden Democrats. An initial plan to raise the bar to 100% (SEK 37,100) was deemed too harsh by Labour Minister Johan Britz. The final minimum for foreign workers will be SEK 33,900 (€3,082) per month, with possible exceptions for shortage occupations.

The government is also discussing limits on family immigration and tougher citizenship conditions. Plans include mandatory exams in language and civics, higher income and residence-duration requirements. In 2026, a commission will be created to tighten enforcement against employers using illegal labour.

Portugal issues residence permits via the courts

Portugal’s Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) is overwhelmed. Applications have tripled, and the Lisbon Administrative Court alone is handling 133.4k cases. The court logs up to 500 new lawsuits per day, with effectiveness plunging from 98% to under 30%.

The Judges’ Association warns the situation is spinning out of control. Many suits are filed simply to speed up paperwork because the agency doesn’t update courts on case progress. Six of thirty-five judges are already focused exclusively on migration cases, stretching the system to its limits.

The transfer of functions from SEF to AIMA also caused glitches in online bookings, data loss and months-long delays. Judges note the agency’s turmoil even affects other areas — from urban planning to environmental approvals. Meanwhile, immigration law is tightening: the job-seeker visa is now only for highly qualified specialists; CPLP citizens can no longer obtain residence permits while on tourist status; and family reunification requires proof of means.

Argentina launches digital citizenship filings

Argentina opened citizenship applications via the RADEX online platform. The new procedure moves cases from the courts to an administrative track and makes them fully digital — designed to speed up processing and increase transparency.

Eligible applicants are foreign nationals aged 18+ with a residence permit and at least two years of continuous stay in the country. Required documents include a DNI ID, police clearance, income proof and a CUIT/CUIL tax number.

The reform is part of sweeping migration changes approved in May 2025. Childbirth in Argentina no longer grants automatic permanent residence to foreign parents. The principle of jus soli (citizenship by birth) remains, except for diplomats’ children. A passport via naturalisation can be obtained after two years of legal residence based on study, work, business or marriage.

Violations of migration rules can now lead to deportation even with lenient court sentences. Free public healthcare and university education for non-residents have been abolished — insurance and payment are required.

About 2 million migrants live in Argentina (roughly 4% of the population), mostly from Paraguay, Bolivia, Venezuela and Peru. President Javier Milei plans further reforms, but parliament has curtailed his decree powers, while trade unions and state-owned enterprises ramp up pressure ahead of the 26 October elections.