How to spot outdated immigration information online (before it costs you money)
Immigration is a field where last year's facts can be this year's mistakes. Fees, salary thresholds and eligibility rules change on fixed dates and sometimes with little notice.
Some examples from recent changes
- Japan's Business Manager visa capital requirement rose from JPY 5 million to JPY 30 million in October 2025.
- Canada raised permanent residence fees on 30 April 2026.
- France increased residence permit and naturalisation fees on 1 May 2026.
- Thailand reduced its visa-free stay from 60 days to 30 days in September 2026.
Any guide written before these dates and not updated is now wrong on these points.
A checklist for checking a page
- Look for a date. If there is none, be sceptical. If there is one, check whether it is more than a year old.
- Check the source. Is the page from a government site, law firm, or a seller of a service?
- Look for dates in the figures. Phrases like "as of 2026" are a good sign.
- Compare two sources. If they disagree, find the official one.
- Check effective dates. A rule announced is not always in force.
- Watch for sales language. "Guaranteed", "limited time" and "secret" are red flags.
Where to find official information
- Government immigration websites for your destination country.
- Embassy and consulate pages.
- Official fee calculators and application portals.
Volatile numbers to re-check
- Application and visa fees.
- Salary thresholds and minimum wages.
- Investment minimums.
- Quotas and caps.
- Visa-free durations.
- Language test requirements.
How Visa Ray handles this
We flag volatile figures, mark when something is unconfirmed, and say plainly when we cannot verify a number. We audit our most volatile data regularly. Even so, always confirm with the official source before you pay or travel.
A few minutes of checking can save you thousands.
Visa Ray is a rule-based reference tool, not a law firm. Rules and fees change, so always confirm current figures with the official government source before you apply. You can run a free assessment on Visa Ray to see which pathways fit your profile.