The end of 2025 was anything but quiet!

While much of the world was slowing down for Christmas and New Year, immigration systems were doing the opposite. Across the globe, governments announced changes to visas, salary thresholds, family reunification rules, student caps, border checks, work permits, and residency pathways — many taking effect immediately or in early 2026.

For expat’s abroad, this kind of news doesn’t just live on online or in immigration alerts (like Fragoman where I source my updates!).

It lives in THE BODY.

The Invisible Load Expat Women Carry

Even if none of these changes affect you directly, your nervous system still registers the message as:

“Things can change on us at any time”

That uncertainty can show up as:

• Background anxiety
• Trouble switching off
• Hyper-vigilance
• Difficulty feeling settle
• Or a quiet fear of worst case scenario planning for “what happens next?”?

This is especially true if:

• You’ve already relocated multiple times
• Your residency is tied to a partner or a specific employer
• You’ve rebuilt your life before… and know how hard it is
• Or you’re finally feeling settled and don’t want to start over again!!

This Is Why So Many Expat Women Feel “On Edge” Even When Life Looks Fine

There’s a unique psychological tension that comes with expat life…

You’re building a home in a system you don’t fully control.

And when immigration rules shift, it can unconsciously shake:

• Your sense of safety
• Your identity
• Your ability to create and control future plans
• And your trust in stability

It’s the kind of things they don’t tell you about in the brochure when you sign on to become and expat! But it’s absolutely the things we talk about here (in detail!) at the Expat Women’s Collective.

Why? Because our aim is to support you in being able to have THE BEST outcome from your expat experience. Learning from our own challenges, lessons and knowledge.

How to Ground Yourself in 2026 (Even When the Rules Keep Changing)

Here’s what actually helps, both emotionally and practically:

1. Separate information from identity
You are not your visa.
You are not your residency status.
And you are not disposable just because systems are complex.

When we don’t separate the two, our nervous system can interpret the situation as being “trapped,” activating a constant stress response in the body.

2. Regulate before you research
Reading updates while dysregulated (overwhelmed, reactive, anxious, exhausted etc) amplifies fear.
Ground yourself first. Breathe. Then gather information.

For example: checking the news as soon as your eye’s open in the morning without any buffer time, or late at night right before you sleep is more likely to trigger anxiety than do you any good. Please give your nervous system time to wake up or rest before reading the news!

3. Anchor internally, not externally
External rules will change. Your internal steadiness and belief in your capability to manage change (and stress), is what allows you to adapt without burning out.

My mantra: Change is the only constant in life. And it’s how we respond to that change that shapes our experience.

My other mantra: Everything always work out. It may not be exactly how we envisioned it but sometimes it’s even better than expected.

4. Stay connected to women and people who get it
Isolation magnifies uncertainty.
Communitysteadies it. Speak to people in your circle who are in a similar circumstance or have previously experienced something similar. This will help guide you.

Note: This may not be the best time to vent your worries to the people who live on the other side of the world and desperately want you to move home! They’ll likely be in your ear fueling the fear and worry 😉

The Intention for Expat Women’s Collective in 2026 🧡

This year is not about feeding fear or chasing worst-case scenarios.

It’s about helping you build:

• Emotional resilience
• Identity beyond location
• Nervous system safety
• And helping expat women feel at home within themselves wherever they live!

Because while immigration rules may change, you don’t have to lose yourself in the process.

If this resonates, then you’re exactly where you need to be 🙂

Welcome to 2026.
We’re walking this year together 🧡

-Janel Briggs