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Immigration Insights
UNITED STATES – The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program
June 30, 2023
The J-1 program is intended to provide bona fide training and experience for foreign national exchange visitors thus it is issued in connection with a training program.
Read MoreCANADA – Expansion of Francophone Mobility Program
June 23, 2023
The government of Canada has announced an expansion of the Francophone Mobility Program (FMP) for a period of two years.
Read MoreAUSTRALIA – To Be Added to UK ETA
June 23, 2023
Australia will be included in the United Kingdom’s Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system when it fully rolls out sometime in 2024.
Read MoreUNITED KINGDOM – UK and New Zealand Expand Work-Abroad Schemes
June 16, 2023
Youth Mobility and Working Holiday schemes are visa options designed to facilitate young adults in experiencing life in a different country to promote cultural exchange and enable participants to gain international work experience and broaden their skills.
Read MoreUNITED KINGDOM – Heathrow Strikes, Summer 2023
June 16, 2023
Heathrow Airport is expecting major delays (and potential flight cancellations) this summer due to union strikes. Approximately 2,000 officers will be taking part in the strikes, with Terminals 3 and 5 impacted for the first time.
Read MoreNEW ZEALAND – Changes to Partner Work Rights
June 16, 2023
Immigration New Zealand announced on 31 May 2023 substantive changes to the visa conditions for the partners of Essential Skills and Accredited Employer Work Visa holders applying for new Partner of Worker Work Visas.
Read MoreUNITED KINGDOM – ETA for Gulf and Jordanian Visitors
June 16, 2023
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals and Jordanian nationals will be required to pay £10 to apply for an ETA, which will allow them to visit the UK multiple times over a two-year period.
Read MoreCANADA – Countries Added to eTA Program
June 9, 2023
Canada has added 13 countries to its electronic travel authorization (eTA) program. The eTA Canada is an electronic travel authorization allowing visa-exempt foreign nationals to enter Canada.
Read MoreNIGERIA – ‘Brown Card’ Scheme Introduced
June 9, 2023
The government of Nigeria recently introduced a new pathway to citizenship for foreign nationals dubbed the ‘Brown Card’. The goal of the Brown Card is to increase the number of people seeking to become naturalized Nigerian citizens.
Read MoreUNITED KINGDOM – Changes to Student Visa Route
June 9, 2023
Last week the UK government highlighted changes to the student visa route in hopes they will reduce net migration, with the main focus being on the dependents on the student route.
Read MoreUNITED KINGDOM – Shortage Occupation List New Addition; Seafood Sector
June 5, 2023
The UK fishing sector has been given a boost by adding a range of Skilled Occupations to the Shortage Occupation List. As of this summer, share fisherman, trawler skippers, and experienced deckhands (large vessels) will be all be on the Shortage Occupation List.
Read MoreKOSOVO – Visa-Free Travel with the EU
June 5, 2023
Starting in January 2024, citizens of Kosovo will no longer need a visa to travel to the countries of the European Union and stay for periods of up to 90 days within in a 180-day period.
Read MoreVIETNAM – Foreign Utilization Semi-Annual Mandatory Reporting
June 5, 2023
Employers in Vietnam who have foreign employees holding valid or current work permits are required to complete a semi-annual report regarding their utilization of foreign manpower by 7 July 2023.
Read MoreUNITED KINGDOM – Hybrid and Remote Reporting
May 26, 2023
In lieu of the Covid-19 pandemic there is no need for sponsors to report on hybrid and remote working changes to the Home Office.
Read MoreKAZAKHSTAN – Visa-free Travel with China
May 26, 2023
The governments of Kazakhstan and China have announced the signing of an agreement between the two countries to allow for visa-free travel,
Read MoreUAE – Unemployment Insurance Expanded
May 26, 2023
The United Arab Emirates has expanded the categories of workers who are required to enroll in the country’s unemployment insurance system.
Read MoreCANADA – To Join the Apostille Convention
May 23, 2023
Global Affairs Canada announced on 16 May that Canada is adopting the Apostille Convention. The Apostille Convention simplifies the process of legalizing documents for use in other countries who are members of the Convention.
Read MoreSWEDEN – Immigration Process Changes Announced
May 19, 2023
Sweden’s Migration Agency continued to announce changes to the country’s immigration process, including a proposal to raise the minimum salary threshold, and a phasing out of Sweden’s “Fast Track” certification.
Read MoreIRAQ – KRG Seeks Registered Company Reports
May 19, 2023
The Companies Registrar Directorate of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is asking all registered companies within the KRG to publish their records and files with the Directorate by 31 May.
Read MoreJAPAN – Immigration Framework Review for Digital Nomads
May 15, 2023
The Japanese Government laid out its plans to attract highly skilled foreign talent and is considering implementation of an immigration framework for digital nomads.
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