Immigration

Education roundup: Scholarships to study abroad in 2024-25, new rules for post-graduate work permit in Canada & more updates

From declining student visa approval rates in Australia, to rising enrolments of Indian students in Germany, and the inauguration of IIM-Jammu by Prime Minister Modi - key movements in higher education for Indians in India and abroad.

Travel round-up: Etihad's New York double decker; US hikes check-in fee; three airlines to AlUla; and immigration news

Here's a roundup of the news from the world of travel, from flights and amenities to immigration and visas. Stay tuned for more.

Immigration news: New rules for Kuwait visas

Kuwait has introduced new conditions for the issuance of family, commercial, and tourist visit visas.

New Zealand Permanent Resident Visa applications are now online

You can now apply for New Zealand’s Permanent Resident Visa applications online. Check you meet the eligibility for New Zealand PR Visa before you apply.

Immigration news: South Africa extends temporary concession to foreign nationals till June 30

South African Department of Home Affairs has approved the extension of temporary concession to affected foreign nationals - those whose long-term visa application is pending for approval or decision on appeal or waiver - until June 30, 2024.

Immigration news: UK extends validity of visa sponsor licences due to expire on or after April 6 by 10 years

From April 6, the UK's requirement for sponsors to renew their sponsor licence will be removed. However, sponsor compliance remains high on the UK Home Office's list of priorities.

New Zealand to implement new median wages from February 28

The new median wage rate of $31.61 an hour will be adopted into parts the immigration system on February 28.

Italy has delayed the work permit application dates for foreign workers

Italy has decided to delay the timelines for foreign nationals to submit applications for one of the 151,000 work permits listed for 2024.

New US filing fees for H-1B, H-1B1 and H-2B effective April 1, 2024

USCIS is increasing the H-1B and H-1B1 filing fee to $780, and H-2B filing fee to $1,080, from the current amount of $460.

New US visa policy for those involved in misuse of spyware

The US has announced a new visa policy targeting individuals involved in the misuse of commercial spyware.

The UK releases Net Migration Factsheet

Latest official estimates show that net migration in the year to June 2023 was 672,000 - up significantly on pre-pandemic volumes.

In 75 years, 6 million people from 200 countries became Australian citizens

Between July 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023, a 13% increase in citizenship by conferral applications was registered compared to the same period in 2022.

Immigration New Zealand warns of ‘too good to be true’ job offers

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has warned migrant workers in New Zealand about job scams with the rise of social media apps.

Immigration Series: All about studying in France, right to work & where to find jobs

With French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement that France is ready to welcome 30,000 Indian students by 2030, let’s look at international students’ right to work and the best way to find jobs while studying in France.

Immigration News: Cardiff (UK), Portugal’s Lisbon & Braga are Europe’s best cities for immigrants; 62,410 international students get Canadian PR in 2023

More: Denmark proposes change to permanent residence permit; New Zealand witnessed unprecedented demand for visitor visas in 2023.

Canada to cut international student intake by 35%

Canada is capping international student intake for two years; for 2024, the cap will result in a decrease of 35 percent in approved study permits. New eligibility criteria for Post-Graduation Work Permit Program have also been announced.

Immigration news: UK visitor visa, German opportunity card and other major updates

Germany will offer points-based Opportunity Cards from June 1, 2024, to allow skilled workers from non-European Union (EU) states to look for work there, UAE private teacher work permits out now; and the Netherlands is rolling back the 30 percent tax cut advantage for skilled foreign workers.

Immigration: Germany lowers work visa requirements for IT specialists, to ease residence permit and settlement permit rules from March

New work-in-Germany rules from March 2024: Plus, anyone coming to Germany will have more opportunities to obtain professional recognition by taking part in a qualification measure. They will also be able to get their parents to Germany, if they receive their residence permit for the first time on or after 1 March 2024.

Immigration Series: All About Finland’s Start-up Residence Permit

Non-EU entrepreneurs can apply for the Finnish Startup Permit that is issued for a maximum of two years and can be renewed.

Immigration Series: All About Malta’s Specialist Employee Initiative

Malta’s Specialist Employee Initiative, which fast tracks applications of skilled foreign workers, is in force now.

Immigration: Where are Indians moving and why?

Historically, the US, the UK, Australia, and Canada have been the most popular overseas destinations for Indian students as well as for those seeking citizenship & work opportunities abroad. Where did Indians move in 2023? Will the migration graph change in 2024?