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U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) launched the new CBP Link mobile app, which facilitates certain processes and functions for businesses and travelers entering the United States. Key Points: CBP Link enables Visa Waiver Program travelers to apply and pay for an
The State Department released a worldwide caution security alert advising U.S. citizens to exercise increased caution while travelling abroad. The U.S. Embassy in Qatar issued a security alert for American citizens to shelter in place until further notice. The
Update on applications received for requested date of need from Oct. 1, 2024, through March 31, 2025 (fiscal year (FY) 2025 first half of the visa cap): The Department of Labor reported that as of June 14, a total of 5,947 cases were issued Final Decisions. Certified positions for this
A federal court expanded a Preliminary Injunction (PI) on June 17 pausing enforcement of the Trump administration’s new passport policy and allowing the issuance of U.S. passports to applicants with an “X” marker or those listing a sex different from their sex at birth. Key Points: In February,
The Australian government announced that multi-factor authentication (MFA) is now live on ImmiAccount, its primary migration and visa systems. Key Points: This new requirement adds a second layer of protection beyond passwords and applies to all logins, new account creations and account changes. Two authentication methods are available
The State Department announced expanded screening and vetting procedures for F, M and J nonimmigrant visa applicants. Key Points: Per the State Department’s announcement, it “will conduct a comprehensive and thorough vetting, including online presence, of all student and exchange visitor applicants in the F, M,
The State Department raised its travel advisory for Israel to Level 4. The U.S. Embassy Jerusalem issued a security alert on June 16 directing all U.S. government employees and their families to continue to shelter in place in and near
In response to the ongoing security situation in Israel, the Population and Immigration Authority announced that visas for foreign nationals staying legally in Israel, that were valid as of June 12, 2025, are automatically extended until Sept. 30, 2025. Key Points: The visa extension applies to holders of the
The European Parliament and the Council reached a provisional agreement on revisions of the visa suspension mechanism to address certain challenges related to visa-free travel. Key Points: The revised rules include: New grounds to suspend visa-free regimes, including in cases of insufficient alignment with
The Hong Kong Labor Department implemented new measures under the Enhanced Supplementary Labor Scheme (ESLS) to safeguard employment priority for local workers. Key Points: After an employer has submitted an ESLS application to hire a foreign worker, subsequent applications submitted by the same employer will
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued policy guidance on how the agency processes Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions, to prevent fraudulent exceptions to naturalization requirements. Key Points: Under this policy guidance, USCIS is focusing greater attention on the accuracy of medical certifications and
The government of Canada extended the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) until Dec. 31, 2025, to offer safe, legal immigration pathways and work opportunities to refugees and persons with similar protection needs. Key Points: The EMPP helps skilled refugees and other displaced people apply for
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated its Policy Manual with guidance on how the agency discloses derogatory information upon which an adverse decision is based. Key Points: The policy guidance states that a detailed description of the derogatory information will be provided to the
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is updating its Policy Manual to clarify that a Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, is only valid while the application the Form I-693 was submitted with is pending. Key Points: