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Japanese authorities announced tuberculosis (TB) screening will be mandatory for nationals of certain countries who intend to enter for a medium- to long-term stay. Key Points: Japan will require a TB screening certificate for specific visa applicants, beginning with nationals of Nepal, the Philippines and Vietnam,
The Malaysian government announced the Electronic Pass (ePASS) system will be extended to other pass types within the MYXpats Centre of the Expatriate Services Division. Key Points: Effective March 1, an ePASS will be issued for approved applications for the following pass types: Employment Pass Category
The Department of Labor (DOL) reported that as of Feb. 13, 2025, a total of 5,883 cases were issued Final Decision for fiscal year (FY) 2025 (first half of the visa cap) with a Requested Date of Need from Oct. 1, 2024, through March 31,
Norwegian officials announced an increase in the minimum income threshold for individuals sponsoring family members. Key Points: Norwegian officials are increasing the subsistence requirement for family immigration. Sponsors must demonstrate an annual income of at least NOK 400,000 (about US$36,014) to meet the subsistence requirement to
Irish officials provided current processing dates for employment permits. Key Points: As of Feb. 17, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is processing applications received on the following dates for these specific types of applications: Application Type Standard Trusted Partner Critical Skills
The U.S. Mission to India updated its interview waiver eligibility criteria for Indian foreign nationals renewing visas at U.S. consular posts in India. Key Points: The eligibility criteria for interview waiver was updated to require that visa applicants have a previous U.S. visa in the same class as
The Home Office announced the U.K.-India Young Professionals Scheme (YPS) 2025 ballot will open Feb. 18. Key Points: Indian nationals aged 18 to 30 may enter the ballot to be considered for one of 3,000 spots available. The YPS reciprocal visa scheme offers individuals from both
Indian authorities announced all Person of Indian Origin (PIO) cards will remain valid until Dec. 31, 2025. Key Points: Indian immigration check posts will continue to consider all PIO cards that were valid as of Jan. 9, 2015, including handwritten and machine-readable cards, with a valid
The U.S. State Department released the March Visa Bulletin. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced filings for employment-based preference categories must use the Final Action Dates chart, which shows advancement in all chargeability areas in the EB-2 visa class. Both
Philippine officials published revised guidelines for Alien Employment Permits (AEPs) and employment permits for foreign nationals. Key Points: The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) released Department Order No. 248, introducing changes to the employment of foreign nationals in the Philippines. Under Department Order No. 248,
The New Zealand government announced changes to the allocation process for international student visa applications and the Active Investor Plus Visa. Key Points: Officials stated that Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will now prioritize visa applications from students who are in New Zealand and applying for a
The Malaysian government announced updated sample documents have been added in Expatriate Services Division (ESD) Online for Professional Visit Pass (PVP) applications. Key Points: Effective immediately, all PVP applications must follow these updated sample documents. The government has updated the sample application letter, Personal Bond Ref. No.
Danish immigration authorities released new wage statistics for the Positive List for skilled work. Key Points: The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) published the updated wage statistics that apply to all applications on the Positive List for skilled
The U.S. Embassy and Consulates General in China announced a new nonimmigrant visa appointment schedule. U.S. embassies and consulates across the Middle East will be implementing a new visa services system effective Feb. 8 and Feb. 9, 2025. Key Points: The U.S.
The Labor Department has posted updated processing times for permanent labor certification (PERM) applications and prevailing wage determination (PWD) requests. PERM Processing Times: As of Feb. 1, the department was still adjudicating PERM applications filed in September 2023 and earlier and reviewing appeals for reconsideration filed
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that the initial registration period for the fiscal year (FY) 2026 H-1B cap will open at noon Eastern on March 7 and run through noon Eastern on March 24, 2025. Key Points: The FY 2026 H-1B cap will use the
The Canadian government announced super visa applicants may now purchase private health insurance from companies outside Canada. Key Points: The super visa is a multiple-entry visa that allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to visit for up to five years per visit,