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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,
Canadian authorities have reduced the allocation of provincial nominees under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) for 2025. Key Points: The BC PNP is an economic immigration program that provides a pathway to permanent residence and allows the province to select economic immigrants who
The U.S. Consulate General Amsterdam announced that due to a scheduled building upgrade project it will be unable to provide visa services from March through May 2025. Key Points: It will not be possible to schedule a visa interview at U.S. Consulate General Amsterdam during this
U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman of Maryland issued a nationwide preliminary injunction against President Trump’s executive order (EO) aimed at limiting birthright citizenship. Key Points: In her ruling, Judge Boardman said Trump's EO "conflicts with the plain language of the 14th Amendment." While the EO had
Finnish authorities proposed new tightened conditions for obtaining a permanent residence permit. Key Points: As BAL reported, the government previously introduced updated requirements for issuing residence permits through amendments to the Aliens Act. Officials are now proposing further amendments to the
The Thai government unveiled the online TM.6 system, also called Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), to simplify entry procedures for tourists and travelers. Key Points: The new online system, expected to be fully operational beginning May 1, is designed to facilitate travel and promote tourism by