Finland to Transfer Work Permit Services from to Finnish Immigration Service from January 2025
The employment and economic development services in Finland are being reformed, and the interruption in decision-making on certain work-based permits in January allows the
Read More »Finland to Pause Work-Based Permit Processing in January 2025
The decision-making on certain Finnish residence permit applications will be paused from January 1 – 8, 2025. The processing pause concerns the residence permit for an
Read More »China and Solomon Islands Sign Mutual Visa Exemption Agreement
On November 7, 2024, China and the Solomon Islands signed an agreement on mutual visa exemption. The agreement will take effect once both countries have completed their
Read More »The Entrepreneur Stream in Ontario Closes
Following the pause on accepting Entrepreneur Stream applications that took effect on December 4, 2023, the government of Ontario is implementing amendments to the program
Read More »New Qualifying Conditions for Québec Experience Program
As of November 23, 2024, in order to qualify for the Québec Experience Program, applicants must have completed an eligible program of study in French, i.e., 75% of courses
Read More »IRCC Ends the Student Direct Stream and Nigeria Student Express
On November 8, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that the Student Direct Stream (SDS) and Nigeria Student Express (NSE) initiatives ended as
Read More »USCIS Updates Policy Manual to Reflect Indefinite Validity of Immigration Medical Examination Documentation for Certain Afghan Nationals
USCIS updated guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 8, Part B, Chapter 3, to reflect that immigration medical examination documentation for certain Afghan nationals who
Read More »USCIS Updates Guidance on Lawful Admission for Permanent Residence Requirement for Naturalization
USCIS issued policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify that a naturalization applicant’s burden to demonstrate they have been lawfully admitted for permanent
Read More »December 2024 Visa Bulletin Released
In the December 2024 Visa Bulletin, All Final Action Dates for Worldwide (All Other) and China in EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 remain unchanged. Final Action Dates for India in EB-1
Read More »Ireland Introduces Digital Contact Centre for Immigration Services
The Minister for Justice in Ireland has introduced the Digital Contact Centre (DCC) to enhance the immigration experience through digital self-service. This platform
Read More »New Australian Visa Scheme MATES Commences
The Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES) is a new scheme, established under the Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement (MMPA) between
Read More »UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Updates
By April 2025, everyone who needs to enter the UK (except British and Irish citizens) will need to secure advance permission to travel, either through obtaining an Electronic
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