Angela Rayner has strongly criticized the UK government's proposed changes to visa rules, calling it "un-British" to extend settlement waiting times for migrants already in the UK, particularly care workers.
Eleven European countries, including the Czech Republic, have urged the EU Commission to strengthen visa restrictions for Russian citizens, citing inconsistent enforcement and the need for a unified approach to ensure sanctions against Russia are effective.
Thailand is tightening visa rules, reducing visa-free stays to 30 days from 60, due to increasing concerns over misbehaving tourists and their impact on local culture and security. The government aims to balance public order with the economy, which heavily relies on tourism.
New Zealand is implementing new visa rules from June 1, including stricter English language requirements for certain work visas. Wealthy migrants can now count philanthropic donations towards their Golden Visa investment.
A Bangladeshi immigrant running a small import food store in Saitama faces closure due to stricter "Business Manager" visa requirements. New rules demand 30 million yen capital or employing Japanese/permanent residents, posing a significant challenge for small businesses.
The US proposes increasing minimum salary requirements by 21%-33% for H-1B visa holders and employment-based immigrants, alongside tighter immigration rules affecting international students in STEM fields, potentially raising costs and reducing employer demand for overseas talent.
Thailand may reduce visa-free stay for tourists from 60 to 30 days due to national security concerns and complaints from local businesses.
US embassies now require nonimmigrant visa applicants to declare they don't fear persecution back home. This new rule, aimed at preventing asylum claims upon arrival, asks applicants if they've faced harm or fear it upon return. Experts warn this could force individuals into dangerous migration routes, jeopardizing their safety and families.
Yoyo Yue has spent much of her life navigating the complex US immigration system. The 31-year-old Chinese content creator moved from China to a US boarding school, went to university, secured an H-1B visa and later a “green card” – a path long considered the “gold standard” for skilled foreign workers. Now, she said, that path felt far less certain. “The H-1B path today comes with significant uncertainty, not just around job stability, but also around long-term prospects,” Yue said. US President...
India has revised visa modalities for Chinese nationals, including tourists, Buddhist pilgrims, and family members of diplomats, more than five years after the Galwan clashes. The Union home ministry's move aims to facilitate travel between the two nations, with direct flights and the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra already resumed. A decision on e-visa facilities remains pending, while restrictions on satellite phones continue.
