Canada: Notable Changes to International Student Program Regulations
Effective November 15, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has confirmed notable changes to the International Student Program regulations. These changes include the following: Eligible students will now be allowed to work off campus up to 24...
Canada: Updated Temporary Immigration Application Guidance
The Canadian government has made some notable updates to processing for some temporary immigration applications: Temporary Resident Visas: The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated its guidance and now specifies that multiple-entry temporary...
Federal Court Permanently Enjoins Biden Parole-in-Place Program for Undocumented Spouses and Stepchildren of US Citizens; USCIS Announces that It Will Cease to Accept and Process Applications Under this Program
On June 18th of this year, President Biden introduced a Parole-in-Place (PIP) program under the Keeping Families Together initiative that allowed undocumented spouses and stepchildren of United States citizens, if otherwise eligible, to apply for lawful permanent...
Canada: Supplemental Immigration Levels Plan Will Impact Number of Canadian Permanent Residents Admitted
The Canadian government recently announced a supplementary Immigration Levels Plan for the years 2025/2026, which will see a decrease in the number of permanent residents being admitted to Canada, from 485,000 in 2024, to 395,000 in 2025, and 380,000 in 2026. The...
December 2024 Visa Bulletin Issued: Dates for Filing (DFF) EB Cut-Off Dates Will Apply; No Movement in Any DFF Categories
The U.S. Department of State has released its December 2024 Visa Bulletin imposing per-country cut-off dates that regulate immigrant visa availability and the flow of Adjustment of Status (AOS) applications and consular Immigrant Visa application interviews and...
Thailand Introduces New ETA System
Thailand is introducing a new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) with an anticipated start date of December 1, 2024. This system aims to enhance border security and improve entry procedures. The ETA applies to all foreign nationals travelling on Free Visa (15...
November 2024 Visa Bulletin Issued: Dates for Filing EB Cut-Off Dates Will Apply; No Movement in Any Categories
The U.S. Department of State has released its November 2024 Visa Bulletin imposing per-country cut-off dates that regulate immigrant visa availability and the flow of Adjustment of Status (AOS) applications and consular Immigrant Visa application interviews and...
Canada Announces Changes to Intra-Company Transfer Work Permits
IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) has released notable changes impacting intra-company transfer (ICT) applications to Canada. The new guidance is only applicable to countries which are not subject to Free Trade Agreements with Canada. Notable changes...
State Department Starts Accepting Applications for the FY2026 Diversity Visa Program
On October 2nd, the United States Department of State opened the registration application for the Fiscal Year 2026 Diversity Visa (DV-2026) Program through its Electronic Diversity Visa (E-DV) website. The DV program is an annual U.S. government-sponsored program that...
Qatar Added to United States Visa Waiver Program
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the United States Department of States (DOS) announced today that Qatar has been designated as a participant in the United States Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which allows visa-free travel to the United States...