Immigration

The latest Visa Bulletin for August 2024 has come out, and there is a small advancement for India in the EB-2 and EB-3 categories. However, other EB categories remain unchanged. In the first preference category (EB-1, Priority Workers), the dates remain unchanged for all countries of chargeability. Regarding EB-1 India, the date remains the same – February 1, 2022. Key Points for Indian Applicants This update is particularly relevant to EB-2 and EB-3 applicants from India as any shift in priority dates affects their green card application process. Even though these improvements are incremental they offer a degree of optimism for many who are queued.The lack of a change on the EB-1 category means that there is high usage and that there is further backlog expected. The consistent trend of February 1, 2022, shows that applicants will have to wait for longer for priority dates to become current. Understanding the Visa Bulletin The Visa Bulletin is important for people who are seeking Green Card because it contains the information about period for immigration status change and eligibility depending on the submission of application. The bulletin acts as a guide for the Green Card journey, featuring two essential sections: ⦁ Dates for Filing: This section identifies the date when applicants can file for adjustment of status or an immigrant visa. It assists applicants in knowing when they can file their paperwork depending on the visa category and country of the applicant.⦁ Final Action Dates: These dates give an indication of the amount of time it takes for applications to be approved and lead to an applicant’s permanent residency. They serve as queues by visa category and nationality, which inform applicants when their applications will be attended to. For employment-based green card (EB) adjustments, applicants planning to file in August 2024 must have the application date before a specific date mentioned for their category and country to qualify to file. Information from the August 2024 Visa Bulletin Family-Sponsored ApplicationsFor the family-sponsored immigrants, the Visa Bulletin explains preference categories that are fundamental for Green Card application.  First Preference (F1): Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizensSecond Preference (F2): Spouses and children and unmarried sons and daughters of permanent residents⦁ F2A: Spouses and children of permanent residents⦁ F2B: Unmarried sons and daughters of permanent residents who are 21 years of age and above.Third Preference (F3): Married Sons and Daughters of U. S. CitizensFourth Preference (F4): Siblings of Adult United States Citizens The bulletin contains comprehensive information on the distribution of the immigrant visas, predicated on priority dates and the request received by April 1st of the respective fiscal year. This means that if there are more people applying for a given category or country than the number of visas available in that category, then the category is regarded as oversubscribed. For the categories that were oversubscribed, the final action date is the date before which all applicants under the category could be accommodated depending on the numerical limit. In the fiscal year 2024, the global limit for family-sponsored immigrants is 226000, with each preference category having a specified quota. Moreover, there is the provision of per-country limits, where the number cannot exceed 7% of the total annual family-sponsored and employment-based preference limits. Immigrant visas are prioritized according to the date the petition was filed with the board. It is, therefore, important for anyone applying for an immigrant visa to understand these fine details. Hence, the Visa Bulletin plays a crucial role of offering specific information on the availability of the visa and the time it takes to process it, therefore helping the applicants to plan on their immigration properly. FINAL ACTION DATES Family-Sponsored INDIA F1 22 October, 2015 (unchanged) F2A 15 November, 2021 (unchanged) F2B 15 November, 2021 (unchanged) F3 1 April, 2010 (unchanged) F4 22 January, 2006 (unchanged) DATES FOR FILING Family-Sponsored INDIA F1 1 September, 2017 (unchanged) F2A 15 June, 2024 (was 1 November, 2023) F2B 1 January, 2017 (unchanged) F3 1 January, 2011 (was 1 October, 2010) F4 15 June, 2006 (unchanged) Employment-Based Preferences Now, let us take a closer look at how the employment-preference categories are rationed with a view to granting immigrant visas: These categories and the percentages of allocation should be well understood by anyone who is interested in acquiring an employment-based immigrant visas. 1. Priority Workers: This category gets 28. 6 percent of the global employment-based preference level. It includes:⦁ The disabled are people who have special talents in their area of specialization.⦁ Outstanding professors and researchers⦁ Multinational executives or managers⦁ Also, any available numbers not assigned to the fourth and fifth preferences may also be placed here. 2. Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Individuals of Exceptional Ability: This category is also allotted 28. 6 percent of the worldwide employment – based preference cap, plus all numbers not used in the first preference. ⦁ Individuals with advanced degrees⦁ People with special skills in their areas of specialty 3. Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers: This category gets 28. 6% of the worldwide level, plus any numbers that are not needed by the first and second choices. It includes:⦁ Skilled workers and professionals⦁ The “Other Workers,” who are engaged in unskilled labor and the number of visas granted to them is limited to 10,000. 4. Certain Special Immigrants: This category is allocated 7. ⦁ Religious workers⦁ Some of the US foreign service posts workers⦁ Active individuals in the United States military 5. Employment Creation: This category also receives 7. One percent of the global level. It is further divided to ensure targeted investment and job creation:⦁ 20% for qualified immigrants investing in rural areas⦁ 10% for the people investing in such areas of high unemployment.⦁ 2% for those investing in the infrastructure projects.⦁ The remaining 68% is unhampered and available to all other qualifying investors These employment preference categories for immigrants are meant to bring in skilled workers with the purpose of increasing the United States’ economic productivity. With these allocation percentages and categories

Recent elections in the United Kingdom have come up with new changes, with Keir Starmer UK Election Win replacing Rishi Sunak as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. In his maiden speech, Keir Starmer noted that the British economy was in a terrible state and indicated preparedness to make tough adjustments to the same. Among the risks that can occur in the future is an adjusted policy on immigration, which was one of the topics of the 2024 general elections. As for net migration, both of the major political parties have committed to its reduction, although the impact on Indian immigrants may be very vast. Changes Implemented The skilled worker visa, now the biggest work migration category in the UK, has been altered already. Since April 2019, the minimum salary threshold has been £38,700 or the national rate for the job, whichever is greater. Dependents are no longer allowed to accompany social care workers on their visas. The list of occupations that are allowed for sponsorship with a lower required salary compared to the applicant has been reduced, and the requirement for minimum income to sponsor a spouse or partner visa has also been raised from £18,600 to £29,000. Legal Immigration: Labour Party Position The UK Labour Party leader, Sir Keir Starmer, outlined an immigration policy on June 2 that seeks to minimise net migration through skills training for local employees and a better working environment. Employers were assured of laws that would make the use of overseas skilled workers as the first option unlawful. The Labour Party stated that they have “no plans” to alter the restrictions regarding health and care workers bringing their families to the UK, and their manifesto promises to “cut immigration numbers, net,” while omitting an actual figure. From which countries do migrants originate? In 2023, EU citizens made up 10% of total migrants arriving in the UK, with 1,18,200 migrants, nearly similar to the 1,16,000 witnessed in 2022. Approximately 85% (1,031,000) came from outside the EU, with the top five non-EU nationalities being:Approximately 85% (1,031,000) came from outside the EU, with the top five non-EU nationalities being:Indian: 250,000Nigerian: 141,000Chinese: 90,000Pakistani: 83,000Zimbabwean: 36,000 Student Migration Education is one of the various reasons that show that international students and families have contributed hugely to the increase in net migration since 2019. International students may be granted permission to stay in the UK and work for two years after earning a degree, provided that they apply for the Graduate Visa; PhD graduates can work for three years. Nevertheless, from the January 2024 session on, the majority of the students, except for those pursuing postgraduate research programmes, were prohibited from bringing their dependents to the UK. This ban will also be continued by Labour’s government. Impact on Immigration Unemployment is a major problem in the UK, and this is a shot down for the Conservatives. The Labour government is keen on creating and protecting employment for the nationals or citizens of the country.“ Strictly skilled immigration policies will remain the norm for most countries in this organisation, except for the healthcare sector and some trades, as stated by Ajay Sharma, the founder of the Abhinav Immigration Service. He, however, notes, “The stringent immigration policies being implemented in the UK, according to the graph, are a result of efforts to protect domestic employment opportunities and woo foreign direct investment due to economic strains occasioned by Brexit and Russia-Ukraine’s war. Lastly, the article indicated how Indians will be affected: Prospective reforms to immigration rules can affect Indian people most of all, as they currently constitute a large portion of the non-EU immigrants in Great Britain. Tightening of both measures might reduce the ability of Indians to seek employment in the UK. However, it is crucial to recognise a significant deficiency in the domestic workforce in the United Kingdom. Vandana Mahajan, Founder and Director of Futures Abroad, said, “It will take time before they can impart the necessary skills to locals to perform the duties of migrant workers still working abroad.” Balancing Economic Needs According to Mahajan, Labour may result in policies that are slightly less selective for applicants but more balanced and able to adapt to changing times. Labour may also strengthen the MAC and keep the graduate visa route. It may also come up with more robust measures for combating rogue employers of immigrants. Options for Indians Mahajan lists several visa options available for Indians:Mahajan lists several visa options available for Indians:Skilled Worker Visa: As such, for Indians with job offers in sectors that have a demand for specific skill sets, it is possible that they may not meet the required skill levels.Global Talent Visa: For those that have been recognised or are likely to be recognised as leaders or potential leaders in academia, research, the arts, or digital technology.Graduate Route: The rest of the Indians who finished their studies can work for two years (three for postgraduate degrees) before they need to seek other means to stay legally in the UK.Intra-Company Transfer Visa: For expatriate organisational workers or personnel of international organisations posted to the UK station. Inbuilt with a more analytical perspective, Aritra Ghosal, Founder and Director of OneStep Global, had the following observations to share on the immigration changes: ‘While the political uncertainties may have dented the nation’s image as a study destination, the reality is that ‘The UK still remains one of the best places to obtain education, conduct research, and work after graduating.’’ Ghosal asserts. According to West, these policies aim at making sure that immigration brings benefits and not costs to the UK economy. Nevertheless, it is imperative that we take into consideration the farther-reaching consequences. As international students contribute a lot of revenues in the form of tuition fees, this leads to the development of other courses, which also helps to make up the cost of supporting domestic students and researchers. In addition, international students serve as a source of regular labour in the UK market since they work for

The Irish government has now approved the Ireland Employment Permits Act 2024; this contains some new changes in the employment permit scheme. Key Points: This new act was passed on the 25th of June with aims to amend and update the law touching on the employment permit system in the Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment. Several provisions are included in the act to establish a new employment permit for seasonal workers and their dependents, amend the labor market testing regime, make changes to employer rules, and address other issues. Seasonal employment permit: A new seasonal employment permit category will be created to capture non-European Economic  Area nationals’ seasonally recurrent employment that will happen for a certain period in any given year. A trial will occur in 2025 and will only work for certain employers under certain terms and conditions. Revision of labor market testing: Employers will only be obliged to advertise a position in two media outlets, one of which is EURES (Jobs . Ireland). Changes in employer: General or critical skills employment permit holders will be permitted to apply to change their employer after nine months have passed. Background: Ireland is still in the process of making many changes to the employment-based immigration scheme to update its structures and slightly liberalize some of its unfavorable policies. The government recently amended the conditions for the Stamp 4 permissions, introducing less stringent eligibility criteria, and also stated that spouses and partners of some employment permit holders will now receive employment rights without the need to obtain a new permit. To sum up, the contemporary Irish authorities are now fighting the largest ever battle for extending the employment permits system; at the same time, the Irish government has recently declared the most recent changes to some of the core immigration programs affecting the non-EU/EEA citizens that are going to enable them find employment in the Republic of Ireland with ease.. BAL Analysis: The Irish government is particularly interested in addressing aspects of the rights of workers and business entities. When in place, the new act should help employers easily source talent within the market. In addition, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment will need to sign a commencement order for the act, and an implementation time scale has yet to be declared. Bal will keep monitoring the changes in immigration laws and will report the progress as soon as there is a change.

It is worth mentioning that internationals are essential to the Canada economy, providing $31 billion each year. This commits about 1. According to the current government’s report on the economic implications of international education in Canada for 2022, this amounted to 2% of the country’s gross domestic product. Claims regarding monitoring contributions and economic effects In its estimation, international students spent approximately $37 billion in the United States. A total of $3 billion during 2022 on tuition, accommodation, and discretionary items should be paid to educational institutions, even after taking into consideration Canadian scholarships and bursaries. This high level of spending funded approximately 246,310 jobs all across Canada and remunerated $7. Some claimed that it would contribute about $4 billion in tax revenue. These results, revealed by Roslyn Kunin and Associates, showcase the key benefits of attracting international students to the Canadian economy. International and Offshore Students’ Enrollments According to the statistics, the number of international students in Canada increased by 61 percent between 2016 and 2022. It has risen from 523,971 in 2016 to 844,444 in 2022. The surge in long-term students in Canada was witnessed at this time and recorded a slight decline during the COVID-19 period. The fact that the enrolment of international students keeps on rising is a clear indication of Canada’s growing appeal to students from other countries. Canada: The most preferred destinations for international students According to the data collected in 2022, Ontario remained the top province of destination for international students, of which there were 432,272 in total, which was 51.1% of the total international students in Canada. Following this, British Columbia enrolled 186,886 students, accounting for 22% of the total count. With a small number of international students of 4,491, Prince Edward Island was at the top with regard to the annual percentage change in study permit holders, rising by more than 1,800 percent between 2000 and 2022. On the other hand, Nunavut and the northwestern territories were the most unpopular, attracting five and 35 students, respectively. Key Factors Driving Growth It is important to note that India is the largest source country for international students in Canada, with 319,130 study permit holders in 2022, up 47% from the prior year. Ranking third was the Philippines, with a 112 percent increase and 32,455 study permit holders. Other significant countries were Hong Kong SAR of China (increased 73%), Nigeria (increased 60%), and Colombia (increased 54%). However, policies that were set lately may affect these statistics, like the study permit cap that was implemented in March 2024. Similarly, and although limited, available information points to the fact that African students are more likely to be rejected visas compared to their counterparts in other parts of the world, information that could be used to predict future trends. Conclusion It cannot be disputed that international students have a great impact on enhancing the economic returns of Canada. The amount they spend provides employment for employees, pays taxes to the government, and forms part of the nation’s gross domestic product. As the number of international students in Canada increases, the potential for continued growth in the education sector and Canada economy is favorable.

The United States has informed the public that there will be a delay in the second phase of the proposed change in the H-1B visa system overhaul, which was likely to be later this year, at the end of 2024. The delay is problematic for several crucial regulations expected from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to help overhaul the H-1B program and strengthen F-1 student safeguards. Some of the changes that have been made to the H-1B visa system The first series of changes implemented involved the transformation of the application process for H-1B visas under USCIS, where the cap had been based on lottery through registration and is now based on selection through beneficiary. These changes have been followed by other new measures to reduce fraud while forming the basis for future amendments. Modernization of the H-1B Program: Cap-Gap Protections for F-1 Students: Anticipated improvements will retain continued work permission for F1 students to transfer to HIB status.Specialty Occupation Definition: Proposed alterations concern efforts to change the parameters and specify what types of occupations are eligible for an H-1B visa.Fraud Detection and National Security: The increase in site visits is applied to help avoid fraud and conformity.USCIS Adjudicators: New rules are expected to set up a practice that will enable adjudicators to make references to prior decisions and also ease the application process. Employment Authorization Extensions In April 2024, DHS granted 540 days of automatic employment derived from renewal applicants, up from the initial 180 days proposed in the 2019 silence budget request. There is an ongoing consultation on whether this should be a permanent measure, and the periods applied for will be reviewed by December 7, 2024, at the latest. Biometrics Collection for Noncitizens Another photograph suggests that the DHS will further increase its power to take biometrics from noncitizens on exit. Collecting is currently restricted to pilot programs and specified channels of entry. The regulation that was planned to come into force starting in December 2024 will see off these provisions while improving the photograph rules at entry and exit. Overhaul of the southerly H-1B/L-1 Border Security Fee The H-1B/L-1 border security fee is also expected to grow. The following proposed fee changes reflect the Trump administration’s desire to make comprehensive modifications to current immigration policies. Still now, large employers are required to pay fees for H-1B or L-1 status witting, new visas, or changes in employer. It is proposed that these fees also apply to stay extensions filed by such employers by April 2025. The developments made in the adjustment of the status process Further improvements are anticipated for the adjustment of the status process:Child Status Protection Act: Visa Availability—some further explanation.Employment Authorization: Some extensions may be specified for certain derivative beneficiaries.Travel Authorization: New Pathways for Protracted Displacement: The Future of Temporary Protected Status.These modifications are planned to take place by August 2024. Emerging Changes in the International Entrepreneur Parole Program Currently, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada still invests its resources in the IEPP; however, until August 2024, the federal Department of Homeland Security has proposed some alterations regarding the direct investment and revenue minimum for the IEPP. Further, new regulations to improve employment authorization for spouses who are dependents, increase flexibilities for nonimmigrants, and improve EAD policies are planned to be promulgated by January 2025. Conclusion The H-1B visa system is due for an upgrade, and the same goes for the F-1 student protection rules. The DHS has continued to work to update and make the immigration system better. The expected changes are to achieve fairer protections for international students, easier visa policies, and fraud prevention.

Copenhagen is launching yet another initiative to promote sustainable tourism through the use of a single-use payment technology called, CopenPay. Duration of this campaign was from July 15 to August 11 where tourists are encouraged to pick up litter, ride bike, take public transportation etc. Now, let’s explore some ways on how you can get free lunches, free museum tour, and all while saving the earth in Denmark’s capital city. What is CopenPay? CopenPay is a unique initiative of Copenhagen city to spread awareness about sustainable tourism among travellers. The proposal is for the sustainable management of tourist-related activities without necessarily increasing the number of tourists visiting the city. Play a positive part in tourism and tourists are likely to receive incentives including lunches, coffees, museum visits, wines and kayaks. How Does CopenPay Work? As a result of this chain, tourists are required to prove commitment to environmentally friendly practices in order to be allowed to join CopenPay. This can be achieved by displaying a ticket for public transport or producing any material that proves one has done some ‘litter picking’, for instance a photograph. Once the identification is complete, tourists get rewards from one of the 24 local businesses operating under the program. Why CopenPay? According to Mikkel Aaro Hansen, the CEO of Wonderful Copenhagen, CopenPay provides an opportunity for people to make a difference and ‘travel’ more in Copenhagen while bearing less impact on the environment. Rikke Holm Petersen, the communications chief of the tourism board said, “When you travel abroad whether by flight, by car, you are a pollutant, one of the things we can alter is how sustainable the visitors are on the occasion.” Local Business Participation Onestrength of CopenPay is that it engages manyslot of local businesses. At present, twenty-four local businesses participate in the initiative, and they provide rewards without any help from the government. It aligns with the need to empower the community members to take ownership of the program to make it sustainable and effective. Copenhagen’s Commitment to Sustainability Sophie Haestorp Andersen, Copenhagen’s mayor, also welcomed the project by saying: ‘I am looking forward to having an opportunity to support an initiative such as CopenPay that combines culture heritage with the dedication to sustainable solutions.’ Future of CopenPay The outcome of this small scale plan has the potential to make the experiment go on for the rest of the year. If successful though, it could be a long term strategic move for Copenhagen to promote tourist use of CopenPay and therefore the city would benefit by having more and sustainable tourists. How to Participate Engage in Eco-Friendly Actions: Activities such as litter picking, biking, or availing public transport, among others are acceptable.Provide Evidence: You shall exhibit a public transport ticket or display a photo of the action that you took in support of the environment.Earn Rewards: Other incentives to participate include free lunches, coffees, museum tickets, glasses of wine, kayaks, among others from the local traders.

Sweden, for example, has recently increased the minimum wage threshold for work permit applications for the first time and for renewals. By analysing the changes to the work permit salaries in Sweden in the calendar year 2024, these Sweden Work Permit Changes 2024 are important for foreign employees to plan for their earnings and negotiate their remunerations while working in Sweden. The new threshold is a critical approach to meeting the new salary requirements that dictate this change. Important Changes to the Work Permit Salary Threshold In Sweden, the new aggregate of work permit eligibility as of June 18, 2024, increased, which is 28,480 SEK per month, or 80% of the new median salary of 35000 SEK. This amount is 118% above the former limit of 13,000 kronor set in October 2023. Currently, the government of Sweden aims at increasing the threshold to 100% of the median wage, or 35,600 kronor, on June 1, 2025.To help alleviate this problem, a one-year grace period is now in place for renewals of work permits, and the current requirement of 80% of the median salary will still be in force until June 1, 2026. This way, the existing permit holders get enough time to come to terms with the new provisions. Who Will the New Salary Threshold Apply To? All new work permit applications and renewals after June 18, 2024, will be governed by the new salary threshold. This change will not affect applications already under consideration. The salary threshold will be adjusted annually according to the newest available median salary data from Statistics Sweden. Thus, applicants must be ready for some changes every year.However, the salary should be adequate and should conform to the industry payslip or any collective bargaining recognition. This means that if it meets the test of the threshold, it must also be reasonable for the job and the industry. Specifics for Seasonal Workers Specific conditions apply to those temporary employees in Sweden provided with a permit for work for 90 days or less. They have to be paid according to the old criteria, which means they have to earn 13,000 SEK before tax each month. However, their salaries must also accord with the job market, union scale, or minimum wage, which may be higher than the minimum wage. Impact on Foreign Workers Increasing the salary threshold to a much higher value means that foreign workers have to seriously rethink their plans concerning employment in Sweden. New applicants and those who wish to renew their licenses will have to make concessions for higher salaries to meet the standard. When this change happens, it can create a situation where buyers and sellers of labour are forced to engage in competition, hence changing the field of play.The plan to raise it to 100% of the median salary by June 2025 shows the commitment of the Swedish government to fair remunerations for foreign workers. Nevertheless, having such a grace period will give all the stakeholders some time to prepare for such massive changes. Conclusion Sweden has recently increased the work permit application salary threshold from €2450 to €5300, which is almost 120% more, showing the country’s willingness to allow only foreign workers with salaries that would be considered reasonable by today’s standards. The phased implementation and grace period are envisaged to assist the working population and employers. Thus, applicants need to be aware of annual changes and current standards in order to meet the requirements and successfully apply for a work permit.

India is among the fastest-growing source markets for Türkiye over the first five months of 2024. For instance, as per the Turkish Tourist Board statistics, the number of Indian Tourists in Türkiye totals 126,400, which is a 34 percent rise compared to 2023’s similar months. This rise also confirms that Turkey is one of the leading travel destinations for Indian fun and adventure lovers. Experimenting with More Indians Based on the above finding, the total number of Indian tourists visiting Turkey in 2023 has been captured in the following database as 2,740,000. This is so because the period from January to May 2024 particularly deploys nearly half of the effects of the total number of Indian tourists from the previous year. This is evidenced by the higher preference of the people for specifically Turkish, especially Indian travellers who want to explore various ultures. Top Historical Destinations and Tourist Arrivals from India in Turkey In time, many regions and cities of Turkey have surely attracted Indian tourists because every place is unique in its own way. Istanbul: Being among the top foreign cities that Indians have visited in recent years because of its historical and cultural significance and good food, Istanbul continues to entice Indians. It also has a rich history and other tourist attractions such as the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, which keep pulling in tourists. Cappadocia: This area is visited for the different types of terrain available and hot air balloon facilities, and many Indians must have visited Cappadocia. Such tourist spots are almost like those out of fairytales, and the idea of hotels in caves is indeed out of this world indeed. Antalya and Bodrum: These are areas that have a beautiful sandy shoreline and are also ideal for fine luxury accommodations. Weddings, honey moons, luxury parties, or any event—most of the time, people prefer these places. The Mediterranean region is unique in its surroundings and also incorporates a high level of facilities for events and celebrations. Pamukkale, İzmir, and Alaçatı: These are some of the places which are popular for their scenic views and archeological importance. Today, new guests appear to be the source of interest, such as thermal springs in Pamukkale, the sea coast in İzmir, and colorful streets in Alaçatı attract a large number of Indians. In order to increase tourism, there are the following strategic measures: At the moment, the Türkiye Tourism Board has not left any stone unturned in fostering partnerships with the Indian travel trade for tourism uplift. This year, the board completed its six-city India roadshow with TAAI, or the Travel Agents Association of India, in March. This effort was geared towards enhancing cooperation between Indian travel agents and Turkey’s tourism stakeholders. Similarly, the now-concluded family tour of OTOAI from June 30 to July 6, 2024, contributed significantly to the branding of tourist attractions in Turkey. It included 40 people from OTOAI from all over India and covered all the dimensions of tourism. The time has come for Turkey to pay equal attention to strengthening its relationship with Indian travel agents and offer products that may entice and instill traveller interest. Conclusion Hence, for Indian guests, there is a 34% rise in the number of visitors travelling to Turkey in January and May 2024. India still continues to prefer Turkey as their holiday destination because of its historical interests, picturesque geography, and attempts to introduce selective ways of reaching out to Indian tour operators. They also expect that the frequency of Indian tourists looking for different experiences that Turkish destinations provide will also increase in the future.

Canada, which has always offered shelter to immigrants in search of a better life, is gradually becoming a difficult place. The targeted subjects of the policy are Indian youth pursuing education with the aim of finding jobs and, later on, permanent residency and Canadian citizenship. Rising unemployment, unaffordable housing, an increasing burden of loans, and a rising crime rate are destroying such dreams, thus making Canada immigration crisis. Jobs Crisis The increase in temporary residents and immigrants in the recent past has been seen to have contributed to the unemployment rate in Canada. In June, the unemployment rate of temporary residents, which can be foreign workers, international students, and asylum seekers, was 11%, as reported by Bloomberg. Among the newcomers who arrived within the last five years, though, it was slightly higher at 12.6% This is, however, in contrast to the overall unemployment rate, which stands at 6.2%. Scotiabank economist Derek Holt also noted that a significant portion of the increase in the unemployment rate has been caused by a large number of temporary residents. Given the record number of individuals coming into Canada, the labour market fails to accommodate them, hence a drop in the quality of life. While Canada’s GDP increase is attributable to population growth, social conditions—youth and immigrants—are getting worse. Unaffordable Housing Canada is one of the countries that is experiencing a higher level of housing unaffordability. The immigrant population has risen greatly over the past few years, and the demand for housing has surpassed the supply, thus leading to high costs. Mortgage costs have also been worsened by high inflation and the 22-year high interest rates. The Canadian government has tried its best to tackle the problem of the housing deficit. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a C$6 billion ($4.42 billion) Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund to boost the construction and improvement of housing. Moreover, mortgage rules have been changed in a way to enable first-time homeowners to delay their payment schedule from 25 to 30 years. Nevertheless, housing remains a major unattainable dream for many and results in such scenarios as in North Bay, Ontario, where the India students at Canadore College had to resort to sleeping in tents for lack of appropriate accommodation. Loan Burden Even many students in India avail themselves of large loans of around CAD 20000 to CAD 40000 to study in Canada. However, moving from the academic environment to the working environment has become hard. The gig economy that many students use for part-time employment has also been affected, deepening their misery. That is why increased costs of living and difficulty finding a job make students stressed and frustrated with their financial situation. Rising Crime Canada has suffered a significant increase in crime and delinquency, especially in large cities such as Toronto. In break-ins for auto thefts, home invasions increased by 400 percent last year. The Criminal Intelligence Service of Canada revealed a thirty percent increase in the identified criminal organisations in 2022 compared to the previous year. As a result of this social degeneration, Indian security agencies have reported increased incidences of gangs that are related to Khalistani terror and international drug cartels. Reverse Migration However, as the conditions get worse, reverse migration is slowly becoming a phenomenon. According to Statistics Canada, 42,000 people emigrated from Canada during the initial half of 2023 and approximately 94,000 in 2022. This trend is a clear pointer to the fact that immigrants are quickly losing faith in the system. The Institute for Canadian Citizenship highlighted that this outmigration rate surged to its highest level in the past 20 years in 2019 but declined during the COVID-19 outbreak and has risen again after the relaxation of the measures. Conclusion Canada, a dream for many immigrants and a country that many hoped to find refuge in, is now struggling to overcome major hardships. Poor employment, skyrocketing housing, high interest rates on loans, and increasing insecurity are forcing many to reverse their decision. With such reverse migration trends in operation, it is about time that these problems are solved so as to bring back Canada as a favourite country among immigrants.

Based on the Kuwait new visa rules, it is apparent that the recent changes in visa policy are meant to improve the welfare of expatriates that are in the government sector in Kuwait. These changes were noted by Sheikh Fahad Al Yousuf Al Sabah, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence and Interior, who said that the changes allow for visa transfers from the government to the private sector. This framework fosters inter-country mobility and flexibility of workers within the legal requirements, enhancing chances for expatriates. What is new in the new visa rules?  Since July 14, the ability to transfer the visa to private employers in certain circumstances has also expanded for domestic workers. Approval from the current employer: The transfer can only occur if the original worker has permission from their current employer. Minimum Residency Period: This means that one or many of the employees must have worked for the current employer for at least one year. Transfer Fee: For the transfer of the visa, which is an electronic visa, a charge of 50 dinars (around Dh600) is collected. Service Charge: An extra charge of 10 dinars per year of service with the current employer must also be made. These conditions are meant to keep relations balanced to avoid disruptions and help retain fair labour relations in the nation.  Outcome of the Amnesty Period  The new visa rules came after the three-month grace period that started in March and expired in June. This amnesty made it possible for unlawful residents, who are expatriates in Kuwait, to regularise their status. It was now possible to pay the penalties, get new residency, or leave the territory of the USA without paying fines. The amnesty period was one of the general actions performed by Kuwait to regulate the number of foreigners and increase the rate of legal behaviour among them.  Learn about the violations related to illegal housing and safety concerns.  Parallel to the visa reforms, Kuwait has also stepped up its campaign on the evils of illegal housing. There was a disaster in which an electrical short circuit led to a fire accident that claimed 50 lives. This led to follow-up action against the squatters, particularly in Bnied Al-Gar, where expatriates, especially bachelors, were ejected from their residences. Utilities terminated the power and water in three structures, which left many without homes during mid-summer, when it was over 45 degrees Celsius.  Advantages of the New Visa Policy  The introduction of new visa rules presents several benefits: Enhanced Labour Mobility: With more competition, expatriates can look for job openings in the private sector, thus improving the markets for employment. Legal Compliance: The measures also increase the legal framework around the transfer of visas in a way that minimises the possibilities of abuse and unlawful work. Economic Growth: Therefore, if Kuwait allows the mobility of skilled labour into the private sector, this helps to improve the nation’s economy and development.  Challenges and Considerations   While the new visa rules offer numerous advantages, there are challenges and considerations to address: Employer Consent: This may present a challenge to some workers when trying to seek approval from their current employer. Financial Burden: The transfer fee and service charges might prove to be prohibitive for the workers, especially those in the lower income earners’ bracket. Housing Issues: The battle against the blackshedders brings to mind the scarceness of decent and cheap accommodation, especially for expatriates.  Conclusion  Kuwait’s new visa rules are quite liberal in nature, which would go a long way towards enhancing labour flexibility and legalism in Kuwait. In order to achieve a more flexible labour market, the Kuwaiti government managed to give civil employees the opportunity to transfer their visas to private companies. However, the challenges that come with these reforms must be seriously tackled to avoid robbing the intended beneficiaries.