Immigration

As per the Denmark New Immigration Rules, international students now have the right to work 90 hours in a month or full time during June, July and August. Pursuant to these new regulations, foreign students are entitled to work part time as from July 1, 2024. In addition, there are changes in stay and work permits for students where there will be new and valuable propositions. For the academic year 2024-2025 onwards all the students who are issued part-time work permits can work up to ninety hours per month and full-time during the summer months of June, July and August. The right to work freely with a residence permit Starting on July 1, 2024, the work permit is not required for foreigners who have received a residence permit in the territory of the Republic of Latvia. It means that foreigners holding a valid residence permit under the authorization scheme can begin working on July 1, 2024, without the need to apply for a separate work permit for employment. As such, a foreigner with a residence permit does not require a work permit, even if he or she secures a job.  A residence permit enables you to lawfully reside in Denmark as long as your permit is still valid. Additionally, a permit allows you to stay in the Schengen area for at most 90 days within any 180-day period. However, this permit does not allow one to seek employment in other Schengen Area nations.  More Jobs on Offer  It has also amended the positive lists that were in operation as of July 1, 2024. Further, more positions have been included in the lists, and the present Positive List for People with a Higher Education contains 141 job titles, whereas the Positive List for Skilled Work contains 61.The positive list for people with a higher education means that you have been given a job that is on the positive list of employment shortage occupations in Denmark. It is the same as the Positive List for Skilled Work, as it means that you have been offered a job that is on the list of skilled employment shortages in Denmark. It is also possible to apply for a residence and work permit as a social and healthcare worker through the Positive List for Skilled Work.  New rules regarding the family reunification of spouses are established. The new rules regarding reunification of spouses have been effective as of July 1, 2024. For one, the bill contains a change requirement where the spouse in Denmark has to have passed Prøve i Dansk 3 or another Danish test at the level or above for the couple to integrate. This requirement can now also be met by the spouse in Denmark by proving that the person has been in ordinary full-time employment for 5 years, which has greatly involved the use of the Danish language. Furthermore, the bill provides that the financial guarantee requirement, which in some cases has to be fulfilled to be allowed to reunify spouses within the meaning of Article 8, will be lowered from approximately DKK 114,000 to DKK 57,000.According to the proposal submitted after April 11, 2024, applicants who previously failed to qualify for family reunification of spouses due to not meeting the current financial guarantee requirement or the current language requirement shall be allowed to submit a new application for family reunification of spouses.

Thinking of an immediate and cheap acquisition of citizenship? Find out more about Vanuatu citizenship, also known as second passports for sale without residence. This South Pacific nation provides a seemingly ideal solution. Why Vanuatu Citizenship?  Vanuatu is now famous for its fast and cheap Citizenship by Investment Program. Unlike Cyprus and Malta, where one has to spend more time and money, Vanuatu is a programme that can be processed within a few weeks to get a second citizenship. For those who want to avoid the attention of tax services or want to make the management of global companies easier, Vanuatu is an excellent option. Key Points:  Quick Processing: Vanuatu’s application processing is fast. The applicants can get their new passports within 7 weeks.  Affordable Investment: It is less expensive compared to other similar programmes, such as St. Kitts or Grenada. The investment comes to around ₹1 crore for an individual or ₹1.5 crore for a couple having minor children. The Process: How to Get Vanuatu Citizenship This process starts with at least one year’s stay in the UAE to become non-resident Indians, or NRIs for many Indians and NRIs. This step is very important for those who are planning to abandon their Indian passports. Once an applicant is in Dubai, they can consult a lawyer to begin the Vanuatu citizenship process.  Steps to Citizenship: Initial stay in the UAE: To become an NRI, one must spend one year in the UAE. Legal Assistance: Consult a lawyer in the UAE to begin the Vanuatuan citizenship process. Investment: Make the required investment, which is approximately one-third the cost of a passport from St. Kitts or Grenada. Receive Passport: Once the application is processed, passports are sent through a courier service to the applicant’s address in Dubai. Benefits of Vanuatu Citizenship  Tax Benefits: Vanuatu citizenship prevents paying taxes on worldwide business profits and concealed offshore funds. The Income Tax Department and Enforcement Directorate of Indians are very strict on the NRI who earns more than ₹15 lakh from India. Vanuatu citizenship can help avoid similar regulations.  Privacy and Asset Protection: Vanuatu does not share information it has on its citizens’ assets with other countries. This means that information about an account in a foreign bank, a trust, or share ownership remains secret, thereby offering a measure of security. Avoiding Litigation: Some of the NRIs invest in Vanuatu citizenship so that they do not fall prey to litigation in India in the future. Through the process of abandoning Indian citizenship and buying a Vanuatu passport, people can block the Indian authorities from accessing overseas property.  Citizenship Switch Planning  To surrender Indian citizenship, one has to plan well. Traditional NRIs largely transfer money back to India as residents and then wire $1 million per family member due to the sale of assets in India. They perform these transfers at the right time so that there are adequate funds to apply for Vanuatu citizenship. Vanuatu: A Temporary Solution?  Some people buy citizenship in Vanuatu in order to get access to a better-quality passport from Malta, Grenada, or Cyprus at some point. They mostly provide the option of holding two or more passports for the same person, which is considered dual citizenship. The short and inexpensive way of obtaining citizenship in Vanuatu makes it appropriate for this purpose. Conclusion  Vanuatu provides you with the opportunity to change citizenship rapidly and cheaply. This island nation simply provides a quick and cheap way to acquire another passport that comes with numerous advantages, such as reduced taxation and safeguarding your assets. In other words, Vanuatu is the right country for those who are looking for instant citizenship.

Venice to increase tourist fee for day trippers in the next year due to low turnout from a pilot programme aimed at paying fewer visitors. At first, the government and the citizens welcomed the new payment system, but it failed to address the problem of depopulating the lagoon city. Venice Tourist Fee Increase: An Overview In April, the council of Venice put new measures into effect, including the possibility of visitors being charged €5 ($5.44) for the day on particularly busy days. This measure was taken with the intention of discouraging some people from visiting the sites and thereby reducing the congestion. The pilot scheme, which took 29 days, will stop on Sunday. This will be followed by a consultation period in order to decide on the fate of the project. Key Points: Initial Impact: Its major pilot study was not very successful. While some days had fewer guests than the corresponding days of the previous year, the most significant decrease in day-trip tourists was not expected. Future Plans: Simone Venturini, the city councillor for tourism and social inclusion, states that this system will be reformatted in 2025 with higher fees and a higher number of paid days. However, it should be noted that the actual fee charge for the year 2025 has not been revealed yet. Mixed Reactions and Future Improvements Support and Criticism:Venturini agreed with the last statement, pointing out that despite the given opportunities, the system had some difficulties, especially in the sphere of enforcement. Some of the fines paid were low since more of the first phase was aimed at raising awareness among the visitors. The scheme was criticised by opposition councillor Giovanni Andrea Martini, who pointed to the permanency of the tourist crowds and violations of the rules as people left the fines unpaid. Martini suggested that the free booking system covering the slots of visitors could reduce crowd issues and avoid leaving lower-income families out of the park. Long-term Goals:From the experiences of the increased flat rate, the main objective would be to avoid day trippers, especially on weekends and holidays when the visitors may go up to 100,000, which doubles the population size. This is where Martini especially insisted on the need to bring back people with permanent residence in Venice. The city has witnessed a rise in the availability and popularity of short-term lets, which do not let long-term residents settle in the city while creating a shortage of the same. The Future of Venice’s Tourism ManagementAs mostly European countries, especially Venice, consider raising the tourist fee, the city governments are more concerned with the efficiency of handling the flow of tourists. In this regard, the argument is made that several key modifications are crucial in order to not only meet the needs of the consumer but also respect the desires of other consumers—the citizens of the respective country. Conclusion This proposed raise in the tourist fee is consistent with the endeavour of Venice to address skyrocketing tourism. Although this pilot project did not report a greater level of success, the city council continues with the firm conviction to work on finding the best solution to the problem of overcrowding and to protect and maintain the identity of Venice. It is seen here that Venice also incorporates the benefits of higher fees and chargeable days to sustain its tourism standards without compromising the living conditions of people in that place.

The United States Department of Homeland Security has come up with a new USA International Entrepreneur Rule for investors all over the world.The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has put in place the International Entrepreneur Rule (IER) to encourage foreign entrepreneurs to come to the country. This rule permits noncitizens to remain in the country if they are engaging in entrepreneurial activity that the Minister of Immigration considers to be of benefit to the public. The International Entrepreneur Rule is explained: These include: Eligibility: The new rule will be applicable to those who are residing in a foreign country or even those who are already residing in the U.S. Start-Up Requirements: The start-up must have been created in the past five years in the U.S. and should provide evidence of significant potential for swift growth and job generation in the past five years. Funding Criteria: A minimum of 264,147 US dollars from qualified investors, 105,659 US dollars from government grants, or equivalent evidence of growth. Parole Duration: As for a first parole, it can amount to 2.5 years, renewable for another two years. 5 years where further benchmarks are set, for a maximum total of 5 years. Employment Authorization: The law permits entrepreneurs to work only for their start-up enterprises. However, unlike other dependents, spouses of entrepreneurs can apply for employment authorization while children cannot. Application Process: Applicants to EAM must submit Form I-941, Application for Entrepreneur Parole, with a filing fee of $1,200 and supporting evidence. Persons desiring to engage in business from other countries would have to go to the U.S. embassy or consulate to be processed for parole. Those inside the U.S. will get their travel documents through the post or at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Certified candidates are permitted to practice for their start-up without further cumbersome paperwork. They will receive travel documentation instructions depending on the country they prefer to be provided with documents. Ownership and Role Requirements: It is valid to note that the start-up founders must have at least 10% equity in the start-up at the time of application, and they must be actively involved in the central management of the start-up. Start-Up Funding Requirements: Qualified Investment: We estimate that at least $264,147 has been invested by US investors alone. Government Grants: At least $105,659 of government awards granted by the U.S. Alternative Evidence: Supplementary credible proof in case you get only partial funding. That means the entrepreneur, relatives of the entrepreneur, and those with direct or indirect control over the entrepreneur or their relatives may not be considered qualified investors.

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.