Immigration

Greece has reportedly issued a vital change in its Golden Visa investment threshold, increasing the minimum investment in property from the existing €250,000 to €800,000, effective September 2024. Arguably, this development is a new direction and dimension into the Greek real estate investment climate that is expected to affect international investors who have shown interest in residency in Europe. Greece’s Golden Visa in a Nutshell The Greece Golden Visa program was initiated in 2013 to promote foreign investment by granting a residence visa in exchange for investments into local real estate. Along with residency, this program provides visa-free travel across the Schengen Zone and has therefore grown into one of the most popular residency-by-investment options in Europe. The entry threshold was initially set at only €250,000, making it among the most affordable Golden Visa schemes in the region. This result went a long way toward rejuvenating Greece’s real estate market, especially for major cities like Athens and tourist hotspots such as Mykonos and Santorini. Correspondingly, this rise in demand sees property prices increase accordingly, and the Greek government is now contemplating revising the investment threshold to include sustainable development policy. Why Greece is Raising the Investment Threshold This decision is due to the fast growth of property prices in high-demand areas, which resulted in reducing the affordability of housing for local residents. Due to such real estate investments, costs keep on rising, and cities like Athens, Thessaloniki, and popular islands are running out of budget; this situation brings forward the problem of the housing crisis more intensely. By increasing the minimum investment requirement, the Greek government wants to control growth in the real estate market and channel investment to less saturated regions. This is an endeavour for balanced economic development, stimulation of investment in underdeveloped areas, and a conceptual barrier to further inflation of property prices in the country’s most sought-after locations. What the New Threshold Means for Investors These are Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, and Santorini, among other high-demand areas in Greece, from where the increased threshold of the Golden Visa will come into effect, starting September 2024. Thus, the residency by investment seekers under the Golden Visa program will from that time be forced to make at least an €800,000 property investment. Soon after, it devised a multi-layer approach in order to encourage investments in the country beyond these traditional hotspots. In less visible areas, the threshold would stand at €400,000, thereby giving investors a hold if they can’t afford to invest in high-demand areas. They also provided for a transition period during which current and future investors would be accorded the lower threshold of €250,000, provided that a 10% deposit is made by August 31, 2024, and the purchase is completed before December 31, 2024. Impact on the Real Estate Market in Greece and Future Outlook This quantum leap in the Golden Visa investment threshold is likely to change the dynamics of the program and its allure to international investors. A low investment threshold has long been one of the major selling points for Greece, attracting them from all over the world. With the new, higher threshold, however, some of those investors might start looking elsewhere in Europe for residency, such as Portugal and Spain, for example, that may have more favourable requirements. This means that in the short term, property transactions in Greece would soar as investors would rush to get through with a current threshold before the deadline. However, the introduction of the €400,000 threshold for less popular regions may turn investments into underdeveloped areas, hence triggering economic growth in such regions. Indian Investors’ Opportunity The increase in the Golden Visa threshold is hence both a challenge and an opportunity for Indian investors. An investment of €800,000 could be steep in high-demand areas, but access is accorded to one of the most strategic and desirable destinations in Europe. The Golden Visa program continues to offer an added value residence visa for Greece with visa-free travel within the Schengen Area. Also, Greece’s stable economy, having rich cultural heritage and a strategic location in Europe, remains a major attraction to Indian investors who conventionally favour real estate investment. This transition period, where investors can secure residency at the current threshold of €250,000, is an unmatched opportunity to enter the European market prior to the date of enforcement for the new requirements in 2024. Conclusion The decision of Greece to raise the investment threshold under the Golden Visa program shall be seen as a milestone for the country’s real estate market. To be sure, the increased threshold will reduce the attractiveness of this program to many investors; on the other hand, this is a step toward sustainable development and a way to neutralise problems occurring due to the rising prices in over-demanding areas. The new dynamics, therefore, afford existing and future investors, especially the Indian investors, an opportunity to revisit their strategies for better mileage of the transitional period before the higher threshold kicks in. As Greece further develops its investment environment, prudent planning and calculated investment decisions are necessary for those intending to maximise this opportunity.

The Kamala Harris Immigration Policy would drastically change the climate for immigrants and students if she were to take over in 2025. She has always supported amicable immigration policies and reforms that present equal opportunities to the merited foreign workers and students. These changes could make the United States an even more exciting area for all who wish to move and live, work, or study there. In this blog, we will discuss in detail how Kamala Harris’s presidency may offer an easy route towards moving to the United States of America for skilled workers, families, and international students. Legal Immigration Under a Harris Presidency 1. H-1B visa program expansionOne of the important areas where Kamala Harris might introduce changes is in the H-1B visa program. Being a proponent of skilled immigration, Harris may advocate increasing the quota for H-1B visas issued every year and simplifying the application process. During her reign, efforts may be made to make this selection process more transparent and nondiscriminatory. This will reduce the long wait times and backlogs that many applicants currently face. 2. Seamless processing of the L-1 Visa in Intracompany transfer casesThe L-1 visa program allows for the transfer of skilled employees of international companies to their affiliates in the United States. Harris should support legislation that removes bureaucratic hurdles to the easy transfer of workers across borders within multinational companies. In addition to this, it could also move protectionist legislation to ensure that such visa holders are paid decent wages and enjoy decent working conditions. 3. Clear Pathway to CitizenshipHarris is likely to focus more sharply on a clearer and quicker way to U.S. citizenship. She may propose reforms that allow immigrants who already possess work visas or DACA to get permanent residence status and, after a while, complete citizenship. Such policies will grant more stability to those immigrants who contribute productively to the U.S. economy and society. Family-Based Immigration and Reunification 1. Emphasise Family ReunificationHarris has championed family reunification for a long time. As president, she could make this a priority by increasing the categories of family members allowed to be sponsored and reducing the wait times for family-based green cards. By reversing the previous restrictions, it would be much easier for families to unite and for America’s shores to become friendlier toward immigrants. 2. Green Cards based on EmploymentWith the Harris administration, we might expect more work-based green cards issued annually. She could also call for scrapping the country-specific cap that long has barred the way to immigrants hailing from high-demand countries such as India and China. These will help in making the playing field for many skilled workers who have been aspiring to permanent residency in the U.S. International Students: A Welcoming Environment 1. Paving the Way for Foreign StudentsKamala Harris would go about ensuring a friendlier environment for international students. Her policies may range from streamlining the procedure related to obtaining a visa to eliminating superfluous hurdles that hamper the progress of students around the globe. This will make the United States even more attractive to students who would want to pursue their higher education in the country. 2. H-1B Transition after GraduationHarris might particularly emphasise how her administration will make life easier for students in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics by making the transition from OPT to long-term work visas such as H-1B less of a hurdle. This would be achieved by expanding OPT or creating new paths leading STEM graduates to green cards upon graduation. 3. Continued Support for Higher EducationIt is likely that a Harris administration would do even more to support U.S. universities in increasing their draw and support for international students. This may include additional financing of programs concerning diversity and inclusion, initiatives that guarantee the success of international students both academically and professionally. Conclusion: A More Inclusive Immigration System Under Kamala Harris, the U.S. presidency would likely make immigration a tipping point for opening up to legal immigrants and international students. She could help build a more receptive and diverse American society by expanding visa programs, reducing and smoothing out the pathway to citizenship, and making the U.S. more receptive for international students.

Canada job market is increasingly being squeezed as this land of opportunity stands at a new test. Whereas immigration has over a long period been fundamental in building on the labor force of Canada, recent trends have shown businesses just are not hiring fast enough to accommodate the rapidly expanding workforce. This increasing gap between population growth and the availability of jobs makes life very tough for the newcomers, especially international students and temporary workers, trying to find jobs in this competitive environment. Large Population Growth, Limited Job Creation Canada’s workforce-aged population, meanwhile, rose 96,400 in August 2024, but the country added a paltry 22,100 net new jobs. The disconnect speaks to an increasingly dire problem: Canada’s job market simply isn’t growing fast enough to absorb new entrants. Indeed, over the past three months, for every six new workers entering the workforce, only one job was added, which also constitutes the slowest rate of job growth in more than a year. While immigration and the increase of foreign students bolster the population tremendously, Canada’s population grew by 3.2% alone in the past year, marking the second consecutive year that the country added more than a million people. That, however, does not mean that all find jobs as the workforce grows. Indeed reports that job postings are down a massive 23 percent compared to last year, while businesses go slow on hiring. This is considered to be partly cooling the job market in Canada. New Immigrants Find It Difficult to Get Employed But it is also adding to the pressure on an already scrambling economy. Most of the new immigrants, especially the ones who came in the last five years, do not find jobs easily. About 12.3 percent of recent immigrants remain unemployed, which is more than twice as many as Canadian-born workers and immigrants who arrived more than a decade ago. Of course, many of these new arrivals are students and thus are not seeking employment. Of the 1.1 million that entered the workforce in the past year, only half were seeking a job. Slightly more than half of those who did look for employment found a job. This compares to pre-pandemic years when two-thirds of the working-age population was seeking work, and virtually all found jobs. Immigration Overshoot and its Consequences While immigration was generally considered one way out of the demographic squeeze Canada has gone through because of its ageing population and labour shortages, there is a growing belief that it may have vershot.” With all the mass immigrations into Canada, infrastructures like housing and job markets are under high stress. Derek Holt, an economist at Bank of Nova Scotia, said that rapid immigration could have political and economic implications that reverberate well past the election cycle. “Canada took on too much immigration too fast, outpacing the capacity of the job market and infrastructure to keep pace,” Holt said in a recent report. That mismanagement could create public disgruntlement and make immigration an increasingly divisive political issue, especially as the country grapples with an escalating housing crisis. Responding to the Problem As the immigration challenge continues to unfold in Canada, the need for policymakers is to take quick and concrete actions that better balance demographic growth with work opportunities. It will be necessary to adjust immigration quotas, invest in infrastructure development, and incentivise businesses to hire more labour to keep on making Canada a feasible destination for those seeking economic stability. In the long run, providing avenues for international students and temporary workers to find permanent employment will be decisive for Canada’s prosperity. While it is doubtful that the Canadian labour market will slow down anytime soon, the demand for skilled labour is still in demand, and with the proper policies, it can once again become a land of opportunity for its newest residents. Conclusion While the population in Canada has been continuously growing, job creation cannot keep up with it, and that makes many newcomers suffer due to finding jobs. Whereas immigration has been one of the major affecting factors in economic growth, if the rate of influx is greater than the country’s job market and infrastructure can accommodate, it can result in a burden. Any correction to these challenges in immigration requires serious planning and policy adjustments to be able to accommodate the new settlers’ contribution and benefit from the country’s economy.

Biden legalisation program “Keeping Families Together” program, which allows immigrant spouses of U.S. citizens, has run into significant legal problems. A Texas judge, U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker, has left a temporary block on the program in place at least until September 23, in an apparent attempt to open the door to further legal challenges. It’s another salvo in the legal and political battles over U.S. immigration reform, especially since the issue of immigration has been prime heading into the 2024 elections. What is the Keeping Families Together Program ? The Biden administration looks to find a way to provide citizenship for immigrants who came into the country illegally but married U.S. citizens through the Keeping Families Together program. The program would keep roughly 500,000 immigrants from having to leave the country for a number of years while allowing them to adjust their status in-country. In addition, the program would confer benefits on some 50,000 children under age 21, who would be eligible for a U.S. citizen parent to be paroled, establishing a pathway to possible citizenship. Legal Challenge from Republican-Led States Despite the program’s notion to unite families, it saw immediate legal challenges from the get-go. Texas and 15 other Republican-controlled states have filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration on grounds that the program well oversteps his executive powers in serving as a workaround of current immigration law. The suit, joined by America First Legal, argues that the administration does not have the power to grant legal status to immigrants who have entered the country illegally.This leaves the program in judicial limbo until September 23 by way of Judge Barker’s decision to continue blocking the program. Both sides will, meanwhile, present further arguments on its behalf and maybe schedule a hearing for the fate of the program. Possible Impact on Immigrant Families Left to take effect, the Biden program to legalise immigrant spouses would profoundly impact the lives of immigrant families with spouses who have been in the United States for more than a decade without proper authorization. For many immigration spouses, it eliminates the necessity for them to leave the U.S. for years before reapplying for legal status—a process that could separate families for years. Meanwhile, the program’s future hangs in the balance, with families of immigrants who ought to have benefitted from this action waiting for the courts’ decisions. Politics and Consequences The legal challenges to Biden’s Keeping Families Together regime came as immigration has remained one of the top contentious issues in U.S. politics. With November 2024 elections looming, how this current battle sorts out is anything but certain to make a mark on voters in November. The program was announced by President Biden just before he stepped aside, asking Vice President Kamala Harris to take over his place in the presidential race. A class-action lawsuit filed against the program shows that immigration policy will surely be the divisive issue throughout the election cycle. Conclusion A temporary block was imposed by a Texas judge on Biden’s immigration policy, showing the struggle over immigration reform in the U.S. The Keeping Families Together program offers a pathway to US citizenship for tens of thousands of immigrant spouses, although it faces an uphill future because legal challenges drag on. The next couple of weeks may prove crucial in determining the program’s future and how much it might affect immigrant families and the wider debate on immigration.

Ireland Labour Market is in for a boost with the changes coming into force with the work permit rules on September 2. In this respect, the changes will form that important milestone to meet today’s needs in the labour market, as well as retaining highly valued foreign talent within the country. The revised, more flexible work permit regime is intended to cut red tape both for employers and workers by making the regime more responsive and efficient. Announcing the changes, Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment Peter Burke said, “These changes seek a balance between the demands of a responsive labour market while protecting the rights of employees.” Key Changes Under the New Flexible Work Permit Regulations Among several new regulations that were introduced, the following key changes have been made to the work permit system in Ireland to render it more flexible and accessible: Improved Worker Mobility : Included in these is the facility for some employment permit holders to change employers after nine months. This is an important development in worker mobility, where foreign workers can seek new employment with less constraint from an employer, and labour market needs within Ireland can be more responsive.Seasonal Work Permit : A new permit is to be issued for seasonal employment in those industries, knowing full well the particular needs of industries such as agriculture. This is intended for, say, the fruitpicking industry in those areas where there are normal concentrations of temporary laborers. The introduction of this permit will enable the employers in those industries to handle the workforce for that period of time without much delay in the process.Including Subcontractors : With a view to expanding the possibilities of foreign employees, subcontractors will now be allowed access to a work permit scheme. The consequence of this policy is that for those sectors particularly dependent on subcontracted labour, this would mean more potential individuals they might consider hiring, while at the same time giving foreign workers more avenues through which they could come to work in Ireland.Flexibility for Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors : The health sector, being one of the largest public services within Ireland, is to benefit from new flexibilities brought about by the revised rules. For instance, it will be permissible for non-consultant hospital doctors to be issued permits to work in more than one location. This would facilitate an easier distribution of medical professionals, thus raising the quality of health delivery throughout the country.Promotion without the need to reapply : Another major improvement concerns promoting permit holders for roles without needing to apply for a new permit. This cuts off bureaucracies for employers and employees since foreign workers can have an easier climb in their careers, and at the same time, employers can keep quality talent. New Quotes for Work PermitsBesides these flexible regulations on work permits, new quotas on employment permits have also been set up to focus on the following sectors facing labour shortages:Home care sector : In this sector, a quota of 500 permits has been allocated to address, among others, emerging needs driven by Ireland’s demographic ageing and to cater to the demand in home care services.Lineworkers : 250 permits to lineworkers will be made available for the energy sector-a very important decision, as ESB Networks is in dire need of contractors for its overhead line framework. This will go a long way in maintaining and developing Ireland’s energy infrastructure, which must keep up with the country’s growth and its needs regarding energy. Conclusion These new flexible work permit rules are a testimony to the progressive style of Ireland in managing the labour market. Along with the introduction of more flexible rules and quota increases in key sectors, the Irish Government is addressing not only immediate workforce shortages but also laying the foundation for the future that will contribute to a more resilient and inclusive labour market. These changes will therefore make Ireland even more competitive on the world stage, attracting international talent to its shores.

The recent legal development saw a Texas judge grant a temporary block to a central immigration reform policy introduced by the Biden administration. The policy in question streamlined the process for spouses of U.S. citizens to obtain legal status. Now, only months after its implementation, this policy has been put on hold. This ruling is the latest roadblock to President Biden’s more extensive campaign to revise the U.S. immigration system. Background: Biden’s Immigration Reform Policy In June 2024, President Joe Biden announced a new immigration reform that streamlines the legal path for immigrants who are married to U.S. citizens. The policy was projected to affect an estimated half a million people by allowing spouses to no longer have to leave the country when seeking legal residency, thus preventing family separations and one of the notoriously unwieldy bureaucratic processes that have given notoriety to the US immigration system. It applies to immigrants in the United States for at least a decade, married to U.S. citizens on June 17, 2024, and includes as many as 50,000 stepchildren of U.S. citizens. These would get work authorisation, be permitted to stay in the country, and pursue a green card. Legal Challenge and Ruling by a Texas Judge This policy, despite all the positives associated with it, instantly came under judicial scrutiny on legal grounds from Republican state attorneys general. Sixteen top state prosecutors, led by Texas, filed a lawsuit claiming that the policy imposes an undue financial burden on state resources in terms of healthcare, education, and law enforcement. These states said their budgets would be stretched by the increased immigrants who would be entitled to benefits from the policy, costing them millions of dollars in public services. On Monday, Judge J. Campbell Barker of Texas addressed those concerns in issuing a 14-day administrative stay that for now blocks the policy from taking effect. Judge Barker wrote that the plaintiffs’ allegations were serious enough that they deserved more careful consideration than the court had so far been able to give. He explained that the stay granted was temporary and did not amount to the court’s decision in the case at the stage of final judgement. Issues Arising From the Decision That legal battle will strip away a temporary stay that temporarily blocks Biden’s immigration reform policy. For now, while it is considered that the Department of Homeland Security may still be receiving applications for “parole in place” status, the donning of the status itself has been put on hold. In this condition, many immigrant families are torn between hope and despair. The expedited hearing schedule proposed by the court suggests that the litigation will unfold at a breathtaking pace and that the stay may remain in place well into mid-October. That also brackets the timeframe surrounding the November presidential election, in which immigration could be a key issue. The larger political context The deep-seated political divide on immigration between Democrats and Republicans broke into open hostility since a federal court stayed Biden’s immigration reform. Through his presidency, Biden has taken a seesaw approach towards maintaining immigration reform while at the same time enforcing current laws. The approach taken by the administration has met entrenched opposition from Republican-led states and conservative groups, who argue that this policy encourages illegal immigration. Immigration has remained a central theme in the platform of former President Donald Trump as he campaigns for a return to the White House and portrays the U.S. as under siege by what he describes as a migrant “invasion.” The legal battle over Biden’s policy underlines the high stakes in the debate over immigration as the country heads into the 2024 election. Conclusion: The Future of Biden’s Immigration Reform Another important moment in the overall contentious debate about U.S. immigration policy is the suspension of Biden’s immigration reform, which grants work permits to spouses of U.S. citizens. As the case winds its way through the courts, immigrant families, state governments, and the future of U.S. immigration reform alike will immediately feel the ramifications of the decision. For the time being, the policy’s future remains in limbo, but the expedited legal process implies a possible resolution in the coming weeks.

The EB-5 Investor Program has, over time, been a popular means through which international investors seek to obtain permanent residency in the United States. This year, there have been overhauling reforms instituted by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services on the EB-5 process. These reforms are aimed at bringing more transparency to the EB-5 process, simplifying procedures, and securing a future for the EB-5 Program. As such, anyone looking to invest in the U.S. investor visa will, therefore, need to know what these changes are and make informed decisions. Reauthorisation of the Regional Centre Program Among the key reforms that place in the EB-5 program, the reauthorisation of the Regional Centre Program, according to the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022, took precedence. This program lapsed in 2021 and allowed investors to pool their resources into large projects with support from a designated regional center. The reauthorisation of the program emphatically sets in concrete its role of offering structured and arguably lower-risk opportunities for investment in the U.S. real estate and infrastructure sectors. To investors, this means access to well-organised projects offering a more secure path towards obtaining residency in the U.S. Increased filing fees and faster processing times As of April 1, 2024, USCIS has increased the EB-5 petition filing fees 200% for Form I-526E. In return, the increase in filling fees aims to compensate for the growing administrative burden and simultaneous reduction of the processing time. More costly, the EB-5 investment changes remain one of the faster paths to U.S. citizenship compared with other options and are therefore highly competitive for international investors. Priority Date Retention One major update for EB-5 investors: the availability of priority date retention. Under the new law, investors are able to retain their original priority date if they have to refile their petition. This means investors in high-demand countries—like China and India, which may have quite long visa backlogs—can save their place in the line in case a denial or other setback on their petition requires a refile. Compliance and Integrity In order to protect its mission of job creation and economic development, the RIA has developed and put in place strict measures for compliance and integrity. This will involve thorough background checks of all regional centres, NCEs, and JCEs. This will further be accompanied by a requirement on regional centres to file annual compliance certifications that include comprehensive job creation and investor fund status reports. In addition, USCIS has expanded its random audits and site visits capacity to verify that investments are being appropriately managed and job creation benchmarks are realized. Together, these features enhance the program’s security and reliability, building more confidence in the process on the part of investors in the U.S. investor visa process. Increased Scrutiny in the Interview Process Also, the interview stage in the consular processing under USCIS is much more scrutinized. Applicants have to file more voluminous documentation to prove that their investment will, in fact, meet the requirements under EB-5; in addition, detailed questioning is also done in interviews conducted. Again, this ensures another layer to protect and make sure everything is well-documented and meets all the regulations set by the USCIS. Introduction of the Regional Centre Integrity Fund Further enhancing the integrity of the EB-5 program, in an effort to promote its overall and complete integrity, USCIS established what has been termed the Regional Centre Integrity Fund. The purpose of this fund is to underwrite monitoring and oversight of regional centres to ensure each operates within the letter and intent of all applicable legal and regulatory demands. Moving forward, regional centres must pay into this fund, which underwrites investigations, audits, and similar activities. This fund creation speaks volumes about the commitment of USCIS towards keeping the EB-5 program efficient, transparent, and secure. Changes to investment thresholds, TEA designations, and visa reservations The RIA has also promoted dramatic changes to the EB-5 program reforms with respect to investment thresholds and TEA designations. While the minimum investment amount increased for TEA projects from $500,000 to $800,000, it increased for projects in non-TEA to $1,050,000. Thirdly, the legislation reduced the loose strings on TEA designation, thus raising the threshold for projects to qualify for the low investment threshold. Incentives have been introduced into the program to incentivize investment in targeted areas. These have visa set-asides for projects in rural areas at 20%, high-unemployment areas at 10%, and infrastructure projects at 2%. These are given priority treatment in terms of speedier processing in order to make those locations more attractive to take EB-5 investment. Concurrent Filing and Adjustment of Status This means that an international investor will concurrently be able to have the benefit of being able to file both Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Investor, and Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. This change now allows investors who are already in the U.S. on some other visa to apply for a green card while the EB-5 petition is pending. That is, today, with shorter queues for the processing of legal work and the sanctioning of travel, investors have a waiting period of 3-6 months, which makes access to a U.S. investor visa much easier. Conclusion: Navigating the EB-5 Program’s Future The reforms carried out in the EB-5 program at USCIS under the RIA of 2022 made the program a little bit pricier and cumbersome but also more secure and transparent. These changes need to be carefully thought out and planned by international investors. However, the main advantages the program can boast of-integration directly into permanent residency and, further on, into U.S. citizenship-make it even more tempting. In this respect, awareness and adaptability regarding changes are the guarantors for an effective journey through changeable conditions of the EB-5 program.

Germany skilled immigration policy now finds itself at a fork in the road, where the country’s economic future is literally balanced on a knife’s edge between attracting highly qualified foreign workers and avoiding anti-immigrant backlash. Its population is aging, and its workforce is dwindling; never has it been more urgent to bring in economic migrants into the most vital roles. But the recent rise of far-right political movements, as well as isolated incidents with foreign nationals, heated up the debate over immigration and challenged Germany’s ability to meet its labor needs. Immigration of Skills into Germany Demographic problems in Germany are well documented. The retiring baby boomer generation has left the country with a crippling labour shortage that acts as a hindrance to economic growth. It requires an estimated number of some 400,000 skilled migrants annually to fill the gaping holes in sectors like engineering, medicine, and logistics. Because of falling productivity and a shrinking workforce, the potential economic growth of the country could stagnate at just 0.4% per year for the rest of the decade. In its turn, the German authorities have already introduced several reforms aiming at making the country more attractive for skilled labour migrants: “Opportunity Cards,” allowing a non-EU national to live in Germany for 12 months in search of a job without needing to have an employment contract lined up in advance, and there are also plans for temporary cuts in income tax for skilled foreign workers during their first three years in Germany as a measure to incentivise more migrations. Growing Anti-Immigrant Sentiment and Mounting Political Opposition Yet, these are being hindered by a growing tide of anti-immigrant feeling from within. The far-right Alternative for Germany party makes huge gains in most parts of the country, most of all in the east, where it is well-placed to make further large gains in regional elections this month. Co-leader Alice Weidel wants a moratorium on immigration for five years—a reflection of growing public fears about how immigration is affecting safety and social cohesion. Incidents like the knife attack, for which a Syrian asylum seeker was the suspect, have fomented public fears and are feeding growing resistance to immigration. Such mainstream political figures as opposition conservative leader Friedrich Merz also have called for tougher immigration controls and a halt to taking in refugees from Afghanistan and Syria. It is a remarkable turn from the optimism in 2015, when then Chancellor Angela Merkel famously uttered, “Wir schaffen das” (“We’ll manage this”), after hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers entered the country. Immigration Restrictions and Economic Consequences Yet, despite the rising anti-immigrant rhetoric, it is a luxury Germany cannot afford to stop foreign workers from coming. The economy is already showing signs of strain, and the second successive year of stagnation is forecast. With inexpensive Russian gas withheld from the country and China, too, cooling its demand for its capital goods, Germany’s economic position within the eurozone is weakening. Besides that, the pay-as-you-go pension system of the country is increasingly strained. As the population of working age decreases, financing pensions of retirees will rise and may ultimately lead to a budget shortfall. The International Monetary Fund identifies increased immigration as one way to offset such economic effects. Conclusion Germany’s future prosperity hangs on how well the country juggles the complex dynamics of immigration. While laudable, efforts by the government to attract skilled migrants may readily be derailed by growing public opposition. What the country needs is to find a fine balance between responding to valid concerns about immigration and ensuring that it can attract the foreign talent it needs to help keep its economy going. If not, the consequences of such an effect might ripple for generations to come in both social and economic circles.

( USCIS ) U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has updated the Policy Manual with new guidance that substantially impacts F and M nonimmigrant students engaging in Optional Practical Training in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The new policy is effective immediately and includes sections addressing online study, transfers of school, grace period, and study abroad. Key Changes to OPT Eligibility and Application ProcessThe new guidance has brought some major clarifications regarding OPT eligibility. Students with completed associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees in a STEM field can apply for post-completion OPT. This extension is quite significant for students who wish to seek practical work experience in the United States after the completion of their academic programs. A major update is the specification of the application period for STEM OPT extensions. USCIS has now outlined a specific time frame within which students can apply for these extensions so as to better inform both the students and institutions of higher learning for preparation. Online Study and Course Credit Flexibility Noting the trend of learning online on the rise, USCIS has shifted its policy to be able to accommodate this kind of education. Students, under this changed policy, will now have the ability to consider one class or up to three credits per academic session toward their full course of study if the class is conducted online or through distance learning that does not require them to be physically present on campus. This creates room for flexibility in the case of an international student who has to balance between online courses and traditional face-to-face classes. Transfer of Schools and Educational Level Changes Another new policy introduced by the USCIS allows more flexibility in transferring schools and changing between educational levels. Students are allowed to transfer from one U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-certified school to another at the same level of education, such as another bachelor’s or master’s program. In addition, students can move between different levels of education, which expands the options for continuing education without reapplying to obtain a new visa status. Grace Period Options Extended One of the most viewed changes is the increased flexibility during the 60-day grace period following the completion of an authorised period of post-completion OPT. During this time, students could change their educational level, transfer to another SEVP-certified school, or apply for a change to a different nonimmigrant or immigrant status. Students in this case would be able to think deeply about what is next instead of feeling the stress of an impending deadline. Guidelines for the Study Abroad Program The USCIS has also offered some clarification regarding students in study abroad programs. Students at SEVP-certified schools may remain in active status in SEVIS if their study abroad program will last less than five months. In programs that would extend beyond five months, students would be considered to be taking a leave of absence and would have to obtain a new Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. Conclusion The new USCIS guidelines are indeed a step in the right direction with regard to the clarity and flexibility extended toward international students of STEM disciplines in the handling of their academic and professional sojourn in the U.S. These updates are not only beneficial for those already undertaking this OPT journey but also for those who will plan their future studies and careers in these fields.

Canada has shut down a program that allowed those here on visitor visas to apply for a work permit from within the country in what some are calling a major rethink of the country’s policies around temporary residents. The policy had been in place since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic to help those visitors who became stranded. A new policy has since been axed in line with Canada’s general plan to maintain its immigration system while regulating the level of temporary foreign workers. Overview of Canada’s Work Permit Policy Change For people in Canada on a visitor visa, this policy, effective from 2020, allowed them to apply for a work permit without leaving the country. This was particularly useful for those who could realise this opportunity and would not have to go home because of the border lockdown caused by the pandemic. As well, the policy allowed workers who, in the past 12 months from the time of holding a work permit and had altered their immigration status in Canada to “visitor,” to continue working legally in Canada pending a decision on the new work permit application. It was first scheduled to sunset on February 28, 2025, but IRCC has recently put forward its early closure; it is effective immediately. Applications received prior to August 28, 2024, will continue to be processed, but no new applications will be received under this provision. The changes reflect Canada’s ever-evolving immigration policies that intend to adjust the inflow of temporary residents. Why Canada Ended the Work Permit Policy for Visitor Visa Holders The early axing of the policy comes at a time when there are concerns that this provision is being abused by “bad actors” who mislead foreign nationals into working in Canada without proper authorization. In its idea, to the IRCC, it was supposed to be a temporary relief during the pandemic, but this has turned out to create a loophole that would indeed act as a threat to the integrity of Canada’s immigration system. This is some sort of balanced step for the Canadian government in embracing temporary workers while trying to maintain an orderly process of immigration. In addition, this will enable the government to curb unsanctioned individuals working within the country by revocating such policy in order to preserve the integrity of both the labour market and the immigration system of Canada. Wider Changes by Canada to Temporary Foreign Worker Numbers The early termination of the work permit policy is part of a larger shift in Canada’s approach to managing temporary foreign workers. On top of that, ESDC announced more measures to reduce the number of temporary foreign workers in Canada on August 26, 2024. These are accompanied by fundamental changes to the TFWP, especially the low-wage stream. Pause of Processing Applications—As a result of the changes, Canada has temporarily stopped processing some LMIA applications in the low-wage stream for those applicants who fall under a Census Metropolitan Area with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher. The action would take effect on September 26, 2024, and would prioritise Canadians in regions with higher unemployment rates by reducing dependence on temporary foreign labour. New maximum limits have been imposed by the government on the share of the percentage of temporary employees that Canadian employers can hire through the TFWP. Employers will be allowed a maximum of just 10% of their workforce as temporary foreign workers. It is in this background that further slashing of maximum time duration for the workforce in the low-wage stream has been done—from two to one year, thereby tightening the noose of dependency on the temporary foreign workers. Impact on Employers and Migrant Workers The rollback of the work permit policy and the wider changes to the TFWP will affect both employers and foreign nationals. Employers, especially in those industries that generally employ large numbers of foreign low-wage workers, are likely to face problems in maintaining the optimal staffing levels complemented by deft workers. The majority of the businesses are under limits to the numbers of temporary foreign workers to whom they can offer employment terms, which have been cut down in length; thus, they have to adapt to a more restrictive labour market. These changes are indicative of a more demanding immigration scenario for foreign workers. Termination of the policy that enabled work permits to be applied for from inside Canada will mean that visa holders who hold visitor visas will have to return to their home country to apply for a work permit. The process will, therefore, become that much more cumbersome and expensive. Indeed, the TFWP has been further tightened overall, which indicates the shifting priorities towards domestic workers and increased immigration control within Canada. Conclusion The decision to terminate the policy of allowing visitor visa holders to apply for work permits from within the country is a strong indication that Canada is, indeed, going to keep its immigration system in a state of check and balance. As much as this policy was a relief during the pandemic, its early termination shows a greater plan directed toward level management on temporary foreign workers while protecting the Canadian labor market.