New Developments In Worldwide Immigration: Stay Current With The Latest Updates

[editor]

Recent developments from various countries as of December 18, 2023. Here's a summary:

Canada's International Experience Canada 2024 Program Opens

• Canada has launched its 2024 International Experience Canada (IEC) Program, effective December 11, 2023.
• Approximately 90,000 youths from partner countries can participate, with applications now open.
• The IEC, a reciprocal program for 18-35-year-olds, has expanded partnerships, including new ones with Finland, Iceland, Ukraine, and updated agreements with South Korea and the UK.

China Announces Visa Fee Reduction

• From December 11, 2023, to December 31, 2024, China has reduced visa fees by 25%.
• In the U.S., this means a decrease from USD 185 to USD 140 for various types of visas.

Denmark Updates Income Statistics for Visa Applications

• Effective January 1, 2024, Denmark's SIRI will use updated income statistics for visa application assessments.
• New statistics, based on Q3 2023 data, will apply to applications submitted after December 31, 2023.
• The minimum salary requirement is set at DKK 67,812.50 per month.

Finland Faces Backlog in Family Application Processing

• The Finnish Immigration Service reports a significant backlog in family-based applications, with an expected 40,000 applications pending in 2023.
• Despite the backlog, over 60% of applications are decided in less than three months.

Ireland Facilitates Christmas Travel for Non-EU/EEA Nationals

• Ireland's Immigration Services Delivery acknowledges a processing backlog and issues a Travel Confirmation Notice.
• The notice allows travel with an expired IRP card if a renewal application is submitted.

New Zealand's 90-Day Trial Periods Update

• The government plans to extend 90-day trial periods to all employers, excluding accredited employers and AEWV holders.
• Accredited employers can't use trial periods in employment agreements from October 29, 2023.

Switzerland Consults on Schengen Visa Digitization

• Switzerland is consulting on legislation to digitize Schengen visas, aligning with the EU's new regulation.
• The digital visa process is expected to start in 2024, with full implementation by 2028.

U.S. Updates on Conditional Permanent Residence and H-1B Cap

• USCIS updates guidance on family-based conditional permanent residence.
• The U.S. has reached its H-1B visa cap for FY 2024, continuing to process exempt petitions.

Filing Location Changes for U.S. Forms

• From December 15, 2023, USCIS changes the filing location for Form I-907 for pending Form I-140 to appropriate lockboxes.

These updates reflect significant changes in global immigration policies, impacting visa applicants and holders across these countries.

The article summarizing the latest updates in global immigration from various countries, including Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the United States, presents several advantages and disadvantages:

​

Pros:​

1. Comprehensive Coverage: The article provides a broad overview of immigration updates from multiple countries, offering a wide spectrum of information relevant to a diverse audience.
2. Timely and Current: By including the latest updates as of December 2023, the article ensures that the information is current and relevant for those affected by these immigration policies.
3. Detailed Information: It offers specific details about each country’s changes, such as visa fee reductions in China and the opening of Canada's International Experience Canada program, which can be invaluable for individuals planning to travel or migrate.
4. Utility for Various Stakeholders: The article is useful for a range of stakeholders, including potential immigrants, legal professionals, and policy analysts, by providing insights into current trends and changes in global immigration policies.
5. Clarity: The structured format, with each country’s updates presented separately, makes the information easy to follow and understand.

Cons:​

1. Lack of Depth in Analysis: While the article provides an overview of changes, it lacks in-depth analysis of the implications of these updates, which might be necessary for readers to fully understand the impact on their specific situations.
2. Potential Overload of Information: The breadth of information covering multiple countries and various aspects of immigration might be overwhelming for some readers, especially if they are only interested in specific countries or updates.
3. No Contextual Background: The article does not provide much context or background about why these changes have been made, which could be important for understanding the bigger picture of global immigration trends.
4. No Guidance on Next Steps: For individuals directly affected by these changes, the article does not offer guidance on how to proceed or adapt to these new policies.
5. Possibility of Rapid Changes: Immigration policies are subject to frequent changes, so the information, while current as of December 2023, may quickly become outdated.

Overall, the article serves as a useful summary of recent global immigration updates, offering valuable information for a wide audience, but it could benefit from more in-depth analysis and guidance for affected individuals.

 

[adamhholmes]

Canada's International Experience Canada (IEC) Program is a game-changer. They’ve expanded their partnerships, which means more young professionals can now apply. And for those wondering, this program is a reciprocal one. So, if your country’s included, you’re in luck! Also, the visa fee reduction from China—finally! It’s about time they adjusted it.

 

[nickdev]

Canada's International Experience Canada (IEC) Program is a game-changer. They’ve expanded their partnerships, which means more young professionals can now apply. And for those wondering, this program is a reciprocal one. So, if your country’s included, you’re in luck! Also, the visa fee reduction from China—finally! It’s about time they adjusted it.

Does this mean that if I’m 35, I can still apply for the IEC program? I heard there are some age restrictions but not sure if they’re strict on that. Also, do you think the backlog in Finland will affect those looking to reunite with family quickly?

 

[steven.harrington]

Does this mean that if I’m 35, I can still apply for the IEC program? I heard there are some age restrictions but not sure if they’re strict on that. Also, do you think the backlog in Finland will affect those looking to reunite with family quickly?

The age range for the IEC program is indeed 18 to 35 years, but it varies slightly depending on your country’s agreement with Canada. Some countries allow participation until age 30, while others extend it to 35. You’ll need to check the specific rules for your country. As for Finland’s backlog, it’s definitely causing delays, but according to the Immigration Service, they’re handling most applications within three months, despite the pending cases.

 

[koechamos]

The age range for the IEC program is indeed 18 to 35 years, but it varies slightly depending on your country’s agreement with Canada. Some countries allow participation until age 30, while others extend it to 35. You’ll need to check the specific rules for your country. As for Finland’s backlog, it’s definitely causing delays, but according to the Immigration Service, they’re handling most applications within three months, despite the pending cases.

Oh wow, thanks for the info! Do you think it’s still worth applying to Finland now with the backlog? It sounds risky!

 

[cmarchan]

i tink appliying in Finland IS alwys wurth IT, dey are fast wen Dey clear BACKLOGS nd 3 Months is NOT that bad

 

[vivienne]

i tink appliying in Finland IS alwys wurth IT, dey are fast wen Dey clear BACKLOGS nd 3 Months is NOT that bad

I agree with you. The Finnish system seems pretty reliable overall. Backlogs happen everywhere, but they tend to catch up. It’s not the worst!

 

[mike1985]

I agree with you. The Finnish system seems pretty reliable overall. Backlogs happen everywhere, but they tend to catch up. It’s not the worst!

Well, Vivienne, backlogs might not seem like a big deal, but if you're waiting to reunite with family, even three months feels like forever. Plus, countries like Ireland and Finland are notorious for unpredictable processing times. Just saying!

 

[keith]

Well, Vivienne, backlogs might not seem like a big deal, but if you're waiting to reunite with family, even three months feels like forever. Plus, countries like Ireland and Finland are notorious for unpredictable processing times. Just saying!

Yeah, Finland’s backlog might be frustrating, but it’s not uncommon. Immigration policies are always evolving, and sometimes it’s about timing your application right. That said, if the processing time stretches, it could become a significant issue for many.

 

[jason51]

Yeah, Finland’s backlog might be frustrating, but it’s not uncommon. Immigration policies are always evolving, and sometimes it’s about timing your application right. That said, if the processing time stretches, it could become a significant issue for many.

Timing is everything, especially when you factor in policy shifts like Denmark updating their income statistics for visas. It's not just about applying; it's about knowing the thresholds, timing it with these updates, and being prepared for longer waits in countries dealing with backlogs like Finland. There’s definitely a strategy to this!