Immigration News
US deports record 483,200 migrants in 2026 as Trump steps up crackdown
Deportations up 78%t from 2024 but are below the President's target of one million removals annually
 "US deports record 483,200 migrants in 2026 as Trump steps up crackdown")
Canada makes rural immigration route permanent, reserves 5,500 PR spots
Pathway to Canadian permanent residency starts Jan 1, meant for 'skilled workers in occupations facing labour shortages in smaller communities'
 "Canada makes rural immigration route permanent, reserves 5,500 PR spots")
Govt overhauls visa regime, cuts categories from 13 to 9: Check details
The overhaul reduces visa sub-categories from 49 to 23 and cuts application form fields by 65-70 per cent, with changes covering tourism, medical treatment, education and business
 "Govt overhauls visa regime, cuts categories from 13 to 9: Check details")
India cuts visa categories to 9, trims application fields by up to 70%
New rules cover visitors, students, medical travellers and business professionals, with the revised system due by year-end
 "India cuts visa categories to 9, trims application fields by up to 70%")
A US job is no longer enough: Indians now face a new immigration challenge
A wage-weighted visa lottery, rising employer costs and a long Green Card queue are changing the immigration equation. Is the EB-5 investor visa a viable alternative?
 "A US job is no longer enough: Indians now face a new immigration challenge")
New Zealand tightens rules for families with children staying unlawfully
New policy applies to residence applications filed from November 12, with limited exemptions for permanent residents, certain visa categories and custody-related cases
 "New Zealand tightens rules for families with children staying unlawfully")
Dreaming of Europe? These powerful-passport countries may disappoint you
A strong passport can't buy happiness: Spain, Italy trail Nordic nations
 "Dreaming of Europe? These powerful-passport countries may disappoint you")
Brazil opens temporary work route for foreign 'mega-event' workers: Details
The scheme covers employment and technical assistance roles, with applications processed through Brazil's MigranteWeb portal
 "Brazil opens temporary work route for foreign 'mega-event' workers: Details")
Oman opens new residency route for foreign investors, property owners
The move aims to reinforce the efforts of the Government of the Sultanate of Oman to strengthen the investment environment, enhance the competitiveness of Special Economic Zones and Free Zones
 "Oman opens new residency route for foreign investors, property owners")
Saudi Arabia tightens hiring rules: Saudization salary bar to rise by 2028
The revised rules will change how companies count Saudi employees, potentially affecting recruitment, salary budgets and opportunities for expatriates
 "Saudi Arabia tightens hiring rules: Saudization salary bar to rise by 2028")
US immigration row: Democrats gear up to challenge Trump's crackdown
Democrats plan congressional investigations into ICE operations and alleged abuses; Trump's deportation drive faces major political and legal hurdles
 "US immigration row: Democrats gear up to challenge Trump's crackdown")
Australia tightens training visa rules: Applicants must apply from overseas
Australia makes offshore applications mandatory for Training visa from Nov 12
 "Australia tightens training visa rules: Applicants must apply from overseas")
Trump admits US immigration crackdown was 'too tough' after poll defeat
Trump acknowledges backlash over deportations as voters question treatment of undocumented workers contributing to the US economy
 "Trump admits US immigration crackdown was 'too tough' after poll defeat")
US visa, PERM worries push up IT companies' subcontracting bill
Subcontracting costs at eight Indian IT firms rise to 11.3% of revenue as immigration curbs and talent shortages increase reliance on locally hired workers
 "US visa, PERM worries push up IT companies' subcontracting bill")
US visa curbs: Will Indian IT firms shift more technology work offshore?
US visa restrictions and the PERM suspension are adding pressure on Indian IT firms to rethink workforce strategies, potentially accelerating the shift towards offshore technology delivery
 "US visa curbs: Will Indian IT firms shift more technology work offshore?")
Canada to grant permanent residency to 200,000 temporary residents by 2027
Prime Minister Mark Carney's government plans a one-time transition for up to 200,000 temporary residents to permanent status by the end of 2027, over and above its annual immigration targets
 "Canada to grant permanent residency to 200,000 temporary residents by 2027")
New passport rules for foreigners in India: Key exemptions explained
Changes cover select Pakistani nationals, minority refugees, Sri Lankan Tamils and Tibetans, with separate travel relaxations for Nepalese and Bhutanese citizens
 "New passport rules for foreigners in India: Key exemptions explained")
US midterm results unlikely to bring immediate H-1B visa relief: Lawyers
Immigration lawyers say the US midterm results could strengthen congressional scrutiny of Trump's visa restrictions, but immediate relief on H-1B visas and PERM rules remains unlikely.
 "US midterm results unlikely to bring immediate H-1B visa relief: Lawyers")
UK Home Secretary sets out new settlement rules for migrants: What to know
Standard settlement waiting period will double to 10 years, with faster routes for high earners and select workers.
 "UK Home Secretary sets out new settlement rules for migrants: What to know")
Air Suvidha Form mandatory for all arrivals in India: Here's how to fill it
All passengers, including Indian citizens and foreign nationals, must submit the online health declaration 24 hours before arrival
 "Air Suvidha Form mandatory for all arrivals in India: Here's how to fill it")