The UK Border Agency has completed its review of the criteria to become a Highly Trusted Sponsor (HTS) under Tier 4 of the points-based system. We are now inviting comments on the proposed new criteria. From April 2012, all Tier 4 sponsors must obtain HTS status. By the end of…
Reflecting the importance of the United States’ diplomatic relationship with Malta, Chargé Richard M. Mills, Jr. dedicated the new United States Embassy facility in Valletta today. Malta’s President, George Abela; Prime Minister, Lawrence Gonzi; and Office Director of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO), Patrick…
Kenyans planning to travel to USA may soon be required to prove that they have basic knowledge of how life ‘actually’ is in America before they are issued with travel visas. Proof, to be in the form of some kind of ‘certificate of induction’ issued after attending Basic Information sessions…
U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced it will no longer offer parole to Lautenberg category members who are denied refugee status in Moscow. Individuals who have been offered parole by USCIS in Moscow must make plans to arrive in the United States by Sept. 30, 2011. A…
Spain, Europe’s second-most visited country after France, aims to welcome one million Chinese tourists in 2020, the government said recently. The country received 89,523 Chinese tourists in 2009, the last year for which figures are available, and Tourism Minister Miguel Sebastian said this figure should rise to 300,000 in 2012.…
Here are few significant changes to the Tier 4 student route of the points-based system have come into effect from July 4, 2011: – restrict work entitlements, by only allowing students sponsored by higher education institutions (HEIs) and publicly funded further education colleges to work part-time during term time and…
The Embassy of Indonesia in Baghdad is getting reopened. The Iraqi Deputy Foreign Minister, Labib Abbawi, welcomed the Indonesian reactivation team’s visit on 29 June 2011. The team delivered a Letter of Introduction (LOI) from the Indonesian Foreign Minister to the Iraqi Foreign Minister. The LOI constitutes the appointment of…
The UAE extended the visa period of property owners to three years from six months in a move to re-ignite investor confidence the real estate sector. The decision, part of a raft of measures taken by the government to underpin economic growth as per the strategic plan 2011-2013, was taken…
The Short-stay Visa Waiver Program was announced by the Government as part of its Jobs Initiative with a view to promoting tourism from emerging markets. It is due to commence on 1 July 2011. The program will run as a pilot up to end October 2012 but may be amended…
Immigration New Zealand advises foreign nationals unable to leave New Zealand because of the Chilean ash cloud and whose visas expire in the meantime that, even though they may become unlawfully in New Zealand, no action will be taken against them while the disruption continues. However, there is a clear…