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Visas, Immigration & Nationality

EU Decides Against New Border Controls Amid Mpox Concerns

According to European Health authorities, additional border controls in the EU are an unnecessary response to the latest Mpox variant  (Monkeypox), citing the virus’s low risk to the wider population. During a recent meeting, the Health Security Committee (HSC) of the European Commission, in collaboration with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)…
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EU Confirms November 2024 Launch Date for New Entry/Exit System

The European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), designed to enhance border checks for non-EU visitors, is set to launch on November 10, 2024. EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson confirmed the date, marking the first time the EU has provided a specific launch date for this new digital border system. Previously, the rollout was vaguely…
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Sweden To Lower Salary Requirement for EU Blue Card

Sweden’s government has decided to reduce the minimum salary needed to qualify for an EU Blue Card by 10,000 kronor per month. This move aligns Swedish law with the EU’s updated Blue Card Directive, aimed at attracting more high-skilled workers to the European Union. Maria Malmer Stenergard, Sweden’s Migration Minister, emphasised that this change is…
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UK Government Upholds Restrictions On International Student Visas

International students planning to study in the UK are now facing tougher visa restrictions, continuing a policy introduced by the previous Conservative government. One of the most significant changes is that most students are no longer allowed to bring family members with them. The current Labour government, through Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, has made it…
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New Zealand To Increase Visa Fees In October

The New Zealand government has announced a significant increase in visa fees set to take effect in October, aiming to generate over NZ$500 million in revenue over the next four years. The fee hike will affect various visa categories, including student, work, and visitor visas.  The most notable change is for student visas, which will…
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