Category: Americas

Visas, Immigration & Nationality

Is Flying Still the Safest Form of Transport?

Aviation safety has once again come under scrutiny following a recent Delta Airlines crash landing in Toronto. While no fatalities occurred, the accident has reignited concerns over air travel safety, particularly in light of several high-profile aviation incidents in recent months. Despite recent events, experts affirm that flying remains the safest form of transportation. Although…
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Staff Reductions at US Embassies in 2025: Longer Visa Wait Times

In 2025, US embassies worldwide are facing significant changes due to a mandated 10% reduction in staff. This cut affects both American diplomats and locally employed personnel, leading to a ripple effect on visa processing times and other consular services.  Additionally, the newly introduced executive order, “One Voice for America’s Foreign Relations,” aims to centralise…
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Cuba Reinstated On US Terror List

Shortly after taking office, US President Donald Trump reversed former President Joe Biden’s policy by restoring Cuba’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism. As a result, travellers who have visited Cuba since January 12, 2021, are no longer eligible for ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation). Instead, they must apply for a traditional US…
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US Stops Issuing Gender-Neutral ‘X’ Passports

The United States (US) government has halted the issuance of gender-neutral “X” passports, rolling back a policy introduced under the Biden administration. The decision has left many applicants in limbo, awaiting further guidance on the status of their pending applications and previously issued passports. The move comes after President Donald Trump signed an executive order…
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Trump Moves to End Automatic Citizenship For  US-Born Children

On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled “Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship,” aimed at ending automatic citizenship for children born in the United States, commonly known as birthright citizenship. The order states that US citizenship will only be granted to children born to at least one parent…
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