Category: Americas

Visas, Immigration & Nationality

US Passport Processing Gets a Boost: Reduced Waiting Times

US Passport processing times have been reduced for the second time since early October, according to the US State Department. The passport processing times are now down to 7 to 10 weeks. That’s down from eight to 11 weeks in early October. Expedited service will take between three and five weeks, dropping from five to…
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UK Launches Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) System for Qatari Travellers

The UK government has committed to completing the digitisation of its borders by 2025. The UK has launched the ETA system, an electronic travel authorisation system meant to ease the admission process for visa-free travellers from diverse countries. The implementation of this system will take place in stages, with different nationalities targeted. The system is…
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Canada Introduced Fast Track Work Permits for Filipinos

The Canadian government is helping Canadian employers efficiently hire the workers they need to fill jobs and grow the economy. In a recent announcement, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, Marc Miller, unveiled a groundbreaking initiative called “CAN Work Philippines.”  This new pilot program has introduced quick-access work permits in the Philippines. The program…
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Israelis Can Now Apply for ESTA Under the Visa Waiver Program

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that Israeli passport holders will be able to apply for the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) starting October 19, 2023. On September 27, 2023, the United States welcomed Israel to its Visa Waiver Programme. The original effective date for Israelis’ eligibility for ESTA was November 30,…
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EU Proposes Tougher Visa Suspension Rules To Address Security Concerns

The European Commission has proposed sharpening its visa suspension rules to address the “abuse” of visa-free travel in Europe. The revised rules would give the EU more flexibility to temporarily suspend its visa-free travel schemes, including when it considers that third countries’ policies could lead to increased migrant arrivals to the EU. Speaking on Wednesday,…
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