Immigration updates

Visas, Immigration & Nationality

UK Updates English Test Requirements for UK Visas and Citizenship

To get a UK visa or citizenship, you need to pass an English test to show you can communicate in everyday situations. Knowing English helps people settle in more easily, find jobs, study, and use public services. The UK Home Office has updated its list of approved English tests for people applying for visas or…
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Brazil Tightens Travel Rules for North American and Australian Visitors

As of April 10, 2025, travellers from Australia, Canada, and the United States will need a visa to enter Brazil. This move ends a six-year visa-free policy and comes as part of Brazil’s reciprocity principle, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The government emphasised that Brazil does not offer unilateral visa exemptions, and it…
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Post-Brexit Shopping: What Travellers Must Know

Belgium’s customs service is reminding travellers that post-Brexit shopping rules apply when returning from the UK.  With the UK no longer in the EU, customs checks now cover all travellers, including those arriving by train, boat or plane. Duties and taxes are based on the total value of the goods, including any VAT already paid…
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UK Holidaymakers Warned as Italy Braces for Strikes

Holidaymakers heading to Italy this week may face travel disruptions due to a nationwide general strike on March 8, affecting air, rail, and road travel.  Supported by the SLAI-COBAS, CUB, and USI-CIT unions, the strike could impact flights, particularly with British Airways, EasyJet, and Ryanair, affecting 8,000 to 11,000 passengers. Major routes like London-Rome, London-Milan,…
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Impact of International Student Numbers on UK Migration and Economy

Official data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals that 728,000 people migrated to the UK in the year ending June 2024 which is a 20% decline compared to the revised figure of 906,000 for the previous year. This drop was sharper than initially expected, reflecting recent policy changes impacting migration patterns. Among those…
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