Visas - Expat Magazine
Labor shortages and demographic crises are driving states around the globe to reform their immigration policies. While some are introducing new visa policies to attract and retain expatriates on their territories, not all foreigners are treated equally. Let's have a closer look at the latest measures and how they affect international travelers, workers and students alike.
While the European Commission is fighting to put an end to the Golden Visa within the European Union, other states are keen on pursuing the Golden passport adventure. As a means of attracting foreign investors while boosting the economy, the Golden Visa continues to appeal to a range of expatriates, not just the wealthiest. So how do you qualify for a Golden Visa if you're not an investor?
In multiple Western countries, prospective international students from Africa face visa rejection rates of over 30-50%. Data from Canada, the United States and France show extremely different visa acceptance rates for international students from different parts of the world – even if they've all been accepted by recognized universities. Those from Europe and North America are rarely rejected; those from Asia and Latin America have a higher visa rejection rate, while over half of qualified Africans don't manage to get a visa. Africans are often required to submit more documents with their visa application, and they face racism-driven suspicion from visa officials.
Governments are taking action in a world still facing significant labor shortages and grappling with inflation that is pressurizing budgets. Some are opting to relax the rules for hiring foreign talent, while others are moving in the opposite direction by imposing restrictions to curb immigration. Here's what you need to know.
The rejection rate for student visas tends to be low compared to work, talent and investor visas. However, you can still get rejected if you neglect to submit all required documents, have suspicious financial records, show inadequate language skills, have an unclear purpose for entering the country, or fail to meet vaccination requirements. Here are mistakes you should avoid to ensure your student visa won't be rejected.
Canada has been facing a severe skills shortage for several years. Some fields, particularly Tech and innovation, are in a particularly critical situation and are seeking help from the government. The authorities subsequently unveiled new measures to attract and, more importantly, retain foreign talent.
USA
The Immigration Act of 1990 imposed a limit on the number of Green Cards that the United States can issue every year. Currently, about 1 million Green Cards are issued yearly. Most are Family-based Green Cards, while Employment-based Green Cards have a stricter cap of 140,000 per year. Furthermore, a maximum of 7% of these permits can go to individuals from a single foreign country. Such restrictions have created exceedingly long application backlogs for citizens of the top sending countries, namely Mexico, India, China and the Philippines.
USA
Diplomatic negotiations between the US and India have paid off for Indian expats in the States. Many of these expats have been affected by the 2023 tech layoff, which put their right to remain in the US as well as Green Card applications, in danger. In June, President Biden announced a pilot program allowing laid-off expats to get a one-year work authorization document while they find another sponsor.
The European Parliament needs to vote on a proposal that would ease non-EU expats' access to long-term resident status. That will make it easier for them to fully enjoy the EU's freedom of movement. Currently, there are de facto restrictions on taking up work in any EU country, even if you are a (non-EU) expat in one member state. If passed, the reform will allow these expats to immediately get long-term resident status in a second EU country if they relocate.
England
Here's some good news for English football clubs. The Home Office has recently approved new visa criteria for international footballers, resulting in increased flexibility for these foreign talents. This is advantageous for football clubs as they will be able to continue recruiting internationally. Now, does the Home Office's assistance extend to other foreign talent?
How can the smooth movement of individuals be ensured while effectively managing the external borders of the European Union? The European Commission has outlined its strategy: the digital Schengen visa. It has successfully reached a groundbreaking agreement in this regard. What does this mean for travelers and prospective expats?
Here's a visa that has caught people's attention. While it may not have gained the same popularity as the well-known digital nomad visa, the jobseeker visa is steadily gaining ground among governments around the world. But what are the governments' aims with the jobseeker visa? What are the benefits of this visa for foreign professionals?
Indonesia
Indonesia is currently implementing new strategies to support the strong economic recovery observed in 2022. In addition to reforming its economy and encouraging innovation, the government is counting on wealthy and skilled foreigners. The health crisis has turned the organization of work upside down, and digital nomadism is at its peak. As a country that aims to become one of the top 5 largest economies by 2045, Indonesia is also luring wealthy investors.
Spain is the latest country to join an impressively long list of countries that currently offer digital nomad visas. However, while a dedicated visa definitely gives nomads new relocation opportunities, things are not always as straightforward in practice as they look on paper. Let's dive in.
England
The United Kingdom has experienced a significant increase in net migration since the Brexit vote in 2016, contrary to what was expected. The Conservative government is now trying to find other ways to curb the influx of immigrants.
Australia
The Australian government is currently reviewing its visa policy, as announced by Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil, in preparation for the finalization of the federal budget. The changes are expected to come into effect on 1 July, the start of the financial year in Australia. The review aims to align the visa policy with the country's objectives and tackle the exploitation of temporary workers. According to the government, the existing system is flawed and no longer reflects market realities. What does this mean for expatriates?
For many international students, a degree abroad is part of a larger immigration plan. They invested in these studies with the hopes of getting a job as an expat after graduating. Some countries, such as Australia and the United Kingdom, offer a specific work visa for international graduates of their institutions. They allow them to work temporarily in the country for 1-6 years. After this period, they can apply for a more long-term work visa.
England
The UK government has been considering putting various restrictions on international students. Among these is a proposal to prevent some international students, those considered to be doing “low value” degrees, from getting dependent visas for their spouses and children. This proposition has been criticized both within and outside the government for being vague, discriminatory and counterintuitive for the economy.
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