Immigration News Updates in All Regions
Americas
US: Visa Renewal
The US Department of State (DOS) has officially resumed scheduling the appointments of F-1 (student), J-1 (exchange visitor), and M-1 (vocational student) visas following a temporary suspension. As part of this reopening, DOS introduced an updated screening procedure that places a strong emphasis on applicants' digital footprints.
Important changes:
Social Media Extended Review: Consulate officers investigate applicants' online presence across social media platforms. Content deemed hostile to US citizens, culture, government, institutions, or establishment values may affect visa eligibility. Public Profile Requirements: Applicants must be able to publish their social media profiles during the review period. National Security Screening: Officers are instructed to flag content that may show support for terrorism, anti-Semitic rhetoric or violence, or other threats to US national security. Rapid implementation: These new review measures are expected to be fully implemented within five business days. Potential delay: Additional screening may result in increased latency for both booking scheduling and visa processing.
Guidance for applicants:
Make sure all social media accounts are publicly available during the application process. If asked, be prepared to discuss past online activities during your visa interview. With enhanced review procedures, please allow extra time for both booking scheduling and visa processing.
This summary was created using information provided by service partners Maggio, Kattar, Nahajzer + Alexander and PC.
Disclaimer: The above information is provided with general information only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Roberta Carnaccini, Global Operations Director of Immigration.
Asia Pacific
Hong Kong: Implementing stricter controls on imported labor
The Labor Bureau (LD) announced the implementation of a series of measures under the Supplementary Labor Plan (ESLS) expanded on June 17, 2025, enhancing protection of employment opportunities for local workers.
To prevent the movement of local employees due to imported labor, LD has introduced an online complaint form on its ESLS-specific webpage.
Additionally, for ESLS applications that pass initial screening and enter the 4-week local recruitment phase, LD will publish the name of the applicant company on the interactive employment services website. It is intended to encourage job seekers to apply for advertised positions.
To prevent abuse of the scheme, employers submitting ESLS applications are generally restricted from submitting additional applications within the next six months under exceptional circumstances, such as contract renewal.
LD will also launch a special inspection campaign to comply with the required 2:1 ratio of full-time local employees to imported workers. Employers must report relevant staffing data, and demonstrated violations lead to administrative sanctions.
ESLS strictly prohibits import labor from local workers. In the case of redundancy, the import worker must be removed first. Violations could lead to a two-year ban on future applications, including withdrawal of labor import approvals.
LD will continue to monitor the labor market closely and review ESL to ensure it remains effective in protecting local employment.
This summary was prepared using information provided by the Hong Kong government
Disclaimer: The above information is provided with general information only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Debra Beynon (APAC Regional Immigration Manager) or Roberta Carnaccini (Director of Global Operations for Immigration).
Europe, Middle East, Africa
Israel: Automatic Visa Expansion
Israeli Population and Immigration Bureau has announced an automatic expansion of visas for foreigners legally resident in the country. This extension applies to all eligible visas that are valid as of June 12, 2025 and will remain valid until September 30, 2025.
You do not need to visit the authorities' offices to receive this extension. The process is automatic.
The measures aim to reduce the burden on foreign residents and visitors during this period and ensure continuity of legal status without the need for in-person visits or additional documents.
The auto-extend feature applies to owners of the following visa types:
b/1 – General workplace visa b/2 – Tourist visa B/4 – Volunteer visa A/1 – Temporary residential visa A/2 – Student visa (excluding agricultural trainees) A/3 – Clergy visa A/4 – Companion visa A/5 – Temporary residential visa DCL permit – Family reunion and humanitarian cases
Foreigners who hold any of the visa types above can legally continue their stay in Israel until the end of September without further action.
This summary was prepared using information provided by the Israeli government
Disclaimer: The above information is provided with general information only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Roberta Carnaccini, Global Operations Director of Immigration.
UK: Global Talent Task Force launched
The UK government has announced an initiative to attract top global talent in the science, technology and creative industries. The key highlights are:
Global Talent Task Force: A new organization aimed at identifying elite researchers, entrepreneurs, engineers and creatives and relocating them to the UK. £54 million global talent fund: covering the transfer and research costs of world-class researchers over five years, distributed to universities and research institutions via UKRI (UK Research and Innovation). First Track Visas and Grant Routes: Expanding potential individual visas and expanding new accelerated research grant routes from the Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering. Additional Fellowship: Turing AI 'Global' Fellowship: £25 million for AI Research Team. Encoding: AI in Science Fellowship: Embed AI researchers in UK labs, new talent will arrive by fall 2025.
This summary was prepared using information provided by the UK government
Disclaimer: The above information is provided with general information only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Joanna Sogeke (Immigration Team Leader) or Roberta Carnaccini (Global Director of Immigration).
Over 120 countries track policy changes. Find out how this short video can help you.
