Thousands packed Tehran as Iran’s World Cup departure rally unfolded with fresh kit reveals and patriotic messages. Yet behind the celebrations, uncertainty remains over whether the squad can enter the United States for the tournament. Iran’s FA says it is working with FIFA to clear visa issues, while the team is set to train in Turkey ahead of kick off.
Kuwait has rolled out an online domestic driver entry visa service through the Sahel app, introduced by the Ministry of Interior. The move lets citizens apply electronically, cutting paperwork and time spent on government visits to service centers. Officials say the streamlined process will make visa handling faster and more convenient.
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After Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Indians to reduce foreign travel, tourism industry body FAITH says the country must not lose the opportunity to bring more international visitors in. It wants eased visa rules, better connectivity, and stronger global marketing to increase tourist arrivals and protect foreign exchange earnings.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has issued a warning to pilgrims, urging them to obtain official Hajj permits only through authorized channels. The ministry says the Hajj visa is the only legally recognized option and that permits secured through approved procedures help ensure smoother travel, access to services, and safer entry to holy sites.
The U.S. reversed a visa processing freeze that had sidelined foreign doctors from 39 countries, letting them continue working. The change comes after warnings the policy could worsen the U.S. physician shortage, given that foreign-trained doctors form a substantial share of the medical workforce, especially in primary care.
BLS International has lost its UAE consular services contract. From July 1, Alhind Tours and Travels will take over passport, visa and related services for the roughly 4.3 million-strong Indian community in the UAE. The shift marks a major change in how consular applications are processed, with potential implications for applicants’ timelines and service channels.
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France’s upcoming 2026 immigration reforms plan civic exams and language tests, sparking anxiety among non‑EU applicants. Yet the VLS‑TS “Visiteur” route remains largely exam free for financially independent people, including those living on capital and passive income. With that flexibility, applications from India are rising quickly, turning the visa into a quiet first step toward longer EU residency.
India and New Zealand have signed a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement in Delhi, wrapping one of India’s fastest negotiations with a developed nation. The deal offers zero-duty access for 100% of Indian exports, with major gains in textiles, leather, and gems, while also introducing 5,000 annual visa slots for professionals and extended student work rights. Crucially, dairy, poultry, and sugar remain excluded to protect domestic farmers.
India and New Zealand have signed a landmark “new generation” Free Trade Agreement after negotiations concluded in December 2025. The pact was executed at Bharat Mandapam and is framed as people-centric and jobs-driven, supporting India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. Backers say the deal could unlock fresh investment flows and trade opportunities, with visa-related elements drawing particular attention.
India and New Zealand will sign a Free Trade Agreement on April 27, 2026, creating dedicated visa pathways for 5,000 Indian professionals and 1,000 Work and Holiday visas. The deal is designed to boost labor mobility and expand opportunities across IT, healthcare and education, while also supporting students with post-study work rights.
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Japan has stopped accepting new visa applications for foreign restaurant workers under its specified skilled worker program as it approaches a 50,000-worker cap. The move takes effect Monday and anticipates the limit being reached by May 2026. Launched in 2019, the program targets labor shortages across multiple industries, not just restaurants.
Japan is set to increase visa renewal and permanent residency fees through proposed amendments to the Immigration Control Act. A five-year visa renewal is expected to cost around 70,000 yen, while permanent residency permits could climb to 200,000 yen. The government says the changes reflect shifting administrative needs, with higher ceilings for fees.
Saudi Arabia says this year’s Hajj will exclude all visit visa holders, limiting entry to Mecca and other holy sites only to people with official permits. The restriction runs from the start of Dhu Al Qi’dah until the 14th of Dhu Al Hijjah. Authorities cite the need to control pilgrim movement and improve safety.
Australia’s Department of Home Affairs says student and visitor visa processing has improved sharply: student visas now average a 33-day median, and most visitor visas are decided in under a day. But the same update shows permanent pathways remain slow, with skilled visas averaging about nine months and partner visas around 17 months.
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India’s medical tourism has slipped below its pre-Covid high, with industry citing geopolitical tensions, slow or delayed visas, and tougher competition from other Asian destinations. Leaders argue the way back is to sharpen high-tech capabilities and ensure reliable patient care. They also point to improving ties with Bangladesh as a potential boost to international arrivals.
Children born in New Zealand after January 1, 2006 are not automatically citizens. Their citizenship or visa outcome depends on the parents’ legal status at the time of birth. If neither parent is a New Zealand citizen, the child may be granted a visa linked to the parents’ valid visa, subject to confirmation from Immigration New Zealand.
Canada has launched a new immigration pathway aimed at attracting highly skilled workers, including specialized military recruits. The government says its existing system has become unsustainable and is being overhauled. Under the plan, foreign military applicants will fall into a new skilled recruits category that can include doctors, nurses, and pilots, alongside traditional defense roles.
Thailand’s Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi has announced revised visa, legalisation, and consular service fees for Indian applicants effective April 27, 2026. The changes apply to tourist, non-immigrant, SMART, and long-term visas, plus passport and document services, with fees rising across categories from ₹2,500 for transit visas to up to ₹1,40,000 for long-term residency permits.
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South Korea is rolling out a new immigration push for the 2030s, expanding visa benefits for high-tech professionals and creating a separate pathway for skilled technicians. The plan broadens eligibility for its “top-tier visa” and introduces a “K-Core visa” for intermediate technical skills, aiming to attract global talent while easing labor shortages and supporting regional development.
Australia is tightening rules for employer-sponsored visas starting July 1, 2025, by raising income thresholds linked to annual wage indexation. The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold is set at AUD 76,515, while specialist roles must meet a higher AUD 141,210. The policy aims to ensure overseas workers receive pay comparable to local employees.
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