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Highlights: US H-1B and Green Card made easy for Indian students on J-1 visa

• The US Department of State announced updates to the Exchange Visitor Skills List.
• J-1 visa holders are no longer required to follow the two-year home residency rule.
• The new rule applies to J-1 visa holders from 34 countries, including India and China.
• The US Department has made a significant revision to the Exchange Visitor Skills List after 15 years.

 

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US Exchange Visitor Skills List

The US Exchange Visitor Skills List provides details about the fields of expertise critical to the national development of the US. The Department of State has recently announced changes, including the removal of the two-year residency requirement for J-1 visa holders.

 

The following are the major changes made to the US Exchange Visitor Skills List:

 

• Nations with higher income levels do not have the same critical skills gaps.
• Larger nations serve as major resources for nurturing talent
• High Immigration rates bring down the need for strict return requirements
• Education, technology, and healthcare advancements have resulted in a focus shift from some nations.

 

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What does this mean for J-1 visa holders?

J-1 visa holders can apply for other US visas, such as H-1B visas or US Green Cards, without securing a return or waiver to their home countries. This change is highly beneficial for researchers, physicians, and trainees seeking long-term opportunities in the US.

 

Employers in America will have wider access to skilled professionals in healthcare, STEM, and engineering fields. US Universities and research institutions can now sponsor J-1 visa holders for non-cap H-1B visas, which are no longer subject to an annual lottery.

 

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Highlights: Portugal work visas to be processed within a month or less

• The Portuguese Government is planning to issue work visas within 30 days or less.
• This move aims to facilitate the immigration process for foreign workers in Portugal.
• Portugal needs around 50,000-100,000 foreign workers to maintain its economy.
• The Portugal Consular Services will issue a statement deciding if the processing time could be reduced to 20 days.

 

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Portugal work visas to be granted in 30 days

 

The Government of Portugal is aiming to issue foreign work permits within 30 days or less to facilitate easy access of Portugal Work Permits. Longer processing time for Portugal Work Permit has been delaying the immigration process for foreign workers in Portugal.

According to recent report, Portugal needs 100,000 skilled workers every year due to workforce shortage. The construction sector in Portugal has around 80,000 vacancies on an average. Reducing waiting times for Portugal Work Permits will attract more foreign workers to join the workforce in Portugal.

 

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Portugal Consular Services to decide on reducing processing times further

The Portugal Consular Services is yet to decide if the processing time for Portugal Work Permit can be further brought down to 20 days. The Consular Services will issue a statement announcing its decision on the same.

 

The Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers has added 50 more employees to the Portugal consular posts so as to accelerate the response capacity of the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA).

 

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Highlights: Canada will launch 4 new PR Pathways in 2025

• IRCC will introduce four new pathways for obtaining Canada PR in 2025.
• The new pathways aim to address the labor market demands across Canadian provinces.
• Each pilot program aims to invite skilled professionals in a specific sector of a province.
• Canada is focusing on inviting French professionals and caregivers.

 

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New Canada PR pathways to be launched in 2025

Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada is set to introduce four new pilot programs in 2025, which would lead to Canada PR. Each pathway targets a specific community of foreign workers required in a specific province or in Canada as a whole.

 

The table below provides details of the new PR pathways in Canada:

Pathway	Who can apply
Enhanced Caregiver Pilot Programs (2)	Home childcare workers and home support workers
Rural Community Immigration Pilot	Professionals with relevant skills required to work in specific rural communities in Canada
Francophone Community Immigration Pilot	French Speaking professionals with relevant skills required to work in small communities outside of Quebec
Manitoba’s West Central Immigration Initiative Pilot	Skilled professionals willing to live and work in Manitoba’s West Central region

 

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Enhanced Caregiver Pilot Program

The two pilot programs launched in June 2024, the Home Support Worker Pilot and the Home Childcare Provider Pilot, are to be replaced by the Enhanced Caregiver Pilot Program.

 

Canada has a growing demand for caregivers, and the new program aims to attract more caregivers by providing them with Canada PR upon arrival. Homecare workers in Canada can work for organizations that provide temporary care to people recovering from an injury or illness.

 

You would be eligible to apply for this program if you:

 

• Have scored a minimum of CLB 4 or equivalent in language proficiency tests
• Have completed a diploma equivalent to Canadian high school standards
• Have relevant and recent work experience
• Have got a full-time job offer in Canada for the job role

 

The IRCC will release further information regarding this program in the upcoming months.

 

Rural Community Immigration Pilot

The IRCC will launch a new Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RNIP) following the recent success of the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP). Through this program, immigrants willing to work and live in small rural communities in Canada can obtain Canada PR.

 

You would be eligible to apply for this program if you:

 

• Can help meet workforce shortages in Canada
• Willing to live and work in rural communities for a long time

 

The new program will come into effect in 2025.

 

Manitoba’s West Central Immigration Initiative Pilot

Manitoba’s West Central Immigration Initiative Pilot was launched on November 15, 2024. According to a recent study, Manitoba needs around 240-300 skilled professionals annually to meet its labor market needs. This three-year pilot program aims to address the province's current labor market demands and would lead to Canada PR.

 

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Francophone Community Immigration Pilot

This program, part of the Francophone Immigration Policy of Canada, is designed to invite French-speaking professionals. It aims to attract professionals willing to settle outside Quebec who would contribute to the economic development of Francophone minority communities.

 

French-speaking professionals with relevant skills required to work in small communities outside Quebec are eligible to apply for this program and get Canada PR upon meeting the other requirements.

 

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Highlights: Portugal has an annual requirement of 100,000 skilled workers to meet its workforce needs

• As per data from a recent study, Portugal will need up to 100,000 skilled foreign workers every year.
• The demand for skilled workers has increased in Portugal owing to the current workforce shortage.
• Around 80,000 additional workers are required in the construction sector alone.
• The Portuguese government has proposed strategies to accelerate the immigration process for foreign workers.

 

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Workforce requirements in Portugal

 

As per the reports of a study conducted by Migrations and Human Rights in Portugal, the country will need around 50,000-100,000 skilled foreign workers annually to maintain the economic growth.

 

The construction sector in Portugal alone has a requirement of 80,000 skilled workers. The government is planning to implement strategies to facilitate the immigration process for foreign workers.

 

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Portugal updated visa policies to attract foreign workers

 

EU countries like Germany, France and Portugal offer new visas for skilled professionals from 2025.  In an effort to address the labor force requirements in Portugal, the country has recently launched seasonal, short-term, and long-term visa options for foreign workers.  

Seasonal visas mainly aim to bring foreign workers into the tourism industry, allowing them to stay and work for up to nine months. Long-term visas in Portugal are valid for one to two years, depending upon the type and requirements of the job.

 

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Highlights: New Student Visa rules to be introduced in Italy from 2025

• The Italian Government has updated the student visa rules effective January 10, 2025.
• Italian student visa applicants are now required to visit the Italian consulate to complete their applications.
• International students applying for an Italian student visa must also provide their fingerprints.
• The new changes are applicable on all D-visa (long-term visas) allowing a stay of more than 90 days in Italy.

 

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New Changes to Italy Student Visa Rules

The Government of Italy has introduced updates to the student visa rules for international students willing to migrate and study in Italy. As per the new rules, international students must schedule an appointment at the Italian consulate and submit their biometrics, such as fingerprints, to complete their Italy Student Visa application.

 

The updated visa rules will take effect on January 10, 2025, and will apply to all long-term visas (D-visas), which allow migrants to stay in Italy for more than 90 days. The changes might increase the overall cost of obtaining a student visa in Italy.

 

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