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Highlights: Belgium issued more than 45,500 citizenship applications in 2024

• The Belgian government approved more than 45,5000 citizenship applications in the first 9 months of 2024
• The citizenship approval rate in Belgium for 2024 has hit an all-time high record in two decades.
• Nationals from Morocco, Syria, Romania, Afghanistan, and Italy received most of Belgium's citizenships.
• Foreign Spouses of Belgium Diplomats are now allowed to apply for citizenship without waiting for 5 years.

 

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Belgium Citizenship Application 2024

A recent report by De Tijd revealed that the Government of Belgium approved around 45,538 citizenship applications from January to September 2024, reaching record-high levels. Such a high number was last recorded in the first nine months of 2001, following the implementation of fast-track Belgian law.

 

The report shows that the majority of citizenships were granted to Moroccans, Syrians, Romanians, Afghans, Turks, and Palestinians. A significant number of Belgian citizenships were also issued to nationals from Turkey, Iraq, Poland, the Netherlands, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

 

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Eased Rules for Foreign Spouses of Belgian Diplomats

Under the amended Belgian Nationality Code, foreign spouses of Belgian diplomats can now acquire Belgian citizenship without having to wait for five years. This places foreign spouses in an equal place with Belgian nationals.

 

The foreign spouse applying for Belgian citizenship must be in Belgium when submitting the application and adhere to all other eligibility requirements.

 

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Highlights: IRCC announces new rules for international students changing schools in 2025

• IRCC has announced updates to rules for international students changing DLIs in 2025.
• International students in Canada can begin studying in their new school before getting new work permits.
• The student has to apply for a new study permit via a study permit extension application.
• Students who have applied for a new study permit before November 01, 2024 are exempted from new PGWP requirements.

 

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New rules for international students changing DLIs in 2025

The IRCC has introduced new rules for international students willing to change their Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) for spring or winter 2025 intake. Under the new rules, a student will be allowed to start studying at their new school even before they receive their new study permit.

 

An international student will be eligible for this new rule if they meet the following criteria before switching schools:

• The student must have applied for a new study permit through an extension application
• The new DLI must have issued a Letter of Acceptance (LoA) for the spring/winter 2025 semester intake
• The student should provide a valid study permit that does not mention the name of the new DLI
• All other eligibility requirements for a Canadian study permit must be met

 

PGWP eligibility requirements for switching schools

Canada study permit applications submitted before November 01, 2024 are not required to meet revised requirements for Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP). Candidates who have applied after November 01, 2024 have to meet the following requirements for PGWP:

Level of study	Field of study requirements
College program or other non-university program	Must graduate from an eligible field of study
University bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral programs	NA
University programs not listed above	Must graduate from an eligible field of study

 

 

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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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