World Immigration News

Immigration weekly update: January 16, 2025

Release Date: 2025-01-16
Media: Crown World Mobility
Summary: Americas

United States: Romania added to the Visa Waiver Program Romania has been added to the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP), allowing Romanian citizens to travel to the U.S. for tourism or business for up to 90 days without a visa, starting likely in March 2025. This will strengthen U.S.-Romania relations and facilitate legitimate travel and trade.

Asia-Pacific

Hong Kong: Mandatory online visa application submissions From January 17, 2023, the Hong Kong Immigration Department requires all visa applications for several categories (General Employment Policy, Training, Working Holiday Scheme, etc.) to be submitted online through their portal. Applicants can complete the entire process online, including payment and receiving an e-Visa.

Europe, Middle East, and Africa

Hungary: Cap on guest worker residence permits in 2025 Hungary will limit guest worker and employment-related residence permits to 35,000 in 2025, down from 65,000 in 2024. This reduction aims to prioritize employment opportunities for Hungarian citizens and strengthen the domestic labor market.

Sweden: Proposal for stricter citizenship requirements A proposal in Sweden suggests stricter requirements for citizenship, including an extended 8-year residency, a "respectable lifestyle" standard, and a self-sufficiency requirement. These changes, set to take effect in June 2026, aim to ensure better integration of applicants, though they have sparked debate over potential impacts on vulnerable groups.
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