In a major shift away from traditional employment and merit-based visa systems, the United States has unveiled a new immigration model built on financial contribution. Spearheaded under a presidential proclamation, the new framework introduces three immigration categories: the Gold Card, Corporate Gold Card,…
U.S. Imposes New $100,000 Fee for New H‑1B Petitions While Exempting Existing Visa Holders
On 19 September 2025 the U.S. government introduced a significant policy under a presidential proclamation titled Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers. Under this policy new H‑1B visa petitions filed after 12:01 am Eastern Daylight Time on 21 September 2025 must be accompanied…
Why Proposed F-1 Visa Changes Are Prompting More Students to Consider the EB-5 Route
A new proposal from the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) seeks to limit the stay of international students to a maximum of four years. Far from being just a technical adjustment, this change could significantly increase interest in the EB-5 Programme…
U.S. Narrows the Path for Nonimmigrant Visa Applications
The U.S. Department of State announced on 6 September 2025 a significant shift in visa policy: nonimmigrant visa applications must now be filed only in an applicant’s country of nationality or legal residence. This means the long-standing practice of “third country” applications, where…
St Kitts and Nevis: Recent Reforms to Age & Education Requirements for Dependents
In September 2025, St Kitts and Nevis announced significant proposed reforms to its Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme. The changes, outlined in a pre‑enactment notice, are designed to modernise the eligibility framework for dependents and align the programme with evolving family dynamics. These reforms mark one…
EB‑5 Programme Gains Momentum with 94% Approval Rate and Faster Adjudication
The EB‑5 Immigrant Investor Programme has achieved a significant milestone: between October 2024 and March 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) processed 2,531 Form I‑829 petitions, approving 2,380 and denying just 151, which results in an extraordinary 94 percent approval rate….
Oman’s Golden Visa Launch: A New Beacon for Investors
The Golden Visa programme was launched on 31 August 2025, aligning with a broader framework of economic and digital reforms. These efforts aim to support high-performing local firms and create a more investor-friendly business environment, as part of Oman’s Vision 2040 strategy. Two-Tier…
Argentina Officially Approves Citizenship by Investment Programme
On 30 July 2025, Argentina formalised its Citizenship by Investment programme under Decree 524/2025, which was published in the official gazette. This marks a historic milestone, establishing the first direct investment-based route to citizenship in South America. Institutional Set-up and Governance The decree…
United States Introduces Visa Bond Requirement in New Pilot Programme
In a significant policy shift, the United States Department of State has launched a 12‑month pilot programme, set to commence on 20 August 2025. Under the temporary rule, certain applicants for B‑1 (business) and B‑2 (tourist) visas may be required to post a…
São Tomé and Príncipe Launches Citizenship by Investment Programme
São Tomé and Príncipe has officially entered the global investment migration market with the launch of its Citizenship by Investment programme. The legislation came into force on 1 August 2025, and applications will be accepted from the first week of September. This development…