5 countries have recently updated their visa policies and how this would affect Indians

5 countries have recently updated their visa policies and how this would affect Indians

A number of nations have significantly altered their visa regulations and criteria in recent months. These changes may have a big effect on Indian nationals who want to go outside for work, play, education, or other reasons.

It is imperative for Indian tourists to remain up to date on the most recent changes to visa policies in major target nations in order to guarantee they have all the necessary documentation. Here is a list of the five nations that have made significant modifications to their visa policies.

1. Australia

According to the sources, Australia has declared that, as of July 1, the cost of an international student’s student visa will double from AUD 710 ($473) to AUD 1,600 ($1,068). Furthermore, temporary visa holders on Visitor, Temporary Graduate, and Maritime Crew visas will no longer be allowed to apply from within Australia for a student visa. Additionally, AUD 29,710 ($19,576) has been added to the minimum savings requirement for student visas, which was formerly AUD 24,505 ($16,146). Indian students, the second-largest group of overseas students in Australia, will be impacted by this

New Zealand

New Zealand changed its visa policies on June 26, 2024, which had an impact on certain overseas workers and their families. Aiming to match immigration and economic interests, the revisions will expedite the visa application process. The primary modification is the removal of the ability to sponsor spouses or dependent children for work, visiting, or student visas for holders of Accredited Employer Work Visas (AEWV) at ANZSCO skill levels 4 and 5 without a residency pathway. If qualified, partners and dependents may still submit separate visa applications. Current visa petitions will be evaluated in accordance with the previous guidelines.

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Italy

Applications for Italy’s digital nomad visa, which eliminates the 90-day stay restriction and permits non-EU remote workers to live and work there for a year, are now being accepted. Italy now offers comparable visas to more than 50 other nations. “Highly-skilled” self-employed independent contractors and corporate remote workers may apply if they satisfy certain requirements, such as having a remote employment, making a respectable amount of money annually, having no recent criminal records, having valid health insurance, and having proof of housing.

Europe

Additionally, Indian people are now eligible to apply for longer-validity Schengen visas with multiple entries thanks to recent updates to EU visa regulations. Adopted by the European Commission, the ‘cascade’ system governs Indian nationals’ Schengen permits. Multi-year visas are now easier to get under this arrangement. Indian people can now apply for a long-term, multi-entry visa that is good for two years, and then for five years if their passport is still valid, provided they have lawfully utilized two Schengen visas within the last three years.

Germany

Germany has modified its skilled worker visa regulations in an effort to draw in more talent for IT, engineering, and healthcare. Based on available data, the nation need around 400,000 skilled workers each year to meet labor shortages. The ‘Opportunity Card’ permits non-EU nationals to go to Germany for a year in order to look for work as of June 1, 2024. Candidates must speak German or English fluently and have completed at least two years of vocational training or have a relevant degree.