Stay informed with the latest visa, passport, and immigration updates from around the world
Starting October 12, 2025, major travel changes take effect including the EU's new Entry/Exit System requiring biometric registration, updated U.S. visa interview waivers, and stricter passport validity rules affecting millions of international travelers worldwide.
Major immigration policy changes take effect in October 2025, including a more rigorous citizenship test starting October 20, streamlined H-2A agricultural worker visa processing effective October 2, and ongoing DACA developments. These changes impact millions of immigrants, agricultural employers, and citizenship applicants across the United States.
The DV-2027 Green Card Lottery registration, typically opening in early October, has been delayed by the U.S. State Department as they implement a historic $1 registration fee effective September 16, 2025. Over 25 million applicants worldwide are waiting for the announcement of official registration dates for the 55,000 available green cards.
Starting October 2025, major passport photo requirement changes affect travelers worldwide, including India's strict ICAO standards from September 2025, Germany's digital-only photo law from May 2025, and the EU's new biometric Entry/Exit System launching October 12, 2025. These updates impact millions of passport applicants with stricter photo specifications and digital submission requirements.
The U.S. has implemented sweeping visa policy changes in October 2025, including new H-1B restrictions with a $100,000 fee, mandatory in-person interviews for nearly all visa applicants, and country-specific application requirements. These changes affect millions of visa applicants worldwide as the new fiscal year begins.
The TSA's REAL ID enforcement begins May 7, 2025, requiring all U.S. travelers 18+ to present compliant identification for domestic flights. Learn the new photo requirements, how to identify a REAL ID-compliant card, and what alternative documents you can use if you miss the deadline.
Starting October 12, 2025, the European Union launches its Entry/Exit System (EES) requiring all non-EU travelers to register fingerprints and facial photos at borders. This major change affects 29 Schengen countries and replaces traditional passport stamping with digital biometric screening.
October 2025 brings significant immigration policy changes including streamlined H-2A agricultural worker visa processing effective October 2, potential DACA reopening for 400,000+ new applicants, and a federal government shutdown affecting certain immigration services. These changes impact agricultural employers, Dreamers, and millions awaiting visa processing.
The U.S. State Department has confirmed delays to the DV-2027 Green Card Lottery registration, which was expected to open in early October 2025. For the first time in history, applicants will pay a $1 registration fee, and significant process changes are underway affecting 55,000 available green cards.
Starting September 1, 2025, Indian embassies worldwide will reject passport applications with photos that don't meet International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. The new biometric requirements affect millions of Non-Resident Indians applying for passports abroad, with strict specifications for digital uploads and printed photos.
The U.S. implemented major visa policy changes in October 2025, including mandatory interviews for children under 14 and adults over 79 (effective October 1) and streamlined H-2A agricultural worker petition processing (effective October 2). The October 2025 Visa Bulletin also brought significant priority date movements for family-sponsored and employment-based green cards.
Major ID card requirement updates take effect in October 2025, including Hong Kong's October 12 invalidation deadline for old identity cards, new ICAO biometric standards for UK entry from December 31, and the UK's mandatory digital ID scheme announced September 26 featuring photo-based biometric security.
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