VISA FEE INCREASE
Barcelona trip on mind? Be prepared to pay higher tourism tax
Barcelona plans to increase its tourist tax to €4 per night from the current €3.25 starting October 2024, aiming to generate €20 million more annually, reports Schengen Visa News. The tax varies by accommodation type: €1.70 for four-star hotels, €2.25 for Airbnb rentals, and €3.50 for luxury hotels. Cruise passengers staying less than 12 hours pay €3, while longer stays incur a €2 fee.
Nordic "coolcations" turn up the chill factor
Cati Padilla and other tourists from southern Europe are increasingly opting for "coolcations" in Nordic countries like Norway and Sweden to escape the summer heatwaves. The trend is driven by a desire for cooler weather and less crowded destinations. Norway saw a 22% increase and Sweden an 11% rise in foreign overnight stays in 2023, influenced by the easing of Covid restrictions and fluctuating Scandinavian currencies.
New Zealand’s popularity soars as a study hub, witnesses 69,000 international student enrollments in 2023
Education New Zealand reported a significant increase in international student enrolments in 2023, reaching 69,135, marking a 67% rise compared to 2022 and representing 60% of 2019 figures. This surge underscores New Zealand's appeal as a study destination known for quality education in a safe environment. Linda Sissons from Education New Zealand highlighted the positive impact of international students on the education sector and communities, emphasizing the enriching cultural exchange that fosters global understanding.
Applying for a US student visa? American Embassy has a warning for you
Indian students continue to favor the United States as their top destination for overseas education, with expectations of increased student visa applications in 2024. In 2023, India issued 140,000 student visas, and the number of Indian students in the US surged by 35 percent to reach a record 268,923, constituting over 25 percent of the international student population in the country. Acting spokesperson Nicole Holler highlighted the appeal of US universities for their facilities, faculty quality, research opportunities, and career benefits.
Studying in the US: Understanding the difference between CPT vs OPT
The United States remains a top destination for international students, providing a dynamic academic environment and diverse cultural experiences. India leads with the largest student population in the US based on F-1 visa issuances in the first half of 2024, and the US Consulate General in Mumbai anticipates a 10% increase in visa applications from Indian students this year. Beyond academics, many students seek practical work experience, which is facilitated by two US visa programs: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Australia doubles foreign student visa fee in effort to curb migration
Australia has raised visa fees for international students starting July 1, from A$710 to A$1,600, aiming to manage record migration and housing market pressure. The changes also prevent visitor visa holders and temporary graduate visa students from applying for student visas within the country. The move is part of a strategy to create a fairer migration system and address loopholes in student visa rules that have led to a significant increase in subsequent visas.
Indians spent over €12 million in rejected Schengen visa applications last year
In 2023, Indians faced high rejection rates for Schengen visas, resulting in a loss of €12.1 million. Schengen states rejected 1.6 million visa applications, generating €130 million. Indians, Turks, Algerians, Moroccans, and Chinese were among the most affected, with Indian and Turkish nationals experiencing the highest financial losses.
Australian study visa grants drop sharply in 2024
Australia has experienced a significant decrease of nearly 30% in study visa grants during the first four months of this year, with 74,421 visas granted to offshore applicants from January to April, compared to 104,808 granted in the same period in 2023. This decline, although substantial, is less severe than the 53% drop observed between 2019-20 and 2020-21 due to the pandemic.
H-1B and L-1 visa workers may cost US employers thousands of dollars more
Employers may soon have to pay additional fees to extend work visas for foreign employees under a new DHS proposal. The proposal includes a $4,000 fee for H-1B visa extensions and a $4,500 fee for L-1 visa extensions.
Schengen visas get costlier by 12% after European Union hikes fee
The fee hike comes after the Schengen Visa Code mandated every three years revision of EU visa fees in December 2023. The EU justifies the rise by pointing to inflation and the pay of civil officials. The last increase in fees was from €60 to €80 in February 2020.
Poland increases National Visa application fee by €55
Poland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has increased the national visa application fee to €135 from €80 starting June 1, 2024. The Schengen visa fees remain unchanged. The adjustment aims to manage migration pressure and ensure foreigners comply with their stated purpose of stay.
Visa fee hike hits IT cos; Airport cab fares set to rise
Happy Friday! The hike in H-1B visa fee will hurt IT service companies severely, experts have warned. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
Steep H-1B fee hike to burn a big hole in IT companies pockets
The steep hike in US H-1B visa fees could spell bad news for Indian IT service providers and dent their pockets significantly, experts and industry insiders have warned.
H-1B visa holders are switching jobs more than ever; here is the entire process explained
H-1B workers are increasingly switching jobs, with over 1 million job switches recorded from fiscal year 2005 to 2023. Tighter labor market conditions, H-1B cap constraints, and government policies facilitating job transitions contribute to this trend. However, challenges persist for H-1B workers, including unequal treatment in the labor market and green card processing constraints. New employers must navigate a fee structure that varies based on their size and the status of their workforce.
Visa fees for international artists to tour in the US shot up 250% in April. It could be devastating
Visa fee surge for global musicians in the U.S. raises concerns. Costs jumped post-April 1. Indie bands face financial strain. U.S. music culture at risk. International acts may decrease, impacting the music industry and cultural exchange.
US court denies plea to postpone immigration fee hikes; H-1B visa, Green Cards to become costlier from April 1
A US district court has denied delaying April 1 immigration fee hikes, impacting American employers. Plaintiffs wanted postponement until lawsuit resolution. USCIS clarifies fee updates, affecting EB-5 investors. USCIS faces legal challenge over fee rule's lawfulness.
H-1B visa registrations begin, here’s all you need to know
The H-1B visa registration for fiscal year 2025 opened on March 6, following a major overhaul of the lottery system announced by the US federal agency in January. The White House Press Secretary emphasized President Biden's commitment to addressing issues within the legal immigration system, including the H-1B visa process and green card application backlog.
UK visa fees spike as Sunak government hikes health surcharge by 66%
Starting February 6, the United Kingdom will introduce a significant hike in its immigration health surcharge (IHS) for visa applicants. Applications submitted before January 6 will not be subject to the higher surcharge. The Sunak government also raised visa fees for tourists, students, and foreign workers, including an additional £15 for visit visas and an increase of £127 for student visas.
US increases immigration fees: Here's how much an H-1B visa, green card will cost
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced revisions in certain immigration and naturalization benefit request fees. This marks the first adjustment since 2016.
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