Oliver Mercer
Canada’s International Mobility Program: A Practical Guide for Workers
The IMP issued 302,280 LMIA‑exempt permits in H1 2025, surpassing the annual target. Policy changes include permanent Economic…
Canada’s International Mobility Program: 2025 Work Permit Eligibility
The IMP remains Canada’s main LMIA‑exempt hiring channel (as of Sept 21, 2025). January 21, 2025 rules restrict…
IMP vs LMIA: Key Differences Shaping Canadian Work Permits
Canada separates temporary work into IMP (LMIA-exempt, policy-driven) and LMIA (labour-market test, CAD $1,000 fee). 2024–2025 reforms narrowed…
I-693 Validity: How Long the Medical Exam Remains Valid
USCIS now requires most I-693s signed on/after Nov 1, 2023 to be valid only while the related application…
I-693 Validity and Expiration: 2025 Rules for Pending Applications
From June 11, 2025, I-693s signed on/after Nov 1, 2023 remain valid only while the related application is…
2025 Immigration Crackdowns in the US, Canada, and Beyond
From January 2025, the U.S., Canada, and partners tightened immigration via deportation operations, executive orders, admission caps, and…
California Bans Masks for ICE Agents Under SB 627 Law
Effective September 2025, California’s SB 627 bans identity-concealing face masks for officers, including ICE, to boost transparency. Narrow…
US Enquiries Down 46% Last Year; Canada Enquiries Slump 75%
Demand for study in the U.S. and Canada fell sharply in 2024–2025: U.S. enquiries dropped 46%, Canada issued…
Police Car Torched as Hague Asylum Protest Turns Violent
Violent clashes at a September 20, 2025 asylum protest in The Hague coincide with a proposed strict Dutch…
LG Energy Solution Used ESTA Waivers as Workarounds, Documents Show
A September 2025 raid near Savannah detained over 300 South Korean workers linked to LG Energy Solution; 44%…
Chicago Immigration Violence: Snipers atop ICE HQ Amid Clashes
Operation Midway Blitz, a 30-day federal surge starting in September 2025, has led to about 550 arrests in…
Trump’s Gold Card: $1M to Treasury, fast-track green cards
The Trump administration’s September 19, 2025 Executive Order creates a paid Gold Card green card route: $1M individual,…
No evidence of Microsoft staff mass return amid H-1B policy shifts
The Trump administration proposed a $100,000 H‑1B filing fee and a four‑year cap for many student stays. Implementation…
Major U.S. Employers Urge H-1B Holders to Return Before Sept 21
The September 19, 2025 proclamation enacts a $100,000 annual fee per H‑1B worker and tougher rules starting September…
Etihad to Launch Direct Abu Dhabi–Damascus Route in 2026
Starting June 12, 2026, Etihad will fly four weekly A320 services between Abu Dhabi and Damascus (EY561/562), easing…