Editors Pick

Highlights: Australia declared the new Designated Area Migration from March 2025 to 2030

• Australia declared the new Designed Area Migration (DAMA) for the Northern Territories, which came into effect on March 19, 2025.
• NT DAMA III will sponsor up to 1500 overseas workers to address the labor shortage in the country.
• NT DAMA III will continue until July 30, 2030, expanding to 325 in-demand occupations.
• Currently, there are 13 DAMAs in place and aligned with state and territory migration plans.
   

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 What is DAMA?

A Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is a unique arrangement allowing businesses in designated regions that access more flexible skilled visa pathways. Here are the benefits of DAMA:

• Expanded occupation list beyond standard skilled visa category
• Concession on skills, experience, and English Language requirements to attract more workers
• Support for employers struggling to find local talents
   

Individual DAMA Labor Agreements are formal arrangements made between the Australian government, approved employers, and businesses operating in a designated region.
 

Agreements are typically:

• Valid for five years
• Operate through following :
• Subclass 482 – Skills in Demand (SID)
• Subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional)
• Subclass 186 – Employer Nominated Scheme (ENS)
   

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Eligibility Requirement to apply for DAMA

To apply for the Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA), an applicant must:

• Applicant must be sponsored by an approved employer based on the designated area
• Must demonstrate they have made a genuine attempt to hire local Australian worker
• Only occupations included in DAMA are eligible
• Employers must provide a genuine job offer to overseas workers
• Apply through the NT DAMA portal along with the necessary documentation.
   

*Are you looking for step-by-step assistance for Australia Immigration? Talk to Y-Axis, the leading visa and overseas immigration consultancy in Australia.

For recent immigration updates on Canada, check out Y-Axis Australia immigration news.

Highlights: Rachel Bendayan, the new immigration Minister Rachel Bendayan

• Rachel Bendayan, a member of parliament from Outremont, Quebec, is the new minister of immigration.
• Rachel Bendayan, the new immigration minister of Canada, will head after Marc Millar.
• Prime Minister Marc Caney will prioritize providing PR status to temporary residents in Canada.
• The new cabinet reshuffle might impact PR, work, and study permit rules.
   

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Canada's new Immigration Minister

Minister Bendayan has held several roles in Canadian politics, including serving as the country's previous Minister of official language. Additionally, Minister Bendayan previously served as the Parliamentary Secretary to the:
 

• Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
• Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister
• Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion, and International Trade
   

Changes in Immigration Policy under Prime Minister Mark Carney

 Canada’s immigration policy is now being taken care of by the new Prime Minister and Immigration Minister. Canadian Ministers (including the Immigration minister) are given Mandate Letters from the Prime Minister, dealing with the objectives each minister must achieve and challenge the address role.
 

The New changes that will be introduced:

• Capping Immigration to a sustainable pre-pandemic trend
• Prioritizing temporary residents of Canada for Permanent residence
• Reining in the number of temporary foreign workers
   

Importance of the Immigration Portfolio

Immigration is a significant issue in Canadian society, with newcomers addressing the concerns of Canada’s labor market and demography. At his time, Minister Marc stated that Immigration played an essential role in allowing Canada to avoid an economic decline in 2023. The Immigration file is such an important focus that the former Prime Minister already announced the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan himself.
 

*Are you looking for step-by-step assistance for Canada Immigration? Talk to Y-Axis, the leading visa and overseas immigration consultancy in Australia.
 

For recent immigration updates on Canada, check out Y-Axis immigration news.

Highlights: Luxembourg increases EU Blue Card salaries to €63,408

• Luxembourg has decided to increase the EU Blue Card minimum salary requirement
• Luxembourg's minimum salary requirement is increased from €58,968 to €63,408.
• The new initiative of salary requirement was effective from March 18, 2025.
• In 2024, Luxembourg issued 825 EU Blue Cards to foreign nationals.
   

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Luxembourg to increase EU Blue Card salaries with a 7.5% hike

Luxembourg has decided to change the salary requirements for third-country nationals who apply for an EU Blue Card. This new initiative was effective from March 18, 2025, as the minimum salary level for eligible Luxembourg EU Blue Card has increased from €58,968 to €63,408.
 

The new initiative represents a 7.53 percent hike, which is € 4,440 more than the previous salary. Applications submitted after March 18, 2025, must meet the new salary level to be eligible for the scheme. According to Data from the Ministry of Interior of Luxembourg, in 2024, the country issued 825 EU Blue Cards, 302 of which were issued in the first half of the year and 523 in the second half. 
 

The highest number of EU Blue Cards was issued in October, with 118 third-country nationals benefiting from the scheme.
 

Eligibility Requirements to apply for Luxembourg EU Blue Card

Foreign nationals must also meet another eligibility requirement besides the salary level to obtain the EU Blue Card of Luxembourg. Applicants must have:
 

• Valid passport
• Valid visa (If needed one)
• Proof of higher educational qualification
• An employment contract of at least six months
• Proper documentation
• Fulfill the salary requirement of €63,408
   

Some countries other than Luxembourg have decided to increase their salary requirements, including Germany, Austria, and Hungary.
 

 *Are you looking for step-by-step assistance for Overseas Immigration? Talk to Y-Axis, the leading visa and overseas immigration consultancy in Australia.
 

For recent immigration updates on Luxembourg, check out Y-Axis immigration news.

Highlights: 5 essential tips to avoid Canada visitor visa rejections in 2025

• A complete visa application must be submitted for a Canada Visitor visa.
• IRCC has put new measures for scrutinizing the Canada visitor visa application
• Applicants must attach the necessary documentation to ensure the visa application is correct.
• A Canada visit visa is issued for single or multiple entry visas for up to 10 years.
   

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Top 5 methods to avoid Canada visitor visa rejections in 2025

Below are the top 5 ways to avoid Canada visitor visa rejections in 2025
 

Ensure the application is completed and attached with the necessary documentation

• Foreign nationals who are applying for a Canada visitor visa must ensure that they have completed the Temporary Resident visa application (IMM 5257) and the Family Information form (IMM 5707 or IMM 5645). Additionally, applicants must read the forms carefully and fill out the applications.
• Do not leave any question field bank; instead, write N/A or Not Applicable in that place.
• Submit all the required documentation.
• Provide two photographs according to the specifications and pay the application fees.
   

Be Transparent 

• Provide honest and transparent answers to all questions. Sharing incorrect information or omitting relevant information can be considered misrepresentation, leading to refusal and a five-year ban from entering the country.
• Providing Inconsistent information, such as conflicting dates or vague details, can lead to a refusal.
• Double-check all the documentation before submission.
   

Proof of Strong Ties to Home Country

The primary reason visa officers refuse applications is that they don’t find adequate information about an applicant wanting to return to their home country after visiting Canada. To avoid such problems, it is necessary to provide the following:
 

• Evidence of stable income, like a confirmation letter of a job in the home country
• Evidence of assets like real estate or business
• Evidence of residency ties, such as a lease agreement
• Evidence of family commitment like marriage certificates or birth certificates
   

Sufficient Proof of Funds

Applicants must demonstrate to have sufficient funds to support themselves during the visits. To prove this, an applicant can show the following:

• Employment letter with salary
• Bank statement
• Pay slips
• Investment account statements
   

*Note: Applicants must show they have enough funds to support themselves, including transportation, accommodation, and day-to-day expenses.
 

State the clear for your visit

Sharing a clear purpose for the visit helps to convince a visa officer that they are planning to stay for a limited period and will return after the purpose is accomplished. Applicants can do this by providing a detailed travel itinerary such as:

• Flight tickets
• Hotel Booking
• Other documentation, like tickets or invitations
   

*Note: A written cover letter of your travel plans can convince a visa officer that they are serious about their visits.
 

Ensure that you are not inadmissible

Certain applicants are considered inadmissible, meaning they are not allowed to enter Canada. A person can be found inadmissible for several Criminal offenses or due medical, health,security, or financial reasons.
 

Who requires a Visitor visa to Canada?

Foreign nationals require a visitor visa to enter Canada unless they are visa-exempt. Two categories do not need a visitor visa to enter Canada:
 

• Visa-exempt travelers who require eTAs: Nationals of some countries are exempt from needing a Canadian Visitor visa but need an (eTA) to enter Canada by air. Visa-exempt foreign nationals do not need an eTA to enter Canada by land or sea.
• Visa and eTA-exempt travelers: Most of the travellers from US nationals and green card holders are both visa and eTA exempt. French nationals who live in Saint Pierre and Miquelon and fly directly to Canada from St. Pierre and Miquelon also do not require an eTA.
   

Different types of Canada visitor visas

While applying for a Canada visa, applicants may be considered for single- or multiple-entry visas. A visa may be issued for up to 10 years.
 

• Multiple-entry visas: These visas allow their holders to enter and leave Canada multiple times during the duration of the visa. Visitors can usually stay for up to six months at a time.
• Single-entry visas: These visas allow Canadian holders to enter and leave Canada for a one-time visit. The visa is only valid during the duration of the visit. If the travelers want to revisit Canada, they must apply for another visitor visa.
   

  *Are you looking for step-by-step assistance for Canada Immigration? Talk to Y-Axis, the leading visa and overseas immigration consultancy in Australia.
 

For recent immigration updates on Canada, check out Y-Axis Canada immigration news.

Highlights: US will sell 1,000 Gold Cards daily—Priced at $5M Each

• Trump has offered investors a New Gold card visa as a pathway to US citizenship for 5 million.
• The US government plans to sell 10 million Gold Cards Daily to reduce fraud.
• The Gold Card visa is set to replace the long-standing EB-5 investor visa within two weeks.
• The Gold Card is a permanent legal residency or green card that will raise the price of admission for investors.
   

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New Gold Card visas

The New Gold Card visa eliminates job creation and a fast-track citizenship for a $5 million investment that will replace the existing EB-5 visas, aiming to reduce cost and fraud while attracting wealthy investors to contribute significantly to the US economy. The New Gold card will replace the 35-year-old EB-5 program within two weeks. The EB-5 program grants residency to investors who spent at least $1 million on a business that creates at least 10 jobs. A gold card is a green card or permanent legal residency that provides admission prices for investors and will reduce fraud in the country.  Approximately 8,000 people received investor visas in the 12 months ending Sept.
 

*Read more…

USA plans to issue Gold cards and Green cards
 

Benefits of Gold Card

Here are some of the benefits of a new Gold Card:

• Allow foreigners to gain US citizenship by investing $5 million in the country
• Avail Green Card benefits and obtain permanent residency in the US
• No job creation requirement
• Secure way to obtain US citizenship
   

Unlike the EB-5 program cap, the US government will sell 10 million gold cards. A Gold Card is similar to a green card but at a higher level, providing a pathway to citizenship for wealthy applicants. To apply for Gold Card holders does not need congressional approval.

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