President Donald Trump reposted a Michael Savage radio rant on Truth Social attacking birthright citizenship, calling it a loophole that allows “anchor babies” to sponsor relatives and weaken U.S. immigration control. The move comes as the Supreme Court weighs arguments over a Trump administration order that challenges how the 14th Amendment grants citizenship to people born in America.
Saudi Arabia is tightening labour enforcement and raising costs for rule-breaking employers. Hiring foreign workers without the required permits can now bring a SR10,000 fine. The crackdown also covers child labour, passport retention, and failure to record employment contracts electronically, with the stated goal of improving market stability and supporting growth.
Your news, in seconds
Get the Beige app — every story in 60 words, updated hourly. Free on iOS & Android.
Indian students are increasingly moving away from the usual US, UK, Canada and Australia route for study abroad. Stricter visa scrutiny, higher overall costs and worries about post-study job prospects are driving the shift. Ireland, New Zealand and select European countries are emerging as fresh options as applicants take a more strategic, less default approach to international education.
Russia has launched an online service called “Time to live in Russia” to bring foreign workers to the country amid widening labour shortages. The initiative targets applicants with in-demand skills and an expressed respect for traditional Russian values, including scientists, entrepreneurs and creative professionals, aiming to match staffing needs with newcomers willing to integrate.
New Zealand has set out rules for international students seeking changes to student visa conditions. Some adjustments—like specific study details or work hours—require a formal “variation of conditions” request. Other changes trigger a full new visa application. Importantly, students cannot use condition changes to extend or modify their visa expiry date.
A new audit by Canada’s Auditor General Karen Hogan finds Immigration has no effective system to track foreign students once their visas expire. The report points to weak enforcement, lack of action on thousands of high-risk cases, and documented fraud, raising questions about how well the student program is protected even as some overstayers later tried to remain legally.
Never miss a story
Set alerts for the topics and sources you care about. Download Beige for free.
New Zealand’s Business Investor visa comes with specific English-language requirements. The principal applicant must demonstrate English proficiency at the work visa stage, while partners and children aged 16 and above must meet additional criteria for the resident visa. Proof can come from approved tests or evidence of study and work in English-speaking countries, and families may also opt to pay for English lessons in New Zealand.
Iowa’s legislature is pushing a bill to restrict public universities and colleges from hiring foreign workers on H-1B visas from countries labeled “foreign adversaries.” The measure passed the House and awaits a full Senate vote, with the stated goal of strengthening national security and prioritizing American workers. Current employees would largely remain unaffected.
Japan is set to increase visa renewal and permanent residency fees through proposed amendments to the Immigration Control Act. A five-year visa renewal is expected to cost around 70,000 yen, while permanent residency permits could climb to 200,000 yen. The government says the changes reflect shifting administrative needs, with higher ceilings for fees.
Immigration New Zealand will move family visa applications linked to temporary visa holders to an enhanced online system from June 1, 2026. The change, under its “Our Future Services” programme, is designed to streamline processing, improve the applicant experience with dynamic forms and identity document readers, and reduce waiting times.
Reading on mobile?
Open Beige in the app for a smoother experience — free on iOS and Android.
New Zealand’s Post Study Work Visa lets international graduates stay after graduation, but the length is tied to qualification level and how long they studied. Master’s and doctoral holders may qualify for up to three years, while other qualifications get a visa matching the study duration. Importantly, delays in finishing studies do not add extra visa time.
Japan is set to require Japanese language proficiency for applicants to engineer and specialist visas, asking for at least B2 CEFR or JLPT N2 levels. The move is intended to curb foreign hiring into low-skill roles, while international students changing visa status may be exempt. Firms with prior labor violations could also face restrictions on hiring.
Japan is tightening its path to citizenship by doubling the residency requirement for naturalization from five to ten consecutive years starting April 1. The updated process will also require longer tax and social insurance records, bringing citizenship standards closer to those for permanent residency. Officials say the changes will make approvals more rigorous.
From April 1, 2026, USCIS will roll out major H-1B updates, including stricter form requirements, higher costs, and greater scrutiny. Most notably, the selection process will shift toward a wage-based system that prioritizes higher salaries and specific skills. Officials say the goal is to better match allocations to labor market needs and spur domestic hiring.
Follow your favourite sources
Track sources, tags and categories — all in the Beige app.
International students in New Zealand can now bring family members under clearer sponsorship options. Student visa holders may sponsor visitor visas for partners and children, while students with higher qualifications can support work visas for partners. Dependent children can also receive student visas in certain situations, and parents may apply for a Guardian Visitor Visa to join students in New Zealand.
Australia’s Department of Home Affairs says student and visitor visa processing has improved sharply: student visas now average a 33-day median, and most visitor visas are decided in under a day. But the same update shows permanent pathways remain slow, with skilled visas averaging about nine months and partner visas around 17 months.
From January 8, 2026, Indian students applying for Australia will face tougher visa evidence requirements, with India’s evidence level revised from EL2 to EL3. The Indian government is in active talks with Australian counterparts to manage the change and safeguard student mobility. Officials say India will continue supporting scholars seeking international education.
Canada will eliminate the need for a separate co-op work permit for eligible post-secondary international students starting April 1, 2026. Students can use their study permit for internships and practicums, reducing paperwork and speeding up authorization. The government is also consulting on additional proposals to broaden work rights for students and graduates.
Stay informed on the go
Bite-sized news from 100+ trusted sources, right in your pocket.
Canada will temporarily boost the hiring cap for low-wage foreign workers in rural areas to 15% from 10%, starting April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027. The change targets ongoing labour shortages in smaller communities and applies to participating provinces and territories, giving employers greater flexibility to fill roles where local supply lags.
Oracle’s fresh layoffs, paired with investment in AI infrastructure, are putting H-1B workers in a high-stakes situation. After termination, many rely on a short 60-day grace period to find new employment, change immigration status, or leave the US lawfully. Experts stress quick decisions and careful filings to protect legal status during the transition window.
Swipe through stories, personalise your feed, and save articles for later — all on the app.