Oliver Mercer
TPS Renewal Fees and Payment Options: Key Changes Effective July 2025
New TPS fees effective July 22, 2025: $30 biometrics fee for re-registration (waivable), $500 initial TPS filing fee…
Canada’s International Mobility Program: A Practical Guide for Workers
The IMP issued 302,280 work permits in H1 2025, exceeding targets. LMIA exemptions speed hiring, while Jan 21,…
I-90 Replacement Processing Times: Key Factors and Trends for 2025
Median I-90 processing times jumped to 8–12+ months by September 21, 2025, amid a USCIS backlog of over…
Nationality at Birth on Immigration Forms: A Practical Guide
Confusing Nationality with Place of birth caused immigration delays in 2024–2025. DHS’s April 11, 2025 rule increased biographic…
221(g) Passport Returned Without Stamping: What It Means for Your Visa
A 221(g) notice returns your passport unstamped while consulates perform additional checks or request documents; it is a…
I-864 Poverty Guidelines 2025 Income thresholds for family sponsorship
The 2025 I-864 Poverty Guidelines increase income requirements for most family-based sponsors to 125% of federal poverty levels,…
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…