Italy issues 330,000+ Residence Permits in 2023; Indians top the list

Highlights: New Brunswick introduces two enhanced PNP pathways for Canada PR applicants

• The New Brunswick PNP has launched two new pathways under which eligible newcomers can apply for Canada PR.
• The new pathways are named Employment in New Brunswick Pathway and New Brunswick Interests Pathway.
• Both pathways are aligned with the federal Express Entry program.
• Eligible newcomers can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to NBPNP from March 05, 2025, onwards.

 

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New PR Pathways under New Brunswick PNP

The provincial government of New Brunswick has introduced two new PNP pathways for newcomers seeking Canada PR. Following its launch on March 05, 2025, candidates can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) under the two new pathways, which are listed below:

• The Employment in New Brunswick Pathway
• The New Brunswick Interests Pathway

The province is accepting applications for the above-mentioned Express Entry aligned pathway. However, certain specific occupations are to be excluded while considering invitations. Selected candidates will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for provincial nomination and eventually apply for Canada PR.

 

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Who is eligible to receive an invitation for provincial nomination under these streams?

Each stream has different eligibility criteria. Candidates meeting the eligibility criteria for each stream can get an invitation for provincial nomination.

The table below provides an overview of the eligibility criteria for the two new streams:

Pathway	Who is eligible for nomination?
Employment in New Brunswick	Must have lived in New Brunswick for the past 1 year consecutively along with having full-time employment under a New Brunswick employer
New Brunswick Interests Pathway	Must have received a Letter of Interest from ImmigrationNB in their Express Entry Profile and must have a minimum  full-time(or equivalent part-time) work experience of 1 year in the last 10 years

 

Additionally, the candidate must meet the general eligibility criteria mentioned below:

• Must be aged between 19 and 55 years
• Must have scored at least 67 points on the New Brunswick Express Entry grid
• Must have a valid Express Entry profile
• Must have minimum language proficiency of CLB/NCLC 7 in all language abilities
• Must have enough funds as per the minimum requirement specified by IRCC
• Must have completed high school diploma or equivalent education
• Must be willing to live and work in New Brunswick permanently
• Must have a job offer listed under NOC 0,1,2, or 3

 

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Which occupations are excluded from being invited under these pathways?

The table below lists the occupations that are excluded from being considered for NBPNP pathways are listed below:

Job Title	NOC Code
Accounting technicians and bookkeepers	12200
Administrative assistants	13110
Bakers	63202
Cooks	63200
Food service supervisors	62020
Restaurant and food service managers	60030
Retail and wholesale trade managers	60020
Retail sales supervisors	62010

 

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Highlights: Canada offering study permit exemptions for apprentice programs in 20+ occupations

• IRCC is now allowing some temporary foreign workers to enrol in apprenticeship programs without study permit.
• Foreign construction workers would need a valid work permit and a job offer in relevant occupation.
• The applicant must also have an apprenticeship agreement for the work mentioned in the job offer.
• Occupations like construction managers, electrical mechanics and industrial electricians are eligible.

 

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Canada Study Permit Exemption for Apprentices

On March 07, 2025, IRCC stated that some temporary foreign workers associated with the construction industry would be eligible for apprentice programs in Canada without requiring a Canadian study permit. Candidates would be eligible if they meet the following criteria:

• Must have a valid work permit
• Must have a valid job offer in an eligible construction job role
• Must have an agreement of apprenticeship with an employer

The apprenticeship agreement has to be registered with the relevant territorial or provincial authority, and the foreign worker must meet the eligibility criteria at all times.

Note: IRCC has also announced that this temporary policy would remain effective till February 26, 2027.

 

Which occupations qualify for study permit exemption?

The following construction occupations are eligible for the new study permit exemption:

NOC Code	Occupation
72320	Bricklayers
72311	Cabinetmakers
72310	Carpenters
22300	Civil engineering technologists and technicians
21300	Civil engineers
73100	Concrete finishers
22303	Construction estimators
70010	Construction managers
72400	Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
72422	Electrical mechanics
72200	Electricians (except industrial and power system)
73113	Floor covering installers
72402	Heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning mechanics
72401	Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
70011	Home building and renovation managers
72201	Industrial electricians
73112	Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)
72300	Plumbers
73110	Roofers and shinglers
72102	Sheet metal workers
72501	Water well drillers
72106	Welders and related machine operators

 

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How to apply for the apprentice program?

The steps to apply for the apprenticeship program without requiring a study permit are listed below:

Step 1: Submit a request including “Apprenticeship 25-27” in the explanation box

Step 2: Wait for a letter of authorization

Step 3: Fly to Canada upon successful application

The letter of authorization issued to successful applicants would be valid till the expiry of the work permit and the expiry or revocation of the public policy.

 

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Highlights: The Swiss Consulate in New Delhi issued highest number of Schengen visas every year

• The Swiss Consulate in New Delhi received around 186,646 Schengen visa applications in 2023.
• The Consulates approved around 166,919 visas, reaching a record-high figure.
• Around 98.5% of the visas issued were multiple-entry Schengen visas.
• The top countries that immigrants wanted to migrate to include France, Germany, Spain, and Italy.

 

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Visa applications granted by the Swiss Consulate in New Delhi

According to recent statistics by the Migrate and Home Affairs in the European Union, the Swiss consulate in New Deli has reported to have received and issued the highest number of visa applications in 2025. The table below provides details of the same:

Visa applications in 2023
No. of Visa applications received	186,646
No. of Visa applications approved	166,919

 

The majority of visas issued by the consulate were multiple-entry Schengen visas for countries like France, Spain, Italy, and Germany. Around 88% of applicants received a positive response out of 98.5% multiple-entry visa applications.

 

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Top 10 consulates to have issued the maximum number of visas in 2023

The table below provides details about the Top 10 consulates to have issued the maximum number of visas in 2023:

Name of the Consulate	No. of applications received in 2023
Swiss Consulate in New Delhi	186,646
Greek Consulate in Istanbul	152,778
French Consulate in Algiers	152,411
French Consulate in Rabata	146,998
German Consulate in Istanbul	139,661
French Consulate in London	130,181
Italian Consulate in Moscow	122,970
German Consulate in Mumbai	113,177
French Consulate in Moscow	111,128
Spanish Consulate in Moscow	107,193

 

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Highlights: Employment in Canada up by 387,000 in Feb 2025

• Canadian Labour Force Survey reports revealed that Canadian employment rose by 387,000 in February 2025.
• The unemployment rate in Canada remained at 6.6% as of February 2025.
• Employment increased by 27,000 among core-aged women between 25 to 54 years.
• The wholesale and retail trade industry in Canada witnessed a 1.7% increase in employment.

 

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Rise in employment in Canada, February 2025

According to recent reports by the Canadian Labour Force Survey, Canada reported an increase of 387,000 employees in February 2025. The employment rate remained unchanged at 61.1%, and the unemployment rate was 6.6%.

The employment rate among core-aged women between 25 and 54 increased by 0.4%, or 27,000. Among all industries in Canada, the wholesale and retail trade reported a maximum employment increment rate of 1.7%, adding 51,000 new employees to the sector.

 

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Employment hike among core-aged women and men

In Canada, employment among core-aged women in the age group of 25 to 54 years increased by 27,000 in February 2025. The employment rate for this group has a hike of 0.4% following the rise of0.5% in January 2025.

 Employment among youth aged below 16 to 24 years and for core-aged men remained unchanged as of February 2025. However, these groups had reported a high increment rate of 1.3% for three consecutive months from November 2024 to January 2025, adding around 90,000 employees to the Canadian job market.

 

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Increase in employment among Canadian industries

Certain industries like the wholesale and retail trade and finance, insurance, and real estate reported a higher increase in employment than others. The table below provides details of the increase in employment among Canadian industries as of February 2025:

Industry	Increase in employment	% of increase
Wholesale and retail trade	51,000	1.70%
Finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing	16,000	1.10%

 

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Highlights: Dubai Updated the 2-year Employment visa Process for 2025

• Dubai has announced major updates to the 2-year Employment visa process for 2025.
• The application process for the 2-year Employment visa in Dubai is set to become faster and more efficient for Indians.
• Some of the updates include AI automation, the Golden visa eligibility expansion, and streamlined and digital processing.
• The GDRFA and MOHRE introduced the Dubai 2-year Employment visa updates.  

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Dubai Employment Visa Process for 2025

The 2-year Employment Visa in Dubai is for individuals working under a UAE-based employer’s sponsorship. It allows them to legally reside in Dubai and avail themselves of services like banking, healthcare, etc.

 

The updated process for the Dubai Employment visa is as follows:

Step 1: Get a valid job offer and sponsorship from a registered UAE-based employer.

Step 2: The employer secures a work permit approval from the MOHRE, verifying the company’s authorization to hire foreign talent.

Step 3: Upon approval, an entry permit with a 60-day validity period will be issued, allowing the applicant to enter Dubai and complete the required formalities.

Step 4: After entering the country, the applicant must undergo a medical examination, including a chest X-ray and a blood test.

Step 5: The applicants must register for an Emirates ID, including biometric verification.

Step 6: After completing all the formalities, the GDRFA stamps the Employment visa, granting legal residency access to the applicant.

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Major Updates for 2025

Given below are the updates announced for the Dubai 2-year Employment Visa for 2025:

• AI-powered visa renewals (Salama System): The Salama System will automate visa renewal applications, further minimizing visa processing times.
• Expansion of Golden visa categories: Professionals in sectors like teaching, digital content creation, sustainability, healthcare, etc., can now qualify for the 10-year Golden visa.
• Expedited digital visa processing: Most visa services will be done online, reducing offline paperwork and in-person visits.
• Expansion of Visa-on-arrival for Indians: Indian passport-holders who fulfill the eligibility requirements can now get a visa on arrival, making the process streamlined and efficient
• Inclusive family sponsorship rules: Individuals earning a monthly salary of AED 4,000 can now sponsor their children, spouses, and parents.

 

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Highlights: France & Germany were the top Destination choices for Indians in 2024

• In 2024, Germany and France were among the top two destinations that received the most Indian visa applications.
• Recent statistics suggest that the number of Indians filing for visa applications increased by 11% last year.
• Switzerland continued to be one of the top destination choices for Indian applicants.
• Indians were the third-largest group of visa applicants to the Schengen area in 2023, with nearly 966,687 applications.

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European Countries Experiencing a Surge in Indian Visa Applications

According to statistics released by VFS Global, a growing number of Indians are traveling to European countries. In 2024, France and Germany were the top two choices for Indian visa applicants. The total number of Indian visa applications rose by 11% last year.  

The top European countries that are popular amongst Indian visa applicants are as follows:

• France
• Germany
• Italy
• The Netherlands
• Switzerland
• The UK

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A total of 966,687 Indian Visa Applications were filed in 2023

In 2023, 966,687 visa applications were filed by Indians, the third-largest group of Schengen visa applicants. Switzerland, France, and Germany collectively received nearly 51.5%, that is, 498,708, of the overall applications by Indians.

The table below has the top three European countries that received the highest number of Indian visa applications in 2023:

Country	Total number of visa applications from India
Switzerland	1,89,646
France	1,76,237
Germany	1,32,825

 

 

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For more updates on Schengen news, follow the Y-Axis Schengen news page!

 

 

Highlights: Invitations open for Indian Students to apply for Vice Chancellor’s Awards at King’s College London  

• The King’s College in London has invited Indian students to apply for the Vice Chancellor’s Awards.
• Eligible postgraduate students can get up to a £10,000 (around Rs.11.26 lakh) fee waiver.
• Full-time, on-campus students enrolled in courses from September can apply for this award.
• Applications must be submitted by the end of April 2025, and the cap count for Indian students has been set at 30.

 

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Vice Chancellor’s Awards in King’s College London  

In a recent announcement, the prestigious King’s College London has extended its invitation to apply for the Vice Chancellor’s awards, especially to Indian students. The award offers a postgraduate fee waiver of around £10,000 (nearly Rs.11.26 lakh) for eligible Indian students.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shitij Kapur, stated that the award is particularly beneficial to Indian students as it aims to create a broader impact in society. The King’s College London was among the first colleges in the UK to offer courses in Sanskrit and Bengali to Indian students.

 

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Vice Chancellor’s Awards Eligibility Requirements

Indian students would be eligible to apply for the Vice Chancellor’s Awards in King’s College London if they meet the following requirements:

• Must be domiciled in India and aged above 18 years
• Must be enrolled in full-time, on-campus postgraduate courses from September 2025
• Must demonstrate how their learnings would help them make a difference in their community

As of the 2025-2026 awards, 30 Indian students would be eligible to apply for the Vice Chancellor’s Awards at King’s College London. Applications are open until the end of April 2025.

 

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Highlights: Canada inviting applications for Parents and Grandparents' PR pathway from March 07, 2025

• IRCC will send invitations to apply for the Parents and Grandparents program (PGP) on March 07, 2025.
• Canadian PR holders can apply to sponsor their parents and grandparents to acquire Canada PR.
• Candidates who had applied for the Canada PGP during the 2020 intake might receive an ITA in 2025.
• IRCC is planning to accept around 10,000 PGP applications in 2025.

 

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Canada Parents and Grandparents Program 2025 Intake

In an announcement made on March 07, 2025, IRCC stated that eligible candidates will receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for Canada PR via the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). Candidates who had applied during the 2020 intake can expect to receive an ITA in the 2025 intake.

In January 2025, IRCC had announced to send no new invitations via the Canada PGP and would only process the applications received during the 2024. However, the recent announcement stated that the cap count for Canada PGP 2025 is set at around 10,000 applications.

 

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How to apply for the Canada PGP?

The steps to apply for Canada PGP are listed below:

Step 1: Check if you are eligible to sponsor your parents and grandparents

Step 2: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)

Step 3: Wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

Step 4: Provide all the documents required

Step 5: Bring your parents once the application is processed

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Highlights: US planning to issue Green Cards and Gold Card

• The US President Trump recently announced to introduce a new ‘Gold Card’ Visa.
• The Gold Card visa is going to be a pathway to US citizenship via investment.
• Foreign investors willing to invest a minimum of USD 5 million can apply for this visa.
• The new visa will replace the EB-5 visa while attracting wealthy investors to settle in the US.

 

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President Trump’s new Gold Card Visa

In a recent announcement, President Donald Trump announced that the US is planning to launch a new Gold Card visa as a citizenship pathway. The visa would be like a Green card, offering permanent legal residency to foreign investors willing to invest a minimum of USED 5 million.

President Trump hopes that selling 10 million new Gold card visas will reduce the federal deficit. The new visa is also likely to allow talented people to migrate to the US through a pathway laid down by wealthy people.

Foreign Investor Visas

According to Henley and Partners, around 100 countries such as the UK, US, Spain, Malta, Australia, Italy and Canada offer investment visas or “golden visas” to wealthy applicants. Most of these countries offer citizenship in return of the investment made by these investors.

Reports by the Homeland Security Department revealed that the US issued around 8,000 investor visas. Trump commented that the new “Gold card” visa is likely to replace the EB-5 visa program, which reported numerous investment frauds in recent times.

 

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Highlights: Major changes announced for Express Entry categories from 1st March 2025

• IRCC announced major changes for Express Entry categories on February 27, 2025.
• The new category announced for Express Entry 2025 is education.
• The IRCC has also added a few social services under the healthcare category.
• The new categories will be effective from March 01, 2025.

 

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Changes to the Express Entry Categories 2025

On February 27, 2025, IRCC added the new education category for Express Entry applicants in 2025. The department also announced major changes to the category-based draws including number of social services been listed under the healthcare category.

Under the new changes, the category of Transport has been removed from category-based draws. The current Express Entry categories, as per the IRCC website, are:

• French-language proficiency
• Healthcare and Social service occupations
• Trades occupations and
• Education occupations
• Agriculture and agri-food occupations
• Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) occupations

The first four categories listed above have a higher priority for category-based draws and are more likely to receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs).

 

Also read…

When is the next Canada Express Entry Draw?

 

Other changes for category-based Express Entry Draws

 Changes have been announced for all existing Express Entry categories. The table below provides details of the same:

Category name	Number of occupations added	Number of occupations removed
Healthcare and Social Services occupations	8	6
Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) occupations	6	19
Trade occupations	19	4
Agriculture and Agri-food occupations	0	2

 

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