Religious workers’ visa: Trump admin reduces one-year mandatory out-of-country waiting period for R-1 renewal

While the Trump administration is cracking down on all visas, it chose to do otherwise for religious workers’ visa as the administration announced a new rule to remove a one-year out-of-country waiting period for priests and religious workers seeking a new temporary R-1 visa after their previous visa expires. Old R-1 visa rule The R-1 […]

The UK is watering down plans for mandatory digital ID cards after a backlash

File photo: UK PM Keir Starmer (Picture credit: AP) LONDON: The British government has watered down plans for mandatory digital identification cards, a contentious idea it had touted as a way to help control immigration. It’s the latest policy U-turn by Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s embattled center-left government, which is under fire from both opposition […]

Oman: Ministry of Health makes premarital medical exams mandatory for couples | World News

Premarital medical exams are now mandatory in Oman to ensure healthier families and informed marriages/Representative Image From the start of 2026, marriage in Oman entered a new phase. A Royal Decree that came into force on January 1 now makes premarital medical examinations compulsory for all Omanis, placing public health and informed family planning at […]

Oman: Ministry of Health makes premarital medical exams mandatory for couples | World News

Premarital medical exams are now mandatory in Oman to ensure healthier families and informed marriages/Representative Image From the start of 2026, marriage in Oman entered a new phase. A Royal Decree that came into force on January 1 now makes premarital medical examinations compulsory for all Omanis, placing public health and informed family planning at […]

Kuwait makes health insurance mandatory for foreign residents & visitors from Dec 23: Fees & exemptions | World News

Kuwait mandates health insurance from December 23 for all foreign residents and visitors, with specified fees/Representative Image Starting December 23, all foreigners entering or living in Kuwait will need to pay health insurance fees, as new regulations from the Ministry of Health take effect. Minister Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadi issued executive rules under Law No. 1 […]

Kuwaiti: Pre travel biometric registration made mandatory as Kuwait ends fingerprinting at borders | World News

Kuwait suspends border fingerprinting; citizens and expatriates must complete biometric registration at designated centres before travel/Representative Image Kuwait is taking decisive steps to unclog its border crossings and make travel smoother for citizens and residents. By shifting biometric fingerprinting away from airports, land borders, and sea ports, the Ministry of Interior aims to reduce congestion, […]

Ontario cracks down on truck driving license, makes one year Canadian driving experience mandatory

Ontario makes one year Canadian driving a mandatory requirement to get a commercial license. Canada’s Ontario province took learning lessons from the US and put in place stricter requirements for getting a commercial driving license in the province. Ontario MPP, Sikh-Canadian politician Hardeep Grewal, announced the measures, including one year of Canadian driving experience for […]

UAE customs rule: Digital customs declarations now mandatory for high-value items | World News

Cash and valuables above dh60,000 must be declared/Representative Image Travellers entering or leaving the UAE with cash, jewellery, precious stones, or goods exceeding a total value of Dh60,000 ($16,300) must complete a mandatory online customs disclosure through the official Afseh platform. This streamlined process, now digital across major airports, enhances transparency and security at borders […]

Cybersecurity now mandatory: UAE schools to teach cybersecurity across all grades from 2025 | World News

Ministry of Education will introduce cybersecurity lessons for students from Grade 1 to 12/Representative Image In a major educational reform, the UAE Ministry of Education will introduce cybersecurity lessons for students from Grade 1 to 12 starting in the 2025–26 academic year, aiming to cultivate digital safety and resilience as core competencies for the next […]

Oman’s new rule: Professional licenses now mandatory for oil & gas jobs, check if your job is on the list | World News

As per the new rules, licensing is required for dozens of job roles in the oil and gas sector/Representative Image TL;DR: Oman’s Ministry of Labour has mandated that, effective September 1, 2025, licensing is required for dozens of job roles in the oil and gas sector. Workers in these positions must obtain a license from […]