Immigration news

The US Department of State issued a press release on 29 June with an update on the US Visa System failures. According to the release, published online at travel.state.gov, all visa-issuing embassies are now back online. This problem had also delayed issuance of passports to US citizens.

Visa interviews, for the issuing of non-immigrant and immigrant visas are also being scheduled. However, there are still issues with online immigrant visa applications, but the Department of State is working round the clock to rectify the issue.

Services through the Channel Tunnel were suspended on Tuesday, 23 June as workers staged a strike at the port of Calais in France. The strike led to widespread travel chaos, with many Eurostar services cancelled. Part of the M20 motorway had to be closed, adding to the travel disruption.

Eurotunnel, which operates the Channel Tunnel, said that 'many of those involved in strike action accessed the tracks.' The strike has ended, with ferry services and Eurotunnel trains carrying passenger vehicles, resuming later on Tuesday. Eurostar trains have also resumed.

Vietnam has lifted its visa requirement for Britons for a limited time only in an effort to attract more tourists to the country, provided that you do not intend to stay for longer than 15 days.

From July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016, travel to Vietnam for Britons will be visa-free for visits for up to fifteen days according to an announcement made by tour operators at the Mekong Tourism Forum, an independent body that provides guidance and support for increasing tourism.

The Australian Labor Party may soon support immigrant boat 'turnbacks' according to Labor leader Bill Shorten, after party members publicly endorsed the policy.

The Australian Labour Party has historically opposed the policy, which was condemned as "leading to a chain of human rights violations, including arbitrary detention and possible torture following return to home countries" by United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein in September last year.

Over 700,000 US visas have been delayed due to ongoing computer problems at United States Embassies around the World.

On June 7th the US visa and passport system went down due to problems with its biometric data system, which is used to record applicants' fingerprints and photographs. The US has said the system will not be operating at full capacity until at least the end of June, with many applicants being told they will not be interviewed until after July 6th.

Immigrants to the UK may face additional administration fees from landlords and letting agents when renting property from September, as a controversial 'right to rent' scheme is rolled out across the country.

The scheme, which is currently being tested in some areas of the UK, will compel landlords to check the immigration status of all their tenants – and promises hefty fines if they fail to do so.If they fail to make the proper checks, landlords will be fined up to £3000 for each tenant who has no right to rent in the UK; such as undocumented migrants.