Immigration news updates for AMER and EMEA regions
Americas
United States: COVID-19 vaccine requirement lifted
Effective March 11, 2025, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its technical instructions, removing the requirement for immigrant visa applicants to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. This change means that panel physicians will no longer determine an applicant’s eligibility for travel based on their COVID-19 vaccination status.
Following the CDC’s updated guidance, U.S. embassies and consulates will no longer refuse immigrant visa applications solely due to the lack of COVID-19 vaccination documentation. Applicants with unexpired and otherwise valid medical exams, who were previously found ineligible by a consular officer solely for not having the COVID-19 vaccination, can now request a new medical exam from the panel physician without incurring any fees.
Impacted applicants should contact the U.S. embassy or consulate where they submitted their immigrant visa application to arrange for the new medical exam.
This summary was prepared using the information from the Bureau of Consular Affairs
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Roberta Carnaccini (Global Operations Director, Immigration).
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Sweden: Revised immigration rules
The Swedish Parliament has introduced new immigration rules effective from April 1, 2025. Key changes include:
- Abolishing Track Changes: Previously, rejected asylum seekers who worked in Sweden could apply for a work-based residence permit without leaving the country. This option is now removed, affecting around 4,700 people.
- Statutory Limitation Periods: Deportation decisions will now be valid for five years from the date of departure, instead of four years from the decision date.
- Longer Re-entry Bans: The Swedish Migration Agency can impose longer re-entry bans for those who do not leave voluntarily by the deadline.
These changes aim to streamline the deportation process and reduce incentives to pursue illegal entry in Sweden.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from The Swedish Migration Agency
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Roberta Carnaccini (Global Operations Director, Immigration).
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