Pakistan recorded a historic high in passport issuance in 2025, with a total of 5,572,013 passports issued nationwide, according to data from the Directorate of Passports and Immigration. The achievement reflects major improvements in administrative efficiency and service delivery within the passport system.

Cape Verde, a small island nation with a population of around 500,000, has withdrawn its visa-on-arrival facility for Pakistan and 95 other countries, requiring affected travelers to obtain a visa before traveling. The new immigration rules came into effect on January 1, 2026, significantly changing entry requirements for visitors from dozens of previously eligible nations.

Indonesia has begun accepting applications for global citizenship, marking a significant shift in the country’s approach to residency and international mobility. The new initiative is aimed at attracting foreign nationals who can contribute to Indonesia’s economy, innovation ecosystem, and global standing, while also strengthening ties with the international community. Officials say the program

Islamabad: Canada is offering an opportunity for foreigners, including Pakistani nationals, to apply for permanent residency through the Federal Skilled Worker Program under the Express Entry System. The program selects skilled workers based on factors such as education, work experience, language proficiency, and other eligibility criteria.

Kuwait has launched major updates to its residency and visa system, allowing visit visas to be issued digitally in under five minutes. Brigadier General Mazyad Al-Mutairi, Director General of the Residency Affairs Department, stated that the department currently processes 17,000 to 20,000 visit visas weekly—including family, business, and tourist types—alongside roughly 25,000 residency permits,

The United States Embassy in India has issued a public warning to Indian nationals, cautioning that those who migrate illegally to the US or violate American laws could face “significant criminal penalties.” The advisory was posted on the embassy’s official X account, emphasizing that individuals who break US law will be subject to strict legal consequences.

At Sialkot International Airport, the FIA Immigration foiled an attempt by five passengers to travel to Australia using fake visas. The passengers, including a woman and children, were offloaded after the verification process revealed that the Australian visit visas had no record in the official system.

The Trump administration has officially suspended the United States Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, commonly known as the green card lottery, citing concerns over national security and immigration control. The Diversity Visa (DV) lottery, which grants permanent residency to applicants from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the U.S., has been a pathway for thousands of

Oman and Turkey have announced a reciprocal visa-free travel agreement for holders of ordinary passports, making travel between the two countries significantly easier. The mutual visa exemption will take effect from November 1, 2025, and is expected to boost tourism, cultural exchange, and bilateral relations between Muscat and Ankara.

Google and Apple have warned employees who require visa stamping to re-enter the United States to avoid international travel due to unusually long and unpredictable visa processing delays, according to a report by Business Insider. Immigration law firms representing the two tech giants have raised concerns that employees leaving the US may face extended delays or difficulties returning.