Denmark Joins Canada, US, New Zealand, Finland And More As Nations Tighten Visa Rules And Update Travel Requirements

Denmark has joined Canada, the United States, New Zealand, Finland, and several other nations in implementing major visa and travel policy reforms aimed at strengthening border security, streamlining immigration processes, and reducing misuse of existing systems. These coordinated changes, introduced between late April and early May 2025, reflect a global shift toward tighter entry controls and updated documentation requirements for international workers, students, tourists, and asylum seekers. The reforms are designed to ensure greater compliance, enhance national safety, and improve the overall efficiency of immigration systems worldwide.

Canada, Denmark, Finland, and the US Announce Key Changes to Work, Study, and Residence Policies

Governments in Canada, Denmark, and Finland have rolled out significant immigration policy changes, directly affecting international workers, students, and asylum seekers. The updates, announced between late April and early May 2025, aim to streamline processes, enhance national security, and address abuse of existing programs. Here’s a breakdown of the latest developments.

Canada Introduces Simplified IEC Work Permit Delivery for In-Country Applicants

As of 6 May 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced a streamlined system allowing eligible International Experience Canada (IEC) participants already residing in Canada to receive their new work permits by mail, eliminating the need to exit the country for activation.

This new policy, effective through 1 December 2025, marks a notable departure from previous procedures. Previously, IEC participants with expired permits were required to leave Canada to reactivate a new one—often through brief visits to the United States or territories like St. Pierre and Miquelon, a practice known as “flagpoling.” However, this method was officially banned in December 2024.

To qualify for the mailed delivery option, applicants must:

• Be in Canada with a valid IEC work permit at the time of submitting a new IEC application;
• Hold a valid Port of Entry (POE) Letter of Introduction;
• Request the work permit before their POE letter expires;
• Maintain legal status in Canada when making the request.

Important caveats include the requirement to apply for a visitor record if the current work permit expires before the new one is received. Applicants cannot begin working again until the physical permit is in hand. The processing time is typically five business days, after which IRCC sends a notification via the applicant’s secure online account. Mailing times depend on Canada Post’s standards and are not included in the processing duration.

If an individual does not meet the eligibility conditions, they must leave Canada and re-enter from a third country other than the US or St. Pierre and Miquelon to activate their new permit.

Denmark Tightens Study Permit Rules for Third-Country Nationals

Effective 2 May 2025, Denmark has implemented stricter regulations targeting international students from third countries enrolled in non-state-approved higher education institutions.

The newly amended ‘Executive Order on the granting of residence and work permits to students’ removes the following privileges for these students:

• Right to a limited work permit;
• Six-month job search extension after study completion;
• Right to bring accompanying family members.

These changes are part of Denmark’s broader strategy to ensure that residence permits are granted solely to individuals with genuine academic intentions. The new rules apply only to applications submitted on or after 2 May 2025.

Students and their family members who were granted or applied for residence permits before this date remain unaffected and may continue to extend their status under the previous terms.

Finland Expands Powers on Detention and Entry Bans to Enhance Immigration Enforcement

Amendments to Finland’s Aliens Act came into force on 6 May 2025, significantly strengthening the country’s immigration enforcement mechanisms. The new provisions expand the legal definitions of residence, extend the maximum periods for both detention and entry bans, and establish stricter consequences for individuals with negative immigration decisions.

Key Changes Include:

• Extended Entry Bans: Fixed-term bans for third-country nationals can now last up to fifteen years—tripling the previous limit of five years. Indefinite bans remain a legal option and generally apply to the entire Schengen Area.
• Detention Rules Tightened: The maximum detention period for individuals awaiting removal has been extended from twelve to eighteen months. Detention may also be imposed pre-removal, up to twelve months, if the person poses a threat to national or public security.
• Stricter Legal Residence Definitions: A person’s right to remain in Finland is now more directly linked to the enforceability of their removal decision. Residence becomes illegal immediately after a negative decision if no valid visa or permit exists.
• Cooperation Requirement for Deportation: Individuals subject to removal must now comply fully with the process. Refusal to cooperate may result in additional penalties, including extended bans.
• Asylum and Appeals: While submitting an initial asylum application allows legal stay until a decision is made, repeated or secondary applications may not offer the same protection. During appeal procedures following negative asylum outcomes, residence is no longer considered legal unless otherwise approved.

The Finnish Immigration Service has also been granted authority to impose residence and reporting obligations on adult asylum seekers residing in reception centres. Enforcement and detention remain under the jurisdiction of local police and border officials.

New Zealand Updates Visitor Visa Translation Requirements

Starting 26 May 2025, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will simplify translation requirements for visitor visa applicants. Supporting documents submitted in any language other than English no longer require certified translations, aligning New Zealand’s rules more closely with those in Australia.

Applicants must still include English translations of all supporting documents, and clearly indicate:

• Who completed the translation;
• The translator’s qualifications or relevant experience.

However, translations provided by the applicant themselves, their relatives, or any immigration advisers involved in the application will not be accepted.

This change applies only to visitor visa applications. Certified translations are still mandatory for documents supporting resident visa applications.

Reminder for Pacific Engagement Visa Ballot Selectees

INZ has issued a fresh reminder to individuals who were selected in the January and February 2025 Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) ballots to submit their visa applications without delay. The PEV provides successful applicants with a pathway to permanent residency in Australia.

PEV recipients enjoy a range of benefits, including:

• Access to public education;
• Enrollment in Medicare;
• Eligibility for subsidised childcare;
• The right to live and work in Australia indefinitely.

Participating nations in the January and February ballots include:

• Fiji
• Nauru
• Papua New Guinea
• Solomon Islands
• Timor Leste
• Tonga
• Tuvalu
• Vanuatu

Applicants must lodge their visa submissions within 120 days from the date on their official Notification of Selection letter. Applications can be submitted using the link provided in the letter or directly through their ImmiAccount.

Applicants do not need to upload all supporting documents, such as health checks or employment evidence, immediately but must submit them later during the application process.

United States Withdraws Romania from Visa Waiver Program

In a notable reversal, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has officially rescinded Romania’s designation under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), effective 2 May 2025.

While Romania was added to the VWP list in January 2025 under the previous administration, DHS paused implementation in March to reevaluate the decision. After a thorough review, U.S. authorities concluded that Romania no longer met the program’s criteria.

This move is intended to preserve the integrity of the VWP and safeguard U.S. national security. Romania may be reconsidered for inclusion in the future if it satisfies the required eligibility standards.

The VWP allows travelers from designated countries to visit the United States for up to ninety days without a visa for business or tourism. In return, VWP countries must offer reciprocal access to U.S. citizens under similar terms.

New DS-160 Submission Rules for US Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants

Several US embassies and consulates have issued new guidelines concerning the DS-160 visa application form. Effective immediately, applicants must ensure that the details on their submitted DS-160 form are accurate and finalized at least seventy-two hours prior to their visa interview appointment.

Key points for applicants include:

• A printed confirmation page with the correct barcode is required at the interview;
• If an applicant updates their form and receives a new DS-160 number, the appointment system must also be updated to reflect the new barcode number;
• Failure to match the DS-160 form and appointment barcode will result in a rejected interview and the need to reschedule.

Consular officers will not be able to edit DS-160 barcode information on behalf of applicants. Applicants must use USTravelDocs.com to update and rebook their appointments.

These measures aim to reduce administrative errors and streamline visa processing at U.S. embassies worldwide.

Smith Stone Walters Joins Forces with Envoy Global

In a strategic move to enhance service offerings, Smith Stone Walters has officially partnered with Envoy Global, a leader in corporate immigration solutions. This partnership will expand the firm’s global reach and bolster its capabilities in delivering streamlined, compliant immigration services for businesses worldwide.

Clients can now access a broader range of tools and resources, making it easier to manage international mobility programs. The collaboration aims to provide an enhanced level of support across borders, industries, and visa types.

Denmark has joined Canada, the US, New Zealand, Finland and more in updating visa and travel rules to enhance border security and prevent misuse of immigration pathways. The coordinated reforms aim to streamline application processes and ensure greater regulatory compliance worldwide.

From visitor visas in New Zealand and long-term migration opportunities in Australia to tighter application rules in the United States, the latest immigration developments signal a push toward stricter compliance and greater transparency. As countries continue to refine their immigration policies, staying informed is more essential than ever for applicants and sponsoring organizations alike.