Editors Pick

Highlights: New Federal Rule Mandates IDs for immigrants in the USA

• A new U.S. federal rule has been announced for immigrants in the USA.
• According to the rule, all immigrants above 18 years of age must always carry proof of registration or ID.
• Non-citizens in the country will be given 30 days to register with the federal government.
• The new rule for non-citizens in the US was effective from April 11, 2025.
   

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Immigrants in the US will now have to carry an ID at all times

According to the new Federal rule, implemented on April 11, 2025, all immigrants in the US, including H-1B visa holders, F-1 visa holders, US visitor visa holders, and Green card holders, will be required to carry proof of registration, irrespective of their visa status. The new policy makes it compulsory for non-citizens aged 18 years and above to always carry their ID card. Immigrants who have yet to be registered will be given around 30 days to complete their registration with the US federal government.
 

Individuals currently in the country with US student visas (F-1), I-94 admissions, and H-1B visas, EADs, or Green Cards will automatically be considered registered. However, the new rule requires them to carry their proof of registration everywhere to avoid any consequences.
 

Also, read…

US Extends Employment Document Renewals to 540 Days
 

What are the new registration rules in the US?

The new rule also requires individuals to meet specific requirements, such as:

• Children turning 14 will be required to re-register and submit biometrics (fingerprints) within 30 days of celebrating their birthday.
• Any address changes must be informed within 10 days, failing which a fine of $5,000 or one month of jail time may be imposed.
   

Note: Violating these rules may result in losing their legal status in the US, detention, or re-entry to the US after traveling abroad.   
 

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Highlights: $100 Million Australian university program to support women in STEM

• Tech founder Robin Khuda has recently funded $100 million to the University of Sydney.
• The record donation is set to fund a two-year program to support women enrolled in STEM.
• According to the STEM Equity Monitor 2024, women represent only 15% of individuals working in STEM jobs.
• The STEM course aims to support female students in relevant high school courses and further encourage them to pursue STEM.
   

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Record $100m donation to the University of Sydney

Tech Founder Robin Khuda has funded nearly $100 million from the Khuda Foundation to the University of Sydney. This is recorded to be the largest ever amount of funds to be received by any of the universities in New South Wales. The donation is directed towards encouraging young women to enroll in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.) The funds will go towards the two-decade program to support women studying and employed in STEM jobs.
 

Mark Scott, the vice-chancellor of the University of Sydney, said that he and Robin Khuda had consulted for two years to devise the program. Robin Khuda had earlier donated $22m to over 300 of his employees after he acquired a $24 billion acquisition from a US firm. Khuda chose the University of Sydney because it has a strong research, academic, and teaching reputation.
 

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​​​​​​Highlights: Canada increases Federal Minimum Wages by 2.4%

• The Canadian Government has announced an increase in the federal minimum wage.
• Canada's updated federal minimum wages are now set at $17.75 per hour, effective April 2025.
• The 2.4% wage increase aligns with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to support workers.
• The price hike will impact employees at the federal level in regulated sectors such as transportation and banking.

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Canada Increases the Federal Minimum Wage to $17.75 per hour

The Canadian Government recently announced an increase in the federal minimum wage by 2.4%. The minimum wage is set to increase to $17.75 per hour and will be effective from April 1, 2025. The increase in wages is according to the annual Consumer Price Index. The increase in wages is aimed at supporting the workers in Canada in dealing with rising living costs.

The newly announced wages are set to impact employees at the federal level in regulated sectors such as:

• Telecommunications
• Banking
• Interprovincial transportation

Provinces and territories with a minimum wage higher than the federal rate would be required to pay the higher amount. The wage revisions were introduced to stabilize low-wage, temporary, or part-time workers.

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How is the Federal Minimum Wage calculated?

Federal minimum wages are calculated annually on the 1st of April, as per the average CPI of the preceding year. The rate is always rounded off to the nearest $0.05; however, the wages have been consistent since 2021.

The table below has the years 2021-2025, along with the wages:

The wage adjustments also included other workplace policies aimed at improving the well-being of the employee. As per the latest legislative changes, individuals with improved job security have more access to factors such as work-life balance, parental leave, and health-related issues.

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Highlights: Australia to Raise Skilled Visa Income Thresholds from July 1, 2025

• Australia will increase the skilled visa income threshold by 4.6% from July 1, 2025.
• The revised income threshold will be eligible for three streams: Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT), Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT), and Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT).
• Application lodged before July 1, 2025, does not apply to the newly revised policy.
• New nomination applications from July 1, 2025, must meet the latest relevant income threshold.
   

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Australia Annual indexation of Skilled Visa Income

Australia's department has announced an increase of 4.6% of the skilled visa income thresholds, which will change to the annual Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE). The income thresholds are indexed annually, so skilled migrant wages are increased at the same rate as Australian workers. This initiative also aims to ensure that employers cannot use skilled migration.
 

Australia Income Threshold for Skilled Professional

The Income threshold for Skilled professionals will be increased by July 1, 2025, by 4.6 percent to align with the annual indexation of the Average weekly ordinary time earnings (AWOTE). The revised income threshold will be applicable for three streams:
 

Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT): The Income Threshold will increase from AUD73, 150 to AUD76, 515 affecting nomination under the Core Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) and the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186).
 

Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT): The Income Thresholds increased from AUD 135,000 to AUD 141,210, which will impact nomination under the Specialist Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa.
 

Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT): The Income Threshold will increase from AUD 73,150 to AUD 76,515, which will affect the nomination under the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494) and the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187).
 

*Note: Applications nominated after July 1, 2025, must comply with the revised income thresholds. Existing visa holders and nomination applications lodged before July 1, 2025, are unaffected.
 

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Highlights: First set of occupations released for PR pathways in 2025

• Canada released the first set of sectors and occupations for the two new PR pathways.
• Timmins, in Northern Ontario, one of the communities participating in both FCIP and RCIP has announced the list. 
• Health, Trades and Transport, Education, and Law and Social are priority sectors for RCIP and FCIP.
• The two new PR pathways, FCIP and RCIP, were launched on January 30, 2025.

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Canada Announces the first list of Occupations for FCIP and RCIP

Canada has unveiled the first set of sectors and occupations for the new PR pathways. The Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP) were introduced on January 30, 2025. Timmins, located in Northern Ontario, is one of the first communities to release the first set of occupations for the two new Canadian permanent residence pathways.

Also, read…

Canada announces new permanent residence pathways for home care workers

List of Priority Sectors for PR Pathways

The first set of priority occupations released in 2025 for RCIP are as follows:

• Health
• Education, Law and Social, Community and Government Services
• Trades and Transport
• Natural Resources and Agriculture
• Business, Finance and Administration

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List of Priority Occupations for PR pathways  

The first set of priority occupations released in 2025 for RCIP are as follows:

The first set of priority occupations released in 2025 for FCIP are as follows:

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