Why it feels like everyone in the world is heading to Japan right nowTourism in Japan is booming like never before, with a historic collapse of the yen making travel cheaper. Over 14.5 million visitors arrived in the first five months of 2024, a 70% increase from last year. The weak yen has made everything from dining to hotel stays more affordable.
US chip dreams will fade without more immigrantsIn a rare display of bipartisan cooperation, Democrats and Republicans passed the Chips and Science Act to revitalize US semiconductor manufacturing. However, a failure to address the shortage of skilled workers threatens the industry's growth. Proposed solutions include a specialized visa program and increased support for STEM education.
New Zealand tightens rules for foreign workers looking to sponsor dependantsNew Zealand has implemented new immigration rules restricting foreign workers in certain roles from sponsoring their dependents for visas, aligning with economic priorities. Changes affect Accredited Employer Work Visa holders at ANZSCO levels 4 and 5 without residency pathways. Existing visa holders and those meeting specific criteria remain unaffected.