Consular Services Portal Centralizes Online National Visa Applications

What changed

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published a proposed rule. It is called 'Genealogy Program Regulations To Clarify the Impact of Federal Records Requirements'. This rule appeared in the Federal Register on 21 August 2026. The proposed rule explains how federal records requirements affect the Genealogy Program. People can send written comments about this proposal. The deadline is 20 October 2026. The rule's agency and docket number is USCIS-2026-0331. Its Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) reference is 8 CFR 103.

What changed

Germany changed the Opportunity Card points system. It gives more importance to German language skills and recent work experience. People with an Opportunity Card may work up to 20 hours per week while they look for a skilled job.

What changed

Starting 1 July 2026, Germany will offer 'Wegweiserkurse' (Orientation Courses) in 13 federal states. This expands the courses from 4 states. These courses give key information for daily life and cultural integration to people seeking asylum right after they arrive. The European Union's Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) pays for part of the programme. The German federal government and the states also pay for part of it. The German Adult Education Association (Deutscher Volkshochschul-Verband e.V.) will prepare cultural mediators and check the quality of the whole programme across the country. They officially start this task in July 2026.

What changed

Germany has changed its asylum and residence laws. These changes are part of the new Common European Asylum System (GEAS). They start on 12 June 2026. Asylum applications now fall into three types: regular, accelerated, and asylum border procedures. Each type has its own rules. The regular process takes six months. The accelerated process takes a maximum of three months. The asylum border process takes a maximum of twelve weeks. The GEAS also creates a lasting system for sharing responsibility among countries in the European Union (EU). This system is called a 'fair share' solidarity mechanism. It also changes rules for 'Dublin procedures'. These changes will make it easier to transfer people and reduce people moving between EU countries. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) has new jobs. These include giving official free legal advice. They also must check the age of minors in two steps. And they must record all asylum hearings with audio. Also, all people who enter the EU without permission will go through a mandatory check within days.