The UK's 10-year visa route, mainly affecting immigrants from non-white countries, faces criticism for being long, expensive, and discriminatory. Applicants on this route, often low-paid workers like cleaners or caregivers, must renew their leave to remain every 30 months at a high cost of £3,850 each time.

Many fall into debt, struggling to meet basic needs. Nearly 86% of applicants come from Asian or African nations. Critics, including advocacy groups, argue the policy traps people in financial difficulties and pushes them into an extended wait for residency, with calls for a reduction to a five-year route.

Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan assured the EU that visa liberalisation will not increase irregular migration. Speaking at the Global Armenian Summit, Pashinyan emphasized that Armenia has taken necessary steps to prevent such concerns.

Citing Georgia as a similar case, he noted that freedom to travel reduces the desire to stay abroad irregularly. Recently, Armenia and the EU began talks on visa liberalisation, with EU Ambassador Vassilis Maragos stressing the importance of secure passports and border management.

Armenians have expressed frustration with lengthy Schengen visa wait times, urging for streamlined procedures.

Canada plans to cut student visas by 10% in 2025 to manage migration pressures. The government already reduced visa issuances for 2024 and will further limit foreign students and workers, particularly spouses seeking work permits.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller said these measures aim to shrink Canada's temporary resident population. Over the next three years, Canada expects to reduce immigration by 525,000.

Increased population growth has strained housing and public services, affecting Prime Minister Trudeau’s popularity. Temporary foreign workers, especially in Quebec, will face tighter restrictions. The government will announce immigration targets for 2025 to 2027 in November.