The essential news on consular affairs, diplomacy, migration, security, and travel for professionals and researchers / This week, the United States steps up airport Ebola screening, while Israel weighs opening an embassy in Somaliland in a reciprocal move.

A. Announcements

• Do you have an analysis, essay, opinion, or story to share on consular affairs, diplomacy, migration, security, or travel? The Consular Magazine is open to all, from students to professionals and researchers.

• Media and research organizations can contribute to The Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings.

B. Video of the week

C. Consular affairs

Multiple continents

• ‘Entry into the Kyrgyz Republic is closed’: US professor denied entry to Kyrgyzstan. The Diplomat

• 9 deportees from US arrive in Sierra Leone under third-country agreement. PBS News

• Ex-judges sound alarm about feds ‘micromanaging’ immigration courts. The New Bedford Light

• In Greenland, protesters denounce opening of bigger U.S. Consulate. The New York Times

• Iran to base World Cup camp in Mexico after switch from Arizona. Reuters

• Iran’s World Cup team arrives in Turkiye amid US visa uncertainty. Al Jazeera

• Iran-backed Kata’ib Hezbollah Commander charged in Toronto Consulate, synagogue attacks. The Medialine

• Iranian family detained for relative’s key role in 1979 US Embassy hostage crisis seeks release. Bozeman Daily Chronicle

• Nasir Ahmad Andisha: Taliban efforts to take control of Afghan consulates in Europe are concerning. Hasht-e Subh Daily

• Philippine consulate should be serving its people, not UC Berkeley. The Daily Californian

• The U.S. threatens to revoke the Palestinian U.N. ambassador’s visa. NPR

• US launches charm offensive in Greenland with chocolates and Trump caps. Euractiv

Africa

• Ghana authorities postpone evacuation of citizens from South Africa ova xenophobia afta number increase from 300 to 800. BBC

• Ghana High Commission denies abandoning man at OR Tambo Airport in evacuation row. Modern Ghana

Americas

• American tests positive for Ebola; U.S. to screen travelers at airports. The Washington Post

• Confusion and worry after abrupt change to Green Card process. The New York Times

• Kate Cassidy breaks down in tears after claiming TSA agent denied her passport because photo didn’t match her appearance. People

• More Americans inquiring about Canadian citizenship due to Bill C-3: Immigration lawyers. Global News

• Most people seeking green cards must now apply from outside US. BBC

• Trump’s face doesn’t belong on U.S. passport, senators tell Rubio. CNBC

• US to revoke passports over unpaid child support, warning issued to delinquent parents. Caribbean National Weekly

Asia

• Arrest of 69 Chinese workers alarms embassy. Philstar

• FIA warns citizens against obtaining multiple passports. Pakistan Today

• Official found dead at Indian Mission in Bangladesh, autopsy awaited. NDTV

• Tourist police join foreign networks to boost Pattaya safety. The Nation

Europe

• Europe’s visa backlog crisis: what’s really going on. TNT Magazine

• Greens candidate claims she was told to withdraw over student visa. BBC

Middle East

• ‘Except Israel’ to be reinstated in passports. The Daily Star

Oceania and Pacific Islands

• Stay tuned for next week’s newsletter.

D. Honorary consuls

• Stay tuned for next week’s newsletter.

E. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings

• Arab League condemns Somaliland’s plan to open embassy in occupied al-Quds. Press TV

• Chad: opening Consulate General in Benghazi marks a new step toward strengthening ties with Libya. The Libya Observer

• Foreign minister opens new Swiss embassy in Athens. SwissInfo

• Israel said weighing closure of Istanbul consulate, left empty for over 2 years. The Times of Israel

• Official reopening of the Haitian Embassy in Benin. Haiti Libre

• Rubio inaugurates new consular wing in New Delhi embassy for stricter visa screening ‘to protect US borders’. Firstpost

• Somaliland says it will open an Embassy in Jerusalem, Israel to reciprocate. Haaretz

F. Passport, visas, and migration fraud

• ‘Tali Shani’ passport used in Mike Ozekhome’s London property case was forged – Witness. Premium Times

• Attorney lifts veil on jay peak visa fraud recovery efforts. Law360

• Domino’s franchise banned from hiring migrant workers for 12 months after visa breach. New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

• Ex-staff say university fired them for raising visa concerns. Law360

• Six Nigerians arrested over alleged romance scams, visa overstays in Thailand. Peoples Gazette

• The modern passport has eliminated fraud, forgery, and heroes who can bend the rules to save lives. Reason

• Vance: DOJ probing Ilhan Omar for immigration fraud, sys ‘Something fishy’ in marriage allegations. VINnews

G. The passport and visa database and rankings

• Green Cards: USCIS Says H-1B Visa workers may not have to leave US to apply. Newsweek

• Thailand cuts visa-free stay period for more than 90 countries including UK. BBC

• More: TBA.

H. Consular jobs and internships

• Canada in Makati, Philippines / Consular Assistant (deadline: May 27)

• United Kingdom in Perth, Australia / Consular Services Officer (deadline: May 31)

• More: link.

I. Migration laws, regulations, and policies

• [Japan] 在留カード等読取アプリケーション／失効情報照会 サポートページ. MOJ / ISA

• [United States] U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will grant ‘Adjustment of status’ only in extraordinary circumstances. DHS / USCIS

• More: link.

J. Perspectives

• Adjustment of status versus immigrant visa processing: the role of temporary intent (by )

• America’s immigration shift: Green Card applicants may soon be forced to leave the U.S. (by )

• Are you an expat or an immigrant? (by )

• Argentina: the passport everyone’s talking about (by )

• Basic migration falls to the tens of thousands (by )

• H-1B visa workers are not undercutting US peers (by )

• How Australia actually selects and integrates migrants (by )

• Inside the influence network of Iran’s diplomatic missions on X (by )

• Inside the new immigration shockwave: what Trump’s reported Green Card policy shift could mean for millions (by )

• Passport applications and a furious ex-husband. What could go wrong? (by )

• The bank account as border checkpoint (by )

• The Somali diaspora (by )

• The Vatican’s medals and the Iran diplomatic controversy (by )

• The weight of a passport and the art of the side-step (by )

• Toward a better immigration court system (by )

• USCIS told people they have to leave the US for a green card. Is that true? (by )

K. Get daily news

• Bluesky, Facebook, KakaoTalk, Line, LinkedIn, Mastodon, Substack, Telegram, Threads, Viber, VK, WhatsApp, and X for consular affairs.

• LinkedIn for consular jobs and internships.

• LinkedIn for honorary consuls.

• LinkedIn for migration, laws, regulations, and policies.

• LinkedIn for passports, visas, and migration fraud.

• LinkedIn for the diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings.

• LinkedIn for the passport and visa database and rankings.

K. Partners

Incubating partner: Yonsei University. Country research partner for The Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings: (Albania) Albanian Institute for International Studies.

The views expressed are solely those of the author(s), not of the Center.

The essential news on consular affairs, diplomacy, migration, security, and travel for professionals and researchers / This week, the United States' review of Mexico’s consulates sparks closure fears, while FIFA still expects Iran at the World Cup despite visa hurdles.

A. Announcements

• Do you have an analysis, essay, opinion, or story to share on consular affairs, diplomacy, migration, security, or travel? The Consular Magazine is open to all, from students to professionals and researchers.

• Media and research organizations can contribute to The Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings.

B. Video of the week

C. Consular affairs

Multiple continents

• Algeria grants consular access to French journalist amid thaw. APA News

• Belgium refuses to renew passport of Israeli citizen living in Jerusalem area beyond Green Line. The Times of Israel

• Consulate General of Nepal in Dallas collects over 500,000 USD in revenue. MyRepublica

• French judge opens inquiry into Khashoggi killing. Reuters

• Neymar’s surprise visit to Italian consulate explained: it was not what everyone thought. Tribuna

• Taliban’s intern recruitment at Bonn Consulate: what are they really after? Hasht-e Subh

• Traveling without a passport, boarding pass, or hotel key: the seamless travel Amadeus dreams of. El País

• Visa cartel has its own visa temple’: US Senator targets Indians, Hyderabad’s Balaji temple over H1-B visas. Deccan Herald

• Vox stages anti-immigration event in front of Moroccan consulate in Algeciras. Yabiladi

Africa

• African fans face World Cup issues despite visa bond U-turn. BBC

Americas

• Dallas-Forth Worth International Airport flags traveler’s “Temu” passport with no photo. TheTravel

• New immigration restrictions on H-1B visas and students are coming. Forbes

• U.S. waives visa bonds for World Cup ticketholders from some countries. Time

• US is ‘reviewing’ Mexican consulates, prompting fears they could close. ABC30 News

• Why more U.S. business owners see a second passport as a path to the next level. Kiplinger

Asia

• Chinese man arrested for damaging Suvarnabhumi gate. Khaosod English

Europe

• Russian taekwondo athletes sidelined by visa delays. Inside the Games

• Uxbridge woman’s passport approval hinged on 1969 Medway police report. Milford Daily News

• Why investor visa schemes are forcing Europe to rethink Schengen oversight. The Parliament

Middle East

• Court orders UAE consulate to pay $203,000 over breastfeeding worker. Human Resources Director

• Fifa expects Iran at World Cup despite visa concerns. Middle East Eye

Oceania and Pacific Islands

• Stay tuned for next week’s newsletter.

D. Honorary consuls

• Stay tuned for next week’s newsletter.

E. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings

• Embassies in Jerusalem: gov’t approves proposal allocating budget for relocations to capital. The Jerusalem Post

• German diplomatic staff return to Kurdistan region and Iraq. Kurdistan24

• Israeli deputy PM calls on Romania to move embassy to Jerusalem. The Jerusalem Post

• Syria reopens its Embassy in Morocco. The North Africa Post

• US diplomat urges embassy moves to Jerusalem ahead of Jerusalem Day. The Jerusalem Post

• ‘We want to see an Israeli Embassy in Beirut’: in Lebanon’s talk shows, Israel is no longer unspeakable. Haaretz

F. Passport, visas, and migration fraud

• About 25 foreign nationals arrested for fraudulent voting in Tamil Nadu Assembly poll. The Hindu

• Govt to evaluate ASEAN visa-free travel after 210 scammers nabbed in Batam. The Jakarta Post

• ICE director says foreign student program is ‘magnet for fraud’ after 10,000 potential cases uncovered. The Christian Post

• Identity fraud surges in Netherlands as social media and sex sites demand passport scans. NL Times

• Legal tides: Assam’s CM stands firm amid passport controversy. Devdiscourse

• Malaysia’s visa-exemption policy being exploited by global scam rings, says police chief after US$14.7m raids. CNA

• Nepali man arrested for $42,000 U.S. migration scam. Nepyork

• Suburban Chicago man sentenced to nine years in prison for immigration fraud, possession of child pornography, and tax offenses. USCIS

• Trinidadian and Chinese nationals caught with fake passports. Newswroom

• US influencer targets Telugu Bizman over visa fraud. Deccan Chronicle

G. The passport and visa database and rankings

• Americans need a second passport to enter nearby country under new law – & it costs $200. The Sun

• Japan campaigners urge review of tougher business visa rules. The Manila Times

• Nigeria implements 30-day visa exemption for Rwanda nationals. The Nation

• Syria visit rules from Turkey issued. Enab Baladi

• Thailand to cut visa-free stay to 30 days for tourists from 93 countries. Reuters

• Your AI-touched-up passport photo could get your application rejected — here’s what the U.S. government wants instead. TravelPirates

H. Consular jobs and internships

A non-exhaustive selection

• Canada in Makati, Philippines / Consular Assistant (deadline: May 27)

• United Kingdom in Perth, Australia / Consular Services Officer (deadline: May 31)

I. Migration laws, regulations, and policies

A non-exhaustive selection

• [Japan] 在留資格「経営・管理」に係る上陸基準省令等の改正について. MOJ / ISA

• [United Kingdom] More children eligible for eGates in boost for families this summer. Home Office / UKVI

J. Perspectives

• 15 Years, 15 Stories #1: Spain, a forgotten passport, and the miseducation of a first-time traveler (by )

• 66 days until France. But who is counting? (by )

• Commanders 2026 schedule: Passport stamps, playoff tests and a whole lot of prime time (by )

• Diplomatic staff reserved two Rooms for Andrew - one for him and one for his ‘antics’ with prostitutes (by )

• Extraterritorial jurisdiction, double jeopardy, and Kiara’s Law (by )

• Hey, Ethiopian diaspora! Stop chanting at parked cars (by )

• Immigrants and expats are not the same (by )

• Immigration enforcement needs ‘You’re fired’ (by )

• IRGC proxy Commander directed attack on United States Consulate in Toronto, plotted to bomb New York synagogue, and paid for terrorist strikes across Europe through mafias (by )

• Mexican bureaucracy: passport edition (by )

• SIS alert and visa refusal: entry visas cannot be denied automatically (by )

• Somali pirates demand $10M ransom for oil tanker owned by Emirati company (by )

K. Get daily news

• Bluesky, Facebook, KakaoTalk, Line, LinkedIn, Mastodon, Substack, Telegram, Threads, Viber, VK, WhatsApp, and X for consular affairs.

• LinkedIn for consular jobs and internships (a non-exhaustive selection).

• LinkedIn for honorary consuls.

• LinkedIn for migration, laws, regulations, and policies (a non-exhaustive selection).

• LinkedIn for passports, visas, and migration fraud.

• LinkedIn for the diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings.

• LinkedIn for the passport and visa database and rankings.

K. Partners

Incubating partner: Yonsei University. Country research partner for The Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings: (AL) Albanian Institute for International Studies.

The views expressed are solely those of the author(s), not of the Center.

The essential news on consular affairs, diplomacy, migration, security, and travel for professionals and researchers / This week, expanding scam compounds in Southeast Asia are pulling in foreign recruits, while hantavirus cases rise under uneven consular access.

A. Announcements

• Do you have an analysis, essay, opinion, or story to share on consular affairs, diplomacy, migration, security, or travel? The Consular Magazine is open to all, from students to professionals and researchers.

• Media and research organizations can contribute to The Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings.

B. Video of the week

C. Consular affairs

Multiple continents

• 8 student activists detained after attempting to enter U.S. Embassy. Korea JoongAng Daily

• Chinese consulate met Vancouver official in bid to stop event critical of communist rule. Global News

• Mainland Chinese students turn to Hong Kong universities amid gaokao, US visa worries. South China Morning Post

• Ready for their close-ups: celebrity passport photos. The Guardian

• Russia’s Zakharova claims US “forcibly” grants citizenship to diplomats’ children. Caliber

• US to close consulate in Pakistan’s Peshawar citing safety concerns. Reuters

Africa

• Central African Republic opposition leader denounces seizure of his passport. Toronto Star

• Ghana authorities relocate citizen wey face harassment for South Africa, prepare to remove odas as anti-immigration protest continue. BBC

• Nigeria consulate warns citizens ahead of South Africa anti-foreigner protests. Daily Post

Americas

• As visa rules tighten, impacts to researchers and US science escalate. C&EN

• Former US Ambassador who spied for Cuba is among 12 people facing loss of citizenship. NTD

• Lawyers for the global elite aren’t buying Trump’s gold card visa. The Washington Post

• US State Department will review Mexico’s 53 consulates. Mexico Solidarity Media

Asia

• Chinese Consulate General in Kolkata issues renewed warning against unintentional Nepal-India border crossings. Global Times

• High Commission for Refugees calls for immediate attention to Afghan problems in Pakistan. Safir

• Pending case does not mean passport denial: Bombay HC draws a firm constitutional line. LawfulTalks

• Southeast Asia’s scam compounds: how the law fails survivors. The Diplomat

Europe

• Dual-national baby refused entry to UK after passport rule change. BBC

Oceania and Pacific Islands

• Kiwi aboard cruise ship with deadly hantavirus outbreak hasn’t requested consular help. RNZ

Middle East

• Stay tuned for next week’s newsletter.

D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings

• Algeria inaugurates new Consulate General in San Francisco to strengthen services for diaspora. AL24 News

• Austria expels three Russian embassy staff after ‘forest of antennae’ discovered. The Guardian

• Costa Rica’s new president told Herzog she wants to open embassy in Jerusalem, his office says. The Times of Israel

• Haxhiu signs decree for opening of Consular Mission in Texas. KOHA

• Minister McEntee and Minister Byrne welcome establishment of new Consulate General in Málaga. Irish Government

• New Consulate in Morocco unveiled, highlights 250-year allyship with US. Military

• SKN to open High Commission in Singapore. WINNFM 98.9

• Sri Lanka and Maldives allocate land for reciprocal high commissions. News First

• The ultimate ‘it’ spot in Caracas? A Marriott that’s seen better days. The New York Times

• Ukraine, Bahrain to open embassies as Kyiv expands gulf security ties. Kyiv Post

E. Passport, visas, and migration fraud

• Fake armed robberies, real charges: the U‑Visa fraud scheme. Forbes

• Illegal ‘donkey route’ scam: Punjab youth loses ₹47 lakh, lands in foreign detention. The420

• Immigration scam phone calls on the rise. New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

• Latvia’s golden visa scheme rocked by €10M fraud probe. ETIAS

• NIS refutes ‘misleading’ claims of religious links to passport payments. The Guardian

• State Department takes aim at asylum abuse in visa interviews. FAIR

• Texas expands investigation into H-1B visa fraud. Staffing Industry Analysts

F. Honorary consuls

• Israel denounces death threats against honorary consul in Tuscany, Lombardy. Jewish News Syndicate

• Nepal Government dismisses honorary consuls in California, Massachusetts, and Washington in global shake-up. Nepyork

• Norway Honorary Consul puts Florida home on market for $10.9 million. The Palm Beach Post

G. Consular jobs and internships

A non-exhaustive selection

• Canada in Yaoundé, Cameroon / Consular Officer / Common Services Officer (deadline: May 13)

• United Kingdom in Zagreb, Croatia / Pro Consul - Maternity Leave Cover (deadline: May 19)

H. Migration laws, regulations, and policies

A non-exhaustive selection

• [Poland] Informacja o uruchomieniu możliwości składania wniosków o wydanie karty pobytu z adnotacją „Poprzednio posiadacz ochrony czasowej”, tzw. karty pobytu CUKR. MSWiA / Urząd do Spraw Cudzoziemców

• [South Africa] Gazette 54610 - Identification Act, 2002: Amendment of Identification Regulations, 1998. DHA / Immigration

I. Perspectives

• A parade of scarves: notes on fluidity and the diaspora (by )

• America’s immigration prohibitionism, not undocumented immigrants, breeds cartel violence (by and )

• I’m on my way to Japan. Come with me (by )

• Ireland is giving away 8,500 work visas and 31,000 have already been approved (by )

• The end of the diaspora? (by )

• The end of the easy international career (by )

• The half-truth in Trump’s ‘hellhole’ remark on how Indians obtain US citizenship (by )

• The handmaid’s tale reading passport (by )

• The Syrian diaspora (by )

• U.S. running, not walking, away from Afghanistan (by )

J. Get daily news

• Bluesky, Facebook, KakaoTalk, Line, LinkedIn, Mastodon, Substack, Telegram, Threads, Viber, VK, WhatsApp, and X for consular affairs.

• LinkedIn for the diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings.

• LinkedIn for passports, visas, and migration fraud.

• LinkedIn for honorary consuls.

• LinkedIn for consular jobs and internships (a non-exhaustive selection).

• LinkedIn for migration, laws, regulations, and policies (a non-exhaustive selection).

K. Partners

Incubating partner: Yonsei University. Country research partner for The Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings: (AL) Albanian Institute for International Studies.

The views expressed are solely those of the author(s), not of the Center.

The essential news on consular affairs, diplomacy, migration, security, and travel for professionals and researchers / This week, the United States may issue passports featuring Donald Trump, while Nigeria warns citizens over South Africa protests.

A. Announcements

• Do you have an analysis, essay, opinion, or story to share on consular affairs, diplomacy, migration, security, or travel? The Consular Magazine is open to all, from students to professionals and researchers.

• Media and research organizations can contribute to The Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings.

B. Video of the week

C. Consular affairs

Multiple continents

• ‘SNL’ weekend update mocks Trump’s vain passport move, King Charles’ visit. Rolling Stone

• Chinese minor kidnapped in Soweto rescued, says Chinese Consulate General in Johannesburg. Global Times

• Foreign Affairs Ministry: 18 Peruvians return from Russia with Embassy support. Andina News Agency

• Hong Kong police hunt for man over damage to US consulate sign. South China Morning Post

• US cautions Americans in UK to be alert after Britain raised threat level. Reuters

• US embassy warns Americans in the Philippines after deadly rebel clashes. Stars and Stripes

Africa

• Ghana High Commission in South Africa urges nationals to close businesses ahead of anti-migrant protest. Modern Ghana

Americas

• “North Korea vibes”: patriotic new U.S. passport design dredges up National Park pass controversy again. The Travel

• Amid Trump’s immigration crackdown, these future lawyers are undeterred. The Baltimore Banner

• Court to consider visa program for farmworkers. SCOTUSblog

• Delays in visa program threaten placement of hundreds of doctors in underserved areas. KFF Health News

• Doctors from countries under travel ban now allowed to stay in U.S. The New York Times

• Floyd Mayweather’s Mike Tyson fight shrouded in $7 million passport mystery. New York Post

• New passport to feature Trump’s face. Mustache doodles not recommended. Detroit Free Press

• Passport photo: can “too heavy” makeup cause problems at the airport? The Body Optimist

• Sen. Tom Cotton wants DHS to reform U visa program that’s rampant with fraud. Washington Reporter

• State Department to release limited edition ‘America250’ passports with Trump’s face. Politico

• Texas AG claims employers ran ‘ghost offices’ to sponsor H-1B visa workers. HR Dive

• Updated asylum-related questions at US consulate visa interviews may be grounds for nonimmigrant visa denials. Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer

• US tells embassies to deny visas to applicants who say they fear return to home country. The Guardian

• Why a Stockton pastor carries his passport with him. CBS News

Asia

• Safety status of 10 Malaysians remains unknown after being held for 38 hours. KLSE Screener

Europe, Middle East, Oceania, and Pacific Islands

• Stay tuned for next week’s newsletter.

D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings

• Chinese hackers spied on Cuban embassy as U.S. prepared blockade. The Japan Times

• Washington opens new diplomatic hub in Casablanca, calls Morocco its strongest regional ally. Hespress

• Will Iraqi Kurdistan’s new US consulate project strength or invite strikes? Amwaj

E. Passport, visas, and migration fraud

• Dominican living in Connecticut under false name admits to passport fraud, identity theft. FOX61

• Jamaican man arrested at Bahamas airport for alleged use of fake UK passport. Carribean National Weekly

• Major win for India: UAE extradites passport fraudster and banking fraud accused. The Tribune

• Paxton investigating North Texas tech companies he accuses of visa fraud, widening statewide probe. KERA News

• Sri Lanka arrests 37 Chinese nationals at suspected scam centre: police. Hong Kong Free Press

• The number two official at the Spanish Consulate in Algiers has been arrested and charged for illicit charges in exchange for visas. The Diplomat in Spain

• Two Congo brothers in ICE custody after alleged student visa violation; family and officials respond. Jackson’s 16 WAPT

• US: Passport fraud ring busted, key accused jailed. Lokmat Times

F. Honorary consuls

• Stay tuned for next week’s newsletter.

G. Consular jobs and internships

A non-exhaustive selection

• Australia in Islamabad, Pakistan / Consular and Passport Manager (deadline: May 11)

• France in Lagos, Nigeria / Agent Visas (deadline: May 04)

• United Kingdom in Singapore / Consular Assistant (deadline: May 11)

H. Migration laws, regulations, and policies

A non-exhaustive selection

• [New Zealand] Pacific Access Category and Samoan Quota draw takes place on 20 May 2026. MBIE / Immigration

• [Poland] Informacja o uruchomieniu możliwości składania wniosków o wydanie karty pobytu z adnotacją „Poprzednio posiadacz ochrony czasowej”, tzw. karty pobytu CUKR. MSWiA / Urząd do Spraw Cudzoziemców

• [United States] Cap reached for second allocation of returning worker H-2B visas for fiscal year 2026. DHS / USCIS

I. Perspectives

• Doctors from countries under travel ban can stay (by )

• Drone struck close to US’s most vital Iran watcher post (by )

• I have two homelands; right now, Australia is complicit in hurting the other (by )

• I thought getting the visa was the hard part (by )

• Israel has kidnapped two of our most important pro-Palestine activists (by )

• The visa story (and how close we cut it) (by )

• Trump-branded passports are here (by and )

J. Get daily news

• Bluesky, Facebook, KakaoTalk, Line, LinkedIn, Mastodon, Substack, Telegram, Threads, Viber, VK, WhatsApp, and X for consular affairs.

• LinkedIn for the diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings.

• LinkedIn for passports, visas, and migration fraud.

• LinkedIn for honorary consuls.

• LinkedIn for consular jobs and internships (a non-exhaustive selection).

• LinkedIn for migration, laws, regulations, and policies (a non-exhaustive selection).

K. Partners

Incubating partner: Yonsei University. Country research partner for The Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings: (AL) Albanian Institute for International Studies.

The views expressed are solely those of the author(s), not of the Center.

The essential news on consular affairs, diplomacy, migration, security, and travel for professionals and researchers / This week, millions of Americans may also be considered Canadian under a new law, while Russia moves to reopen its consulate in Benghazi.

A. Announcements

• Do you have an analysis, essay, opinion, or story to share on consular affairs, diplomacy, migration, security, or travel? The Consular Magazine is open to all, from students to professionals and researchers.

• Media and research organizations can contribute to The Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings.

B. Video of the week

C. Consular affairs

Multiple continents

• Cuba solidarity protests target US consulates in South Africa. Peoples Dispatch

• Eric Adams’ Albanian adventure: behind former NYC mayor’s quest for a new passport. Politico

• Global Affairs spent $59K on art for Milan consulate, records show. Rebel News

• Pakistan High Commission says due process followed in Gerry’s UK consular contract. Geo News

• The Spanish citizen forgotten by everyone at an ICE center: ‘I am literally abandoned, as if I don’t exist’. El País

• U.S. Embassy requests HYBE Chairman Bang’s travel restriction be lifted amid ongoing investigation. Korea JoongAng Daily

• UAE: Alhind replaces BLS in Indian consular services shift. Gulf Business

• Why did this small European nation open a Consulate in Sacramento? Comstock’s Magazine

Americas

• Alaska Senate advances resolution asking federal policymakers to protect visa programs. Alaska Beacon

• Caitlyn Jenner says she still ‘loves’ Trump despite passport gender marker issue. Pink News

• Computers found completely wiped at SVG consulate in New York. St. Vincent Times

• DOS and USCIS expand immigration screening across visas and benefits. The National Law Review

• Lutnick says Trump’s ‘Gold Card’ visa approved for 1 person so far. The Hill

• Millions of Americans may now also be considered Canadian under a new law. The Associated Press

• Two US Embassy officials killed in Mexico car accident were working for CIA. New York Post

• US embassy orders visa applicants to make social media public. Bangkok Post

• USPS helps Americans dodge month long wait for passports with ‘streamlined’ weekend fair. The U.S. Sun

• Visa revocations, travel bans and deportation fears are reshaping life for Miami’s international community. The Miami Student

Asia

• Afgan Sadygov encountered obstacles in obtaining a passport. Caucasian Knot

• Chinese teen’s appeal of status revocation rejected. Taipei Times

• Japan to cut passport application fees from July to boost possession. Kyodo News

Europe

• Council set to examine visa ban for over 2 million Russian soldiers in June. Euractiv

Africa, Middle East, Oceania, and Pacific Islands

• Stay tuned for next week’s newsletter.

D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings

• Armenia plans new Embassy building in Kazakhstan. The Caspian Post

• Does Florida actually have an embassy in Washington, D.C.? Sort of. Tallahassee Democrat

• Russia to reopen Consulate General in Benghazi after 33 years. Anadolu Agency

E. Passport, visas, and migration fraud

• 4 arrested in alleged fake immigration law office fraud scheme in Orlando. Fox 35 Orlando

• Belizean woman found guilty of naturalization fraud. USCIS

• Munroe proposes 10-year prison terms to combat document fraud. The Tribune

• Nairobi man charged with fraud in Ksh.51 million Canadian visa scam. Citizen Digital

• Nigerian High Commission in London disowns alleged Skilled Worker Visa fraudster, Oluomo of Derby. Sahara Reporters

• Police chiefs allegedly faked robberies in $5,000-a-pop visa fraud scheme. The Wall Street Journal

• Smirking drug dealer humiliated trying to flee UK with new passport. Daily Express

• Texas woman accused of posing as federal agent in US Visa fraud scheme. Fox 26 Houston

• USCIS efforts lead to two guilty pleas in H-1B fraud conspiracy case. USCIS

• Woman wanted for fake passport, title scheme. Click 2 Houston

F. Honorary consuls

• Does Switzerland monitor its honorary consuls adequately? SwissInfo

G. Consular jobs and internships

A non-exhaustive selection

• Australia in Islamabad, Pakistan / Consular and Passport Manager (deadline: May 11)

• France in Abuja, Nigeria / Agent Visas (deadline: May 04)

• United Kingdom in Singapore / Consular Assistant (deadline: May 11)

H. Migration laws, regulations, and policies

A non-exhaustive selection

• [Malaysia] Notis pemakluman program pemutihan pekerja asing di sektor pembinaan. MOHA / Immigration Department

• [Poland] Informacja o uruchomieniu systemu teleinformatycznego MOS - portalu do składania wniosków o udzielenie zezwolenia na pobyt w Polsce w formie elektronicznej. MSWiA / Urząd do Spraw Cudzoziemców

• [United States] DHS announces consequences for unpaid annual asylum fees, unveils new H.R. 1 requirements. DHS / USCIS

I. Perspectives

• America is deporting migrants to countries they’ve never been to (by )

• Despite abbreviated trial, Crown says evidence proves foreign interference charge against Bill Majcher (by )

• Exposing the University of Michigan’s violence against Chinese scholars (by and )

• ICE warehouses & forever detention (by )

• Inside Hyderabad’s ‘Visa Temple’ (by )

• Insights from case reviews with an immigration lawyer (part 1) (by )

• Stupid diplomatic precedence fights (by )

• The diplomatic vetting affair (by )

• The new geography of freedom: how 364 founders measure mobility and where are they are moving (by )

• Wednesday why - why Czech border guards wanted our Vogue magazines (by )

• When ‘expat’ means white and ‘immigrant’ means the rest of us (by )

J. Get daily news

• Bluesky, Facebook, KakaoTalk, Line, LinkedIn, Mastodon, Substack, Telegram, Threads, Viber, VK, WhatsApp, and X for consular affairs.

• LinkedIn for the diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings.

• LinkedIn for passports, visas, and migration fraud.

• LinkedIn for honorary consuls.

• LinkedIn for consular jobs and internships (a non-exhaustive selection).

• LinkedIn for migration, laws, regulations, and policies (a non-exhaustive selection).

K. Partners

Incubating partner: Yonsei University. Country research partner for The Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings: (AL) Albanian Institute for International Studies.

The views expressed are solely those of the author(s), not of the Center.

The Consular Newsletter updates professionals and researchers in consular affairs, diplomacy, migration, security, and travel with the latest major news. This week, Anthropic’s Claude starts requesting passports, while China warns citizens against using Seattle airport.

A. Announcements

• Media and research organizations can contribute to The Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings.

• Write in the Consular Magazine. Have an analysis, essay, opinion, or story to share? The Magazine explores migration and travel, especially where governments play a role. Open to all, from students and young professionals to seasoned experts.

B. Video of the week

C. Consular affairs

Multiple continents

• Aussie traveler charged after wild LAX meltdown, allegedly attacks TSA agent over missing passport. New York Post

• Calls for responsibility over travel visa issues. BBC

• China tells its citizens not to use Seattle airport to enter country. Irish Sun

• Dominica revokes ‘golden passport’ of slain Iranian official’s son amid sanctions probe. OCCRP

• JD Vance says Indian-origin in-laws ‘enriched’ US, backs visa crackdown and warns against system misuse. FirstPost

• New ‘visa brake’ bars talented students from war-torn countries. Novara Media

• One Chinese national dead, about 10 injured in traffic accident in Russia: Chinese consulate. Global Times

• Russia summons the Mexican ambassador for a minor held without consular access. Veritas News

• Spain’s migrant regularization drive triggers long queues at Moroccan consulates. Yabiladi

• Western men are going abroad to find traditional wives. The Economist

• You switched to Claude over surveillance fears. Now it wants your passport. Decrypt

Americas

• Americans aren’t moving to Canada: they just want the passport. CIC News

• Caitlyn Jenner appealed to Trump for help with her passport gender marker. Out

• State Department cracks down on visas of people ‘working on behalf of U.S. adversaries’. Time

• Trump allies with ties to his private clubs pushed for more work visas. The Wall Street Journal

• U.S. passport ban rule could stop Americans using Canada’s new citizenship law as an “exit plan”. The Travel

• US visa refusals hit decade high. The Pie

Europe

• European border Entry/Exit System gets off to a non-flying start. Centre for Aviation

• Italian lawyers could win ‘wild west-style bounties’ if immigration clients go home. The Guardian

• Joan Collins took special measures to ensure her passport photo would be up to her standards. People

• Legal advisers help migrants pose as gay to get asylum, undercover BBC investigation finds. BBC

Africa, Asia, Middle East, Oceania, and Pacific Islands

• Stay tuned for next week’s newsletter.

D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings

• 43rd anniversary of attack on US Embassy in Beirut. NTD

• After buying ‘iconic’ S.F. mansion, Algeria acquires Van Ness property for consulate. San Francisco Chronicle

• Chinese Embassy in Japan says authorities fail to act on threats. The Associated Press

• GSDF member served fresh warrant over China Embassy trespass. Nippon

• Man arrested climbing into Israeli embassy had arrived on small boat twice, court hears. BBC

E. Passport, visas, and migration fraud

• 2 California men plead guilty to H-1B visa fraud. Fox40

• BBB warns of passport scams, fake websites after CT resident duped. CT Insider

• Canada Border Services Agency uncovers fake passports in Nigeria shipment. The News

• Former escort and dad-in-law guilty of passport fraud. Gript

• H-1B fraud: Indian-origin duo pleads guilty in worker visa conspiracy involving university jobs scheme. Financial Express

• Justice Department files case to revoke U.S. citizenship of mastermind behind multimillion-dollar tax fraud scheme. USCIS

• Justice Department targets visa preference in job ads. JD Supra

• Kansas woman loses money on fake passport renewal website. KWCH

• Lagos court jails woman for impersonation, visa fraud. The Guardian

• They wanted visas to stay in the US, officials say. So they staged fake robberies. The Boston Globe

• Vietnamese woman jailed for selling 18 people to Thailand, Myanmar scam compounds. VnExpress

F. Honorary consuls

• Stay tuned for next week’s newsletter.

G. Consular jobs and internships

A non-exhaustive selection

• Canada in Bucharest, Romania / Consular Officer (deadline: April 28)

• France in Bujumbura, Burundi / Agent Visas (deadline: April 20)

H. Migration laws, regulations, and policies

A non-exhaustive selection

• [France] Mise en œuvre du Pacte européen sur la migration et l’asile. Ministère de l’Intérieur / DGEF

• [Japan] 第二世代在留カード等仕様書の公開について. MOJ / ISA

• [New Zealand] Changes to health insurance requirements for the Peak Seasonal Visa. MBIE / Immigration

I. Perspectives

• An abuse of process (by )

• Becoming an immigrant – a brave choice (by )

• Betting on movement – tariffs, visas and the stories that policies tell (by )

• Far doesn’t mean free: the invisible cost of living abroad (by )

• How California can put ICE in jail (by )

• New EU border system causes airport chaos (…) (by )

• Papers, please, America (by )

• Prime Minister’s wife in trouble? Ibiza passport control issues, luxury hotels of Mallorca, concrete demolition with wings, arise Lord Rafa Nadal, Ibiza club openings (by )

• Scattered thoughts on living in France (by )

• The cost of suspicion: two deaths, two universities, and the China initiative’s unfinished reckoning (by )

• The one thing no one tells you before moving abroad (by )

• The South Asian eldest daughter diaspora (by )

• The story isn’t over: inside Havana Syndrome and the CIA’s response (by )

• Trump’s immigration crackdown is harming young children and their caregivers (by )

• Why immigration is complex, not just complicated (by )

J. Get daily news

• Bluesky, Facebook, KakaoTalk, Line, LinkedIn, Mastodon, Substack, Telegram, Threads, Viber, VK, WhatsApp, and X for consular affairs.

• LinkedIn for the diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings.

• LinkedIn for passports, visas, and migration fraud.

• LinkedIn for honorary consuls.

• LinkedIn for consular jobs and internships (a non-exhaustive selection).

• LinkedIn for migration, laws, regulations, and policies (a non-exhaustive selection).

K. Partners

Incubating partner: Yonsei University. Country research partner for the Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings: (AL) Albanian Institute for International Studies.

The views expressed are solely those of the author(s), not of the Center.

The Consular Newsletter updates professionals and researchers in consular affairs, diplomacy, migration, security, and travel with the latest major news. This week, former New York City Mayor Eric Adams secures Albanian passport, while Türkiye detains nearly 200 over ISIS-linked attack on Israeli Consulate.

A. Announcements

If you are a media or research organization interested in contributing to The Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings, or if you consider sponsoring this Newsletter, contact the Center.

B. Video of the week

C. Consular affairs

Multiple continents

• “We’d genuinely love to, but...”: Iran Consulate’s response to Indian man’s job query wins Internet. NDTV

• A killing exposes deep rifts in Canada’s Iranian diaspora. The New York Times

• Canadian evidence links Indian consular staff to hardeep Singh Nijjar’s murder. National Today

• China cries foul after college researcher’s fatal fall — claims US questioning, feds stay tight-lipped. Fox News

• Eric Adams secures Albanian passport: A strategic shield and global business pivot. La Voce di New York

• For Chinese visa-seekers in the US, the path to good fortune lies in … Chick-fil-A? The Associated Press

• New ‘visa brake’ bars talented students from war-torn countries. Novara Media

• US allowing some Nigeria embassy staff to evacuate over ‘deteriorating security situation’. Fox News

• US arrests Iranian family tied to 1979 Iran hostage crisis at US embassy. The Jerusalem Post

• Wireless Festival canceled after Kanye West denied U.K. entry. Forbes

Americas

• As ICE ramped up in D.C., immigrant crime victims faced visa roadblocks. The Washington Post

• Canadian passport applications now come with a ‘30 days or free’ guarantee. Postmedia

• Companies and H-1B employees endure immigration waits at consulates. Forbes

• Judge: Government unlawfully canceled Harvard scientist’s visa. UPI

• Stephanie Vaquer addresses Consulate problems: is her WrestleMania 42 match at risk? Athlon Sports

• US announces update for millions of passport applicants Newsweek

• US visa ban update: major new restrictions take effect. Newsweek

Asia, Oceania, and Pacific Islands

• 30 Indian fishermen repatriated from Sri Lanka return home: Indian High Commission. The Tribune

• Pakistan issues over 2,800 visas to Indian Sikhs for Baisakhi festival. Arab News

Europe

• Case closed: Belarusian retain protection in Poland after “New Belarus” passport dispute. Belsat

• Passport numbers for more than 300,000 leaked during December Eurail data breach. The Record

• Reform would deny visas over calls for slavery reparations. BBC

• This unassuming London studio photographed hundreds of celebrity passport photos. CNN

Middle East

• Türkiye detains nearly 200 in ISIL op after attack on Israeli consulate. Hurriyet Daily News

Africa

• Stay tuned for next week’s newsletter.

D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings

• Barbed wire going up around the Chinese Embassy. PoPville

• Belgian embassy for Iran remains in Baku for now: ‘Ceasefire fragile and uncertain’. Belga News Agency

• Estonia inaugurates embassy in Yerevan. The Caspian Post

• North Korea to open a Belarusian embassy. Belsat

• Protesters break into Kuwaiti consulate in Iraq’s Basra after rocket attack kills three. Reuters

• Russia’s embassy count in Africa rises to 49 as Kremlin deepens continental ties. Business Insider Africa

• Spain moves to reopen Tehran embassy after Trump goes scorched earth on NATO. New York Post

• St Kitts and Nevis Opens High Commission in India. BritAsia TV

• Syria moves to contain fallout after attack on UAE embassy in Damascus. The Arab Weekly

E. Passport, visas, and migration fraud

• 3 held for cheating Panchkula resident in fake US visa scam. The Tribune

• 7 H1B workers inside a mailbox: US reporter claims ‘fraud’ involving software engineers in Texas. The Times of India

• Forsyth man faces prison after passport fraud guilty plea. 41NBC News | WMGT-DT

• Heading on vacation?: BBB warns of fake passport renewal websites. WMBF News

• Indian in New Jersey on work visa arrested in gold scam, nabbed when he was going to collect $800,000 in gold. The Times of India

• Man sentenced for passport fraud scheme across Florida and South Carolina. WMBB News 13

• New Yorkers sentenced for illegal counterfeit passport operation in East Texas. EastTexasRadio

• Ten Indian nationals indicted for visa fraud conspiracy. US Citizenship and Immigration Services

• Two New Yorkers sentenced for illegal counterfeit passport operation. National Today

• USCIS assists in arrest of illegal alien charged in fatal truck crash. US Citizenship and Immigration Services

F. Honorary consuls

• Ex-nude model apologises to Zelensky after outcry over raunchy past as she’s fired from Ukraine envoy role after 2 weeks. The Sun

• MFA revokes patent of honorary consul in Dominican Republic after nude photo scandal. Ukrainian News

G. Consular jobs and internships

A non-exhaustive selection

• Australia in Bangkok, Thailand / Consular and Passport Manager (deadline: April 17)

• France in Antananarivo, Madagascar / Agent Etat Civil (deadline: April 20)

• United Kingdom in Kingston, Jamaica / Vice Consul (deadline: April 17)

H. Migration laws, regulations, and policies

A non-exhaustive selection

• [China] Announcement on the implementation of electronic border management area permit. MPS / NIA

• [France] Mise en œuvre du Pacte européen sur la migration et l’asile. Ministère de l’Intérieur / DGEF

• [Japan] 特定技能「外食業分野」における在留資格認定証明書交付の一時停止措置について. MOJ / ISA

I. Perspectives

• Get your passport. And a second country passport if you can (by )

• Home Office to amend (?) “visa brake” press release due to error, and pre-settled status removal - a disaster waiting to happen? (by )

• If you’re an Indian living abroad, register yourself with the consulate in the place you live (by )

• Life doesn’t check your visa status (by )

• Passports for everyone! (by )

• Special protection and conversion into work permit: when refusals from the police prefecture are legal (by )

• The diaspora advantage (by )

• The face of America abroad (by )

• The realities of living abroad: busting myths and managing expectations (by and )

• What if you moved to Thailand? (by )

J. Get daily news

• Bluesky, Facebook, KakaoTalk, Line, LinkedIn, Mastodon, Substack, Telegram, Threads, Viber, VK, WhatsApp, and X for consular affairs.

• LinkedIn for the diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings.

• LinkedIn for passports, visas, and migration fraud.

• LinkedIn for honorary consuls.

• LinkedIn for consular jobs and internships (a non-exhaustive selection).

• LinkedIn for migration, laws, regulations, and policies (a non-exhaustive selection).

K. Partners

Incubating partner: Yonsei University.

Country research partner for the Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings: (AL) Albanian Institute for International Studies.

The views expressed are solely those of the author(s), not of the Center.

The Consular Newsletter updates consular officials, diplomats, migration lawyers, researchers, and travel industry professionals with the latest major news on consular affairs and diplomatic networks. This week, US visa processing slows, while China presses Japan to punish a military officer who breached its Tokyo embassy.

A. Announcements

If you are a media or research organization interested in contributing to The Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings, or if you consider sponsoring this Newsletter, contact the Center.

B. Video of the week

C. Consular affairs

Multiple continents

• Algeria summons French Chargé d’Affaires over detention of consular official. AL24 News

• That time Matt Bomer lost his passport in Japan. The Hollywood Reporter

Africa

• Nigeria warns its citizens in South Africa to be cautious after march turns violent. BBC

Americas

• A slowdown in US visa processing is wreaking havoc on foreign doctors’ lives. Politico

• Exempting physicians from H-1B visa fee protects patients. American Medical Association

• Getting a passport in Cuba: keep cool, it takes time. Havana Times

• One in four countries now subject to U.S. visa bond pilot program. Hunton

• Trump Administration announces major passport rule change. Newsweek

• Trump State Dept. accused of ‘largest fee fraud in history’ of US immigration system. Common Dreams

Asia, Oceania, and Pacific Islands

• Himanta Sarma responds after Congress claims his wife holds 3 passports. NDTV

Europe and Middle East

• Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.

D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings

• China demands Japan punish military officer who breached embassy in Tokyo. Reuters

• Portugal to open consular office in Kathmandu. The Himalayan Times

• Shocking leak reveals true damage of U.S. Embassy strike was concealed. The Daily Beast

• UAE condemns ‘acts of vandalism’ at its embassy in Damascus. Reuters

• US Mission says Consulate relocation project contributes up to $100 million to Morocco’s economy. Morocco World News

• US reopens embassy in Venezuela. Politico

E. Passport, visas, and migration fraud

• Federal trial for 5 men accused in Cenla visa fraud scheme continued. Town Talk

• Taxpayer services warning of 3rd-party passport scam. Patriot

• Ten Haitian officials, including a director general, detained in passport fraud case. The Haitian Times

F. Honorary consuls

• The former model became the honorary consul of Ukraine, and on odd… EurAsia Daily

• Weapon found In Belarus Honorary Consulate car at Montenegro border. Reformation

G. Consular jobs and internships

A non-exhaustive selection

• Canada in Tokyo, Japan / Consular Assistant (deadline: April 06).

• France in Vienna, Austria / Administration des Français (deadline: April 16).

• United Kingdom in Doha, Qatar / Vice Consul (EO) (deadline: April 09).

H. Migration laws, regulations, and policies

A non-exhaustive selection

• [China] Announcement on the implementation of electronic border management area permit. MPS / NIA

• [Japan] 特定技能の鉄道分野に特有の事情に鑑みて定める基準の改正について. MOJ / ISA

• [New Zealand] Pacific Access Category and Samoan Quota registrations are now open for 2026. MBIE / Immigration

I. Perspectives

• “Counting passports” by Brian Henry (by )

• A $5 million visa, a wine island called Waiheke, and why so many Americans are flocking to New Zealand right now (by )

• Birthright and wrong (by )

• Bring your most organized self (by )

• Cape Verde: what you should know before you go (by )

• Diaspora divides mirror conflict in Iran and Lebanon (by )

• Expatriation experimentation (by )

• How to move to the happiest country in the world (by )

• Inside diplomacy: bidding for senior jobs (by )

• Italy’s €250K Investor Visa: what you actually need to know (by )

• On being “diaspora trash” (by )

• Permission. Not just a passport (by )

• Supreme Court arguments wrap in landmark challenge to Trump birthright citizenship Executive Order (by )

• The $450 question about U.S. citizenship (by )

• The Italian diaries: 2 years and one rejection later...it’s happening?! (by )

• The Jamaican diaspora: remittances, reality, and the limits of expectation (by )

• The napalm girl story in the diaspora (by )

• The visa was just the beginning (by )

J. Get daily news

• Bluesky, Facebook, KakaoTalk, Line, Mastodon, Substack, Telegram, Threads, Viber, VK, WhatsApp, and X for all news.

• LinkedIn for consular affairs.

• LinkedIn for the diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings.

• LinkedIn for passports, visas, and migration fraud.

• LinkedIn for honorary consuls.

• LinkedIn for consular jobs and internships (a non-exhaustive selection).

• LinkedIn for migration, laws, regulations, and policies (a non-exhaustive selection).

K. Supporting consular research

Incubating partner: Yonsei University. Country research partner: (AL) Albanian Institute for International Studies.

The views expressed are solely those of the author(s), not of the Center.

The Consular Newsletter updates consular officials, diplomats, migration lawyers, researchers, and travel industry professionals with the latest major news on consular affairs and diplomatic networks. This week, more Americans can now get a Canadian passport, while the US will close its consulate in Peshawar.

A. Announcements

Your organization can sponsor this newsletter by contacting the Center.

B. Video of the week

C. Consular affairs

Multiple continents

• Chinese Consulate General in Istanbul reveals to GT how it helped 93 stranded Taiwan compatriots return home from Middle East. Global Times

• Egypt steps up daily outreach to expats in Gulf, Jordan, Iraq amid regional escalation. Egypt Today

• MEA receives consular access request after arrest of six Ukrainians by NIA. The Times of India

• Middle East: consular assistance for British nationals 2026. United Kingdom House of Commons Library

• Russian Consulate in Central Iran damaged in airstrike. The Moscow Times

• Sudanese students say UK visa ban has dashed hopes of studying at top universities. The Guardian

• The rise of the ‘backup passport’. BBC

• U.S. orders diplomats to leave Consulate in Southern Turkey. The New York Times

Americas

• A new game turns the H-1B visa system into a surreal simulation. Wired

• Donald Trump’s H-1B visa moves would be reversed under new proposal. Newsweek

• House bill would exempt health care workers from $100,000 H-1B visa filing fee. American Hospital Association

• More Americans are now eligible for a Canadian passport thanks to a newly passed law. AFAR

• State Department cuts price of renouncing U.S. citizenship to $450. The New York Times

• State Department mandates passports for Diversity Visa seekers. Bloomberg Law

• The economic case for a $100,000 tax on H-1B visas rests on several errors. Peterson Institute for International Economics

• The State Department is forcing certain libraries to shutter their passport services. Literary Hub

Middle East

• Delays in visa processing in several countries due to conflict in Middle East. Pryor Cashman

Africa, Asia, Oceania, and Pacific Islands

• Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.

D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings

• Costa Rica orders Cuban embassy closure as Cuba blames US pressure. Reuters

• New ayatollah owns £35m London flats near Israeli embassy. I24 News

• Three brothers arrested after explosion at US embassy in Oslo. BBC

• US Embassy in Venezuela raises American flag for first time in 7 years. The Hill

• US will permanently close the consulate in Peshawar, Pakistan, its closest mission to Afghanistan. The Associated Press

• Uzbekistan opens consulate general in Seattle to engage diaspora. Gazeta

E. Passport, visas, and migration fraud

• 7-year immigration scam exposed – fraudulent H-1B visas and green cards in North Texas. The Dallas Express

• Bahamas boosts efforts to combat travel and ID document fraud amid rising regional cases. Identity Week

• British passport holders told ‘think twice’ as scam warning issued. Liverpool Echo

• Cambodia’s scam crackdown must now target visa fraud: comment. The Star

• FBI busts convenience store clerks for ‘staged armed robberies’ to apply for immigration benefits. Fox News

• Fake consular liens and $16 million claims: Florida man convicted of legal fraud. Tampa Free Press

• Robbery for residency: how 11 Indians allegedly defrauded US authorities to claim U visas. The Times of India

F. Honorary consuls

• Stay tuned for next week’s newsletter.

G. Consular jobs and internships

A non-exhaustive selection

• United Kingdom in Madrid, Spain / Consular Services Document Policy Caseworker (ETD Centre) EOEE (deadline: March 31)

• Access jobs and internships (link)

• Access honorary consul jobs (link)

H. Migration laws, regulations, and policies

A non-exhaustive selection

• [Ireland] Changes to how you sign in to the ISD customer service portal. DJHAM / Immigration Service

• [Malaysia] Syarat-syarat pengambilan nombor giliran melalui portal atau aplikasi. MOHA / Immigration Department

• [United States] USCIS reaches H-2B cap for second half of FY 2026 and filing dates now available for supplemental visa allocations. DHS / USCIS

I. Perspectives

• A visa denied, a journey begins (by )

• Canadian retiree required to give DNA at Blue Water Bridge (by )

• Expat vs migrant: how language shapes migration (by )

• From Dubai to Hong Kong: how the Iran crisis is redirecting global wealth (by )

• I’m not renewing my Australian visa (by )

• Outraged: Canadian’s DNA border incident triggers response from U.S. Rep. Dingell (by )

• Portugal spent millions attracting remote workers. Then forgot to keep them (by )

• Prospects of a UnifedPacific passport (by )

• Pulling no punches: “On October 7, Diaspora Jews discovered that they had no purpose.” (by )

• Q&A 3-14-26 de jure nationality status correction (by )

• The Afghan diaspora (by )

• The anarchist who tried to become a citizen (by )

• The black woman quoted in your U.S. passport (by )

• The second year in France comes with its own surprises (by )

• The voter network nonprofit sponsored H-1B visa for non-citizen (by )

• Understanding the Iranian Diaspora (by )

J. Get daily news

• Bluesky, Facebook, KakaoTalk, Line, Mastodon, Substack, Telegram, Threads, Viber, VK, WhatsApp, and X for all news.

• LinkedIn for consular affairs.

• LinkedIn for the diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings.

• LinkedIn for passports, visas, and migration fraud.

• LinkedIn for honorary consuls.

• LinkedIn for consular jobs and internships (a non-exhaustive selection).

• LinkedIn for migration, laws, regulations, and policies (a non-exhaustive selection).

K. Supporting consular research

Incubating partner: Yonsei University Country research partner: (AL) Albanian Institute for International Studies

Support consular research by becoming a Partner, Member, or Donor. Media professionals interested in contributing to The Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings, please feel free to contact the Center.

The views expressed are solely those of the author(s), not of the Center.

Every week, the Consular Newsletter updates consular officials, diplomats, migration lawyers, researchers, and travel industry professionals with the latest major news on consular affairs and diplomatic networks. This week, the US and Venezuela restored consular relations, while foreign nationals in the Middle East are evacuating the region.

A. Announcements

• Your organization can sponsor this newsletter. Please feel free to contact the Center.

• Support consular research by becoming a Partner, Member, or Donor.

B. Video of the week

C. Consular affairs

Multiple continents

• An immigrant’s worth comes from God, not a visa. L’Osservatore Romano

• Canadian newspaper alleges Indian intelligence officer linked to Nijjar killing. The Tribune

• EU halts visa-free travel for Georgian officials. Reuters

• Kremlin suspends internal Russian passport issuance in Abkhazia. The Jamestown Foundation

• PH Embassy in Israel confirms the death of a Filipina caregiver in Tel Aviv. GMA Network

• Seattle Consul General dances on TikTok to engage youth. The Chosun Ilbo

• US imposes visa restrictions on senior Rwandan officials over eastern Congo. Reuters

• When work visas stall, business can’t. HR Executive

Americas

• Louisiana crawfish industry facing $300M threat amid cap on visa programs. KPLC 7 News

• UCF professor, student react to Florida’s H-1B hiring freeze. Spectrum News 13

• US and Venezuela restore diplomatic and consular ties after seven-year rupture. MercoPress

Europe

• Hungary has yet to take real steps to grant consular access to seven detained Ukrainians. Ukrinform

• UK-born tycoon applies for German passport due to Jew-hate. Jewish News Syndicate

Africa, Asia, Middle East, Oceania, and Pacific Islands

• Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.

D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings

• Azerbaijan readies to evacuate Embassy and Consulate in Iran. The Caspian Post

• Explosion at US embassy in Oslo may have been terrorism, Norway police say. BBC

• Qatar relocates residents near U.S. Embassy. IranWire

• U.S. Embassy in Baghdad targeted as Iraq gets drawn deeper into regional war. The New York Times

E. Passport, visas, and migration fraud

• Maryland man ‘Beautiful Life Allah’ gets prison time for passport, SSN fraud scheme. Daily Voice Elkton

• Namibia Embassy staff robber admits burning diplomatic passport, sold iPhone 15Pro-Max for Ghc2,000 at Circle. Modern Ghana

• Passport scam: US-based Nigerians cry out over activities of ‘cleric’ linked to Atlanta Consulate. Vanguard

• Tangier authorities suspected fraud in Spanish visa applications. Morocco World News

F. Honorary consuls

• Swiss government opts against crackdown on honorary consuls and shady dealings. SwissInfo

G. Consular jobs and internships

A non-exhaustive selection

• Australia in Bangkok, Thailand / Consular and Passport Manager (deadline: March 17)

• Canada in Playa del Carmen, Mexico / Senior Consular Officer (deadline: March 29)

• France in Erbil, Iraq / Consul Général (deadline: March 17)

• Access jobs and internships (link)

• Access honorary consul jobs (link)

H. Migration laws, regulations, and policies

A non-exhaustive selection

• [Japan] 出入国管理及び難民認定法及び出入国管理及び難民認定法第二条第五号ロの旅券を所持する外国人の上陸申請の特例に関する法律の一部を改正する法律案について. MOJ / ISA

• [New Zealand] Visitor visa fees temporarily reduced for Pacific nationals. MBIE / Immigration

• [United Kingdom] Updates on the move to eVisas. Home Office / UKVI

I. Perspectives

• “Lost Canadians” and citizenship by descent (by )

• Day 3 in exile (by )

• Décision du TAR : le titre saisonnier doit être délivré (by )

• Interintellect joins the French Embassy in the USA at the Villa Albertine on March 31 (by and )

• La guerre met à l’épreuve le Pacte sur la migration et l’asile (by , , and )

• No way out, no way home for American travelers stuck in missile-targeted UAE (by )

• On London extra: the immigration swamp (by )

• Pakistan puts its pilgrims on record (by )

• SIS alert and visa cancellation: the Administrative Court of Rome rejects automatic decisions (by )

• Spain has two immigration systems. Here’s the one that moves in only 20 working days (by )

• The Foreign Office should offer Brits free flights home from the Gulf (by )

• The H-1B wage gap really is that large (by )

• The human cost of mass detention: ICE reports 9th custodial death of 2026, 38th of Trump II Administration (by )

• Travel advisory updates: security considerations in the Middle East (by )

• Wet pants (pants in the American sense), nice ladies, and the peculiar nature of time, in Dublin, 1989 (by )

J. Get daily news

• Bluesky, Facebook, KakaoTalk, Line, LinkedIn, Mastodon, Substack, Telegram, Threads, Viber, VK, WhatsApp, and X for consular affairs.

• LinkedIn for the diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings.

• LinkedIn for passports, visas, and migration fraud.

• LinkedIn for honorary consuls.

• LinkedIn for consular jobs and internships (a non-exhaustive selection).

• LinkedIn for migration, laws, regulations, and policies (a non-exhaustive selection).

K. Supporting consular research

The Center warmly thanks its Partners, Members, and Donors for their support.

Incubating partner: Yonsei University Country research partner: (AL) Albanian Institute for International Studies

Support consular research by becoming a Partner, Member, or Donor. Media professionals interested in contributing to The Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings, please feel free to contact the Center.

The views expressed are solely those of the author(s), not of the Center.

Every week, the Consular Newsletter updates consular officials, diplomats, migration lawyers, researchers, and travel industry professionals with the latest major news on consular affairs and diplomatic networks. This week, many in the Middle East urge their countries to evacuate them, while at least 22 are killed in a failed attempt to enter the U.S. Consulate in Karachi.

A. Announcements

• Your organization can sponsor this newsletter. Please feel free to contact the Center.

• Support consular research by becoming a Partner, Member, or Donor.

B. Video of the week

C. Consular affairs

Multiple continents

• 7 Chinese tourists killed as vehicle sinks in Lake Baikal; Consulate issues urgent safety alert. China Daily

• At least 22 people killed in Pakistan as protesters try to storm US Consulate. The Associated Press

• Chinese embassy in Angola warns citizens not to fall foul of immigration crackdown. South China Morning Post

• How Americans with European ancestry can get an EU passport. Condé Nast Traveler

• Is US aiding Israel in annexing West Bank with latest consular move? TRT World

• Over 300 people have fled Iran via Azerbaijan, source close to government says. Reuters

• People queue outside Pakistan’s consulate in Barcelona. Reuters

• S. Korean Embassy advises Korean nationals to leave Iran amid possible U.S. military strike. Yonhap News Agency

• Taliban appoints Pakistani national to Afghan Consulate in Bonn. Afghanistan International

• US embassy to offer its first consular services at an Israeli settlement in the West Bank. The Associated Press

Americas

• DHS says Columbia student taken into custody is illegal alien whose visa was terminated under Obama admin. Fox News

• Petro unveils new high-tech Colombia passport focused on data sovereignty. Colombia One

• Tom Hanks’ son Chet trapped in Medellin after using Greek passport for Colombia trip goes wrong. Fox News

• US denies visas to Cuban baseball officials ahead of international tournament. Reuters

Europe

• British-Danish couple say new UK passport rules may separate them from children. The Guardian

• These airlines will allow UK dual nationals to travel on expired passports. The Independent

• UK government quietly updates passport rules for dual citizens — again. ABC

Africa, Asia, Middle East, Oceania, and Pacific Islands

• Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.

D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings

• Brazil takes over Mexico’s Embassy as Peru severs diplomatic ties. OWP

• New chancery to be built for NZ High Commission in PNG. RNZ

• UAE moves to close its embassy in Iran — foreign ministry. TASS

• US partially evacuates Beirut embassy amid rising Iran tensions. BBC

E. Passport, visas, and migration fraud

• 261 passports seized in Soroti passport trafficking bust. The Daily Monitor

• BI agents arrest Chinese national for passport fraud. Manila Standard

• Former licensed immigration adviser sentenced after deceiving migrants. New Zealand Immigration

• IGI Airport police arrest 130 in visa, passport scam, seize assets. Awaz The Voice

• USCIS helps in immigration fraud investigation resulting in indictments and arrests in New York City. US Citizenship and Immigration Services

F. Honorary consuls

• Stay tuned for next week’s newsletter.

G. Consular jobs and internships

A non-exhaustive selection

• Australia in Berlin, Germany / Consular and Passports Officer (deadline: March 06)

• France in Erbil, Iraq / Consul Général (deadline: March 17)

• United Kingdom in Hanoi, Vietnam / Vice Consul (deadline: March 09)

• Access jobs and internships (link)

• Access honorary consul jobs (link)

H. Migration laws, regulations, and policies

A non-exhaustive selection

• [New Zealand] Upcoming changes to employment conditions for open work visa holders. MBIE / Immigration

• [United Kingdom] Updates on the move to eVisas. Home Office / UKVI

• [Malaysia] Dasar baharu Penggajian Ekspatriat. MOHA / Immigration Department

I. Perspectives

• Let’s help you move abroad via a work visa (by )

• Outside the abandoned Iranian embassy in DC, an uncertain future for Iran (by )

• Shanghai Express: Get booking if you want to take advantage of this year’s visa-free travel to China! (by )

• So many Mexican Consulates & more (by )

• The Guardian’s immigration problem (by )

• The Trump administration denied her a visa waiver for fighting disinformation (by )

• Titles matter: the Integrity of the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council is not optional (by )

J. Get daily news

• Bluesky, Facebook, KakaoTalk, Line, LinkedIn, Mastodon, Substack, Telegram, Threads, Viber, VK, WhatsApp, and X for consular affairs.

• LinkedIn for the diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings.

• LinkedIn for passports, visas, and migration fraud.

• LinkedIn for honorary consuls.

• LinkedIn for consular jobs and internships (a non-exhaustive selection).

• LinkedIn for migration, laws, regulations, and policies (a non-exhaustive selection).

K. Supporting consular research

The Center warmly thanks its Partners, Members, and Donors for their support.

Incubating partner: Yonsei University Country research partner: (AL) Albanian Institute for International Studies

Support consular research by becoming a Partner, Member, or Donor. Media professionals interested in contributing to The Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings, please feel free to contact the Center.

The views expressed are solely those of the author(s), not of the Center.

Every week, the Consular Newsletter updates consular officials, diplomats, migration lawyers, researchers, and travel industry professionals with the latest major news on consular affairs and diplomatic networks. This week, Americans are urged to shelter after the Mexican Army killed a cartel leader, while the UK quietly updates passport rules for dual citizens.

A. Announcements

• Your organization can sponsor this newsletter. Please feel free to contact the Center.

• Support consular research by becoming a Partner, Member, or Donor.

B. Video of the week

C. Consular affairs

Multiple continents

• How the visa debate for foreign workers fuels racism against South Asians. The New York Times

• Russia forces deceived Colombian tourist into frontline assault units after visa scam. United24 Media

• Tucker Carlson claims he was detained in Israel. US Embassy: routine passport control. Israel National News

• U.S. Embassy in Belgium takes action after Alabama women attacked on train. WSFA 12 News

• US imposing visa restrictions on Iranian officials, telecom leaders. Reuters

• Wealthy Americans top ‘golden visa’ surge in New Zealand and applications from China double. The Guardian

Americas

• Fresno’s Mexican Consulate busier amid immigration crackdown across US. ABC30 News

• Moreno wants Americans to pick one passport. The world moved on decades ago. IMI

• US Embassy tells Americans to shelter in place after Mexican army kills cartel leader. The Hill

• Visa issues resolved, Cubs catcher Moises Ballesteros reports to camp. Chicago Sun Times

Asia, Oceania, and Pacific Islands

• Japan travel warning after Hongkonger beaten with beer bottle in Sapporo. South China Morning Post

Europe

• Why British dual citizens are facing new passport issues. The Week

Africa and Middle East

• Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.

D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings

• Britain approves China’s £255 million ‘Mega Embassy’ at London’s Royal Mint despite security fears. Vision Times

• Fiji to restore permanent presence in Auckland - diplomat. RNZ

E. Passport, visas, and migration fraud

• Feds seek to revoke ex-North Miami mayor’s U.S. citizenship over alleged identity fraud. West Palm Beach News

• Former Minnesota prison guard detained by ICE, accused of multiple acts of immigration fraud. The Minnesota Star Tribune

• Serial immigration fraudster working as a Minnesota Corrections Officer arrested. US Citizenship and Immigration Services

• Tama County officials warning of scam tricking residents into paying for passport forms. Iowa’s News Now

• US group allegedly ran fake law firm and court proceedings to scam immigrants. The Guardian

F. Honorary consuls

• Stay tuned for next week’s newsletter.

G. Consular jobs and internships

A non-exhaustive selection

• Canada in Dallas, United States / Senior Consular Officer (deadline: March 05)

• France in Erbil, Iraq / Consul Général (deadline: March 17)

• United Kingdom in Hanoi, Vietnam / Vice Consul (deadline: March 09)

• Access jobs and internships (link)

• United Kingdom in Zanzibar, Tanzania / Honorary Consul (deadline: March 02)

• Access honorary consul jobs (link)

H. Migration laws, regulations, and policies

A non-exhaustive selection

• [Japan] 育成就労制度運用要領. MOJ / ISA

• [Poland] Ustawa z dnia 23 stycznia 2026 roku o wygaszeniu rozwiązań wynikających z ustawy o pomocy obywatelom Ukrainy w związku z konfliktem zbrojnym na terytorium tego państwa oraz o zmianie niektórych innych ustaw z podpisem Prezydenta. MSWiA / Urząd do Spraw Cudzoziemców

• [United States] DHS proposes rule to prioritize Americans’ safety by strengthening screening of asylum seekers. DHS / USCIS

I. Perspectives

• Andrew had 40 prostitutes brought to his suite in Thailand (by )

• Canada’s denial of visas to Palestinian students reveals its systemic racism (by )

• Canada lures top foreign researchers as the U.S. restricts immigration and threatens funding (by )

• Eileen Gu and Chinese nationality law (by )

• Latest AIMA renewal advice (by )

• Persist and chill: the keys to navigating Portuguese bureaucracy (by )

• Sacré bleu! Momo is French (by )

• The African diaspora has money. Why don’t we have political power? (by )

• The documents arrived. The trip is booked. It’s getting real (by )

• The French visa formula: calm, clear, approved (by )

J. Get daily news

• Bluesky, Facebook, KakaoTalk, Line, LinkedIn, Mastodon, Substack, Telegram, Threads, Viber, VK, WhatsApp, and X for consular affairs.

• LinkedIn for the diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings.

• LinkedIn for passports, visas, and migration fraud.

• LinkedIn for honorary consuls.

• LinkedIn for consular jobs and internships (a non-exhaustive selection).

• LinkedIn for migration, laws, regulations, and policies (a non-exhaustive selection).

K. Supporting consular research

The Center warmly thanks its Partners, Members, and Donors for their support.

Incubating partner: Yonsei University Country research partner: (AL) Albanian Institute for International Studies

Support consular research by becoming a Partner, Member, or Donor. Media professionals interested in contributing to The Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings, please feel free to contact the Center.

The views expressed are solely those of the author(s), not of the Center.

Every week, the Consular Newsletter updates consular officials, diplomats, migration lawyers, researchers, and travel industry professionals with the latest major news on consular affairs and diplomatic networks. This week, the US denied plans for a West Bank consular branch, while consular cases linked to Cambodia scam centers keep emerging.

A. Announcements

• Your organization can sponsor this newsletter. Please feel free to contact the Center.

• Support consular research by becoming a Partner, Member, or Donor.

B. Video of the week

C. Consular affairs

Multiple continents

• Consular access 16 Indian sailors detained in Iran secured; 8 released, 8 remain in custody: MEA. ANI

• Inuit leaders celebrate milestone trip as Canada opens Greenland consulate. CBC

• Rachel Moran on ICE at the Ecuadorian Consulate. University of St.Thomas

• Suspect in 2012 Benghazi consulate attack pleads not guilty to federal charges. The Hill

• UK expands visa route for Hong Kongers after Jimmy Lai sentencing. Reuters

• US embassy denies reported plan to open consular service branch in West Bank settlement. The Times of Israel

Americas

• A true American doesn’t just have a passport — they exhibit these core values. VegOut

• Cubs’ Moises Ballesteros likely to be delayed by visa issues for another week. Chicago Sun Times

• Everyone in Washington wants to ‘reform’ agriculture’s main visa program. Food & Environment Reporting Network

• State Department orders nonprofit libraries to stop processing passport applications. The Associated Press

• State Department to pull additional passports from parents who owe child support. Fox News

Asia, Oceania, and Pacific Islands

• Australian man died in Bali after consulate refused to assist with medical transfer. The Guardian

• Sorting out cases involving Indonesian citizens in Cambodia’s scam centers. Tempo

Europe

• Expats renounce British citizenship as new passport rules loom. The Times

Middle East

• A passport stamp for a Palestinian state in the making. Israel Hayom

• Officials raise alarm over ‘State of Palestine’ passport stamps at Rafah crossing. Ynet

Africa

• Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.

D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings

• Al-Shaibani: reopening Syrian Consulate in Bonn a significant milestone in diplomacy. Syrian Arab News Agency

• Azerbaijan’s president accuses Russia of ‘deliberate attack’ on country’s embassy in Ukraine. The Kyiv Independent

• Belgium to open consular service in Yerevan. Armenpress

• BLACKPINK’s Jennie acquires former Iraqi Embassy building for 20 billion won. The Chosun Daily

• Colombia reopens Embassy in Bucharest after 24 years of absence. Romania Insider

• Japan opens new visa centers in Moscow and St. Petersburg. The Moscow Times

• Like Trump, U.S. embassies are raising cash for lavish July Fourth parties. The New York Times

• Russia to open Consulate in Aktau. Russia’s Pivot to Asia

• Turkey set to establish embassy in Reykjavík. Iceland Review

E. Passport, visas, and migration fraud

• Chinese crypto scam fugitive with St. Kitts passport owns Dubai property. OCCRP

• Egypt arrests woman over alleged Hajj visa scam. Gulf News

• FAIR’s Matt O’Brien testifies before Senate on immigration fraud. FAIR

• Passport fraud: Dublin man and cousin admit to bizarre birth certificate scam. BreakingNews

• Passport scam case: Moga court sentences three cops to 3-year rigorous imprisonment. The Tribune

• Punjab: 2008 Moga passport scam: Bathinda court cites shoddy probe, acquits 17 travel agents. Hindustan Times

F. Honorary consuls

• Opinion: the murky world of shadow diplomats. News18

G. Consular jobs and internships

• A non-exhaustive selection

  • Australia in Berlin, Germany / Internship (deadline: February 17)

  • Belgium in Warsaw, Poland / Consular Officer (deadline: February 18)

  • United States in Lagos, Nigeria / Visa Assistant (deadline: February 25)

  • Access jobs (TBA)

  • Access honorary consul jobs (link)

H. Migration laws, regulations, and policies

A non-exhaustive selection

• [Japan] 世界大学ランキングに基づき加点対象となる大学一覧（令和８年１月時点）を更新しました。 MOJ / ISA

• [United States] Cap reached for first allocation of returning worker H-2B Visas FY 2026. DHS / USCIS

I. Perspectives

• A quick trip to Lyon and handling US paperwork from abroad (by )

• Africa beyond remittances: the African diaspora could build the biggest bank in Africa, bigger than the top 5 banks combined (by )

• Immigration intakes don’t account for the impact of AI. They should (by )

• Is a break between Israeli Jews and Jews of the Diaspora inevitable? GESHER believes it’s not, and is working hard to build real bridges (by

• Just what you’ve always wanted: you can finally get your passport stamped by “The State of Palestine” (by )

• Mexico at the crossroads: sovereignty, solidarity, and the pressure of a powerful neighbor (by and )

• Resolute John Florio at the French embassy (by )

• The day your visa gets approved: the African immigration grief nobody talks about (by )

• The diplomat who hid people on a list (Aristides de Sousa Mendes, Portugal) (by )

• The immigration debate we forgot to have (by )

• Why India must track its foreign students (by )

J. Get daily news

• Bluesky, Facebook, KakaoTalk, Line, LinkedIn, Mastodon, Substack, Telegram, Threads, Viber, VK, WhatsApp, and X for consular affairs.

• LinkedIn for the diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings.

• LinkedIn for passports, visas, and migration fraud.

• LinkedIn for honorary consuls.

• LinkedIn for consular jobs and internships (a non-exhaustive selection).

• LinkedIn for migration, laws, regulations, and policies (a non-exhaustive selection).

K. Supporting consular research

The Center warmly thanks its Partners, Members, and Donors for their support.

Incubating partner: Yonsei University

Country research partner: (AL) Albanian Institute for International Studies

Support consular research by becoming a Partner, Member, or Donor. Media professionals interested in contributing to The Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings, please feel free to contact the Center.

The views expressed are solely those of the author(s), not of the Center.

Every week, the Consular Newsletter updates consular officials, diplomats, migration lawyers, researchers, and travel industry professionals with the latest major news on consular affairs and diplomatic networks.

A. Announcements

• Your organization can sponsor this newsletter. Please feel free to contact the Center.

• Support consular research by becoming a Partner, Member, or Donor.

B. Video of the week

C. Consular affairs

Multiple continents

• Canada and France open Greenland consulates after Trump demands. BBC

• Chinese embassy in France says it is yet to receive notification from France on probe into alleged spying involving Chinese nationals. Global Times

• Icicles hang outside the U.S. Consulate in Nuuk. Reuters Connect

• Israeli bobsled team loses passports and ‘thousands of dollars’ in robbery before Milan Cortina Olympics. The Athletic

• Three African countries agree to UK migrant returns after visa penalty threat. BBC

• US Embassy in London denies visas to executives over minor offences. Financial Times

• US virtual embassy tells Americans to leave Iran ‘now’ amid increasing restrictions and risks. TRT World

Africa

• Algeria reassesses diaspora strategy in historic consular summit. APA News

Americas

• University to cover U.S. passport fee for qualifying students. Suny Cortland

• What it takes to get an H-1B visa in Trump’s America. Rest of World

Asia

• Indian High Commission warns employers against passport confiscation. Monitor

• Victim slams South Korean consulate for handling of assault in Japan. The Korea Herald

Europe

• Russia reverses decision to issue internal passports in Abkhazia. The Moscow Times

Middle East

• Saudi Arabia launches ‘camel passport project’ to regulate sector. Anadolu Agency

Oceania and Pacific Islands

• Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.

D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings

• In diplomatic U-turn, Vilnius rues Taiwan de facto embassy row with Beijing. South China Morning Post

• Indian Consulate will open in Malaysia, bring our nations closer’: PM Modi. NDTV

• Starmer faces a hysterical backlash over new Chinese embassy. South China Morning Post

• Statement: Panama Consulate in Venezuela. Migración Panamá

E. Migration laws, regulations, and policies

A non-exhaustive selection

• Stay tuned for next week’s newsletter.

F. Passport, visas, and migration fraud

• Dutch benefits agency illegally obtained passport photos to investigate welfare fraud. NL Times

• Living in Ghaziabad but using Delhi address on passport? Cops might visit you soon. News18

• N.J. man admits using fake passport to steal from bank accounts. NJ

• NC students killed by driver who overstayed visa. The Carolina Journal

G. Honorary consuls and current jobs

• “Epstein” files, Pacolli proposed it and Hoxhaj appointed the Thai princess as Honorary Consul. KOHA

• Access jobs: link

H. Perspectives

• Canada and France set to establish diplomatic presence in Greenland amid Trump threats (by )

• Greenland: make America go away (by )

• Guest post: an immigrant’s take on Nubank (by )

• How India is funding its place in the world (by )

• It will take more than visa sanctions to stop European censorship of Americans (by )

• Japan’s immigration boom is real—even if it still avoids the word “immigrant” (by )

• Making your work legible, for hiring, funding, and visa! (by )

• My visa is about to expire.. what do I do? (by )

• Returning to Jay’s strange passport (by )

• The Italian diaries: a spring return (by )

• These Palestinian students have been accepted to Canadian universities. Canada won’t help them get here (by )

• Trump’s designs on Greenland might be as much about out-manoeuvring the Canadians, as the Russians (by )

• USA: making friends at the San Diego Mexican consulate (by )

I. Get daily news

• Bluesky, Facebook, KakaoTalk, Line, LinkedIn, Mastodon, Substack, Telegram, Threads, Viber, VK, WhatsApp, and X for consular affairs.

• LinkedIn for the diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings.

• LinkedIn for migration, laws, regulations, and policies (a non-exhaustive selection).

• LinkedIn for passports, visas, and migration fraud.

• LinkedIn for honorary consuls.

J. Supporting consular research

The Center warmly thanks its Partners, Members, and Donors for their support.

Incubating partner: Yonsei University

Country research partner: (AL) Albanian Institute for International Studies

Support consular research by becoming a Partner, Member, or Donor. Media professionals interested in contributing to The Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings, please feel free to contact the Center.

The views expressed are solely those of the author(s), not of the Center.

Every week, the Consular Newsletter updates consular officials, diplomats, migration lawyers, researchers, and travel industry professionals with the latest major news on consular affairs and diplomatic networks.

A. Announcements

• Your organization can sponsor this newsletter. Please feel free to contact the Center.

• Support consular research by becoming a Partner, Member, or Donor.

B. Video of the week

C. Consular affairs

Multiple continents

• Bonnie Blue alleges British High Commission official told her to bribe Bali cops—Foreign Office denies claim. International Business Times

• Canada sending patrol vessel to Greenland for opening of new consulate: Anand. Rocky Mountain Outlook

• Russian embassy seeks information on 2 women it says were detained at Camp Pendleton. Stars and Stripes

• US YouTube star IShowSpeed to get Ghanaian passport as Africa tour ends. BBC

Africa

• South African expats urged to renew passports following citizenship court ruling. 9News

Americas

• Ecuador says an ICE agent tried to enter its consulate. CNN

• Gov. Greg Abbott wants Texas universities, schools to disclose information on H-1B visa hirings. The Texas Tribune

• ICE claims Ecuadorian consulate in Minneapolis was ‘not clearly marked’ when officers tried to enter. The Independent

• Mexican government rejects accusations of interference in US through consulates. Mexico Solidarity Media

• Nicki Minaj calls herself Trump’s ‘number one fan’ and shows off gold card visa. BBC

• Some Americans are carrying their passports in Minnesota: “The reality of Minneapolis right now”. CBS News

• State contemplating pausing university H-1B visas for a year, at DeSantis’ urging. Florida Phoenix

• State Department issues security alert amid ‘heavy gunfire’ near US Embassy in Haiti. Fox News

• Trump’s 75-country visa pause punishes law-abiding US citizens. The Hill

• Woman shares moment she was detained at airport when agents claimed her passport photo didn’t look like her. People

Asia

• South Korean scam workers trapped in Cambodian fraud camps. Mezha

Europe

• Russia tightens passport rules for children in occupied Ukraine, complicating escape, activists say. The Kyiv Independent

Middle East, Oceania, and Pacific Islands

• Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.

D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings

• Criticism in UK as government approves Chinese ‘mega’ embassy. ABC News

• Finland’s Consulate General in Houston to begin provision of consular services. Finnish Government

• New Indian Consular Centre opens in Seattle. Punjab News Express

• Russia plans to open embassy offices in all regions of Belarus. Belsat

• U.S. diplomats arrive in Venezuela to reopen embassy after 7 years. NBC 6 South Florida

• US takes first steps to possibly reopen embassy in Venezuela after Maduro’s ouster. The Associated Press

E. Migration laws, regulations, and policies

A non-exhaustive selection

• (Ireland) ISD announce extension to Travel Confirmation Notice. DJHAM/Immigration Service

• (New Zealand) Framework and guidance now available for RSE worker accommodation cost changes. MBIE/Immigration

• (United Kingdom) Updates on the move to eVisas. Home Office/UKVI

• (United States) FY 2027 H-1B cap initial registration period opens on March 4. DHS/USCIS

F. Passport, visas, and migration fraud

• Chandigarh: couple among three held for work visa fraud. The Tribune

• Edwardsville man gets 2 years for passport fraud. The Citizen’s Voice

• Haitian pastor in $14,000 visa scam. The Tribune

• Passport scam alert: Home Affairs issues urgent warning. Time Out

• Texas launches investigation into alleged H-1B visa fraud. Newsweek

• Warning: visa scams are on the rise. Travel Weekly Asia

G. Honorary consuls and current jobs

• Access jobs: link

H. Perspectives

• Africa treats its diaspora like a bank account, not a brain trust (by )

• Changes at “The” Embassy (by )

• I’m from Japan, even if I don’t exactly look like it (by )

• Japan quietly rewrites the rules for foreign care workers (by )

• Lost in Thailand: the new Chinese diaspora from Bangkok to Addis Ababa (by )

• Migration of talent: how borderless work is reshaping careers (by )

• No, ICE officers, you can’t force your way into diplomatic missions (by )

• Petite wine traveler’s wine as a passport (by @Petite Wine Traveler)

• Registering a U.S. citizen born abroad (by )

• Resolute John Florio at the French embassy (by )

• Where do digital nomads, expats, and global professionals belong (by )

• Why I chose America: a new immigrant’s reflection (by )

I. Get daily news

• Bluesky, Facebook, KakaoTalk, Line, LinkedIn, Mastodon, Substack, Telegram, Threads, Viber, VK, WhatsApp, and X for consular affairs.

• LinkedIn for the diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings.

• LinkedIn for migration, laws, regulations, and policies (a non-exhaustive selection).

• LinkedIn for passports, visas, and migration fraud.

• LinkedIn for honorary consuls.

J. Supporting consular research

The Center warmly thanks its Partners, Members, and Donors for their support.

Incubating partner: Yonsei University

Country research partner: (AL) Albanian Institute for International Studies

Support consular research by becoming a Partner, Member, or Donor. Media professionals interested in contributing to The Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings, please feel free to contact the Center.

The views expressed are solely those of the author(s), not of the Center.

Every week, the Consular Newsletter updates consular officials, diplomats, migration lawyers, researchers, and travel industry professionals with the latest major news on consular affairs and diplomatic networks.

A. Announcements

• Your organization can sponsor this newsletter. Please feel free to contact the Center.

• Support consular research by becoming a Partner, Member, or Donor.

B. Video of the week

C. Consular affairs

Multiple continents

• Indian officials slam Iran’s refusal to allow consular access to detained tanker crew. Baird Maritime

• Nuuk resident stages a daily protest in front of the US Consulate. The Associated Press

Americas

• Could Mexico be influencing America via their consulates? NewsRadio 740 KTRH

• Employee stranded abroad? Navigating U.S. visa delays and international remote work risks. The National Law Review

• State Department unjustifiably invokes “public charge” to freeze immigrant visa processing for 75 countries. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

Asia

• Over 1,400 Indonesians left Cambodian scam groups in five days: Embassy. Barron’s

• Reported scam center survivors stranded as embassies struggle to help. Camboja News

Africa, Europe, Middle East, Oceania, and Pacific Islands

• Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.

D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings

• Concerns grow over planned Chinese embassy in London, with close proximity to extensive fiber optic network. DCD

• South African Consulate signs 31K-SF lease at 805 Third Avenue. Commercial Observer

• Staff at Danish Embassy in Washington not prepared for what’s left outside. Newsweek

• Syria decides to reopen its Consulate General in Erbil. Kurdistan24

• UK approves China plan for new embassy in London subject to conditions. Reuters

E. Passports, visas, and migration fraud

• Minnesota fraud allegations put national spotlight on H-1B visa enforcement failures. The Dallas Express

• Pakistan, US mull joint operation against visa fraud. The Express Tribune

F. Honorary consuls and current jobs

• Peru terminates duties of Honorary Consuls in Pasto, Riga and Perth. Andina News Agency

• Access jobs: link

G. Perspectives

• How did Serbia avoid Trump’s immigrant-visa ban? (by )

• I flew to New York City without my passport—and nade a new friend (by )

• If the US loses the AI race, blame immigration policy (by )

• Keep the expats far away (by )

• Keeping an eye on the embassy (by )

• Labour is leaving Britain to pay the price for cosying up to Xi Jinping (by )

• Let’s get rid of passports (by )

• Liberia mpox outbreak prompts CDC travel notice (by )

• London greenlights China’s massive embassy complex, Plus China casts itself as the guardian of globalization at Davos🙄-- China Boss News 1.23.26 (by )

• Morning call: immigrants welcome here? (by )

• My Italy travel takeaways (by )

• No. 121: stop listening to the diaspora (by )

• On being Iranian in the diaspora while watching your people risk everything for change (by )

• Strategy: do not carry passport after arrival - carry when moving to new location (by )

• The diaspora is dead, long live the diaspora (by )

• The diaspora stage: how Michael Brun’s Bayo Tour reconnected Haitian identity across continents (by )

• The ninth visa (by )

• The O-1 visa and OnlyFans: autonomy, risk, and extraordinary ability (by )

• To Greenland and back (by )

• Trump’s policies towards trans people, explained (by )

H. Get daily news

• Consular affairs via Bluesky, Facebook, KakaoTalk, Line, LinkedIn, Mastodon, Substack, Telegram, Threads, Viber, VK, WhatsApp, and X.

• The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings via LinkedIn.

• Passports, visas, and migration fraud via LinkedIn.

• Honorary consuls via LinkedIn.

I. Supporting consular research

The Center warmly thanks its Partners, Members, and Donors for their support.

Incubating partner: Yonsei University

Country research partner: (AL) Albanian Institute for International Studies

Support consular research by becoming a Partner, Member, or Donor. Media professionals interested in contributing to The Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings, please feel free to contact the Center.

The views expressed are solely those of the author(s), not of the Center.

Every week, the Consular Newsletter updates consular officials, diplomats, migration lawyers, researchers, and travel industry professionals with the latest major news on consular affairs and diplomatic networks.

A. Announcements

• Your organization can sponsor this newsletter. Please feel free to contact the Center.

• Support consular research by becoming a Partner, Member, or Donor.

B. Video of the week

C. Consular affairs

Multiple continents

• Chinese Consulate-General in Chicago urges Chinese nationals in Minnesota to strengthen safety precautions. Global Times

• France to open consulate in Greenland in February amid Trump threats. Politico Europe

• Ghana helped U.S. deport migrants, and now its own citizens are shut out. Capital B

• Ofori-Atta acted within his rights in refusing consular meeting in the US – Legal analyst. GBC Ghana Online

• US freezes all visa processing for 75 countries, including Somalia, Russia, Iran. Fox News

• When diaspora and diplomacy cross wires. Armenian Weekly

Americas

• Bishop Fernandes praises religious worker visa rule change, says work still to be done. Catholic News Agency

• Judge recommends U.S. issue visa to student who was deported in error. The New York Times

• Man in ICE custody dies at Clayton County facility, Mexican consulate says. Atlanta News First

• The US halt on immigrant visa processing. Center for Global Development

• Trump’s ex-campaign adviser says he carries passport with him now because of ICE. CNN

Asia

• As China’s companies expand overseas, entrepreneurs want the passports to match. South China Morning Post

• Chinese consular help sought over missing HK resident. RTHK

• India pushes for consular access to 16 Indian crew members detained by Iranian authorities. The New Indian Express

Europe

• British passport changes disrupt plans for reunions, sick relative visits and business trips. ABC

• FCDO reveals plans for £100m-plus partner for consular digital services. Public Technology

• Germany’s Greenland Consulate decision: following a different path. Devdiscourse

Africa, Middle East, Oceania, and Pacific Islands

• Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.

D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings

• Argentina’s Embassy in Caracas to be placed under Italian protection. MercoPress

• Dar inaugurates new Pakistan consulate chancery in Jeddah. The Diplomatic Insights

• How a group of nimbys could bring down China’s mega embassy plans. The Independent

• India opens Los Angeles consulate, expands engagement on U.S. West Coast. Indica News

• Mango thief caught on former Indian High Commission premises. The Edition

• Secret room to be built at Chinese embassy near cable lines, sparking widespread espionage fears. Fox News

• Why a Chinese ‘mega embassy’ is not such a worry for British spies. The Guardian

E. Passports, visas, and migration fraud

• EB-1A petitions tripled in 4 years: is ‘Einstein visa fraud’ the new ‘H-1B scam’? Financial Express

• Ex-Trump ally alleges ‘H-1B visa fraud’ in Texas, shares unverified video claiming system abuse. Pragativadi

• Indian-origin Komal Shinde accused of selling UK work visas to illegal migrants for £12,000; Facebook black market exposed. The Times of India

• Visa scam unraveled as FIA arrests suspects linked to migrant smuggling. The Express Tribune

• What awaits Kenyan man arrested in Thailand over fake passport. Kenyans

F. Honorary consuls and current jobs

• Poland mulls opening honorary consulate in Greenland. TVP World

• Access jobs: link

G. Perspectives

• #22: why diasporas (and everyone else) need to know and understand their rights (by )

• ID cards: a very English obsession (by )

• Inside Havana syndrome (by )

• Leivick in Mexico, part one (by )

• Living abroad: ruminations on the expat life as American chaos grows (by )

• Mexican Consulate of Atlanta reports new death in ICE custody, fifth in first 15 Days of 2026 (by )

• New year, new travel rules you need to know (by )

• Passport (by )

• Reliving “Kabul chaos”! (by )

• Remove visa overstayers. Prevent illegal border crossings. End two-tier justice (by )

• Rugged individuals in warm community (by )

• The Trump Administration systematically alters transgender adults’ federal identities, sources say (by )

• U.S. visa processing suspended for Bangladesh (by )

• Why I’m giving my kids a better passport (by )

• Zionism was a diaspora movement before it was an Israeli one (by )

H. Get daily news

• Consular affairs via Bluesky, Facebook, KakaoTalk, Line, LinkedIn, Mastodon, Substack, Telegram, Threads, Viber, VK, WhatsApp, and X.

• The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings via LinkedIn.

• Passports, visas, and migration fraud via LinkedIn.

• Honorary consuls via LinkedIn.

I. Supporting consular research

The Center warmly thanks its Partners, Members, and Donors for their support.

Incubating partner: Yonsei University

Country research partner: (AL) Albanian Institute for International Studies

Support consular research by becoming a Partner, Member, or Donor. Media professionals interested in contributing to The Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings, please feel free to contact the Center.

The views expressed are solely those of the author(s), not of the Center.

Every week, the Consular Newsletter updates consular officials, diplomats, migration lawyers, researchers, and travel industry professionals with the latest major news on consular affairs and diplomatic networks.

A. Announcements

• Your organization can sponsor this newsletter. Please feel free to contact the Center.

• Support consular research by becoming a Partner, Member, or Donor.

B. Video of the week

C. Consular affairs

Multiple continents

• Armenia’s Consulate General in Aleppo continues operations amid clashes. MassisPost

• Belgium halts consular services for citizens in ‘Israeli’ settlements. Roya News

• Candidate for Vancouver’s mayoralty says he unwittingly dined with Chinese consular official and government supporters. The Breaker News

• Consular access sought for SL fishermen held in Seychelles. Sri Lanka Mirror

• Mali activates reciprocal visa regime for Americans after US pressure, clarifies entry rules. Business Insider Africa

• Ofori-Atta declines consular meeting after ICE detention — Ghana embassy confirms. Modern Ghana

• US detains ex-Ghana finance minister for overstaying visa. Business Insider Africa

Africa

• Africa’s largest diamond producer, Botswana introduces $75k golden passport programme. Business Insider Africa

Americas

• American travelers issue dire warning after landing abroad only to discover their passports had been canceled. Daily Mail

• Americans may soon be required to only hold one passport. Time Out

• Extensive Hawaiʻi consulate system sparked early growth. Honolulu Civil Beat

• U.S. expands visa bond policy to 38 countries including Cuba, Venezuela. Spectrum News 13

• Venezuela situation worsens: US urges citizens to leave, suspends all consular services. The 420

Europe

• Almost 13,000 Irish passports to be re-issued. BBC

Middle East

• Russian Embassy in Yemen reports difficulties for tourists stranded in Socotra. YemenOnline

Asia, Oceania, and Pacific Islands

• Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.

D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings

• ‘Appalling’: Samoa to open Israel embassy in Jerusalem, sparking criticism. Middle East Eye

• Argentina halts Jerusalem embassy move over Falklands drilling dispute. The Times of Israel

• Canada to open mission in Fiji. FBC News

• Chad officially opens first permanent Embassy in Cotonou, Benin. APA News

• Palestine on British soil’: Palestinian embassy in London officially inaugurated. The Jerusalem Post

• Russia denies targeting Qatar Embassy in Kiev, blames Ukraine. TRT World

• Samoa to establish embassy in Jerusalem, deepen Israeli ties, PM Laoli Lauatea Schmidt says. The Jerusalem Post

• U.S. Diplomats visit Venezuela to assess reopening embassy. CNN

• US making preparations in case Trump decides to reopen embassy in Caracas, official says. Reuters

E. Passports, visas, and migration fraud

• Federal prosecutors aim to revoke citizenship of East Ridge man sentenced in passport fraud case. Chattanooga Times Free Press

• Man from Dominican Republic pleads guilty to passport, voter fraud. Mlive

• Mexican man sentenced to 2 years in prison for passport fraud. WMBB News 13

F. Honorary consuls and current jobs

• United Kingdom in Baden-Württemberg state, Germany (deadline: January 15, 2026)

• Access jobs: link

G. Perspectives

• 195: London’s “piece of Palestine on British soil”, Starmer’s Embassy is inaugurated (by )

• Candidate for Vancouver’s mayoralty says he unwittingly dined with Chinese consular official and government supporters (by )

• Cas de rigueur et adolescence en Suisse, une intégration exceptionnelle qui oblige le droit (by )

• Checking in, no. 1 (by )

• My souring love affair with my “bad boyfriend” Indian passport (by )

• Resolute John Florio at the French embassy (by )

• Running to Japan (by )

• The Polish diaspora (by )

• The Third Great Migration – choosing liberation over loyalty (by )

• Tout ce qui change en 2026 pour les voyages et l’immigration aux États-Unis (que des vraies infos) (by )

• Will Britain hit net-zero migration this year? (by )

• Yes, we need to be an active player in Greenland (by )

H. Get daily news

• Consular affairs via Bluesky, Facebook, KakaoTalk, Line, LinkedIn, Mastodon, Substack, Telegram, Threads, Viber, VK, WhatsApp, and X.

• The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings via LinkedIn.

• Passports, visas, and migration fraud via LinkedIn.

• Honorary consuls via LinkedIn.

I. Supporting consular research

The Center warmly thanks its Partners, Members, and Donors for their support.

Incubating partner: Yonsei University

Country research partner: (AL) Albanian Institute for International Studies

Support consular research by becoming a Partner, Member, or Donor. Media professionals interested in contributing to The Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings, please feel free to contact the Center.

The views expressed are solely those of the author(s), not of the Center.

Every week, the Consular Newsletter updates consular officials, diplomats, migration lawyers, researchers, and travel industry professionals with the latest major news on consular affairs and diplomatic networks.

A. Announcements

• Support consular research by becoming a Partner, Member, or Donor.

• Your organization can sponsor this newsletter. Please feel free to contact the Center.

B. Video of the week

C. Consular affairs

Multiple continents

• ‘Tonga is not a threat’: anger as small Pacific nation falls under Trump visa restrictions. The Guardian

• Brit lands invite-only Aussie visa after uncovering vuln in government systems. The Register

• DHS reviews citizenship cases from Somalia, other high risk countries for possible fraud. Fox News

• Former Biden aide obtains Russian citizenship and shares passport photos. UA News

• Minister criticises Clooney’s fast-tracked French passport as ‘double standard’. France 24

• Trump mocks George and Amal Clooney for becoming French citizens: ‘two of the worst political prognosticators of all time’. Variety

• US seeks unpaid local interns at Greenland consulate as annexation threats loom. Euractiv

• Why are some African countries banning US citizens from entry? Al Jazeera

Africa

• Hundreds of Egyptians to be released from Libyan prisons within coming period. Egypt Today

Americas

• Alligator Alcatraz, visa crackdown, mass detention: year’s top immigration stories. Florida Phoenix

• Narco-terrorism, cocaine import, passport fraud: charges against Maduro. NDTV

Asia

• New Delhi and Islamabad exchange detainees’ lists under consular pact. MilleniumPost

• Visas, passports, and sovereignty: China’s arunachal signalling. Observer Research Foundation

Europe

• An unusual souvenir for travelers has appeared in Belarus — a traveler’s passport. Наша Ніва

• One-in-five consular cases in 2025 related to death of Irish citizens overseas. Breaking News

Oceania and Pacific Islands

• Cyber expert gets rare Australian visa by hacking the government. The Sydney Morning Herald

Middle East

• Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.

D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings

• Botswana to open embassy in Moscow, open up to Russia in rare earths and diamonds, minister says. Reuters

• Concerns were raised over ‘backlash’ to opening Israeli embassy in Dublin. Breaking News

• Republic of Moldova opens Consulate General office in Naperville. NCTV17

• Restoration of Belarusian Embassy completed in Moscow. Reformation

• Russia closes last Polish consulate in Irkutsk as diplomatic tensions deepen. TVP World

• The State Department must remove its Yemen Embassy from Saudi Arabia. Middle East Forum

E. Passports, visas, and migration fraud

• Deadly US dreams: Gujarat man self-deports on fake passport, held at Delhi airport; agent ‘Rocky’ under lens. The Times of India

• DFA seeks €13.6m overhaul of Irish passports to combat fraud. Extra

• Over 130 held in visa, passport fraud last year. The Tribune

F. Honorary consuls and current jobs

• United Kingdom in Baden-Württemberg state, Germany (deadline: January 15, 2026)

• Access jobs: link

G. Perspectives

• Beyond borderlands (by )

• Handle your paperwork (before it handles you!) (by and )

• How Canada quietly planted it’s flag In Greenland under Trump’s orange nose (by )

• Poland’s visa affair points to a larger administrative failure in Europe’s migration crisis (by )

H. Get daily news

• Consular affairs via Bluesky, Facebook, KakaoTalk, Line, LinkedIn, Mastodon, Substack, Telegram, Threads, Viber, VK, WhatsApp, and X.

• The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings via LinkedIn.

• Passports, visas, and migration fraud via LinkedIn.

• Honorary consuls via LinkedIn.

I. Supporting consular research

The Center warmly thanks its Partners, Members, and Donors for their support.

Incubating partner: Yonsei University

Country research partner: (AL) Albanian Institute for International Studies

Support consular research by becoming a Partner, Member, or Donor. Media professionals interested in contributing to The Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings, please feel free to contact the Center.

The views expressed are solely those of the author(s), not of the Center.

Every week, the Consular Newsletter updates consular officials, diplomats, migration lawyers, researchers, and travel industry professionals with the latest major news on consular affairs and diplomatic networks.

A. Announcements

• Support consular research by becoming a Partner, Member, or Donor.

• Your organization can sponsor this newsletter. Please feel free to contact the Center.

B. Video of the week

C. Consular affairs

Multiple continents

• “Passport bro” spotted in viral video can’t swipe right fast enough on women at the airport. Daily Dot

• “Witch hunt”: ex-EU commissioner Breton denounces U.S. visa ban targeting ‘censorship’. CNBC

• Opinion: a single letter on a passport can change everything. AFAR

• Russian MFA denies evacuating Embassy staff from Venezuela. The Moscow Times

• Trump news at a glance: EU could respond to ‘unjustified’ US visa bans, official says. The Guardian

• Turkey arrests three members of outlawed Muslim Brotherhood over plan to storm Egyptian consulate in Istanbul. Egypt Today

• UK places visa sanctions on DR Congo over migrant returns. Financial Times

• Why you should always keep a photo of your passport barcode. NDTV

Americas

• ‘It’s sad we have to do this’: the US citizens carrying passports out of fear. The Guardian

• Eduardo Bolsonaro loses both Brazil passports amid court probe. Bloomberg

• Is the Diversity Visa a security risk? The Dispatch

• Jeffrey Epstein’s fake Austrian passport pictured in latest DOJ document dump. New York Post

• Judge sides with Trump over his $100K visa fee. Politico

• Trump appoints attorney and part-time beauty salon owner to oversee which foreigners can enter the US. Daily Mail

• Understanding Trump’s “Expanded Travel and Immigration Ban”. Asian Law Caucus

• Visa ban imposed by US on ex-EU commissioner over digital platform rules. Digital Watch Observatory

Asia

• China successfully rescues a Filipino fisherman: Chinese Embassy. Global Times

• India rejects Bangladeshi media claims of security threat near High Commission. MyIndMakers

• Khalistani groups disrupt Bangladesh Hindu protest outside high commission in London. Organiser

Oceania and Pacific Islands

• Major issue with Australian passport as fee set to rise again on January 1: ‘You’d expect better’. Yahoo

Asia, Europe, and Middle East, Oceania, and Pacific Islands

• Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.

D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings

• Afghan Embassy in Japan to suspend operations in January 2026. Afghanistan International

• European country opens consulate office in Karachi. Bloom Pakistan

• Moscow threatens Poland with ‘consequences’ if it pursues reclaiming site of former Russian consulate. TVP World

• Russia refuses to vacate former consulate in Poland’s Gdansk. Anadolu Agency

E. Passports, visas, and migration fraud

• Howland man sentenced in federal court for passport fraud. WABI

• Investigation reveals thousands of Russians fraudulently gained Romanian citizenship by descent. Investment Migration Insider

• Le Monde: Romanian passport scam gave EU access to thousands of Russians — some stole names of fallen Ukrainian soldiers. Euromaiden Press

• Russians are evading sanctions with fake Romanian documents. Le Monde

• They are trying to scam you’: US Embassy in India warns of visa fraud amid H-1B delays — here’s how to spot fraudsters. Mint

F. Honorary consuls and current jobs

• United Kingdom in Baden-Württemberg state, Germany (deadline: January 15, 2026)

• Access jobs: link

G. Perspectives

• 🧨 In 1982, Jeffrey Epstein was already living under a fake passport identity and traveling all over the world (by )

• [EN] - Passport and creative block.. (by )

• A Trump 2.0 era takes on immigration, with a much more aggressive political undertone (by )

• Diplomacy at decision speed: what nearly two decades taught me about 2026 (by )

• My visa expired; I made Kimchijjigae (by )

• October 7 changed everything—for hostage families, the IDF, and the Jewish diaspora (by )

• Surrendering my passport - trapped in Bangkok (by )

• The case against UK visa fees (or, how I learned to stop worrying about cross-subsidization and love outside options) (by )

• The Filipino diaspora (by )

• What the Bondi attack reveals about Australia’s immigration policy (by )

• Your body is a passport (by )

H. Get daily news

• Consular affairs via Bluesky, Facebook, KakaoTalk, Line, LinkedIn, Mastodon, Substack, Telegram, Threads, Viber, VK, WhatsApp, and X.

• The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings via LinkedIn.

• Passports, visas, and migration fraud via LinkedIn.

• Honorary consuls via LinkedIn.

I. Supporting consular research

The Consular Affairs Center warmly thanks its Partners, Members, and Donors for their support.

Incubating partner: Yonsei University.

Support consular research by becoming a Partner, Member, or Donor. Media professionals interested in contributing to The Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings, please feel free to contact the Center.

The views expressed are solely those of the author(s), not of the Center.