North Korea’s immigration and border laws are among the strictest in the world. The government tightly controls both entry and exit, with most citizens prohibited from traveling abroad without state permission. Defectors attempting to flee face severe punishment, including imprisonment or forced labor.
Foreigners visiting North Korea are only allowed under highly controlled circumstances, typically through guided tours. Unauthorized crossing of the country’s borders is considered a grave offense, with violators subject to harsh penalties. Surveillance and military presence along borders, particularly with China, make illegal crossings extremely difficult and dangerous.
Israel’s immigration and border laws are shaped by its unique geopolitical situation. The Law of Return grants Jews and their descendants the right to immigrate and gain citizenship. Non-Jewish immigrants face more restrictive processes, often requiring family ties or special circumstances.
The country maintains strict border controls, particularly around the West Bank and Gaza, with security checkpoints and walls to regulate movement. Foreign workers are subject to temporary visas, while asylum seekers face limited legal protections.
Australia’s immigration and border laws are focused on controlled entry, security, and economic migration. The country operates a points-based system for skilled migrants, with emphasis on qualifications, experience, and language skills. Refugees and asylum seekers arriving by boat are processed offshore, often facing long detention periods.
Strict border policies aim to prevent unauthorized arrivals, with maritime patrols intercepting boats at sea. Visa categories include work, student, and family reunification options, with each having specific eligibility requirements. Australia’s policies have faced international scrutiny, particularly regarding treatment of asylum seekers, but the government remains firm on border security enforcement.
Saudi Arabia’s immigration and border laws focus on regulating the large influx of foreign workers, who make up a significant portion of the workforce. The country operates a sponsorship system known as kafala, where workers are tied to their employers for visas and residency. Expatriates must have a valid work visa, and changing jobs often requires employer approval.
Immigration for non-workers is limited, with strict policies for tourists and visitors. Permanent residency is rare, and naturalization is even more restricted. Saudi Arabia also enforces strict border controls, particularly concerning its southern border with Yemen, due to security concerns.
China’s immigration and border laws focus on maintaining control over entry, exit, and residency. Foreigners entering the country require a visa, with categories for tourists, students, workers, and diplomats. Long-term residency is difficult to obtain, with permanent residency granted only under strict conditions.
China has strict laws for unauthorized immigration, with severe penalties for illegal entry, overstaying, or working without the proper visa. Border security is tightly controlled, especially in sensitive regions like Xinjiang and Tibet. While China does accept some refugees, its policies on asylum are limited, and the country does not formally recognize international refugee conventions.
Hungary has built border fences along its southern boundaries to prevent unauthorized entry, especially during the European migrant crisis. Asylum applications are highly restricted, with most applicants required to submit their requests at transit zones, where they often face lengthy detentions.
Legal immigration pathways exist for skilled workers, students, and family reunification, but these are tightly regulated. Hungary is part of the Schengen Area, allowing free movement for EU citizens, but non-EU citizens face more stringent visa and entry requirements. Border enforcement remains a key policy focus.
Russia’s immigration and border laws prioritize national security and control over foreign labor. Foreigners must obtain a visa to enter, with categories for work, tourism, and study. Migrant workers from former Soviet states make up a significant portion of the labor force, but strict registration and permit requirements regulate their stay.
Russia has limited pathways to permanent residency and citizenship, with long bureaucratic processes for applicants. Border control is especially stringent in regions like Crimea and near its borders with Georgia and Ukraine. Asylum laws exist, but the process is restrictive, and illegal entry carries severe penalties.
In India, foreign nationals need a visa to enter, with various categories for tourists, business, and employment. Special permits are required to visit certain restricted areas, such as parts of Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. India also handles significant flows of refugees from neighboring countries, including Tibet and Bangladesh, though it lacks formal asylum laws.
Border control is particularly tight along sensitive borders with Pakistan and China, where military presence is heavy. Illegal immigration, especially from Bangladesh, remains a significant political issue, prompting stricter enforcement measures.
Japan's immigration and border policies are designed to regulate foreign labor and control entry. Foreigners need a visa to enter, with categories ranging from work and study to tourism. The country has strict criteria for long-term residency and naturalization, with permanent residency requiring several years of continuous residence.
Japan's aging population has led to the acceptance of more foreign workers in recent years, though immigration remains tightly controlled. Refugees are rarely granted asylum, with one of the lowest acceptance rates among developed countries. Border security is maintained through advanced surveillance, and unauthorized entry is met with legal consequences, including deportation.
Mexico's immigration and border laws focus on managing migration flows and ensuring national security. Foreigners entering the country require a visa, unless from visa-exempt nations, primarily for tourism, work, or residency. The government has streamlined the process for certain skilled workers and retirees seeking long-term residency.
Mexico also handles significant northward migration, often from Central America, with many migrants transiting through the country to reach the United States. Border control is strict at the southern border with Guatemala, where checkpoints and patrols aim to reduce unauthorized crossings. Asylum seekers can apply for refugee status, but the process is often lengthy and challenging.
