In April 2017, which country abolished the 457 Visa Programme that had been used by many temporary foreign workers, including Indians?

Introduction / Context:
Visa policy changes in popular destination countries have a direct impact on migration, employment, and education plans for people around the world, including Indians. The 457 Visa Programme was a well known temporary work visa category that allowed employers to sponsor skilled workers. This question asks which country abolished that programme in April 2017.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The programme is called the 457 Visa Programme.
• It was abolished in April 2017.
• The options are USA, Canada, Australia, and the UK.

Concept / Approach:
The 457 visa was specific to Australia and was designed for temporary skilled workers sponsored by Australian employers. In 2017, the Australian government announced that it would abolish this visa category and replace it with new visa classes with stricter conditions. Recognising that this visa is Australian and not American, Canadian, or British is the key to finding the correct answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the term 457 visa is most often associated with Australian immigration policy.Step 2: Remember that in April 2017 the Australian government announced reforms that included ending the 457 visa and introducing new skilled visa categories.Step 3: Compare this with the options and note that USA, Canada, and the UK have different visa naming systems, such as H 1B in the United States or Tier categories in the UK.Step 4: Conclude that the country that abolished the 457 Visa Programme was Australia.

Verification / Alternative check:
News reports and official immigration updates from 2017 describe how Australia decided to phase out the 457 visa and replace it with visas focused on Australian workers and specific skill shortages. No similar 457 visa exists in the USA, Canada, or the UK, which have their own distinct visa codes. This evidence confirms that Australia is the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
USA: Known for visas like H 1B and L 1, not for a 457 visa programme.
Canada: Uses work permit and express entry systems with different names and numbers, not 457.
UK: Uses Tier based visa categories, so 457 is not part of its system.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusion can arise if candidates do not pay attention to specific visa names and simply associate any visa change with the United States or other popular destinations. Some may guess based on media coverage about US visa reforms, but the 457 code is uniquely linked with Australia. Remembering at least a few key visa codes by country can prevent such mistakes and improve accuracy in exam questions on international migration policies.

Final Answer:
The 457 Visa Programme was abolished by Australia in April 2017.