News
29 November 2008Canada: Immigration levels maintained
Despite the economic crisis, Ottawa has announced plans to take in up to 265,000 new permanent residents in 2009.
28 November 2008Archbishop of York says immigration minister 'unmerciful'
The Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu has accused immigration minister Phil Woolas as "unmerciful".
27 November 2008New Laws to prevent forced marriages
New legislation, The Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 will enable courts to prevent forced marriages.
27 November 2008Employer sponsorship requirements: UK Tiered visas
Employers will need to register with the UK Border Agency (UKBA) and obtain a license if they wish to provide employment to overseas workers.
26 November 2008Australia allows German doctor to stay
A German doctor, refused permission to live in Australia because his son has Down's Syndrome, will now be able to stay, said the immigration minister.
26 November 2008Cyprus grants residency to gay Iranian asylum seeker
A Cypriot interior minister has decided to grant resident status to a gay Iranian asylum seeker following queries.
25 November 2008UK visas: Tier 2 maintenance requirements explained
Skilled workers wanting to work in the United Kingdom UK should now be making applications under Tier 2 of a new points based system.
19 June 2008Tier 1 for Highly Skilled Migrants starts 30 June 2008
The UK government has announced the introduction of a new system for assessing highly skilled migrants wanting to work in the UK.Tier 1 of the Points Based System (PBS) will come into effect on 30 June 2008 for applicants all...
12 June 2008EU executives outline joint EU Immigration Policy Needs
EU member states need to agree better integration policies for migrants, set up joint visa centres abroad and identify labour needs, the bloc's executive will say on Tuesday in proposals for a common migration policy. Immigration...
11 June 2008New Immigration Rules include 13 May 2008 concession, exemption
Under the recent Statement of Changes in the immigration rules, HC 607, which is effective from 30 June 2008, the UK Border Agency includes a new rule, rule 320 (7C). This implements into the Immigration Rules a concession made...
17 May 2008Tier 1: UK Professional bodies to Judge Overseas Qualifications, not NARIC
The UK Border Agency (which was previously known as the UK Border and Immigration Agency) has today implemented temporary changes for applicants hoping to obtain a Tier 1 (General) visa. The changes affect the assessment of...
11 May 2008Statement of Intent: Tier 2 Skilled Workers
The Home Office UK Border Agency has revealed its statement of intent for Tier 2 of the new points-based system. Tier 2 is aimed at employers and skilled workers. It is due to be implemented in autumn 2008. Tier 2 will allow UK...
07 April 2008Tier 1 (General) Maintenance Requirement temporarily waived
The United Kingdom's new Tier 1 General Highly Skilled Migrants scheme - Tier 1 (General) - requires individuals applying under the visa scheme to prove that they have enough funds at their disposal to support themselves and...
07 April 2008HSMP changes ruled illegal by UK High Court
Changes to the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) which affected individuals who wished to remain in the United Kingdom under the immigration scheme but did not qualify under new rules have been ruled illegal by a UK High...
15 February 2008Tide turns as Poles end great migration
A wave of immigration that helped to fuel Britain's early 21st century boom is over, as the Polish plumber and thousands like him go home. The Times has established that, for the first time since they began arriving en masse four...
15 February 2008Study shows asylum children living in destitution
A new report released at the Church of England's General Synod, by The Children's Society earlier in the week has given a snapshot of the stark reality for child asylum seekers and refugees living in Britain. 'Living on the edge...
13 February 2008Curry houses feel the pinch of immigration restrictions
One of Britain's most popular dishes, the curry, is under threat from government restrictions on low-skilled immigrants that may hit Bangladeshis hard.
The UK's largest immigration advice charity said the points-based system...
26 January 2008Judge's Scathing Attack On "Failing" Home Secretary
A failed asylum seeker who is also a convicted sex offender is in line for thousands of pounds in damages because of the Home Office's shambolic immigration system.
23 January 2008ID Card Scheme 'Pushed Back Two Years'
A leaked Home Office document reveals plans to postpone the mass issue of ID cards in the UK by two years, the Conservatives have claimed.
20 January 2008HSMP victims challenge Brown's promise on India ties
An estimated 30,000 Indians who claim unfair discrimination at the hands of the British government have questioned whether Prime Minister Gordon Brown can really take relations with India to a new high while his government...
14 January 2008UK fingerprints visa applicants
All visitors to Britain requiring visas will be fingerprinted starting Monday, the government said.
08 January 2008Relief for foreign students overstaying UK visas
Students allege harassment. Tories attack the policy directive.
26 September 2007EU seeking skilled immigrant workers
European Union lawmakers on Wednesday backed plans for an EU-wide work permit to attract skilled workers to offset labor shortages in the 27-nation bloc due to falling birth rates and demographic shifts. A proposal to introduce...
26 September 2007Kiwis overtake Poms as the largest source of migrants to Australia
The number of New Zealanders crossing the Tasman increased by nearly 5000 in the past year, outstripping the United Kingdom as the largest source of permanent migrants to Australia.
08 September 2007Migrant workers face English test
All skilled workers from outside the EU will have to learn English before they can enter Britain, the prime minister is expected to confirm.
26 August 2007Lib Dems call for amnesty for illegal immigrants
Up to 600,000 illegal immigrants should be given the right to "earn" full citizenship, the Liberal Democrats said yesterday. It is the first major party to lean towards advocating an amnesty for such migrants. Nick...
08 August 2007Minister rejects criticism of skilled migrant rules
The "vast majority" of highly skilled migrant workers in the UK will be allowed to stay here under new more stringent rules, Home Office minister Vernon Coaker said today. Mr Coaker played down claims made in a report...
11 June 2007Tories call for suspension of HSMP rule changes
The Conservatives have urged the government to suspend controversial changes to the immigration system for highly skilled workers. The race equality watchdog believes the changes breach the law. Damian Green, the shadow...
10 June 2007Home Office taken to court for retrospective law
A Judicial Review of the Home Office's controversial immigration policy will go ahead as planned on 14 and 15 June 2007. The High Court will decide if the Home Office had a right to make new immigration rules apply...
09 May 2007HSMP Extension Rejections: UK panel upholds right to family life
There?s some relief in sight for many professionals who immigrated to the UK under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) but now face deportation because of the new strict rules announced by the British government in...
18 April 2007New Points-based System to start in the new year
Immigration Minister Liam Byrne, today unveiled the timetable for introducing the UK?s tough new Australian-style points based system (PBS) for migration, during a fact finding visit to Sydney.
The new scheme, which will be...
15 April 2007Changes to the National Shortage Occupation List for Work Permits
The following changes to the National Shortage Occupation List have been announced.
23 January 2007Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) - January 2007 Updates
In response to questions asked of the Home Office during the first weeks of operation under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP), as amended on 7 November 2006, further clarification has been provided by the...
18 January 2007Indefinite Leave to Remain - New Language and "Life in the UK" Rules
If you are planning to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (or Settlement) in the United Kingdom, you will need to be aware of the introduction of new rules for applications made on or after 2 April 2007.
They will require...
07 January 2007HSMP changes: Migrant Indians appeal to Indian Government
Faced with an uncertain future, approximately 30,000 Indians who came to the UK looking for better prospects under the 'Highly Skilled Migrants Programme' have appealed to the Indian government to take up their...
07 January 2007Poles no longer apart in UK banking
Finally, Britain's high street banks are accommodating the large influx of migrant workers by making it simpler for them to open accounts.
Bulgarians and Romanians may resent having to apply for work permits, but obtaining one...
06 January 2007UK Launches Ads War on Illegal Bulgarian, Romanian Workers
The British government will launch a £1 million advertising blitz next week to try to stop dodgy bosses hiring illegal workers, The Sun reported. The ads warn of jail sentences for giving work to Romanians and Bulgarians...
04 January 2007Tougher migrant rules under fire in UK
The British Government has come under fire for changing the rules that allow highly skilled migrants to live and work in Britain.
At least one Labour Government minister, migrant groups and legal experts are protesting against...
03 January 2007UK group says economic benefit from immigration only 'slight'
UK pressure group Migrationwatch has challenged the government's claim that immigrants bring economic benefits for the nation. It calculated that the net effect of the record immigration levels was no more than 4p a week for each...
01 January 2007Sectors Based Scheme - New food Manufacturing Quota
A new quota for the Sector Based Scheme Food Manufacturing sector has now been agreed.
This new quota, which applies to Bulgarian and Romanian Nationals only, has been set at 3,500 permits. These permits will be subdivided...
21 December 2006Foreigners in UK face new fingerprint, photo scheme
Compulsory powers to fingerprint and photograph 700,000 foreigners a year who live in Britain as part of the national identity card scheme were announced on Tuesday by British Home Secretary John Reid, as the scope of what...
07 November 2006HSMP changes for initial and extension applications
On 7 November 2006, Liam Byrne, Minister for Immigration, Nationality and Citizenship announced a change in the Rules for the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP). Applicants under this scheme will be judged against new...
24 September 2006Government must support Commonwealth citizens
Government is warned not to close the employment routes for black and Asian Commonwealth citizens who remain essential to the UK's economy.
19 September 2006EU under pressure to speed up anti-terror, immigration laws
European Union justice and interior ministers will be pushed this week to give up national veto rights over sensitive policies blamed for holding back EU-wide measures on fighting terrorism and illegal immigration. EU Justice and...
18 September 2006Marriage Rules update - Important rule changes for Non-EEA Fiancés wishing to marry in the UK
Changes to the "sham marriage" immigration guidance recently introduced by IND following a judgement in Baiai at the High Court could benefit individuals with less than 3 months of valid leave to remain in the UK....
16 September 2006Australia outlines citizenship rules
Australia announced plans to toughen its citizenship policies but denied that new demands requiring immigrants to pledge allegiance to Australian values were aimed at Muslims. Immigrants would have to take a 45-minute test...
12 September 2006Bishop touts 'graduate passport'
University graduates should be able to move more easily between jobs in Australia and overseas with a new "qualifications passport" to be introduced nationally. The Australian Diploma Supplement is also expected to give...
12 September 2006Value-added visa leaves Kim vulnerable to vigorous invective
What fun it will be should Kim Beazley's brainwave demanding tourists and visitors sign up to good old-fashioned Aussie values catches on elsewhere.Will we need to endorse the proud Kiwi custom of sleeping 14 to a room to save...
10 September 2006Vanstone under fire after attack on unions' work visas
Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone has used confidential departmental files to attack unions critical of the Government's failure to monitor the 457 work visa scheme. Senator Vanstone said the National Union of Workers, the...
28 August 2006Have PSP, will travel
Is it ever too early to foster an interest in travel? Coming soon to a store near you - a new way to explore our world, designed specifically for both the young and the young at heart. Bookmark Thursday, 28 September 2006 as the...
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