Published by Admin on May 10th, 2012 in Global Visas
Over the last few weeks there have been many changes to immigration and visas in Canada. Here are a few of the most recent updates which might be relevant to immigrants wanting to work or study in Canada. Read the rest of this entry »
Published by Admin on March 21st, 2012 in Global Visas
Human Resource Advisors looking to emigrate to Australia can apply under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) Program. Human Resource Advisors provide staffing and personnel administration services in support of an organisation’s human resource policies and programs.
In order to receive a visa, applicants will need to meet the basic requirements for GSM, pass the Australian immigration Points Test and pass an occupation skills assessment to qualify for an Australian visa.
Published by Admin on December 21st, 2011 in Canadian Immigration, Global Visas
Canada is carrying out the biggest citizenship-fraud crackdown in its history, Canadian Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced last week. The Canadian government is now investigating 6,500 people from more than 100 countries for their allegedly fraudulent attempts to become Canadian citizens or maintain permanent resident status.
In order to become a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident is required to have lived in Canada for three years in a four-year period. In order to retain your status as a permanent resident, you must be physically present in Canada for two years out of a five-year period.
Published by Admin on December 16th, 2011 in Global Visas
The Australian immigration minister, Chris Bowen, has overturned a decision to deport an elderly South African couple.
The immigration department initially decided to deport Ernest and Daphne Konschel, both in their 80s, because they were deemed to be a burden on the taxpayer. Mr Konschel has failed a second health test after developing mild dementia and, as their permanent visas have not been issued yet, they were to be sent back to South Africa after having lived in Australia since 2006, but have overstayed their current visas.
However, Mr Bowen announced his goodwill gesture on a Sydney radio station, stating that the couple would receive some “good news before Christmas.” He added that although the official stance in such cases would be deportation, he decided to intervene “on compassionate grounds or common sense grounds.”
Published by Admin on December 15th, 2011 in Global Visas, UK immigration
UK Immigration has announced that the Ministry of Justice will be introducing fee charges for some asylum and immigration appeals beginning 19 December 2011.
Immigrants or asylum seekers who want to appeal against a decision notice dated 19 December 2011 or later will need to pay a fee. The appeal fee will apply to most categories of UK visas and decisions. This will not affect any decision notices that are dated before 19 December.
Appeals may be made in some types of visa application if you think that UK immigration officials have made an error in refusing your visa application.
Published by Admin on December 14th, 2011 in Global Visas
Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman announced a significant government investment in Immigration New Zealand’s IT system will help attract more skilled immigrants and boost security.
Coleman said the New Zealand government would be contributing NZ$75 million towards the new IT system.
“The existing IT system is over 15 years old and is reaching the end of its technological lifespan. The cost of even simple changes is high and cannot be maintained over the long term. It’s also significantly impairing our ability to provide standards of service and security comparable to other nations,” said Coleman.
Published by Admin on December 13th, 2011 in Canadian Immigration, Global Visas
The British Columbia government in Canada is setting up a task force aimed at boosting the number of skilled workers and investors immigrating to the province. Premier Christy Clark announced this week the creation of a new task force to review how skilled immigrants and foreign investors come to the province and how to better attract skilled workers looking to emigrate.
The task force will review the effectiveness of all of B.C.’s current immigration programs and make recommendations on how to improve the federal government’s responsiveness to immigration needs for skilled workers throughout Western Canada. John Yap, head of the task force, said skilled people all over the world want to come to B.C. The aim of the task force is to make it easier for skilled workers to emigrate.
Published by Admin on December 9th, 2011 in Global Visas, UK immigration
Hospitality and tourism industry leaders are pressing the British government to reform the UK visa system, claiming that the slow processing of Visitor Visa applications and government red tape are negatively affecting the growth of the hospitality industry and discouraging visitors from coming to the UK.
The British Hospitality Association (BHA) has written to the prime minister about the future of the tourism sector. In the letter, BHA chief executive, Ufi Ibrahim, said that government action is required to create the necessary conditions in which new jobs can be created in the hospitality industry in order to help improve the economy,
Published by Admin on December 8th, 2011 in Global Visas, USA Immigration and work visas
Hillary Clinton has ordered a review of the J-1 Summer Work Travel Visa, which, it has been claimed, has been abused by criminals and business looking for cheap labour.
The Secretary of State said she wants an “extensive and thorough review” of the programme in order to prevent it being used for people trafficking. The move follows the revelation that a federal indictment accused mafia members of smuggling women from Eastern Europe to work in the sex industry, by using the visa class.
The J-1 visa was launched in 1963 with the intention of allowing college students to visit the US over their summer breaks to travel and work. The programme now allows more than 100,000 young people into the country each year. However, far from being a positive experience, many young US visa holders find they end up working in poor conditions with minimal pay, according to a report by the Associated Press.
Published by Admin on December 7th, 2011 in Global Visas, US immigration, USA Immigration and work visas
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced they are in the post-development testing phase of a new online application system that will eventually change the paper-based agency into an electronic, online organisation.
The new Electronic Immigration System (ELIS) will reduce the US immigration department’s reliance on paper and make it easier to access information for benefit requests. The tool is designed to digitize the current paper documentation review by allowing US visa applicants to submit and track their applications online.
“This is an unprecedented step for the world’s largest and most complex immigration system,” said the USCIS . “Past efforts to transform our agency have not reached the point where we are today: the testing phase of a system that has been developed.”
