Published by Admin on November 18th, 2011 in Australian Immigration, Global Visas
Australia’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship released new figures showing a significant decline in the number of migrants settling in Western Australia. The data further reveals the major skills shortages facing the state and, specifically, the WA mining industry.
The Australian Immigration figures update shows the number of skilled migrants moving to WA fell 10 percent last financial year. Additionally, the total number of new permanent residents from overseas living in WA also declined by 1,300 to 34,233, despite an increase in Australia’s overall migrant intake, according to Immigration Department data.
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Published by Admin on November 17th, 2011 in Global Visas, US immigration
Business leaders welcomed new legislation signed by US President Obama and the 21 leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic cooperation (APEC) to enable the introduction of the APEC Business Travel Card Scheme to make travel across the Asia-Pacific region easier, faster, and more secure.
President Obama signed the bill which will allow issuance of the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) to eligible US travelers. The new law increases the mobility of those who apply for the card by expediting visa interviews and faster processing times at immigration checkpoints in APEC economies throughout the region.
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Published by Admin on November 16th, 2011 in Global Visas, South African Immigration, UK immigration
South Africans will now be able to have their last-minute UK visitor visa applications expedited under a new priority visa service offered by the UK Border Agency.
The UK Border Agency in South Africa announced last week, applicants will now be able to pay an additional fee to fast track their UK visitor visa application and have it processed ahead of other normal visa applications. UK immigration stated the service is available starting 14 November and only a limited number of priority visitor visas will be sold each day on a first come, first served basis.
The special priority visa service, which will cost about 53 GBP in addition to the UK visa application, is for UK visitor visa categories only.
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Published by Admin on November 15th, 2011 in Canadian Immigration, Global Visas
Canada is attracting increasing numbers of economic immigrants applying for permanent residence through the Canadian Experience Visa immigration stream, according to Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Kenney. The program fast-tracks permanent residency visa applications for skilled temporary foreign workers and graduate students who have spent time in Canada on temporary visas.
According to the press release by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Canada’s Experience Visa, created in 2008, is one of Canada’s most recent programs aimed at ensuring Canada retains a skilled work force “and motivated individuals who have demonstrated a strong work ethic, have an ability to contribute to the economy, and will easily integrate into Canadian life”.
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Published by Admin on November 14th, 2011 in Global Visas, US immigration
Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry has proposed the federal government grants work visas to illegal immigrants in the US. The program would be an alternative to the amnesty supported by other candidates, which would provide a path to citizenship for immigrants that do not hold a valid US visa.
Perry, currently Texas Governor, said in an interview with CNN last week that expecting authorities to arrest and deport millions of illegal immigrants isn’t realistic.
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Published by Admin on November 11th, 2011 in Australian Immigration, Global Visas, Move to Australia, UK immigration
Skilled UK workers seeking Australian visas will be able to discuss their prospects at an event run by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) in London.
The Skills Australia Needs information sessions are to be hosted by the DIAC on 25 and 26 February next year.
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Published by Admin on November 10th, 2011 in Global Visas, UK immigration
The Philippine’s Department of Foreign Affairs reminds Filipino caregivers working in the UK about the new immigration rules that specifies a minimum hourly wage for caregivers seeking permanent residence.
According to the new policy, before settlement visas can be issued to foreign caregivers, they must be receiving an hourly wage of at least £7.02. Only those receiving this amount would be eligible to apply for an Indefinite Leave to Remain visas, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said.
The new policy applies to caregivers who started working in the UK after December 31, 2003.
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Published by Admin on November 9th, 2011 in Australian Immigration, Global Visas, Move to Australia
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) will continue its outreach program this month, visiting the New England region to explain the Australian visa and immigration system to regional stakeholders.
Immigration officials will visit the New England region of NSW this month to discuss visa issues with local communities.
Residents and employers in the New England region of New South Wales will get the next opportunity to discuss any Australian immigration matters with DIAC officials, including possible queries about hiring foreign labour or sponsoring an Australia visa.
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Published by Admin on November 8th, 2011 in Canadian Immigration, Global Visas
Canadian immigration will be accepting an additional 10,000 parents and grandparents into Canada next year as part of a comprehensive approach to speeding up family reunification and reducing an ever-increasing backlog.
The plan, announced Friday by Immigration Minister Jason Kenney, introduced the Canadian “Parent and Grandparent Super Visa” which is valid for up to 10 years. The multiple-entry visa will allow parents and grandparents to remain in Canada for up to 24 months at a time without the need for renewal of their status. Currently visas are only good for six months.
Part of the plan requires up to a two-year pause on new applications so the department can clear the backlog. The pause comes into effect on 5 November 2011.
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Published by Admin on November 7th, 2011 in Australian Immigration, Global Immigration, Global Visas, Move to Australia
Australia and Argentina signed a work and holiday visa agreement this week, allowing young people to enjoy an extended holiday in the two countries, announced Australian Immigration officials.
The Memorandum of Understanding for the Australian Work and Holiday Subclass 462 visa and the equivalent Argentinian visa was signed yesterday by the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen, and the Argentine Ambassador to Australia, His Excellency Mr Pedro Villagra Delgado, at Parliament House in Canberra.
Bowen said the agreement provided a unique opportunity for university-educated Australian and Argentine travellers aged between 18 and 30 years old to work and holiday in each other’s country for up to 12 months.
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