Archive for the ‘Global Immigration’ Category

Canada is a huge draw for the thousands leaving the UK

With the falling value of the pound and a country well and truly in the grips of a recession, Polish and British workers are choosing to pack up and emigrate to Australia, Canada and the USA.

In the last quarter alone Global Visas has reported a 40% jump on enquiries from British nationals on the same time last year. Enquiries from Polish immigrants working in the UK have seen a massive 70% climb.

With UK earnings now significantly lower than the same time last year, cash sent home to families in Eastern Europe doesn’t go as far as it once did. Coupled with the potential to earn much more outside the EU, Polish and British migrants now consider a move to Australia, USA or working in Canada as realistic alternatives. Read the rest of this entry »

Jed had buckets of money to move the family to LA

I have worked in Immigration now for nearly 20 years.  I want to ask our readers to leave their comments on the following question.

Will people want to Emigrate in greater numbers now before the world goes into deep recession or would they prefer to see it through and not leave home in times of trouble?

and,

What do you believe will be the main reasons to justify their decision?

I am certain there is no right answer to this question but I would love to hear your views.  In the last down turn in the early 90’s emigration rose sharply as people looked for a better standard of life.  Will history repeat itself?

Thanks for taking the time to add your thoughts

Snoop Dogg: Still needs counselling

Following on from recent news regarding US rapper Snoop Dogg not being granted a visa to perform in Australia, it seems that the controversial has rapper successfully passed a character test and has subsequently been granted with an Australian visa.

Character references are a regular part of the visa application process and Australian immigration authorities had previously said that they would not grant him a visa until one had been completed.

One of the reasons which went against Dogg on his initial application was the fact that on previous visits to the country the rapper had overstayed his visas. An offence which Australian officials said that they were not willing to forget, despite the popularity of the artist.

As a result of the refusal the rapper’s upcoming Smoked Out tour had been in doubt after immigration authorities confirmed they were investigating the performer’s criminal history.

Read the rest of this entry »

Federation for American Immigration Reform advert

In recent weeks UK TV viewers have had their favourite evening and daytime television shows interrupted with a host of adverts produced by the UK Home Office. These ads highlight the introduction of the new Points Based System and the need for businesses to obtain licenses in order to employ foreigners.

Well, it seems that this new trend of media and migration is not only restricted to the UK but instead is also sweeping the States.

According to an article in the Washington Post a number of new US immigration ads are as they put it ’stirring the melting pot’.

The ads are being run by a number of pro-immigration groups; with the campaign featuring various full page advertorials in a variety of newspapers. The reason for which is to protest a lobbying blitz occurring this week by the anti-immigration group FAIR, the Federation for American Immigration Reform.

Read the rest of this entry »

Record number of Indians travelling

Despite the rising costs of travelling, as airlines hike costs and fuels continues to loom a recent study has shown that India is a nation of international globe trotters.

India it seems is not suffering from the same economic meltdown which is hitting the pockets of most regular travellers in the UK, or so this study shows.

Not only have outbound numbers grown from India, especially on short-haul routes, but the average spend of travellers is also going strong, according to a number of various international tourism boards.

According to industry estimates, the number of Indian travellers visiting foreign shores is poised to touch 12 million by end of this year, about 2 million higher than before.

Speaking about the study to the Indian Times, Tourism Malaysia Director said “Since most Indians travel with their families, the average expenditure is significantly higher compared to inbound tourists from other countries.”

Read the rest of this entry »

India to welcome foreign cricket players

As has been frequently documented on news wires the world over, the issue of foreign sportsmen often raises immigration and visa debates, particularly when applications are denied.

With this in mind it seems that such high profile reports are likely to continue, yet this time it’s cricket which will be subjected to immigration debate. Announced today, foreign cricket players have been given the go ahead to play in the domestic matches in India.

According to the announcement, foreigner players will be treated as guest players and will most likely travel to India on tourist visas. This is far from a radical move in the sporting world and as a majority of opinions agree, it is a highly called for ruling. After all, foreign footballers are already heavily engulfed in football leagues all over the world.
Read the rest of this entry »

Dubai and the United Arab Emirates are growing in popularity as potential destinations for a fresh start. With Dubai offering a wealth of employment opportunities, as well as financial bonuses such as tax-free income and a rapidly booming economy, growing numbers of Westerners (in particular) are heading for the sun drenched shores.

This bolstered interest has prompted greater number of job offers, property interest and tourism to the country, all of which is evident on a day-to-day basis. That aside news has emerged of a statistical nature which further supports such observations.

These new figures show that record numbers of visa entry permits have been processed in the UAE. It is estimated that since the new visa rules came into force last month, more than 223,000 entry permits have been issued by the Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department.

Speaking of this great achievement Major General Mohammad Al Merri, Director of the Department said, “This accomplishment is the result of having a qualified team of employees with a vast experience.”

So with these figures in mind it may be a case of ‘watch this space’ to see if and at what looming pace migration to UAE occurs. However one thing is for sure the concept of such movement slowing to the highly prosperous region is extremely unlikely.

The world is becoming more and more mobile with people coming and going globally on a daily basis, and the United Kingdom is no exception.

As people flock to the UK seeking better job opportunities and higher earning power, so to are people flooding out of Britain for similar reasons.

The numbers of Brits leaving the UK has reached record levels reveal recent statistics. In the past year up until June, 406 000 residents have left Britain to live and work abroad. Over 200, 000 of these were UK citizens, this is an increase from 196, 000 the year before, reports the Daily Mail.

Of those who have left the UK, Australia has benefited the most with as many as 1.3 million British born citizens living and working in Australia. About 761, 000 live in Spain and 67,800 in the USA.

The amount of people leaving is far less than those coming in, in the same period 600, 000 newcomers settling in the UK, many of these are returning Britons.

Global mobility has therefore become a commonality in today’s society and with figures like this it looks set to continue.

All those looking to apply for visas for the United Arab Emirates(UAE) will be able to apply online by January next year.

This is yet another country to join the ever-growing number of countries turning to technology to make the visa application process quick and less effort.

The UAE Ministry of Interior announced on Monday the new online visa system that will be accessed via the website www.moieserv.ae.

Currently the application form, together with the required documents, need to be handed in at the nearest Naturalisation and Residency Department. This will no longer have to be done with the online system.

This system will also allow fees and charges to be paid online via a credit card.

So, the Olympics are finally in full swing and medals are being issued to the thousands of athletes from a whole variety of countries. However, everything is not as the Chinese would have hoped.

Following months of reports concerning tight visas restrictions and new laws for those wishing to visit Beijing for the international event; such speculation has ultimately dampened the intended tourism flows for the Games.

Whilst the Games are already into their 3rd day, many hotels, restaurants and attractions have reported that tourism revenue is surprisingly low, particularly in areas surrounding the city.

China had hoped that the Beijing Games would prove prosperous for many areas of the country, as sports enthusiasts would flock to the events. Hotels even raised prices to catastrophic prices in the expectation of increased profits; sadly this has not been the case.

And the reason for such a slump… well it appears to be merely down to the limited granting of visas. With many viewing the process as near impossible, tiresome and laborious most have abandoned plans to attend and are instead watching from the comfort of their own homes. It seems that this has even be the case for some of the competing athlete’s families.

That aside, a lesson must be learnt by organisers of the 2012 London Olympics; London is already gearing ahead for an abundance of tourists, yet they must not follow China’s lead and must instead revise visa procedures for those wishing to attend. That is if they are to capitalize on the honour which has been emblazoned upon them by the IOC.