Archive for the ‘Global indian immigration and visa news’ Category

UK ministers have unveiled proposals which they believe will end forced marriages, common in some forms of UK immigration.

Arranged marriages under scrutiny

The bill would, for the first time in the UK, make it a criminal offense to breach laws protecting people from being forced into getting wed against their will in Scotland.
Breaking the proposed laws could lead to a prison sentence of up to two years, a fine, or both. The bill would allow courts to issue forced marriage protection orders.

Those at risk (which includes young people who are dependents of of people who immigrate to UK), or anyone worried about the welfare of those at risk, will be able to apply for an order which could ensure people were taken to a place of safety or help those in danger of being taken abroad for marriage.

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With hundreds of thousands of Canada visa applicants moving to the North American country each year, it makes sense that the immigration authorities are seeking to improve security and reduce fraud.

After all, who would want to move to Canada, let alone stay there, if necessary criminal checks weren’t carried out to ensure the country was as safe as possible?

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If you’re a skilled or talented resident of India, watch out – there’s a wanted poster with your name on it in Canada.

Following his tour of India, the Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Kenney is riding high with hope for the future. And why not?

Canada’s immigration approach is working wonders in reducing its average age (over 40, good for 29th in the world) and ensuring its information technology and research sectors are well stocked with talent for the foreseeable future.

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Following the historic April 6th High Court ruling against the UK government, condemning unlawful, retrospective changes to UK immigration the HSMP Forum have submitted a 15-point proposal to the UK Government, to finally put right what successive Home Secretaries have been cunningly back-tracking:

1.    Migrants who have already obtained a second extension to their HSMP and have not got their Indefinite Leave to Remain should have their fee waived and be awarded back dated ILR, or a letter issued confirming the time spent by the individual over 4 years will be counted towards future citizenship.

2.    Migrants who have paid for a second extension and additionally paid for their ILR should be issued a refund for the amount they paid for their ILR and migrants who have been granted ILR after 5 years should be allowed to apply for British nationality immediately.

3.    As well as those who paid for their second extension, the ILR and further obtained British Citizenship should be issued a refund for the amount they paid for the ILR.

4.    Children who have become over 18 years of age due to the extension from 4 to 5 yrs and had to apply separately for a visa should have their fees refunded.

5.    There should be no requirement to submit the Life in the UK and English language Test when making an ILR application for pre 3rd April 2006 HSMP migrants as these requirements can not be applied retrospectively in accordance with the high court order (point 1) and the judgment to apply such new requirements now.

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Justice Cox, guardian of equal rights, friend of HSMP

The UK government have failed in their latest attempt to enforce ‘unlawful’ changes to the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) visa holders.

The High Court ruled on Monday in favour of the HSMP Forum, which means the UK government must stick to their original commitment to HSMP visa holders who applied before November 2006.

HSMP visa holders were originally told they would have to work in the UK for four years but then the Home Office unfairly applied retrospective changes to those who applied before the new changes were introduced, meaning they would have to work an additional one year in order to be eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

The HSMP Forum won the Judicial Review against the Home Office on 6th April with the High Court ruling the Home Office acted unlawfully in applying the changes retrospectively.

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US and UK immigration given vote of confidence

US immigration officials have been voted the rudest in the world in an online survey by travel and social networking site WAYN.com (Where Are You Now?).

In the survey 2250 passengers were asked questions about baggage handling, customs and security at major international airports.

American immigration officials came out worst, followed by India and Russia.

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All those looking to go to India for holiday, business or to visit family remember to get a visa. Be warned the Indian government is clamping down on people trying to get in without valid travel documents.

This comes as a Pakistani traveller found without a visa was sentenced to 5 years in prison for staying in India illegally. As the judge, Arijit Pasayat, said, “Considering the large number of infiltrators coming to India without valid documents, there is a need for imposing stricter sentences.”

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