Immigration newsletter 16 Aug 2006

Call us for visa advice at our London office: +44 (0) 20 7842 0800.

Working in the UK has announced a new work permit category, the Medical Training Initiatives (MTI) to be available on September first. It is a new sub-category under the Training and Work Experience Scheme. A new application form (the MTI1) will be available from August 29th. 

Medical specialists admitted to the UK before April third 2006 will not be able to switch into TWES if they continue in their existing training programme. They may reapply from their country of origin.

In Germany, a shortfall of 18,000 engineers is expected this year, up from 12,000 last year. Germans today don't consider an engineering career to pay enough when factored against the cost of living and the potential of other professions. 

Many German employers report they don't have enough engineers. Reform of immigration policy is being advocated by businesses to meet the demand.

In preparation for the EU-27 expansion, the Bulgarian Cabinet has announced changes to its visa policy. EU citizens with a valid passport or identification document from any EU country may enter and work under a visa-free policy when Bulgaria joins the EU. 

As of 01 September, people from other countries may visit and stay up to 90 days within a six-month period.

17 Egyptians applied for J-1 student visas to enter the United States and attend a university in Montana. After arrival in New York City on 29 July, eleven of them failed to appear for the first day of class. Within 48 hours the university reported them missing to the FBI. All were captured by Sunday night after a nationwide manhunt by the FBI and Homeland Security.

The US Census Bureau is releasing one of the most detailed statistical analysis ever performed on immigrants living in U.S. 36 million foreign-born legal immigrants represent 12.4% of the total US population. 

States with high immigration rates were found to also have higher-than-average employment rates for American-born workers. This directly contradicts the impression that immigrants are taking jobs away from Americans.

Canada's population increased at its fastest first-quarter rate in four years. British Columbia and Alberta experienced the highest population gains of the provinces. Along with Manitoba, these provinces have some of the strongest economic growth and lowest unemployment for all of Canada.

Travellers to the United Kingdom will be required to give their fingerprints in future, as British officials work toward full introduction of biometric visas. The plan to fully phase in biometric visas comes just as the first biometric American and UK passports are being issued. Britain will require biometric visas worldwide over the next 18 months.