Immigration newsletter 05 Sep 2007

The General Skilled Migration (GSM) program for Australian visas changed, effective 01 September 2007. workpermit.com has re-written the General Skilled Migration section for Australia on our website. We have also updated our points-calculator.

From 01 September, the entire Australian General Skilled Migration (GSM) stream changed. The number of visa categories was reduced from 15 to 9. 5 of the categories can be applied for in-country (Onshore Visas), and 4 categories can be applied for from outside of Australia (Offshore Visas). 

More stringent English language skills will be required. The minimum score required under the International English Language Testing System is now 6. There is increased emphasis on skilled work experience, with a points bonus for skilled work already performed in Australia.

The Australian Labour Party has unveiled a proposal to allow unskilled and low skilled workers in from the Pacific islands. The measure is part of a prioritized free trade agreement with Pacific island nations. It is intended to provide foreign aid by allowing workers to remit wages back to their home countries and stimulate economic development. 

The Labour Party wants to study the results of a similar guest worker trial program in New Zealand and adopt policies from other such programs around the world. Immigration Minister, Kevin Andrews, characterized the proposal as 'flooding' Australia with unskilled workers and "undercutting wages."

The United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) has proposed a rule that would require permanent residents holding green cards with no expiration date to replace them. The rule would require the green card holders to replace their cards during a 120-day filing period. 

Green cards issued between 1979 and 1989 did not have the current ten-year expiration. It is proposed to terminate the green cards by publishing a notice in the Federal Register. Once replaced, at a cost of $370, the new green card would need to be periodically renewed. 

European Union External Relations Commissioner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, spoke about adjusting immigration rules for the entire EU in an interview recently. According to Ferrero-Waldner, simplified visa regulations would make it easier for migrants from non-member states to live and work in the EU. 

EU member states would still control the number of people they let in; the new initiative is aimed at increasing the scope of the EU's free movement policy. The initiative is currently separate from the proposed EU "Blue Card," which is scheduled for discussion in the EU Commission this month.

The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) has requested a review of Canada's points-based system for skilled immigration into the country. Jeff Morrison, Public Affairs Director for the CCA, compared the Canadian system to the success of the Australian migration program and suggested a number of areas that the CCA feels are lacking. 

According to the CCA, the Canadian points system places too much "emphasis on post-secondary education" rather than "usable, tangible skills." While characterizing the request as "premature," Immigration Minister Diane Finley conceded that there is "growing skill shortage in the domestic construction sector."

For those people who are currently in the United Arab Emirates illegally and who have registered to leave under the amnesty program, the government of the United Arab Emirates has given two extra months in which to leave. For three months during this summer, people illegally in the country were allowed to register to either change their status to legal or to leave. 

Under the carefully worded terms of the amnesty, most would not be penalized if they took advantage of the offer prior to September 2nd this year. Due to the large number of people who registered to leave, the government has given until November 3rd for them to do so. The government is promising a severe crackdown on individuals and businesses that continue to violate immigration laws.

An immigration agent who was convicted of forging documents and providing false information to the New Zealand government was sentenced to 2 years and 7 months in prison. The Department of Labour is characterizing the sentence handed out this week in Auckland as a strong policy message that "bending" immigration rules will not be tolerated. 

New Zealand passed the Immigration Advisors Licensing Act in April. Under the 3-year timetable, agents offering consulting advice on immigration into the country will need to be licensed, with some exemptions available. New regulations will be drafted and implemented, and fees and levies will be set.