Immigration newsletter 31 Oct 2007

The European Union Commission has laid out its proposal for a "Blue Card" residence and work permit. Designed to attract highly skilled immigrants from around the world to Europe, the proposal must now be debated and agreed upon by all 27 Member States before it can come into effect. 

If passed, the EU Blue Card Scheme will provide residency for skilled workers in a Member State for two years, after which they may work in any EU nation. Immigrants would be eligible for permanent residency after five years, and they will have some rights to family reunification. Still in its infancy, the proposal provides protections for immigrants and for the labor markets of each Member State.

On 26 October in Belgium, 79 African, Caribbean and Pacific region countries (ACP) voiced serious concerns about the proposed European Union Blue Card were aired. The coalition wants the EU to "give consideration to the development of a code on the ethical recruitment of health workers." The European Commission has stated that the Blue Card Scheme procedures will try to minimize so-called "brain drain" by implementing "ethical recruitment standards" which will limit or ban active recruitment from developing countries.

In the United States, business interests are worried that the proposed EU Blue Card might adversely affect the current standing of the U.S. as the most desirable country for skilled immigrants. A coalition of business and education interests believe that a recent Senate vote on H-1B visa fees is a serious step backward for the country. 

There is great concern about the ability of U.S. businesses to remain competitive in the global market. U.S. business support and train nearly a quarter million students and workers annually. It is feared that many skilled workers will, in the future, decide to seek careers in Europe. 

The United Kingdom has announced that it will continue to limit access to its labor market for nationals of Bulgaria and Romania until at least the end of 2008. EU rules grant rights for citizens to work freely across the 27-member bloc, but Member States also have a right to restrict their domestic labor markets for new EU members for up to seven years after joining the EU. 

Self-employed Romanians and Bulgarians may enter and work, and all EU citizens have the right of travel. However, Romanians and Bulgarians currently have to obtain work permits to enter the British labor market.

By 2016, the population of the United Kingdom is expected to increase by 4.4 million, due in part to increased immigration. According to the Office of National Statistics (ONS), if past trends continue, the population will reach 71 million by 2031. In 2031, it is expected that 22% of the country will be over the age of 65. Immigration Minister Liam Byrne feels that the ONS has over-estimated the numbers by taking into account Eastern European migration data from 2004 and 2005, when immigration from those nations peaked.

Immigration to Ireland is projected to decline by half next year due, in part, to improvements in the labor markets of central and eastern European Union countries, according to a new report from Ireland's Training and Employment Authority (FAS). Poland, for example, is hiring many workers for the UEFA Euro 2012 football championship, while there is increased competition for labor in England due to the London Olympics in 2012. Generally, there is also a slowdown in the Irish construction industry as projects come to an end.

On 24 October 2007, Immigration Minister David Cunliffe announced changes to New Zealand's immigration policy for students who would like to remain in the country as permanent migrants. From late November, many international students will be able to remain in New Zealand for 12 months, up from the current six, under a job search permit that allows them to look for skilled work. 

Current graduates in New Zealand on a six month permit will be allowed extensions for another six months. Longer extensions will be allowed for architecture and accounting graduates, whose disciplines allow professional registration only after obtaining minimum work experience. 

Previously announced changes to New Zealand's Skilled Migrant Category will also be detailed during November.