Immigration newsletter 21 Nov 2007

Immigration into and emigration out of the United Kingdom is continuing to break records, according to figures just released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). An estimated 591,000 people from around the world came into Britain for at least one year during 2006, compared to 563,000 for 2005. However, the actual net migrant inflow decreased from the previous year due to record numbers of people leaving the country. The 400,000 people who left the UK last year were one of the contributory factors that resulted in the lowest population growth figure for the country in three years.

New Zealand continues to experience a slow-down in immigration while, at the same time, increasing numbers of New Zealand citizens are leaving the country, in large part due to more favorable economic conditions in Australia. The average annual net increase has been 12,200 migrants coming into the country, as recorded for the years ending in December 1990-2006. 

Australia was New Zealand's second largest source of migrants for the year ending in October, behind the United Kingdom. Returning New Zealand citizens accounted for almost two-thirds of migrants from Australia. 87% of New Zealanders who emigrate continue to leave for Australia.

New rules requiring fingerprints and photographs for all foreigners entering Japan went into effect on November 20th. The Japanese government says the procedure is a necessary security measure to prevent terrorist attacks inside the country. The system is modeled on a similar United States program required for all visa applications. However, the new Japanese policy applies to all foreigners - visitors and residents - each time they enter the country, not just during the application process. 

When France takes the helm of the European Union presidency for the second-half of 2008, it will push for the 27-member bloc to introduce a charter on immigration that will create a more uniform approach to immigration policy. During a cabinet meeting, held to prepare the nation for its up-coming presidency of the EU, the French Prime Minister called for a "single immigration charter" to "harmonize" visa and naturalization policies in the border-free Schengen area. France also strongly supports the European Commission's recent proposal for an EU-wide "Blue Card" residency permit.

The European Commission's statistic agency, Eurostat, has released figures showing that migrants in the European Union sent home approximately ?26 billion in remittances during 2006, an increase of ?3 billion from 2005. The report does not take into account "informal" transfers of money. 

Approximately 85% of the remittances were sent from just five EU countries. For both years, approximately ?19 billion were sent to countries outside the EU, meaning nearly all the increase in transfers is due to free movement within the EU. According to a separate EC report, Poland and Portugal account for the majority of remittances sent by migrants from EU countries back home to other EU countries.

Migrant workers from the 10 new eastern European Union states are the fastest growing category of new workers in Ireland. Nearly 60% of the total labor force growth comes from EU states that joined in 2004 and 2007. 

The number of non-EU citizens working in Ireland during the third quarter of 2007 increased by 11,300, compared to the same time period of the previous year. 341,600 foreign nationals currently reside in Ireland, a quarter million of whom are employed. About 12% of the entire Irish work force is comprised of foreigners from the around the world.

Canada has announced that it will give priority to immigrants from Iraq and surrounding countries with close family in Canada. Spouses, common-law and conjugal partners, and dependent children already receive priority processing. However, the measure will now be extended to parents, grandparents, and orphaned family members sponsored by Canadian citizens and permanent residents. The measure will also apply to dependents of refugees from the region in Canada. 

All the usual security and medical checks must still be passed, but every effort will be made to help people in need, according to Immigration Minister Diane Finley. The visa office in Damascus, Syria, will process applications on a priority basis for permanent residence under the Family Class for Iraqi nationals directly affected by the conflict.

According to Statistics Sweden, immigration to the northern European Union country hit "a record level" last year, a trend that has so far continued for 2007. Based upon statistics for this year through September, net immigration into Sweden is expected to nearly equal or perhaps surpass the record inflow of 96,800 for all of 2006. At the same time, the number of people leaving Sweden has also increased by 5% for the same time period last year.