Immigration newsletter 11 Feb 2009

The British Trade & Cultural Office (BTCO) announced recently that from 3 March 2009 Taiwan passport-holders who visit the United Kingdom will not need a visa. This benefits those who will visit for less than six months on business or as a tourist, family visitor or student visitor.

"Britain enjoys strong commercial and cultural ties with Taiwan", David Campbell, the BTCO's new Director said. "Lifting the visa requirement for stays of less than six months will help to build on that to the benefit of both British and Taiwanese people."

It is not such good news for South African nationals. From 3 March 2009, South African nationals seeking to visit or transit the United Kingdom will require a visa to enter or transit the UK unless they qualify for a temporary exemption.

To qualify under this exemption you must have travelled to the UK recently and have evidence of your visit in your current passport (i.e. a UK entry stamp). You will not need a visa under the following circumstances: Transit, Visit for less than six months, and Do not want to work in the UK.

From 3 March 2009 onwards, Jamaican nationals in transit through the UK will be required to obtain a transit visa before they travel to the United Kingdom.

Travellers will need to apply for one of two visas:a Visit-in-Transit Visa if seeking to enter the United Kingdom in transit with a connecting flight within 48 hours; or a Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) for anyone remaining airside to take a same-day, same-airport connecting flight to another destination.

It is expected that even more immigrants from outside the EEA will be required to have identity cards.  The card replaces the stickers or vignettes in passports.

If approved by Parliament those applying for further leave to remain in the United Kingdom in the following categories will be required to provide their biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) as part of their application from 31 March 2009:

• Academic visitors granted leave for a period exceeding six months The total stay in the United Kingdom is more than six months, up to a maximum period of 12 months.
• Visitors for private medical treatment
• Where the applicant is required to extend their stay in the United Kingdom so that they are able to complete private medical treatment.
• Domestic workers in a private household
• Applies to overseas domestic workers who have accompanied a person entitled to live in the United Kingdom and are applying to extend their permission to stay in the country based upon their employment as domestic workers.
• United Kingdom ancestry
• Retired persons of independent means, and their partners and children – This is no longer a current category.  It is still relevant for those already in the UK. 
• Sole representatives

There was much controversy in Switzerland about work rights for Romanians and Bulgarians workers.  There were concerns about letting in more foreign workers at a time of economic uncertainty.  The good news is that despite this Swiss voters recently approved an expanded labor deal with the European Union that will allow Bulgarians and Romanians to work in Switzerland.

Switzerland is not part of the EU.  However, there is an agreement to allows EU citizens to work in Switzerland and Swiss citizens to work in EU Countries.  A no vote may have jeopardized cooperation with the EU on, work rights, trade and traffic controls.

About ten thousand Asian butchers are needed for meat processing plants and restaurants says an official of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) of the Davao Region in the Philippines.

Elmer K. Talavera, TESDA regional director, said skilled butchers are in demand for turning cattle and sheep into meat cuts for domestic and export markets.