Immigration newsletter 18 Feb 2009

The removals firm Pickfords' Move Monitor Survey found that there was a 31 percent increase in the numbers of immigrants from the UK moving to Australia in 2008 compared to 2007.

40,000 Brits moved to Australia in 2007; 23,000 say that they will stay permanently in Australia.

Over ten years the level of emigration from the UK to Australia has more than doubled. The current economic situation in the UK has also led to an increase in immigration to Australia.

The Australian General Skilled Migration visa has been very successful in attracting migrants. Prospective migrants gain points based on skills, work experience, qualifications, age, etc. There is now an extra five points for passing an English language test; this benefits people from English speaking Countries such as the UK.

The UK Government has recently announced proposed fee levels for all visa, immigration and nationality applications and services for the period 2009/10.

There are very few changes to the Government fees for in-Country applications. For out of Country applications proposed fees such as for certain long term visit visa applications are likely to more than double.

Despite the current economic situation in Canada this will likely not affect the Government's target of up to 265,000 new immigrants for this year according to Immigration Minister Jason Kenney.

"For 2009, we're planning on maintaining at an even level our intake of permanent resident immigrants," Kenney told CTV's Power Play Wednesday.

"Last year, we brought in 247,000 permanent residents," he added. "And we anticipate and hope that it will be in the same range. Having said that, obviously the economy is very dynamic, it's moving a lot, and this may have unperceivable consequences for the immigration program."

There are representatives from various Australian State Governments, employers and recruiters at the Opportunities Australia Expo. Tens of thousands of people have made a life in Australia a reality after attending the Expo.

The How to Move to Australia Seminars provides detailed information on how to live and work in Australia:
 

• the best and fastest visa options for your situation 
• financial and banking services 
• where to live 
• employment opportunities 
• info on the Australian education system 
• taxation 
• weather 
• crime 
• and much more.