Immigration newsletter 11 Mar 2009

The UK Border Agency has announced that applications under many of the categories of the UK points based system will be allowed at any one of the five public enquiry offices. It should be noted from the beginning of April 2009 it will be more difficult to come under Tier 1. 

From 6 April 2009, you will be able to use the 'premium service' for same day processing under the following categories of the points-based system:
 

• Highly skilled workers Tier 1 (General) Sponsored skilled workers Tier 2 (General)
• Tier 2 (Ministers of Religion)
• Tier 2 (Sportsperson)
• Tier 2 (Intra-company transfers) Temporary workers Tier 5 (Creative and sporting)
• Tier 5 (Charity workers)
• Tier 5 (Religious workers)
• Tier 5 (Government authorised exchange)
• Tier 5 (International agreement)

Boris Johnson, the London mayor, again called for an "earned" amnesty for illegal migrants The interim study by the London School of Economics, commissioned by the mayor, estimated that about 450,000 would qualify for an amnesty which would carry a five-year residency qualification.

The following information is from the LSE Study and official statistics:
 

• The number of "irregular residents" and their children in Britain at the end of 2007 was in the range of 525,000 to 950,000 with a central estimate of 725,000. 
• The Home Office estimate based on the 2001 census of between 310,000 and 570,000 "irregular residents", with a central estimate of 430,000. 
• The LSE estimate is that there is a further 175,000 "quasi-legal" migrants whose right to remain depended on the future determination of their migration status. 
• The LSE research says between 57% and 75% of irregular residents in Britain live in London.

Foreign currency broker Foreign Currency Direct has found that the cost of living in Australia and New Zealand is up to a third lower than in the UK. This is one of the main reasons why Brits are moving to Australia.

Another attraction for Brits is the weather in Australia. There is an excellent choice of outdoor activities such as the beach and picnics outdoors.

Foreign Currency Direct’s latest research shows that British people living “Down Under” are enjoying a far lower cost of living than those who have settled in other top 10 expat hot spots, such as France and Spain. The survey covered a range of essential and non-essential purchases. The cost of living in New Zealand is about a third cheaper than in the UK and Australia was not far behind, with a cost of living that is 22 per cent lower than in the UK.

Sun Media reports that the immigration department is working on a plan to fast-track some business travellers to Canada. Business visitors will then be able to obtain visas much faster than other visitors.

If the plan is put in place employees of established companies that have operations in Canada could be able to get visas in about one or two days.