Immigration newsletter 01 Sep 2009

On 19 August 2009 the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) reported into the workings of Tier 2 of the UK's immigration Points Based System (PBS).
The reports says that immigration plays an important role in supporting the UK economy. However, the report recommends the following:
 

• The earnings thresholds for gaining points should be raised
• Jobs should be advertised within the UK for longer
• The arrangements for intra-company transfers should be strengthened
• Strong monitoring and enforcement of Tier 2 is also required

Tier 2 allows companies to employ people from outside of the EU, making sure that there are no skill gaps in the British economy.
Chair of the Migration Advisory Committee, Professor David Metcalf said: "In our first analysis of the PBS, the committee thinks that Tier 2 is working well, but our advice to the Government is that the labour market could be helped by requiring higher standards from skilled workers outside of the EU before we allow them to work in the UK.

Special Danish visa announcements: When people think of immigrating to Europe, the first destinations that come to mind are countries such as Britain, France, or Germany. However, Denmark offers attractive immigration options for skilled workers. Through the Danish Green Card, you can be given a temporary visa allowing you to live in Denmark and search for employment! We've helped people achieve their dreams of living in Europe through this unique program. Contact us today and let us help you get a Danish Green Card!

There is a long history of Indian immigration to Australia.  It is said that the first Indians arrived in Australia on Captain Cook’s ship in the late eighteenth century.   

Before road and rail transportation Indians referred to as “Afghans” came to Australia to transport goods and mail on camel trains. 

In recent years there has been a huge increase in Indian immigration to Australia.  A wide range of professions are represented amongst recent immigrants including IT professionals, engineers, accountants, cooks, toolmakers.  After Chinese immigrants, Indians represent the second largest group of new immigrants.

Since 1998 there has been a significant increase in the number of students arriving in Australia. Indian students pay much higher tuition fees and bring much needed income to Australian Universities.  

Indians have played an important role in Australian society over hundreds of years and are now well represented in a wide range of occupations in Australia.

On 19 August 2009 UKBA announced a concession for students who were awarded an international Baccalaureate qualification on 5 July 2009 who are unable to provide transcripts with their results in time to apply for UK University Courses starting in September.

Sponsors who find themselves in this situation who apply under Tier 4 of the points based system must confirm in the students confirmation of acceptance for studies/visa letter that it has confirmed the student's results using either the UCAS or International Baccalaureate Office online checking systems. If a letter has already been provided that does not include the required information a second letter with the above details must be provided with the Tier 4 application. Students will also need to provide a printout of their results from the UCAS or International Baccalaureate Office online checking service when making their application.

On 21 August 2009 the UK Border Agency confirmed what the age requirements are for husbands, wives and civil partners under the points-based system (PBS).

For entry to the UK both the husband, wife or civil partner of the PBS applicant and the main applicant must be aged eighteen or over when they are due to arrive in the United Kingdom.

Special Australian visa announcements: Australia is looking overseas for good tradespeople to shore up their labor market. Even if you do not have an apprenticeship in a certain trade (culinary trades, carpentry, and many more), we can still help you immigrate to Australia! Australia is in particular need for cooks and chefs.

Annual immigration statistics for 2008 and quarterly immigration figures for April to June 2009 were published recently by the UK Home Office; This covers immigration from Eastern Europe, asylum applications and removals and voluntary departures.

There has been a significant reduction in the number of work applications from nationals of the eight accession countries in 2009. In the second quarter of 2009 there were 26,150 applications from workers in Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia and the Czech Republic – This represents an almost fifty percent reduction compared to the same period in 2008 when there were 46,070 applications.