Immigration newsletter 10 Sep 2009

US H-1B Specialty Visas still available

USCIS announced on 28 August 2009 that H-1B visas are still available; Approximately 45,100 H-1B cap-subject petitions and approximately 20,000 petitions qualifying for the advanced degree cap exemption had been filed. 

Each year, the United States makes 65,000 H-1B visas available to people wishing to live and work in the US in professional level work. In addition there are 20,000 H-1B visas available for people who have a Master's degree or higher.  USCIS takes into account, when calculating visa availability, that some of the petitions may be denied, revoked, or withdrawn.  Overall there are about twenty thousand H-1B visas still available

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!

US H-2B visas still available for any type of work

The US H-2B visa can be used for any type of work both skilled and unskilled in the following circumstances:
 

• U.S. employers can use the H-2B to employ temporary workers to deal with peak load, seasonal or intermittent needs.
• US employers can also use the H-2B to employ temporary workers due to a one-time occurrence. 

H-2B workers are frequently used to fill labor needs in occupational areas such as construction, health care, landscaping, lumber, manufacturing, food service/processing, and resort/hospitality services.

The UK Government has announced that from next year there will be tougher requirements to come under Tier 2 of the points based system.   This follows recent recommendations by the Migration Advisory Committee.  
Alan Johnson the Home Secretary announced that from next year the following changes will take place: 
 

• Jobs must be advertised in the Government’s Jobcentre Plus for four weeks instead of the current two weeks.  This is to give resident workers more time in which to apply.
• Overseas workers who are looking to transfer to work in their employer’s UK office will need to have worked for the overseas company for twelve months instead of the existing six month period.
• The minimum salary to gain entry as a skilled worker to be able to work in the United Kingdom will rise from GBP17,000 to GBP20,000.

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

Canadian Permanent Resident card – New Design and security features.

Canadian Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced the implementation of the redesigned permanent resident card, introduced on 24 August 2009.

The card has micro-lettering and fine line patterns that are difficult to copy which is similar to that found in banknotes.  The card holder’s photograph and details are recorded on a bar code in an encrypted format so that it can only read by authorised officials.

New permanent residents receive the card automatically when their visa is approved.  Those who currently have permanent residence will receive the new card when their existing card expires.