Immigration newsletter 09 Oct 2009

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics population clock the population of Australia is now over twenty-two million. One of the major factors contributing to population growth is the increase in levels of immigration in recent years. The ABS estimates that Australia's population increases at the rate of one birth every one minute and 44 seconds, and one immigrant every one minute and 53 seconds. Australia's population has doubled since 1963; At that time Australia only allowed entry of European migrants.

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!

Changes to Tier 1 visa of the points based system came into place on 1 October 2009:

The most significant change is probably that under the Tier 1 (General) visa students will no longer gain points for previous earnings before they became students. Therefore, you will only gain points for earnings over the last fifteen months if you were actually working during this time and earning a high enough salary to be awarded points under previous earnings. In practice this is likely to mean that students in the UK and recent students outside the UK wishing to apply under Tier 1 will be unable to do so. Students will probably have to come under Tier 1 Post Study Work or Tier 2. Then at a future date they may be in a position to apply for Tier 1. As applicants will have to show their recent work experience and earning capability to gain points under previous earnings, the Government says this will better demonstrate their suitability for the UK Labor market.

On 23 September 2009 UKBA further clarified the transitional arrangements for those who already have indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or who have a pending application before earned citizenships is introduced. UKBA also clarified the circumstances under which those on HSMP and certain others can continue to apply for ILR or British citizenship under the current rules.

If a migrant already has indefinite leave to remain on the date that earned citizenship is introduced they will still be considered to be a permanent resident. They can apply for UK citizenship under the current rules for the first two years after earned citizenship is introduced.

On 30 September 2009 the UKBA made various policy announcements covering the Tier 4 student visa. This is ahead of the sponsorship management system for Tier 4 of the points-based system going live on 5 October 2009. Sponsors are educational institutions such as schools, colleges and universities. The announcements cover the following:

One of the announcements is that until the end of January 2010 Tier 4 student applicants from within the UK will only need to show that they meet the course fee and maintenance requirements on the day they apply instead of continously over the previous twenty-eight day period.

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.

On 17 September 2009 The UK Border Agency confirmed that phase 3 of the student Tier 4 of the points-based system for immigration will start on 5 October 2009.

Phase 3 is the voluntary trial period of the sponsorship management system for Tier 4 sponsors. Tier 4 sponsors are educational institutions such as schools, colleges and universities who wish to sponsor students for study in the UK. During the trial period educational institutions can continue to issue visa letters.