Immigration newsletter 30 Dec 2009

In the long term immigration Worldwide continues to grow. Gallup the opinion poll company has done a survey from 2007 to 2009 in 135 Countries to find out what people's intentions are. 16 percent of the World's population would like to, if possible, move permanently to another Country. This is about 700 million people worldwide.

Some Countries such as Australia and Canada have seen immigration levels stay at similar levels or even go up. Overall levels of immigration are still going up. The total foreign born population Worldwide in 2050 is projected to be 230 million. In 1965 it was 75 million. Long term we will continue to see significant growth in the numbers of people moving abroad.

The UK Government has been making changes to the UK Tier 2 visa scheme.  Some occupations have been removed from the shortage occupation list. Others have been added.  Healthcare and engineering professionals, chefs, veterinary surgeons, secondary  teachers in maths and sciences and a number of other occupations remain on the list.

In 2010 it may become easier for some people to come under the UK Tier 1 skilled immigration visa. The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has recommended that prospective immigrants with a minimum of a bachelors degree should be able to come under Tier 1 if their previous earnings are at a high enough level and if they gain enough points. Currently to come under the Tier 1 visa you need to have at least a masters degree.

Normally the US H-1B visa quota is fully used as soon as the quota becomes available. For the first time in years, due to the economic situation in the US, in 2009 H-1B visas were still available until 21 December 2009.  As the economy in the US continues to improve availability of H-1B visas is likely to be more of a problem in future.

On 20 May 2009 the UK Border Agency (UKBA) put in arrangements that will benefit many HSMP visa holders who had applied before 3 April 2006. This is following the judgement of 6 April 2009 in the judicial review brought by HSMP Forum Ltd. Many HSMP holders can now apply for indefinite leave to remain after four years instead of five years.