Immigration newsletter 12 Jan 2010

From 6 January 2010 all those extending their stay under the Tier 2 visa including dependents will need to apply for an identity card.

In November 2008 the UK Border Agency started issuing compulsory identity cards for a number of non EU nationals applying to extend their stay in the UK.  The categories of people who require identity cards continues to increase.

The Association of Professional Staffing Companies a special interest group feels that the Tier 2 (Intra company transfer) visa category of the points-based system has resulted in Indian IT companies bringing in lower paid overseas workers to the UK.

The Government has stated that all employers have to pay the “Going Rate” for the job under the Tier 2 intra company transfer visa.  The Government says that it is not true that overseas workers transferred from an overseas office to the UK office are paid less than resident workers. It should be noted that many overseas IT workers who come to the UK are paid very good salaries indeed.

From 1 January 2010 the English language requirements for onshore General Skilled Migration (GSM) visas have changed:

You will now need to have a higher level of English if you wish to come under the General Skilled Migration visa scheme.Despite the changes there are still many tradespeople and professionals around the World who still qualify for the Australian General Skilled Migration category.

From 1 January 2010, you will need to have your skills assessed by the relevant Australian assessing authority as suitable for your nominated skilled occupation to apply for the following visa categories:
 

• Skilled – Independent (Subclass 885)
• Skilled – Sponsored (Subclass 886)
• Skilled - Regional Sponsored (Subclass 487) visa.  

The Australian Government feels that these changes will result in applicants who are available to work in Australia more quickly.  It is also felt that it will lead to greater consistency in the standard of skills and competencies across migrants in trade occupations.