Immigration newsletter 09 Mar 2010

As mentioned in previous news reports UK immigration are substantially increasing Government fees in many cases.   Some fees for dependent relative applications will double or triple in price.

If you wish to come under the current fee schedule you have to apply before Tuesday 6 April 2010. 

The UK Border Agency (UKBA) has announced that there may be delays and disruption to services for immigrants and those travelling on Monday 8 March and Tuesday 9 March.  This is due to strike action by the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS).

Lin Homer Chief Executive of the UKBA has said that plans are in place to minimise potential disruption. Lin Homer had the following to say:

'We are disappointed that PCS members have voted in favour of industrial action. It means that the travelling public are likely to suffer disruption and delays at border control as a result of this two-day action.

Australian immigration minister Chris Evans has recently made a number of comments on the Australian subclass 457 work visa.  The Australian Government in their news report provides details of increases in salary rates amongst Australian 457 visa holders.  However, they also said that employers should first try and find Australians to fill vacancies before using the temporary skilled migration program to recruit overseas employees.  

The Immigration Minister in his announcement had the following to say:

• 90 per cent of temporary skilled immigrants in the period 2009 to 2010 on subclass 457 visas are managers and professional workers.
• The average total salary package for all new temporary skilled visa holders is almost $100,000.   This represents an increase of $10 000 compared to the same period in the previous year. 
• The salary rates in Western Australia are higher still. The average salary package for new subclass 457 visa holders is $114 800.  In the mining industry the rate is even higher at $165,500.

Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Kenney recently announced a new online resource to make it easier for immigrants to settle in when they move to Canada.
The new website provides information on Government and local services for new migrants to Canada.  Immigration Minister Kenney had the following to say:

“The Services for Newcomers resource has been put in place to help newcomers find the private sector and government services they need to succeed.

In a report by UK Immigration it was announced that the new requirements for UK Tier 4 student visa applications came into effect on 3 March 2010.

The new requirements include the following:
 

• You will need to have reasonably good English in many cases even if you are coming to the UK to study English on the Tier 4 (General) student visa.
• If you wish to come under the Tier 4 student visa to study a course that is below degree level which is not a foundation degree, the number of hours that you can work during term time is reduced to 10 hours per week compared to the previous 20 hours per week.