Immigration newsletter 15 Dec 2010

There is currently a temporary limit on Tier 1 visa applications made from outside the UK. It is very possible that all out of Country Tier 1 visas for the whole year will be fully used up by January 2011. It is already the case that the monthly allocation of 600 visas is fully used up at the beginning of each month.

If you are already in the UK you do not come under the temporary limit. However, it is important to apply before April 2011.

UK Employers and other eligible sponsors wishing to request an initial or additional allocation of certificates of sponsorship for consideration at the January panel must do so by 24 December 2010.

Due to the Holidays, the panel will meet on 7 January 2011. Sponsors will be notified of the outcome of their application by 14 January 2011.

The UK has proposed stricter requirements for foreign students wishing to study in Britain. The proposals include creating tougher entrance criteria and make it more difficult for students to stay on in the UK to live and work after their studies. Moreover, the Post-Study route under Tier 1 PSW visa would be axed under the proposed changes.

From 10 January 2011 English language students who wish to attend only English language courses in the UK will be able to apply for a student visitor visa which allows them to stay in the UK for up to 11 months.

The Western Australian government is trying its best to attract overseas skilled workers in an attempt to deal with labour shortages in its mining sector.

Western Australian Training and Workforce Development Minister Peter Collier announced a WA workforce development plan to address these issues. One of the problems is finding skilled labour for the expected $220 billion worth of natural resource-related projects.

Europe needs more immigration if it wishes to remain globally competitive, says two members of the European Commission.

In an article penned by European Commissioners Cecilia Malmström and L?szló Andor, the authors state that there are skills shortages in many sectors of the European job market, including science, health, agriculture, engineering, and tourism -- This is desptie the fact that the EU continues to experience high unemployment rates.

Austria has announced a "red-white-red" work permit card that will allow non-EU citizens to work in Austria. Austria is currently experiencing skills shortages.

To gain entry to Austria under the new work permit, applicants must pass certain criteria related to age, education, experience, and language skills. The new Austrian work visa will be similar in some respects to other skilled immigration visas in countries such as the UK, Australia, Denmark, and Canada.