Immigration newsletter 26 May 2011

Firstly, I remind everyone that if you wish to come under the current skilled immigration programs for Australia and Canada you only have about a month left in which to apply. If you are a tradesperson it will probably be easier to apply before 1 July 2011 under the Australian General Skilled Migration Programme.

If you wish to emigrate to Canada under the Canada Skilled worker immigration category you only have about one month left before the new occupation list comes into place. If you have at least one year experience in one of the 24 occupations that are still on the list you should apply as soon as possible. There is no guarantee that your occupation will still be an eligible occupation for the Canada skilled worker category when the new list is announced.

Over a twelve month period a maximum of 20,000 Federal Skilled Worker applications can be considered for processing. There is also a cap of one thousand applications per occupation.

There has been a significant increase in the demand for the Australian 457 work visa.  This is a temporary visa that allows entry to Australia for up to four years.  This represents the biggest demand for 457 work visas since the Worldwide financial crisis of 2008.  This is due to increased demand from a strong Australian economy.

There were 4200 visa applications in April 2011.  The total for the years is 42 872 which is 4000 higher than the total number of visas for the year 2009-10.

The Treasurer of the Northern Territory government said that she welcomes Australia's plans for a 16,300 increase in skilled immigration.

"While we are working to train our own workforce, we have also lobbied the federal government to attract migrant workers to fill skills gaps for major resource projects across northern Australia," said NT treasurer Delia Lawrie.

As of 23 May 2011, late evidence submitted after a points-based immigration application will not be considered during the appeals process. According to the UK Border Agency (UKBA), two-thirds of appeals allowed by immigration judges are due to late evidence being submitted.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong says that his new cabinet will review issues of concern for Singaporeans, including healthcare, housing, and immigration.

"We will take a totally fresh look at our problems and policies, and rethink what is necessary and best for Singapore's future. We will address the issues preoccupying Singaporeans, such as healthcare, housing, and immigration."

Irish work permits issued to non-EU citizens are at close to the same level as they were in 2010, according to statistics released by the Department of Enterprise, Jobs, and Innovation.

The number of work permit renewals has dropped significantly; A strong indication that the Irish economy is still not doing very well. Over the last few years there have been fewer new work permit holders and so fewer people who might need extensions.