Immigration newsletter 15 Dec 2011

We would like to take this opportunity to remind you that beginning 12 December 2011 all UK visa applications under the points-based immigration system will need to be made online. This includes all UK Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 4, and Tier 5 visa applications. The UK Border Agency will no longer accept paper based visa applications under the points-based immigration system. All applications must be completed online.

We also remind you that you only have until April 2012 to apply for the UK Tier 1 Post-Study Work Visa. If you are a skilled worker interested in Canadian immigration you should consider the Federal Skilled Worker program. There are only a limited number of occupations on the list and only five hundred visas per occupation under Federal Skilled Worker. You should apply soon if you wish to come under either of these visa categories.

The British Columbia government in Canada is setting up a task force aimed at boosting the number of skilled workers and investors immigrating to the province. Premier Christy Clark announced this week the creation of a new task force to review how skilled immigrants and foreign investors come to the province and how to better attract skilled workers looking to emigrate.

UK Immigration announced this week that UK employers will soon be able to carry out online visa checks to verify whether migrant workers have the right to work in the UK.

The scheme, which will start in Spring 2012, will allow UK companies to access an online system allowing them to verify that the details contained on a foreign employee's biometric residence permit are correct. This new process will also help companies that hire staff to avoid the large fines imposed for employing immigrants from outside the European Union who have forged or invalid work permits.

A new report shows London business owners are facing uncertainty over whether the UK Home Office will further lower its annual quota of 20,700 visas for non-EU skilled migrants. Since the introduction of new Tier 1 and Tier 2 visa migration limits in April 2011, business have felt the changes and claim they have had a negative impact on the perceived attractiveness of the UK and London for international firms.

Australian Immigration Minister Chris Bowen is pushing for an increase in Australia's refugee intake by almost 50 percent. Under Bowen's proposal, Australian immigration would allow more refugees to reside in Australia, increasing the current figure of 13,750 to as many as 20,000 people annually.

The United States and Canada have announced plans for a joint border protection and trade deal. The goal is to develop common practices to screen travellers and cargo, with both countries agreeing it will clamp down on terrorism while expediting the border-crossing process for legitimate Canadian and American travellers and businesses.

The Australia Department of Immigration and Citizenship announced they will perform an evaluation of the Professional Year visa program in 2011-2012. The evaluation will assess if the Professional Year visa is achieving its original objectives and also identify potential improvements to the immigration program.