Immigration newsletter 30 Dec 2011

Firstly, we would like to take this opportunity to remind you that Australian immigration from 1 July 2012 will be introducing significant changes to their skilled migration program. If you wish to come under the current skilled immigration programme you should apply for a skills assessment as soon as possible.  You need to be ready with your skills assessment and, have passed the English language test before you can submit your immigration application.  It could take many months for you to be ready to submit your immigration application.

Also, there are only 500 visas per occupation under the Canadian Federal skilled worker category. The program is for tradespeople, professionals and other skilled migrants who are not sponsored by an employer and have skills in occupations listed on the Priority Occupation List for the Canadian skilled worker visa category.

The 2012 Olympic Games are fast approaching; It is expected that there will be a huge increase in the number of visitors travelling to London to watch the games and take part in the festivities. Beginning 1 January 2012 UK immigration will start processing visitor visas for those coming from outside the UK to watch the Olympic and Paralympic Games.  Not everyone will need a visit visa. Normally, this is only required for nationals of Countries who already require a visit visa to visit the UK.

Canadian immigration has now shortened the procedures needed for foreign live-in caregivers to obtain permanent resident status and has also announced several changes which they say will protect the caregivers from abusive employers. Canadian Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney stated the changes were the Canadian government's response to reports of abuse to foreign caregivers by their employers.

The economic meltdown has contributed to a 19 percent rise in immigration rates to Germany in the first half of 2011. The federal statistics office revealed that 435,000 people had arrived on German soil within the first six months. The majority of countries seeing increased rates of emigration to Germany have been those that have been the hardest hit by the EU financial crisis.

Following the Beyond the Border announcement made by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and US President Barack Obama earlier this month, flying to the US from Canada will soon become faster and more convenient. Canadian immigration officials announced last week that beginning in February, eight Canadian airports will allow Canadians to use Nexus cards as proof of identity to expedite security clearance checks for frequent travellers at US border crossings.

A public opinion survey conducted by Transatlantic Trends has shown that the public perception of immigration is largely positive - many of the people surveyed being pleased with the benefits immigration can bring.

The US and five European countries were polled in the fourth-annual Transatlantic Trends survey. The results showed that 56 percent of US citizens and 52 percent of Europeans are optimistic about the cultural integration of immigrants and support immigration of highly educated immigrants.

A recent report by the National Foundation for American Policy has revealed that Indian immigrants to the US have contributed to the founding of almost 50 percent of the top level venture-backed companies in the United States.

The findings indicate that immigrants are not just interested in a work permit and a country to settle in, but are keen and determined to shape the entire American business landscape.