Immigration newsletter 15 Feb 2012

The Tier 1 Post Study Work Visa route will close on 6 April 2012. Under this visa, students are able to work in the UK for 2 years following graduation. There will be a new Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa.  However, hardly anyone will qualify for this. If you wish to apply under Tier 1 PSW you should apply sooner rather than later.

The UK Border Agency has announced proposed fee increases for UK visa and nationality applications. Immigration Minister Damien Green said the new fees will come into effect from 6 April 2012. In most cases fees will increase by only 2 percent, but there will be much larger increases on visa fees for certain immigration routes. It will also be more expensive for organisations in the UK that wish to employ immigrants to become sponsors. Apply soon to avoid these changes!

UK immigration has announced new rules that UK immigration says will reduce abuse of the student visa route. UK Immigration Minister Damian Green announced the complete list of changes on 13 February 2012. “It is vital that we continue to attract the brightest and the best international students, but we have to be more selective about who can come here and how long they can stay,” said Green.

Health care and social assistance workers are increasingly needed in Australia. The health care industry is one of Australia's largest industries and employs approximately 1.2 million people, accounting for around 11 percent of the total Australian workforce. Interested applicants can apply under the General Skilled Migration Program. Applicants will need to meet the basic requirements for General Skilled Migration, pass the Australian immigration Points Test, and pass an occupation skills assessment to qualify for an Australian visa.

US Immigration officials announced this week the appointment of a new public advocate in charge of addressing questions and complaints about immigration law-enforcement policies. A public advocate is a governmental position similar to an ombudsman. They are a government official who investigates citizens' complaints against the government.

Canada is a very popular destination for Indian immigrants. An increasing number of Indians are immigrating to Canada to attend university and work in skilled professions. Many emigrate to Canada under permanent immigration programs. Others who do not qualify for skilled immigration right away may qualify for a permanent visa at a later date.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada is set to visit Malaysian cities this month to encourage Malaysian students to emigrate to Canada to study. Canadian immigration officers will be present at all of the fairs to provide information on student visa applications for Canada. There will also be representatives from Canadian universities to answer student's questions about the University admission requirements.

The number of UK Tier 1 investor visas being issued has increased steadily over the last three years. The number of visas issued has increased from 43 in 2008 to 320 in 2011. The Investor visa category was introduced in April 2008 and allows high net-worth individuals with at least £1 million to invest in the UK to enter and remain in the country for three years. They are seen as a fast-track process for wealthy foreign nationals to acquire UK citizenship.