Immigration newsletter 21 Mar 2012

Firstly, the UK Border Agency announced last month 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 larger increases on visa fees for certain immigration routes. Including an increase in Tier 2 visas from £400 to £480 and Tier 4 visas will increase from £255 to £289 for students and their dependents.  You should apply soon to avoid the Government fee increases.

If you are interested in studying in the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, or Australia we can help. If you complete our student immigration enquiry form one of our representatives will be happy to contact you to let you know about the immigration process and possible colleges in the Country of your choice. 

US Customs and Border Protection announced on 5 March the expansion of the Global Entry program to four additional US airports in Minneapolis, Charlotte, Denver, and Phoenix. Global Entry is a program that allows expedited immigration clearance through automated kiosks for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the US. The program is available to US citizens and US lawful permanent residents, Canadian citizens, pre-approved Mexican nationals, and Dutch citizens.

Following UK Immigration Minister Damian Green’s comments that UK companies need to wean themselves off their ‘addiction’ to hiring overseas workers, UK Business organisation London First reiterated how important skilled immigrant workers are to the UK economy, specifically London’s economy. The organisation claims stricter immigration rules are hurting the economy.

According to Australian-based private educational chain Navitas Workforce Solutions, only one in two overseas-trained engineers can get work in their field. In order to address this issue they have teamed up with Engineers Australia to create a new program focusing not only on aspects of technical training but also workplace culture, communication and job-finding skills for Australian immigrant engineers. Engineers Australia is a national group of more than 85,000 members working in all disciplines of the engineering industry.

Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council launched a the Professional Immigrant Networks website last month to help connect immigrants with jobs. Financed by Citizenship and Immigration Canada as well as Scotiabank, the networking site will connect various groups of skilled immigrant workers with Greater Toronto Area firms.

The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry is pushing for the US to ease B-1/B-2 visit  requirements for United Arab Emirates nationals to make it easier for them to visit the US. Hamad Buamim, director-general of Dubai Chamber, stated that such a move would allow the two countries to become better trading partners. Currently, US citizens are granted visas on arrival in the UAE, but UAE nationals must apply for a US tourist B-1/B-2 visit visa prior to travelling to the US.

Unite the Union, Britain's biggest worker's union, has urged UK immigration to drop reforms of Tier 5 domestic worker visas that were announced by the Home Office on 29 February. They claim that such changes will disadvantage migrant domestic workers as they may become trapped working for abusive employers. Under the new immigration rules, domestic workers on Tier 5 visas can stay a maximum of 5 years with no ability to change employers or to settle.