Immigration newsletter 05 Sep 2012

Some UK visas can take months to be processed by UK Immigration or you may have to attend in person at the public enquiry office to have your application processed.  We are OISC registered and if you are already in the UK can submit your UK visa application to UKBA to be dealt with on the same day! Please note that we only have a limited number of slots at UKBA each week, so it is best to apply as far in advance as possible. Call the London Office on 0344 991 9222 for further details.    

Figures released on 30th August 2012, show that net UK immigration in 2011 fell by 36,000 from the 2010 figure. The fall was caused in part by a rise in the numbers of UK citizens leaving the country. In 2011, 232,000 people came to the UK to study. If you would like to apply for a UK visa workpermit.com can help. Please feel free to contact us for further details.

Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Kenney has reviewed the performance of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) in the last year. 

He said improvements included 
 

• Proposals to change the Federal Skilled Workers Program (including a proposal to favour immigrants under 35)
• A proposal to create a new Federal Skilled Trades Program
• The Reform of the asylum system to make it 'fast and fair' and to combat people smuggling and
• Increasing the numbers of  refugees admitted by 20%.

Mr Kenney says 'we are continuing to make changes to create a faster, more flexible immigration system.'

Australia is currently undergoing its largest immigration drive in 40 years. The country is seeking skilled workers in many different fields. It plans to grant residency to 190,000 skilled migrants and members of their families in 2012-2013. If you believe that you have the required level of expertise and wish to emigrate to Australia please send your detailed CV/Resume to Ozvisa@workpermit.com  

The United Kingdom Border Agency has stripped London Metropolitan University of its Highly Trusted Sponsor status because of weaknesses in its systems for monitoring international students. This means that the university can no longer teach students from outside the European Economic Area. 

Non-European students currently studying at LMU will have to leave the United Kingdom within 60 days of receiving notification from the UKBA unless they can find an alternative university place. About 2,600 students are affected. Immigration minister, Damian Green said that the government would try to help genuine students to find new courses.

New Zealand immigration minister Nathan Guy has said that New Zealand welcomes immigrants, temporary workers and students. In a speech, he said that immigration would be vital in rebuilding the city of Christchurch after the 2011 earthquake.  He said that the rebuilding would require thousands of skilled immigrant workers. Over 300 temporary work visas have already been granted to tradespeople with the necessary skills. Mr Guy said New Zealand will also encourage more students to study in Christchurch by allowing them to work for up to 20 hours per week.

The United Kingdom's Home Secretary, Theresa May, has announced a crackdown on sham marriages. Mrs May says she will legislate to allow the UK Border Agency to delay a wedding involving a non-EU national if investigators suspect it is bogus. The wedding will only be permitted if the UKBA is satisfied that the relationship is genuine. A vicar was jailed last year after conducting 300 fraudulent marriage ceremonies.

There are fears that countries neighbouring Syria may close their borders following a sharp increase in the numbers of refugees. Over 214,000 Syrians have registered as refugees in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq since the start of the conflict. Turkish and Jordanian ministers have requested international help. There are 74,000 refugees in Turkey. The figure is projected to rise to over 200,000. At least 70,000 refugees have arrived in Jordan, Jordanian minister Samih Maaytah said 'This crisis needs an international response.'