Immigration newsletter 29 Nov 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. We are OISC registered and, if you are already in the UK, we can submit your visa application and get it processed on the same day!

Please note that we only have a limited number of slots each week, so it is advisable to apply as early as possible. Call our London Office on 0344 991 9222 for further details. 

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.  Australia welcomes many immigrants from India and the UK.

Among the skilled migrants that Australia is seeking are tradespeople, medical staff and engineers. 
If you have the right skills and wish to emigrate to Australia please send your detailed CV/Resume to Ozvisa@workpermit.com

President Obama says he wants to reform the US skilled immigration system, after winning the US presidential election. The president said he is particularly keen to change the law to allow science graduates to stay in the US and start businesses.However, in the US, the immigration debate invariably centres on the issue of illegal immigration from Latin America.

There are about 11m illegal immigrants living in the US. About 9m are from Latin America.  There are also 50m US voters of Hispanic descent. Commentators believe that Hispanics mostly voted for Mr Obama because of the Republicans anti-illegal immigration policy at the election.This leads commentators to believe that Republicans may now cooperate to reform the US immigration system to try to regain Hispanic support in future elections.

We would like to draw your attention to the EU Blue Card Network, a new web facility that could help you get a Blue Card. The EU Blue Card is the EU's equivalent of the United States 'green card'. It allows non-EU nationals to live and work in the EU.

To apply, you need,  

• A higher education qualification
• And an EU work contract.

The card entitles you to work anywhere in the EU apart from Denmark, Ireland and the UK. If you don't already have an EU job, then the Blue Card Network could help you find one. You can register with the Blue Card Network website and create a profile and CV. Then, EU recruiters can browse the database and may invite you to an interview. If you get a job offer you can then apply for your EU Blue Card. The application process takes about three months

Canadian immigration minister Jason Kenney has awarded permanent Canadian resident status to about 150 people after a computer error led to them wrongly being given visas. The error emerged when a Moroccan family arrived at Montreal airport on 16th November. When they arrived, they were told the visas were invalid. 

A computer check revealed the error. Mr Kenney said it would be wrong to remove their visas now.  
About 150 people were affected by the computer glitch. All will be granted Canadian permanent resident status if they want.  

Children's charity Save the Children has warned that 200,000 Syrian children are facing hardship this winter in refugee camps. The United Nations believes at least 400,000 Syrians now live in refugee camps in neighbouring countries because of the war. 

Many refugees left home with only one set of clothing which is inadequate for the coming winter.  Some have no bedding. In winter at night the temperature often falls below freezing. Save the Children said the children urgently need assistance to help them survive the winter.