Immigration newsletter 21 Aug 2013

This year, workpermit.com celebrates 25 years in business. We have helped thousands of people to move to the UK and around the world. We can help with many UK applications including Tier 2 visas  Tier 1 visas forentrepreneurs and investors, citizenship and Indefinite Leave to Remain. We also help withsponsorship licences for Tier 2 and Tier 5 employers and help with Tier 4 student visas.  We can also help with applications for Canada, Australia, the US and many other countries. Our expert staff are ready to help so why not give us a call now for a free consultation?. 

Canada - Quebec immigration seeks nurses

It is now easier for nurses to qualify for Canadian permanent resident visas under the Quebec Skilled Worker Program. To qualify, single applicants must score 49 points against a points grid. 

A maximum of 16 points can be awarded for professional training. Under the old system, nursing professionals scored only 12 points. They now receive 16 points. This makes it easier for nurses to qualify, even if they do not speak French, the official language of Quebec.

Immigration responsible for much of UK population growth

Newly released figures show that the UK's population rose by 419,900 in the year to June 2012. Of this rise, about 40% - 165,000 people - was caused by immigration and the rest by an increased birth rate. But this too is partly down to immigration.  Many of the babies born were born to foreign-born mothers.

There were 813,200 births over the year. More than 25% of these had mothers born outside the UK.
The UK's independent Office for Budget Responsibility says that the UK needs 7m more immigrants over the next 50 years to replace a disappearing workforce.

Inspector says UK immigration is making 'good progress' on visas

The UK's independent chief inspector of immigration, John Vine, has congratulated UK immigration for improvements to the service it offers to applicants for UK visas. Inspectors carried out spot checks at the Croydon Public Enquiry Office in 2012 to follow up on earlier inspections in 2010. 

In 2010, inspectors found that UK immigration promised a 'same day' service on its website but usually dealt with applications on the day after applications were made.Mr Vine notes that by 2013, 91.5% of customers were now receiving a same day decision.

Advisor warns UK government against 'spectacle' immigration policy

Dr Martin Ruhs, an immigration advisor to the UK government, has warned the government against policies which 'have an element of spectacle'. Dr Ruhs, an economist at Oxford University, sits on the independent Migration Advisory Committee. Dr Ruhs was speaking after two controversial Home Office initiatives. On 22nd July 2013, the Home Office launched an advertising campaign advising illegal immigrants to 'go home or face arrest'. 

Then, on 1st August 2013, immigration officers visited several London underground stations and arrested about 140 suspected illegal immigrants. An eye-witness at one operation in London said that it seemed that police and immigration officers were 'stopping and questioning every non-white person'. Dr Ruhs says that these sorts of policies are considered unacceptable by many people and are not particularly effective.

UK Home Secretary criticised for censoring immigration report

Opposition politicians and immigration activists have criticised the UK's Home Secretary after she censored a report by the country's Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration. The report looks at the way UK immigration officers cooperate with their French and Belgian counterparts to prevent illegal immigration.  The Home Secretary, Theresa May ordered 15 entries to be cut. She is entitled to make such cuts on national security grounds. 

The shadow immigration minister, Chris Bryant, said 'this is a cover-up to hide her own failings’.The report also contains an uncensored recommendation that UK immigration officers should fingerprint those caught attempting to enter the UK illegally. The immigration minister, Stephen Harper, said that fingerprinting is time consuming but that the matter was under review.