Immigration newsletter 15 Oct 2013

We would like to remind you that we can help with many UK applications including Tier 2 visas and Tier 1 visas for entrepreneurs and investors.

If you are in the UK with a Tier 1 (Post-Study Work) visa, we can help switch to a Tier 2 (General) skilled worker visa. We can even help you to find a Tier 2 sponsor. We also help with sponsorship licences for Tier 2 and Tier 5 employers and for 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?

UK government unveils new immigration bill

The UK’s government has revealed details of an immigration bill which should become law later this year. Many of the provisions of the bill are aimed at cutting illegal immigration.

Banks will be required to check that prospective account holders are not immigration offenders. And there will be increased penalties for those who enter into sham marriages in order to acquire UK residence. The government will also remove several possible grounds of appeal against deportation. The bill will also require migrants to pay for healthcare received on the National Health Service.

Kiribati man claims to be 'climate refugee'

A man from the Pacific island republic of Kiribati is to appeal to the New Zealand High Court arguing that he is a refugee because of climate change. Kiribati is a nation comprising 32 coral islands in the Pacific Ocean. As sea levels have risen, the islands have begun to flood more frequently and the man argues that it is no longer safe for his children to live there. His lawyers will argue that, because climate change is man-made, he is suffering ‘indirect persecution’ and should be granted asylum.

UK Permanent Residence and Family Members

If you apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK before October 28th you will not need to pass both the Life in the UK test and an English language test. After October 28th, you will. Give us a call at our London Office on 0344 991 9222 today and we will help you apply and beat the deadline.

60% of Western Australian population growth caused by immigration

The population of Western Australia grew by 82,600, in the year to March. 63% of this rise is caused by foreign workers with ‘457’ temporary work visas. Most of these workers work in natural resource projects in the north west of the state. 457 visas last for four years. Visa holders are allowed to bring their family with them.

New rules on studying in UK welcomed by English teachers

A change to the UK’s immigration rules means that people in the UK with visitor visas are now allowed to study while in the country providing that their course lasts for 30 days or less. Many English language schools have welcomed the change saying that business could increase by well over 10%.

Industry body English UK says that the change could be 'very significant' for English tutors. Business schools and universities which offer short courses to business clients should also benefit from the changes. Workpermit.com can help you find a course.

UK campaign telling immigrants to 'go home' was not offensive

The UK's Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has ruled that a UK government advertising campaign telling illegal immigrants to 'go home or face arrest' was not offensive or irresponsible.

The advertising campaign ran for a week in London in July. Posters carrying the message were driven through London boroughs with high levels of immigration on the back of lorries.

The chief executive of the ASA Guy Parker said 'Although distasteful to some, we've ruled that the Home Office ad wasn't offensive or harmful. But it was misleading. All advertisers, including Government, have to stick to the rules so we can trust the ads we see and hear'. A spokesman for the Home Office said ‘we can confirm that the poster will not be used again in its current format'.