Immigration newsletter 24 Dec 2013

Are you in the UK with a Tier 1 (Post Study Work) visa or Tier 4 Student visa? Are you working or have found work in the UK – perhaps in banking or IT? Unfortunately many employers are unable or unwilling to sponsor foreign workers.

Providing you have found suitable work, we can help you find a Tier 2 sponsor and transfer to the Tier 2 (General) skilled worker visa stream. The requirements are easier if you are switching from a Tier 1 PSW or Tier 4 Student visa (at degree level) to a Tier 2 Visa.

If you have a contract or employment and would like help finding a sponsor call the London office on 0344 991 9222 or email us at uk@workpermit.com

Cyprus immigration lowers cost of 'fast track citizenship'

The Cypriot department of immigration has cut the cost of its Fast Track Citizenship program, also known as 'economic citizenship'. The main change was introduced to placate Russians who had lost money when the Cypriot government grabbed 40% of all deposits for themselves in two of Cyprus's largest banks.

There are now several different ways of qualifying for Cypriot citizenship by making investments in Cyprus. There is no requirement that you should be resident in Cyprus to qualify though you must have a property there.

Senior Democrat predicts Republican 'cave in' on US immigration reform

Harry Reid, the leader of the Democrats in the US Senate, has predicted that John Boehner, the speaker of the House of Representatives ('The House'), will eventually 'cave in' and allow a vote on the proposed immigration reform legislation.

If Mr Boehner were to do so, there is a good chance that The Act, which has already been passed by the Senate, will become law.

Report slams UK immigration's 'damaging' student policy

A report by a leading UK think tank has criticised the UK government's immigration policy saying that it is damaging the country's reputation as a leading destination for international students. The report recommends that students should be allowed to stay and work in the UK for six months after graduation on their Tier 4 student visa before having to transfer to another visa.

The report, Britain Wants You (Why the UK Should Commit to Increasing International Student Numbers) is published by the Institute for Public Policy Research, a left-of-centre policy research organisation. It concedes that there is 'widespread public anxiety' about immigration in the UK.

UK PM admits Government unlikely to meet immigration reduction target'

The UK's Prime Minister, David Cameron, has told journalists that it is likely that his government will not meet its target of reducing net immigration to the UK to 'tens of thousands' (taken to mean below 100,000) by 2015. Last week, the latest immigration figures showed that, immigration in the year to June 2013 rose by 15,000 to 182,000.

Mr Cameron said that immigration had fallen by about a third from the level it reached under the last Labour government of the UK when official figures suggested that net immigration ran at 250,000 a year.

UK immigration accused of disrupting concerts

Music promoters have complained that UK immigration is making it harder for international musicians to get visas to work in the UK. They say that the UK's Home Office has refused to issue visas on several occasions to internationally renowned artistes.

This has resulted in the cancellation of concerts. They say that this may well damage London's reputation as a venue for world music concerts.