Immigration newsletter 26 Jun 2014

Do you have a professional level contract in the UK paying at least £180 per day? If so, we can help you find a sponsor and obtain a UK Tier 2 (General) skilled worker visa. It is easier to switch if you already have a Tier 1 PSW visa or Tier 4 student visa or Tier 2 Visa. The UK Tier 1 Entrepreneur scheme may also be an option. Why not contact the London office for further details.

UK Immigration Solicitor needed - Call the UK office on 0344 991 9222

Poll: Rich Chinese want to emigrate

A poll of Chinese millionaires reveals that 65% of them want to gain permanent residence abroad. They want a better education for their children and are concerned about corruption, pollution and instability in China.

There has been spectacular economic growth in China in the last 35 years, but also increases in disease and extreme weather. Wealthy Chinese applicants are responsible for many of the investor visa applications in a number of countries around the world including Australia, Canada, the United States and in Europe.

UK to relax visa restrictions for Chinese nationals

Speaking during a state visit by Chinese premier Li Keqiang, the UK Home Secretary, Theresa May, has announced reforms of the visa regime for Chinese nationals. There will be 12 new visa offices in China, and a new 24-hour express visa service in major cities.

Last week the Chinese ambassador to the UK, Liu Xiaoming, warned that Chinese investors were avoiding the UK because of difficulties in obtaining visas.

US immigration says L-1B visa process is 'too subjective'

A US government report claims that immigration staff have difficulty in assessing L-1B visa applications in a consistent fashion.

L-1B visas allow international companies to transfer staff who have ‘specialized knowledge’ to work in the US. But, the report says, US immigration has no set definition of what constitutes specialized knowledge. Instead, individual adjudicators decide applications on a case-by-case basis.

International firms have complained in recent years that it has become much harder to obtain L-1B visas.

Australia Immigration Opportunities

Australia has some of the best skilled immigration programs in the World. We can ensure that your Australian visa applications are dealt with competently and efficiently so maximising your chances of success. We can help with Skilled Independent and State sponsored visas and a number of other Australian visa categories.

US World Cup squad drawn into immigration debate

The US World Cup football team was dragged into the US debate on immigration reform recently when Nancy Pelosi, a senior Democrat supporter of reform, claimed that the team had been strengthened by immigration. Opponents of reform accused Ms Pelosi of misleading people, pointing out that all eleven were native-born Americans.

This was technically true. All had US nationality at birth but half the team was born overseas with one American parent. Much of the rest of the team consists of players who were born in the US while their foreign parents were staying there. One commentator said the team ‘reflects America’s immigrant heritage’.

Survey: UK split on attitude to immigration

A recent poll reveals that the UK is deeply divided in its attitudes to immigration. The 2014 British Social Attitudes Survey has found that younger people, Londoners and those with university degrees tend to think of immigration as positive whereas the elderly, those living outside London and those with little education tend to see it as negative.

77% of people say they are concerned about the level of immigration. The survey warns that those in positions of power should take care not to ignore the views of the populace.

Pope refuses to meet migrants in church

Pope Francis has refused to meet migrants who had taken sanctuary in a church in Rome. The 120 migrants from Africa and Eastern Europe had been evicted from a squat and had asked the pope to grant them asylum in the Vatican.

The pope visited the church where the migrants were sheltering on Thursday 19th June but refused to meet them. This was an unconnected visit. The pope, who is seen as a champion of the oppressed, apparently wished to avoid making a 'political gesture'.