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As workpermit.com readers know, Australia is currently concentrating on attracting skilled immigrants, and has substantially raised its immigration numbers this year. Australia , however, may have to accept tens of thousands of unskilled migrants to save its smaller Pacific island neighbours from economic ruin, a report commissioned by the Federal Government has found. The report argues that the plight of the island nations has become so dire that urgent remedies are necessary to keep them viable. The tiny states of Nauru, Kiribati and Tuvalu are cited as the economies most in need of a migration fix. But the report also points to Melanesian nations like Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, with their larger populations.

Two films examining immigrant life in America, the Hispanic teen drama "Quinceanera" and the Sudanese refugee documentary "God Grew Tired of Us," won...

France is considering an immigration system based on points as favored by many countries of the world. France's interior minister will submit a proposal this week that outlines an immigration system that makes it simpler for skilled and educated applicants to immigrate to France, and make it easier to expel unwanted foreign workers. Among other things, it calls for the creation of a grading system for students and workers that gives rankings depending on the country of origin and the field of work and study. For example, a three-year residence permit would be given to highly-skilled foreign workers who would be especially able to contribute to France's economy. Foreign students who wish to enroll in a study program that is deemed under-attended will be given priority in obtaining a study visa. Foreigners living in France 10 years without the right papers will no longer be given a...

The EU, along with several eastern European countries which are EU members, is calling on the US to allow visa-free travel with all EU member states. Citizens of western European countries can currently travel to the US without a visa, but Washington still requires visas from eastern European countries - even those that have joined the EU and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. The discrimination particularly annoys countries like Poland and Hungary, which have supported the US by sending troops to Iraq and Afghanistan, and whose citizens are very pro-American, unlike much of western Europe. The US administration has said that these countries do not yet meet the technical requirements for visa-free travel, in particular a visa rejection rate of less than 3 per cent, a reduction in the number of their citizens who overstay visas in the US and the adoption of biometric...

Please note that our video this week is a special feature on the medical profession, with information for doctors, nurses and dentists in particular.

Canada's new immigration minister this week announced to the press his plans for the future of immigration in Canada. Monte Solberg said his initial priorities are to cut the $975 immigrant landing fee; to introduce new legislation to ease foreign adoptions; and to create a new federal agency to assist newcomers in getting their education and previous work experience recognized. He said the new Conservative government does not plan to restrict immigrant family reunification or change the overall annual target number for newcomers. He did say, however, that Canada may have to focus on attracting immigrants who can help ease labour shortages. Solberg is considering working with provinces and industries, especially the resource sector, to get more targeted,...