Newsletter archive

This week, US president George Bush is visiting India , and one of the topics for discussion is likely to be immigration. Considering that major Indian IT companies depend on H1B visas for easy movement of their workers for their outsourcing businesses, it is very likely that raising the H1B visa cap will be discussed. Bush has said that the limits should be raised to meet the shortage of technical workers in the US. The H1B is a temporary visa that allows technical specialists and other professionals with at least a college degree to work up to six years in the US. The US embassy in India issued almost two-thirds of all H1B visas given worldwide in 2005. US companies such as Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard have been lobbying Congress to increase the H1B quota, despite opposition from US labour groups. However, nothing significant has happened...

The UK announced its long-anticipated points-based immigration system this week. The new system is based on five tiers of immigration, which will divide potential immigrants according to their qualifications and other factors. The immigrants' age, previous income level and other factors will be taken into account in awarding points.

Tiers 2-5 will require proof of sponsorship from an employer or school. Sponsors will also be evaluated in the new system. The government says the new system is objective and straightforward, since it is clear how many points will be awarded for a given attribute, and how these attributes can be combined together to gain enough points to make an application. The Home Office states that the new system will not be in place until mid-2007 at the earliest. Please tell us what you think of the new system by posting a comment to...

Since the UK announced its new points-based system of immigration, we have received numerous comments and questions. This issue of the newsletter is devoted to addressing some of your questions and comments. We hope you will find this useful.

Is the new points based immigration system currently in effect?

No. According to the Home Office, the old system Highly Skilled Migrant Programme and work permit schemes will remain in effect until at least the middle of 2007.

Is the new system based on the US immigration system?

No, the US does not use a points-based immigration system. If anything, the new UK system resembles the Australian and Canadian immigration systems, which also have a points based system. However, the UK system is different as it tries to also include people who come under temporary schemes under the points based system.

The scheme...

The UK last week released detailed information on its new points-based immigration system. We have since received many questions and comments regarding the new system, and to address these have created a special edition of our video news explaining some of the most frequently asked questions. You can view this video here .

The UK Home Office has announced important changes in the Immigration Rules, which will affect many people applying to remain* in the UK. The changes will take effect from 3 April this year. workpermit.com can help you apply for permanent residence . The changes, in summary, are:

For all employment-related categories of entry to the UK, and those who have entered under the Ancestry category, the qualifying period for permanent residence is now five years. Previously it was four years.

The initial period of stay in the...

New changes to Permanent Residence/Indefinite Leave to Remain are taking place. Make sure your application is in this week! Apply by March 31. workpermit.com can help you apply for permanent residence. We are OISC registered and can submit your UK visa application by Friday.

After a weekend of protest marches in the US where hundreds of thousands took the streets all over the country to protest against recent government legislations and proposals, the US Senate takes up the hot topic of immigration reform legislation. In the hot seat is US President George W. Bush, who faces another test of leadership. workpermit.com has summarized the complicated issues the president is facing in the coming weeks.

1. Bush's proposal of a temporary worker program passed the Senate Judiciary Committee, March 27, 12 votes in favour to 6, but the measure of the bill goes to the full...