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An English language requirement will be introduced as part of the new points-based immigration system coming into effect for the United Kingdom in 2008. Details have not yet been announced, but it is expected that non-European Union immigrants, both skilled and unskilled, will be required to meet certain language requirements to qualify under the new Tiered system. Acceptable levels of English language ability will depend upon the Tier the applicant wishes to immigrate under. A list of accepted English tests will be published in future guidances. The Home Office has also hinted that they may have a language test for immigration based upon family reunification.

Two major changes in German immigration policies have come into effect as of November first. Skilled migrants in electrical and mechanical engineering from the Eastern European nations that joined the European Union in 2004 will now be allowed into Germany without the need to...

We at workpermit.com would like to wish a happy and prosperous Diwali to all. We hope that your celebration of the Festival of Lights this year was joyful!

An unlikely group of countries has come out in support of the proposed European Union Blue Card. France, Italy and Spain, the southern European Union states most affected by illegal immigration, are backing the plan. France's ambassador to the EU praised the Blue Card as a "move forward" in attracting highly skilled migrants into the 27-member bloc of nations. Austria has been keeping the proposal at arms length, and the Finnish Immigration Minister has been questioning exactly how the scheme could work. Highly skilled immigrants make up less than 1% of the EU work force, something that proponents of the Blue Card hope to change.

The new points system to be rolled out in the United Kingdom during 2008 might...

Immigration into and emigration out of the United Kingdom is continuing to break records, according to figures just released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). An estimated 591,000 people from around the world came into Britain for at least one year during 2006, compared to 563,000 for 2005. However, the actual net migrant inflow decreased from the previous year due to record numbers of people leaving the country. The 400,000 people who left the UK last year were one of the contributory factors that resulted in the lowest population growth figure for the country in three years.

New Zealand continues to experience a slow-down in immigration while, at the same time, increasing numbers of New Zealand citizens are leaving the country, in large part due to more favorable economic conditions in Australia. The average annual net increase has been 12,200 migrants coming into the country, as recorded for...

The United States Diversity Visa 2009 Green Card Lottery is open for only a few more days. It will close on Sunday, December 2nd, 12:00 noon EST. Applications MUST be submitted online. workpermit.com offers services to evaluate and submit your entry for you. It is strongly advised that people not wait until the last day, since the servers may be too busy to process all applications on time.

UK Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, is promoting the need for up to 5 million new immigrants to meet Britain's labor needs during the next ten years. He also said that Britain must "create a stronger sense that residence and citizenship means responsibilities too." The government is preparing for major changes to immigration policy to take effect from February of next year. A new Australian-style points system will be implemented, and biometric ID cards for foreign nationals will become mandatory. It is...