Newsletter archive

India and Nigeria have reacted angrily to a UK plan to introduce £3,000 ‘security bonds’ for visitors from six ‘high risk countries’. A pilot scheme will begin in November. ‘High risk’ visitors from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nigeria and Ghana will be asked to pay £3,000 which will only be repaid if visitors leave the UK before their visas expire. Theresa May, the UK’s Home Secretary says that, if the pilot is successful, the scheme may be extended to cover student and work visas. However, there has been an angry response from the Nigerian government. Nigeria’s Foreign Minister warned that a planned bilateral trade deal could be at risk if the scheme goes ahead. The Indian trade minister also warned that trade with the UK could be affected.

Australian television has broadcast claims that Indian outsourcing company Tata Consulting Services (TCS), routinely abused Australia’s subclass 457 temporary work...

Comprehensive immigration reform in the US came a step closer on 28th June when the Senate passed a comprehensive immigration reform act. The Act still needs to be passed by the House of Representatives to become law. The Act would create a 'pathway to citizenship' allowing many of the US’s 11.5m illegal immigrants to become citizens. It would also greatly increase the number of H-1B temporary work visas available and allow many foreign graduates of US universities with advanced degrees to apply for US green cards . The House of Representatives will vote on the bill in July. It will need at least 60% support to become law. Even if all 201 Democrats support the bill to make up the 261 voltes needed at least 60 Republicans must also vote for the bill. Many Republicans oppose reform so this is not assured.

The mayor...

Republican members of the US House of Representatives met on 10th July to discuss the comprehensive immigration reform bill passed by the Democrat-controlled Senate last month. Many Representatives spoke against the bill. To become law, the bill must gain 60% support in the House, which is controlled by the Republicans. Republicans oppose the bill because of its central provision; the creation of 'a pathway to citizenship' for many of the 11.5m immigrants living in the US illegally.

Pope Francis has travelled to the Mediterranean island of Lampedusa to call on Catholics to be compassionate for economic migrants and refugees. Lampedusa is an Italian island 70 miles off the Tunisian coast. 200,000 Africans have landed there since 1999 and many others have drowned on the way. The pope said the migrants travel seeking a better place for themselves and for their families. The fact that this was his...

As predicted by workpermit.com in June, Canada ’s Quebec Immigrant Investor Program is to reopen on 1st August 2013. It will be open until 16th August and accept 1,750 applications. Workpermit.com can help you with your application. Applicants must have at least CAN$1,600,000 in assets and invest $800,000 for five years in an approved investment fund. You must also have two years’ management experience and fulfil certain other criteria. Why not get in touch with us on canvisa@workpermit.com for further details.

A leading UK tech company has said that it may have to move parts of its operations overseas because it has become too difficult to bring in skilled staff with Tier 2 (General) skilled worker visas . Alex Cheatle, the founder of Ten Group, told the Financial Times 'If you cannot recruit managers for a team here, you have to...

The Province of Quebec in Canada has announced that the Quebec Skilled Worker Program will be reformed from August 1st 2013. The new QSWP will accept only 20,000 applications from people without Quebec job offers each year. Successful applicants will receive a Canadian permanent resident visa. From August onwards, applicants will receive no points for language ability unless they speak and understand French to an intermediate level. Priority will be given to certain professions including doctors, dentists, nurses, engineers and tradespeople. For further information see our website.

The UK government has announced several proposals to tackle illegal immigration which may become law later this year. The main proposal is to double the maximum fine for employers who employ illegal workers from £10,000 to £20,000. Fines will be recoverable from directors if a company is dissolved before the fine is paid. Immigration minister Mark...