On Tuesday 11 May 2010 David Cameron leader of the Conservative Party became the new UK Prime Minister in a new Conservative and Liberal Democrat Coalition Government. The Conservatives are the biggest Party in Parliament with 306 seats; However, they did not gain enough seats to achieve an overall majority on their own. After the General Election results of 7 May 2010 the Liberal Democrats seeing an opportunity to be part of a new Government started negotiations with the Conservatives and after a few days reached an agreement on forming a Coalition Government. Nick Clegg of the Liberal Democrats has become the Deputy Prime Minister with five of the top twenty Government Cabinet posts going to the Liberal Democrats.
The New Home Secretary Theresa May had the following to say about immigration policy:
[There will be] "...an annual limit on the number of economic migrants from outside the European Union...".
As well as the introduction of an immigration cap on economic migrants from outside the EU the new Conservative/Liberal Democrat Government will be making the following policy changes:
There will be an Emergency Budget within 50 days – The current UK budget deficit is about £160 billion (about US$230 Billion) which is considered to be far too high. The new Government intends to cut spending by £6 billion a year.
There will be a substantial rise in income tax allowances for lowest paid from April 2011. This will mean that many of the poorest paid workers will pay less tax. However, this will not help those who are currently not working.
There will be increased investment in education to reduce class sizes for children from poorer backgrounds.
There will be a referendum on the Alternative Vote system for general elections. The Liberal Democrats consider this as very important as the current system means that even with 23% of the vote the Liberal Democrats only has 57 MPs in Parliament.
There will be fixed-term Parliaments – The next election is in May 2015. This is of course assuming that the Government remains in power for that long.
In a highly controversial move 55% of MPs will need to vote for the dissolution of Parliament and to trigger an election. Members of Parliament have complained that this makes it too difficult for them as elected representatives to force a Government out of power.
National Health Service (NHS) spending is set to rise in every year of the new Parliament. Politically increasing funding of the State funded public health service is a popular move.
ID cards will be abolished for everyone including for immigrants to the UK. This will reduce the administrative burden on immigrants and others.
There will be a review the long term affordability of public sector pensions. Public sector pensions are very generous compared to pensions in the private sector. There are many who feel that with more and more people living into old age that it is simply not possible to fund such a generous pension scheme.
The link between the state pension and earnings will be restored from April 2011
The aviation passenger duty will be replaced by a plane tax. This is likely to cause further financial difficulties for airlines already hard hit by the disruption caused by the recent Volcanic Ash cloud and mean higher fares for passengers.
There will be no new runways at Heathrow, Gatwick or Stansted. This is likely to mean a loss economically to the UK. There will be lower economic growth and fewer jobs than would otherwise be the case. This decision was taken because of concerns over the environment.
The Liberal Democrats had hoped to bring in a route for earned citizenship for illegal immigrants also known as an "immigration amnesty". This will no longer be happening. One Liberal Democrat policy that will be introduced is an end to detention of children at immigration detention centres. It is generally felt that the Liberal Democrats currently have a more positive view towards immigration than the Conservatives and the Labour Party. With the Liberal Democrats having a significant role in Government, immigration policy is likely to be more pro immigration than would otherwise be the case.
There has so far been no decision on exactly how many economic migrants will be allowed into the UK in the future. The Home Secretary has said that there will be a consultation process after which a decision will be made. The new immigration cap will likely have a significant impact on those who wish to come to the UK under the Tier 1 visa and Tier 2 visa schemes which are the main economic migrant visa categories.
The centre-left Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has in the past said that a limit would be an impracticable. With future improvements in the economy an immigration cap could very well lead to serious skills shortages in the UK.
Sarah Mulley, who wrote the IPPR report, The Limits to Limits, has commented that as a consequence of the cap Premiership football clubs could be prevented from bringing in top foreign players. British companies may be unable to bring in badly needed high level professionals from abroad.
The new Government cap on the number of economic immigrants allowed into the UK will in future make it more difficult to come under the Tier 1 and Tier 2 visa schemes. It seems that in future there will simply not be enough visas for the number of applicants. As already suggested in the past if you meet the requirements for the Tier 1 or Tier 2 visa you should consider applying now before the immigration cap is implemented.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
New Australian Skilled Occupation List (SOL) for Immigration Applications announced
Immigration Minister Chris Evans had previously announced the revocations of the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) from 8 February 2010. Now following advice from the Independent body, Skills Australia a new Skilled Occupation List (SOL) has just been announced. This is due to be implemented on 1 July 2010.
The new immigration reforms are intended to make sure that the Australian skilled immigration program will result in new immigrants who better meets the needs of the Australian economy and the skilled labour needs in Australia.
It is expected that there will be a reduction in the number of independent skilled migrant visas. There will at the same time be an increase in the number of employer sponsored skilled immigration visas. The number of occupations on the skilled occupation list has now been reduced from 400 occupations to 181 occupations. Australian immigration feels that the new list is in keeping with Australia's overall workforce development strategy which was developed with Skills Australia.
If you wish to gain entry to Australia on the new list you will find that the list is focused more on higher skilled level occupations requiring formal education and training. The occupations on the list include managerial, professional, associate-professional and trade occupations. The skilled occupation list will be reviewed on an annual basis. The Australian Government in their recent announcement has said that they are committed "…to a labour market demand-driven skilled migration program…".
The new skilled occupation list will apply to General Skilled Migration applications from 1 July 2010. The exception to this is GSM applicants who at 8 February 2010 come under the following transitional arrangements:
If you held a subclass 485 (skilled graduate) visa or had a pending subclass 485 visa application and you apply for a permanent or provisional onshore GSM visa by 31 December 2012.
On the date of the announcement you had a pending GSM visa application.
If you are an international student who on 8 February 2010 held a subclass 572 (vocational education and training sector) or subclass 573 (higher education sector) or subclass 574 (postgraduate research sector) student visa you will not come under the new skilled occupation list. If you are a student in this situation you can apply for a subclass 485 (skilled graduate) visa using the current SOL as long as you lodge your subclass 485 application by 31 December 2012.
Australian immigration has commented that Australia has "…a well deserved reputation for the delivery of quality education and training…". There may still be opportunities for students to come to Australia and then remain as a permanent immigrant.
The Australian immigration changes mean that fewer people will qualify under the general skilled migration categories. Those that do qualify from 1 July 2010 for skilled immigration will need to have higher level skills or be sponsored by an employer.
The new immigration reforms are intended to make sure that the Australian skilled immigration program will result in new immigrants who better meets the needs of the Australian economy and the skilled labour needs in Australia.
It is expected that there will be a reduction in the number of independent skilled migrant visas. There will at the same time be an increase in the number of employer sponsored skilled immigration visas. The number of occupations on the skilled occupation list has now been reduced from 400 occupations to 181 occupations. Australian immigration feels that the new list is in keeping with Australia's overall workforce development strategy which was developed with Skills Australia.
If you wish to gain entry to Australia on the new list you will find that the list is focused more on higher skilled level occupations requiring formal education and training. The occupations on the list include managerial, professional, associate-professional and trade occupations. The skilled occupation list will be reviewed on an annual basis. The Australian Government in their recent announcement has said that they are committed "…to a labour market demand-driven skilled migration program…".
The new skilled occupation list will apply to General Skilled Migration applications from 1 July 2010. The exception to this is GSM applicants who at 8 February 2010 come under the following transitional arrangements:
If you held a subclass 485 (skilled graduate) visa or had a pending subclass 485 visa application and you apply for a permanent or provisional onshore GSM visa by 31 December 2012.
On the date of the announcement you had a pending GSM visa application.
If you are an international student who on 8 February 2010 held a subclass 572 (vocational education and training sector) or subclass 573 (higher education sector) or subclass 574 (postgraduate research sector) student visa you will not come under the new skilled occupation list. If you are a student in this situation you can apply for a subclass 485 (skilled graduate) visa using the current SOL as long as you lodge your subclass 485 application by 31 December 2012.
Australian immigration has commented that Australia has "…a well deserved reputation for the delivery of quality education and training…". There may still be opportunities for students to come to Australia and then remain as a permanent immigrant.
The Australian immigration changes mean that fewer people will qualify under the general skilled migration categories. Those that do qualify from 1 July 2010 for skilled immigration will need to have higher level skills or be sponsored by an employer.
Friday, May 14, 2010
UK Prime Minister speech on immigration measures
The UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said recently that the UK immigration system is now based on a "controlled and fair" points-based system. Home Secretary Alan Johnson was also present during the speech delivered in Shoreditch, East London.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown also mentioned that unskilled migrant workers from outside the EU will not be allowed entry under the points based system. It should be noted that in many cases dependents and relatives of migrants (who may have gained entry under the points based system) and certain others can work freely in the UK.
The Prime Minister went onto say that better training of British nationals would reduce skills shortages and reduce dependence on immigration of overseas workers. In practice it is frequently impossible to predict future skills needs.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown had the following to say:
'The system we have introduced gives us the ability to secure the skills we need and to secure our borders against those who are not welcome here.
'And I believe the responsible way to debate migration is to debate how we can use this system over the coming years to continue to control migration fairly, to reduce the overall need for migration, while continuing to attract the key people who will make the biggest contribution to the growth of our economy.'
Prime Minister Gordon Brown also said the chef occupation will be removed from the Tier 2 visa shortage occupation list in 2012 and the care worker occupation removed in 2014. It is to be hoped that the Government will reconsider their position on this. Otherwise, both the UK Health Care sector and restaurants could suffer. The UK Labour Party which is currently the ruling Party in the UK has not being doing well in the opinion polls. It remains uncertain whether the Labour Party will still be in a position to decide immigration policy in 2012.
The Prime Minister also said that asylum claims were now to the levels of the early 1990s and that recent figures suggested that net inward migration has fallen from 170,000 in 2007 to 147,000 in 2009.
Sir Michael Scholar UK Statistics Authority chair in a letter to the Prime Minister corrected two errors:
Mr Brown had said that the net inward migration went down from 237,000 in 2007 to 163,000 in 2008. Mr Brown went on to say that net migration went down to 147,000 in 2009.
Sir Michael said that net migration in 2007 was 233,000. He also said that using 147,000 as the net migration figure for 2009 was wrong; This was from a different data set that has yet to be adjusted.
Sir Michael said he hoped all parties would be "careful in their use of statistics" during the election.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown also mentioned that unskilled migrant workers from outside the EU will not be allowed entry under the points based system. It should be noted that in many cases dependents and relatives of migrants (who may have gained entry under the points based system) and certain others can work freely in the UK.
The Prime Minister went onto say that better training of British nationals would reduce skills shortages and reduce dependence on immigration of overseas workers. In practice it is frequently impossible to predict future skills needs.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown had the following to say:
'The system we have introduced gives us the ability to secure the skills we need and to secure our borders against those who are not welcome here.
'And I believe the responsible way to debate migration is to debate how we can use this system over the coming years to continue to control migration fairly, to reduce the overall need for migration, while continuing to attract the key people who will make the biggest contribution to the growth of our economy.'
Prime Minister Gordon Brown also said the chef occupation will be removed from the Tier 2 visa shortage occupation list in 2012 and the care worker occupation removed in 2014. It is to be hoped that the Government will reconsider their position on this. Otherwise, both the UK Health Care sector and restaurants could suffer. The UK Labour Party which is currently the ruling Party in the UK has not being doing well in the opinion polls. It remains uncertain whether the Labour Party will still be in a position to decide immigration policy in 2012.
The Prime Minister also said that asylum claims were now to the levels of the early 1990s and that recent figures suggested that net inward migration has fallen from 170,000 in 2007 to 147,000 in 2009.
Sir Michael Scholar UK Statistics Authority chair in a letter to the Prime Minister corrected two errors:
Mr Brown had said that the net inward migration went down from 237,000 in 2007 to 163,000 in 2008. Mr Brown went on to say that net migration went down to 147,000 in 2009.
Sir Michael said that net migration in 2007 was 233,000. He also said that using 147,000 as the net migration figure for 2009 was wrong; This was from a different data set that has yet to be adjusted.
Sir Michael said he hoped all parties would be "careful in their use of statistics" during the election.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
UK General Election results in Hung Parliament - Immigration Policy may change
Almost all the results have come in for the UK General Election. As expected there have been significant gains for the Conservatives. The Conservatives are expected to increase their MPs in parliament by about a hundred. The Labour Party will lose about ninety seats and the Liberal Democrat will lose about five seats. This means that for the first time in over thirty years there will be a Hung Parliament. No single political party will have enough of a majority to form a Government by themselves.
Percentage share of the vote:
Conservative: 36.2
Labour: 29.1
Liberal Democrat: 22.9
The Conservative or Labour Party will have to reach an agreement with the Liberal Democrats on power sharing. The Liberal Democrats have more liberal views on immigration issues than the other parties. Overall, this may benefit immigrants who wish to come to the UK or remain in the UK.
The current Labour Government remains in place and wishes to strike a deal with the Liberal Democrats to stay in power. The Liberal Democrat Leader in his campaign promise has said that he would prefer to form a Government with the Party who will have the most seats in Parliament which is the Conservative Party. However, a deal with either the Labour or Conservative Party has not been ruled out. Nick Clegg has said the following:
"It is now for the Conservative Party to prove that it is capable of seeking to govern in the national interest."
If the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats form the Government then this may lead to tougher immigration requirements than would be the case if the Labour Party was in Government. It should be remembered that the Conservatives would like to have a quota on the number of immigrants allowed entry to the UK. It is hoped that the Liberal Democrats will have a moderating influence on immigration policy.
If the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats form a Government then we suspect that the Labour Government will continue with their current immigration reforms. Unless the Liberal Democrats exert a considerable degree of influence on immigration policy this may also mean tougher immigration requirements in future.
At the current time it is uncertain who will form the new UK Government. If you meet the requirements for entry to the UK say on a Tier 1 visa or Tier 2 visa or other visa it may be worth reviewing your immigration options right now. It will take some time for a new Government to be formed in the UK. In the meantime, you have an opportunity to come under the current immigration rules. It is not certain when changes for example to the earnings multiplier for Tier 1 visas will occur.
Percentage share of the vote:
Conservative: 36.2
Labour: 29.1
Liberal Democrat: 22.9
The Conservative or Labour Party will have to reach an agreement with the Liberal Democrats on power sharing. The Liberal Democrats have more liberal views on immigration issues than the other parties. Overall, this may benefit immigrants who wish to come to the UK or remain in the UK.
The current Labour Government remains in place and wishes to strike a deal with the Liberal Democrats to stay in power. The Liberal Democrat Leader in his campaign promise has said that he would prefer to form a Government with the Party who will have the most seats in Parliament which is the Conservative Party. However, a deal with either the Labour or Conservative Party has not been ruled out. Nick Clegg has said the following:
"It is now for the Conservative Party to prove that it is capable of seeking to govern in the national interest."
If the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats form the Government then this may lead to tougher immigration requirements than would be the case if the Labour Party was in Government. It should be remembered that the Conservatives would like to have a quota on the number of immigrants allowed entry to the UK. It is hoped that the Liberal Democrats will have a moderating influence on immigration policy.
If the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats form a Government then we suspect that the Labour Government will continue with their current immigration reforms. Unless the Liberal Democrats exert a considerable degree of influence on immigration policy this may also mean tougher immigration requirements in future.
At the current time it is uncertain who will form the new UK Government. If you meet the requirements for entry to the UK say on a Tier 1 visa or Tier 2 visa or other visa it may be worth reviewing your immigration options right now. It will take some time for a new Government to be formed in the UK. In the meantime, you have an opportunity to come under the current immigration rules. It is not certain when changes for example to the earnings multiplier for Tier 1 visas will occur.
Australian Skilled Immigration Visas suspended
Australian immigration has decided to stop the processing of the main general skilled migration visas from 8 May 2010 to 30 June 2010. This temporary suspension includes all primary applicants for the following Australian general skilled migration visas:
Subclass 175 – Skilled Independent;
Subclass 176 – Skilled Sponsored;
Subclass 475 – Skilled Regional Sponsored.
This is a surprising move by the Australian Government and will mean that any immigration applications in the above categories submitted on 8 May 2010 or later will be returned together with the Australian visa application fees. However, other expenses such as fees for medical examinations will not be returned.
Australian immigration feels that under the current immigration system the skilled occupation list does not properly reflect the needs of the Australian economy and labour market. The Australian Government feels that the new skilled occupation list to be announced in May 2010 will be more relevant to Australia's needs. There are also insufficient Australian visas available to meet current demand.
The current suspension on Australian general skilled migration visas will cause problems in a number of industries that depend on skilled migrants. Opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison had the following to say about regional areas affected by the change:
"Particularly the hospitality sector in regional areas, the agricultural sector, those involved in the food processing industry, motor mechanics out in regional areas - I mean the list is very long and it's particularly in trade skill-based occupations."
Australian immigration has made a number of changes to the Australian immigration system over the last year. If you meet the requirements for a particular immigration category in Australia or another Country and wish to apply you should think about applying sooner rather than later for your visa. The economic downturn of about two years ago which fortunately did not affect Australia as much as many other Countries has meant that immigration policies have been reviewed and changed in many Countries around the World. This has meant that many people no longer qualify for immigration to the Country of their choice.
Subclass 175 – Skilled Independent;
Subclass 176 – Skilled Sponsored;
Subclass 475 – Skilled Regional Sponsored.
This is a surprising move by the Australian Government and will mean that any immigration applications in the above categories submitted on 8 May 2010 or later will be returned together with the Australian visa application fees. However, other expenses such as fees for medical examinations will not be returned.
Australian immigration feels that under the current immigration system the skilled occupation list does not properly reflect the needs of the Australian economy and labour market. The Australian Government feels that the new skilled occupation list to be announced in May 2010 will be more relevant to Australia's needs. There are also insufficient Australian visas available to meet current demand.
The current suspension on Australian general skilled migration visas will cause problems in a number of industries that depend on skilled migrants. Opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison had the following to say about regional areas affected by the change:
"Particularly the hospitality sector in regional areas, the agricultural sector, those involved in the food processing industry, motor mechanics out in regional areas - I mean the list is very long and it's particularly in trade skill-based occupations."
Australian immigration has made a number of changes to the Australian immigration system over the last year. If you meet the requirements for a particular immigration category in Australia or another Country and wish to apply you should think about applying sooner rather than later for your visa. The economic downturn of about two years ago which fortunately did not affect Australia as much as many other Countries has meant that immigration policies have been reviewed and changed in many Countries around the World. This has meant that many people no longer qualify for immigration to the Country of their choice.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Australian Immigration delays new Skilled Occupation List (SOL)
Australian immigration had previously stated that the new Australian skilled occupation list would be announced on 30 April 2010. This has now been delayed to sometime in May 2010. The Australian Government has said that the new skilled occupation list would focus on higher level skilled occupations and trades.
The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) had previously said that the new skilled occupation list would be in use by mid 2010. It is not clear whether the delay in announcing the new skilled occupation list will also mean a delay in the implementation of the new list.
If you qualify for Australian immigration now and are currently on the skilled occupation list it may be worth considering applying sooner rather than later. Future changes to the list could mean that you no longer qualify for Australian immigration.
The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) had previously said that the new skilled occupation list would be in use by mid 2010. It is not clear whether the delay in announcing the new skilled occupation list will also mean a delay in the implementation of the new list.
If you qualify for Australian immigration now and are currently on the skilled occupation list it may be worth considering applying sooner rather than later. Future changes to the list could mean that you no longer qualify for Australian immigration.
Canadian immigration launches new online resource to help the study of civics, history and citizenship
Immigration Minister Kenney recently launched a new interactive online resource, part of the official Canadian immigration website that covers civics, history, and citizenship specifically for students and teachers.
The first module of the new internet based resource is called "A Fun Path to Learning" and is based on the new citizenship study guide Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship. Through games and activities the interactive guide will help students leave about Canada's history and political institutions. There will be future modules that will help you learn about the monarchy and immigration.
"I encourage students and teachers to explore this new learning resource," said Immigration Minister Kenney. "When I launched Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship, I said that it wasn't just for newcomers – but, indeed, all Canadians. This web tool helps promote a solid understanding of Canada's history, values, symbols and political institutions, and an appreciation of how ethnic and cultural communities have helped shape Canada's national identity."
According to Canadian Immigration the new internet based resource "A Fun Path to Learning" provides "interesting, challenging and fun learning opportunities for elementary, junior and high school students, their teachers, and even their parents".
The first module of the new internet based resource is called "A Fun Path to Learning" and is based on the new citizenship study guide Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship. Through games and activities the interactive guide will help students leave about Canada's history and political institutions. There will be future modules that will help you learn about the monarchy and immigration.
"I encourage students and teachers to explore this new learning resource," said Immigration Minister Kenney. "When I launched Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship, I said that it wasn't just for newcomers – but, indeed, all Canadians. This web tool helps promote a solid understanding of Canada's history, values, symbols and political institutions, and an appreciation of how ethnic and cultural communities have helped shape Canada's national identity."
According to Canadian Immigration the new internet based resource "A Fun Path to Learning" provides "interesting, challenging and fun learning opportunities for elementary, junior and high school students, their teachers, and even their parents".
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Diaspora group to seek more migration quota for Indians
The National Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIAA) will seek an increased immigration quota for Indians at this year's Congressional luncheon and briefing at the White House in Washington May 18, its president C.K.Patel said Thursday.
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