Global Immigration Immigration News

In a legislative draft put forward by two members of Russia's parliament, migrants planning to work longer than a year in Russia will be required to pass a Russian language test. Russia is currently dealing with controversy over high levels of immigration, mostly from former Soviet Union countries. Conflicts with migrants from Georgia have specifically been reported on in the last year.

Surges in immigration to destinations such as the UK, Australia, New Zealand and the U.S. are seen as having a significant impact on record housing prices.

In the United Kingdom, recently released statistics have placed the average home at £201,090 ($395,351 USD). The nation recently experienced an enormous surge in immigration when the European Union enlarged by 10 states in 2004 ... most of them former communist countries.

People from Former Soviet Union (FSU) countries are finding it easier to visit Israel. Earlier this year, after months of petitioning by FSU citizens, Israeli Interior Minister Roni Bar-On announced rule changes to encourage more people from the former Soviet-bloc countries to visit Israel.

South Korea joins the ranks of other countries with rapidly ageing populations and low birthrates who need skilled workers from abroad. The South Korean government announced that it would grant permanent residency to skilled manual workers from abroad in an effort to relieve labor shortages in small to medium sized industries.

Last week the United States and Australia announced an agreement which would result in asylum seekers being exchanged between the two Countries.

Almost instantly the plan was declared illegal under international law by Human Rights Watch.

Under the plan, U.S. officials and Australian officials intend to send up to 200 refugees to each other annually.

The Japan Times reported on a conference sponsored by the European Commission in Hakone, Japan, where European Union and Japanese officials stated that Japan could look to the EU for ideas on formulating a strategic immigration policy as the nation deals with impending labor shortages.