UK Immigration News

Because of the potential for forgery, all documents provided for the UK Highly Skilled Migrant Programme must be originals as of 15 July 2005. In the past, notarised copies of documents were accepted, but they will only be accepted in support of applications posted on or before 15 July. After 15 July, all applications should be the originals. If supporting evidence supplied after this date consists of copies (even notarised copies) the UK Home Office says it is unlikely that the application will be approved.

Plans to introduce identity cards in the UK have suffered a serious setback with the publication of a poll that discovered increased public opposition to the scheme. Ministers argue that the measure is essential to combat identity fraud, terrorism and fraudulent use of public services. They have also insisted that a clear majority of voters back it.

The ID cards are expected to cost around GBP 5.8 billion.

The Governor of the Bank of England warned that UK inflation will be higher if eastern European workers stop coming to the UK. There is a fear that the large flow of immigrants in the past year was a one-off situation, resulting from EU enlargement in May 2004.

In a speech to business leaders, Mervyn King said immigrant workers appeared to have helped the British economy by restraining wage growth at a time when unemployment is at a 30-year low.

UK companies planning to create a branch or office in Australia do not need to have an office in Australia before transferring an employee to Australia for employment.Current Australian migration regulations enable UK-based employers to apply to the Australian High Commission in London for permission to sponsor UK employees for employment in Australia - such as establishing a new branch or office in an Australian City.Many small UK software, telecom, recruitment and specialist manufacturers have established a presence in Australia under the "UK Sponsorship" Regulations.

The fees for passports, visas and chargeable consular services provided by British consular posts overseas are to change from Friday, 1 July 2005. On the same date, the fee for legalisation services provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in London and overseas will change. The FCO says these changes will ensure that the full cost of providing services at home and overseas are fully recovered without any claim on public funds and to meet the increasing demand, while maintaining high standards of service. Chargeable Consular Services

The number of people who migrated to the UK was 512,600 in 2003, compared with 328,400 in 1991. The 2003 figure is nearly double the 1993 figure of 265,100.

The UK's Office of National Statistics figures are based mainly on data from the international passenger survey and 2003 is the latest date available. They show migrancy briefly dropping off in the early 1990s.