Immigration news

Irish nationals have received less than 20 US diversity visas for 2023. Just 13 people from the Republic of Ireland and four from Northern Ireland have received US diversity visas out of the 55,000 made available, according to the US State Department. The 17 US visa winners were among those selected randomly from more than 9.5 million eligible applicants.

 

Ireland’s and Northern Ireland’s combined number of recipients fall well short of those issued to applicants from other nations including:

The Home Office plans to force migrants convicted of criminal offences to wear facial recognition smartwatches, sparking an outcry from human rights organisations and MPs. Set to launch this autumn, several MPs have condemned the proposals, describing them as ‘inhumane’.

 

By Sanwar Ali:

The UK visa system can be very expensive and bureaucratic.  However, there is no quota and entry is possible for many skilled workers to the UK.

By Sanwar Ali:

According to the US Government own news media service “Voice of America” visa processing delays are the worst since 9/11 terrorist attacks more than twenty years ago.  Some applicants are having to wait six months to a year for a visa interview.

By Sanwar Ali:

There had been hopes that a Biden administration would lead to a reduction in labor shortages in the US.  However, the US visa system remains restrictive, difficult, expensive and complicated to navigate.  Much of the time in reality there is no type of US work visa available to employ overseas workers.  The US work visa system has not changed that much under the Biden administration compared to under Trump.

By Sanwar Ali:

The last few years have been quite dramatic for the UK sponsor licence and skilled worker visa system.  Both the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit have led to changes in the sponsor licence system.  The COVID-19 restrictions for the UK started on 11 March 2020, resulting in a dramatic decline in th