Immigration news

A controversial, Trump-era US immigration policy, which was expected to be lifted this month has been blocked by a US district judge. Title 42, which prevents migrants from seeking asylum in the US over COVID fears remains in place, devastating millions of migrants who were led to believe that the restrictions would be lifted.

 

The UK government’s vision to transform Britain into a research and development (R&D) ‘superpower’ requires significant UK visa reforms in order to become a reality, a recent Universities UK report has warned. UK visa fees for researchers and their families to come to the UK can exceed £15,000, representing a huge barrier for researchers seeking UK entry.

 

A US presidential advisory committee has unanimously voted to recommend that the Biden administration process all outstanding US green card applications within the next six months. The recommendations were made by the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (PACAANHPI).

 

Nationals of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will be able to apply to travel to the UK for tourism, business, study or medical treatment purposes for up to six months with a UK electronic visa waiver, from 1 June 2022. The UK government said the move will ‘help deepen Britain’s partnership with the two countries and enhance diplomatic ties and economic prosperity’.

 

According to a recent Wall Street Journal report, US visa limitations are costing America the skills of some top tech talent. Interestingly, a high number of overseas tech workers are choosing Canada in which to live and work. Since 2016, Toronto has added more than 81,000 tech jobs, more than any other city in North America.

 

UK visa application processing times for spouses wanting to work in Britain have doubled, according to Home Office data. There are now fears that lengthier waiting times for visas could deepen Britain’s skills crisis. Those wishing to join family in the UK, and have job offers in place, are now having to renegotiate start dates amid Home Office visa processing delays.