Immigration news

New research shows a rise in the number of E2 visa approvals for wealthy Canadians. The US E2 visa is the most popular investor visa among entrepreneurs from Canada, who are reportedly moving to American states such as Arizona, Florida, and Texas for warmer weather and greater freedom. 

 

According to official US government immigration data, 423 Canadians were granted a US E2 investor visa in January 2022 alone, representing a 640% rise when compared with January 2021, when just 57 applications were approved.

By Sanwar Ali:   The UK system requires you to have a sponsor licence to employ migrants from abroad. This is part of the expensive and bureaucratic UK visa system.  There are a number of issues that you may need to deal with after applying for a sponsor licence, which you will only find out about after you apply.  Perhaps smaller businesses and businesses sponsoring relatives are more likely to face additional questions from the Home Office, compared to other businesses.

 

By Sanwar Ali: Ukraine Fatigue

Until quite recently, there was the suggestion that Putin’s war of aggression against the Ukraine had attracted so much news coverage worldwide over about a month, that people had become disinterested and there was now “Ukraine fatigue”.  The Ukraine invasion has caused the biggest refugee crisis in Europe since the Second World War.

Eight unnamed Russian oligarchs who entered Britain on Tier 1 investor visas have been placed on a UK sanctions list amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February. Dubbed the ‘golden visa’ route because it allowed wealthy individuals to buy their way into Britain through investment, the Tier 1 investor visa route was closed earlier this year.

 

Amid rising demand for temporary workers ahead of the summer season, the Biden administration has announced that an extra 35,000 US seasonal work visas will be made available. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, said: “The decision will help American businesses in need of workers as the summer approaches.”

 

The Home Office has announced a UK visa extension scheme for Ukrainian nationals already living in Britain. The immigration extension is in addition to the recent family visa scheme and ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme. Under the extension scheme, Ukrainians already living in Britain will be allowed to remain in the country for a further three years.