Immigration newsletter 7 November 2007

An English language requirement will be introduced as part of the new points-based immigration system coming into effect for the United Kingdom in 2008. Details have not yet been announced, but it is expected that non-European Union immigrants, both skilled and unskilled, will be required to meet certain language requirements to qualify under the new Tiered system. 

Acceptable levels of English language ability will depend upon the Tier the applicant wishes to immigrate under. A list of accepted English tests will be published in future guidances. The Home Office has also hinted that they may have a language test for immigration based upon family reunification.

Two major changes in German immigration policies have come into effect as of November first. Skilled migrants in electrical and mechanical engineering from the Eastern European nations that joined the European Union in 2004 will now be allowed into Germany without the need to show that there are no suitable applicants from the local labor market. 

In addition, new rules will allow foreign graduates of German universities to work in the country for three years after completion of their studies.

The 2007 'Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration' has been presented to the Canadian Parliament. It details immigration targets and strategies for 2008. Up to 265,000 new permanent residents are expected to settle in Canada next year. 

A new program called the Canadian Experience Class will come into effect during 2008. The new skill stream allows certain temporary foreign workers and international students with Canadian degrees and Canadian work experience to apply for permanent residency from within Canada. Up to 154,000 of new permanent residents next year are expected to settle under this category. 

The Canadian province of Alberta has announced an Immigrant Access Fund (IAF) to provide loans of up to $5,000 CAD to foreign-trained immigrants to assist them with relocation costs. This includes helping immigrants to have their overseas qualifications assessed for the local market. $740,000 CAD will be available for the program, which is intended to help with foreign tuition, living and travel expenses, qualification assessments, and professional association fees. 

Some immigrants have experienced difficulties with local governments and employers, many of whom do not recognise foreign credentials gained overseas. The loan program is an effort to help overcome registration, certification and education barriers for professional and trades people as they settle into their new lives.

The Canadian federal government has lifted the visa requirement for citizens of Latvia and the Czech Republic to visit Canada, effective immediately. Six European Union countries still require visit visas for travel to Canada.

91% of New Zealand citizens feel that skilled migrants make an important contribution to their country, according to a recent survey by ShapeNZ for the New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development. 70% feel that English language requirements should not be relaxed. 

There is also wide support for incentives to encourage trained New Zealanders to stay in the country. Those surveyed feel that there should be programs to try and lure back the estimated 1 million Kiwis who are currently working overseas. Tax incentives, paying for resettlement costs and assisting skilled workers in buying homes all figured as prominent incentives.

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released numbers showing that migration is increasing to the state of South Australia. For each quarter since 1986, with the exception of June 1993 and June 1994, a net increase in migration has contributed to South Australia's resident population. 

South Australia is actively recruiting overseas talent in an attempt to reach a target population of 2 million people by 2050.

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