Immigration newsletter 28 May 2008

Australia is increasing the minimum salary employers must pay foreign workers under the 457 visa scheme. The increase is one of several reforms designed to "improve the integrity of the program," according to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

Up to 24,000 temporary overseas skilled workers are likely to be affected by the changes. Minimum salary levels for 457 visa holders have been frozen for the last two years. Previous minimum salary increases were only applied to new entrants; this new increase applies to all 457 visa holders.

A recent survey by Synovate, a global market research company, found that 20% of South Africans were planning to move to another country or were seriously considering it. Possible immigration overseas was most popular with people between the ages of 18 and 44.

Australia's points-based, General Skilled Migration (GSM) program is a wonderful opportunity for South Africans looking to live and work in Australia. Many South Africans have already made the move Down Under. According to Australian immigration statistics, South Africa was the 6th largest source country for new immigrants during 2006-2007.

According to the Australian statistics bureau, the number of Indian immigrants entering Australia every year is increasing steadily - from just over 5,000 in 2001 to 13,500 in 2007. Residents of Indian origin have nearly doubled since the new millennium began, from 104,000 in 2001 to 200,000 in 2007.

Many nations today require a job offer, labor market tests, and/or strict quotas before admitting overseas workers. Many skilled workers find Australia's General Skilled Migration (GSM) program a more attractive option.

For Britons seeking new opportunities abroad, one of the most promising destinations is Australia. No other nation provides a similar wealth of shared history and language in combination with an immigration policy that welcomes newcomers with open arms.

One need not be a scientist, doctor, or engineer to qualify for a visa Down Under; Australia provides an extensive list of eligible occupations for skilled migration. Dozens of trade occupations are currently in critical demand throughout most regions.

Students with an F-1 visa in the United States may now take immediate advantage of changes, announced in April this year, to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. The period of the OPT program has been extended from 12 to 29 months and allows certain F-1 visa students to work in the U.S. in occupations related to their field of study.

F-1 visa holders with a degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) are eligible for a 17-month extension - in addition to the original 12 months - for their participation in OPT. They must be employed by a business enrolled in the E-Verify program.

New statistics from the United Kingdom's Home Office indicate that the number of Eastern European Union workers applying to register under the Worker Registration Scheme has dropped to its lowest level since 2005. From January through March of 2008, 45,000 applications were lodged by nationals of the eight EU countries that joined the bloc in May 2004. This is a 13% decrease from the 52,000 applications lodged during the first quarter of 2007.

A similar downward trend is also being seen in applications from Bulgarians and Romanians, with about a 21% decline between the first quarters of 2007 and 2008. The figures support a recent study by the Institute for Public Policy Research, which concluded that almost half of Eastern EU migrants who came to work in the UK since 2004 have already left.

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