Immigration newsletter 9 February 2011

A recent survey of 1200 Australian businesses conducted by Dun and Bradstreet found that demand for employees has reached an seven year high and that skilled migration may be the key to solving expected labour shortages.

"Policy makers will need to ensure the supply of skilled labour can keep up with demand in order to avoid wages growth adding to the inflationary pressure," said D&B chief executive Christine Christian.

For some non-EU citizens who wish to study in the UK, applying now for a student visa may be advisable. The UK Government concluded a consultation on stricter student immigration rules on 31 January 2011. Immigration Minister Damien Green has said recently that stricter regulations are "in the best interest of legitimate students".

According to a pharmaceutical industry advocate group, there has been a significant reduction in the number of non-EU pharmacists working in the UK due to the recent immigration cap imposed by the Government.

"[The immigration cap] affected non-EU overseas pharmacy students who have just completed their UK degree and who have had offers of pre-registration training jeopardised by the ruling," said Rob Darracott, chief executive of Pharmacy Voice said.

Australia's Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) will be visiting regions of Far North Queensland that are expected to be affected by Cyclone Yasi as part of a regional outreach program to support temporary visa holders who may be worried about their immigration status.

The Australian government will consider extending visas for Egyptians in Australia whose visas are about to expire; This is due to the political situation in Egypt.

Egyptian citizens within Australia under temporary visas are urged to contact the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) to discuss their options.

Starting on 1 June 2011, highly skilled workers from outside the European Union can apply to work in Bulgaria under the EU Blue Card scheme. The blue card would allow a skilled worker with a job offer to take employment in member states under the directive.  It may also be possible to work in more than one EU member state using the same Blue Card.

Changes to Australian Skilled Sponsored Visas on 1 July 2011 will result in the removal of the permanent family sponsored visa route; Family members can still sponsor relatives under a provisional sponsored migration visa.

This visa can still lead to permanent residence. Holders of a provisional sponsored skilled migration visa may be eligible for a Skilled Regional (Residence) visa (subclass 887) after meeting certain eligibility criteria.

Changes to Australian immigration on 1 July 2011 will favor Europe's fastest growing emigrant group: the Irish.

Australia's points based immigration system, the General Skilled Migration programme, will see changes that will mean more points for applicants with good English language skills.

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