Immigration newsletter 8 March 2012

Firstly, UK Immigration has announced that the government will be reforming all routes of entry to the UK in an attempt to further reduce immigration levels. Under the proposed changes, many skilled migrant workers coming under Tier 2 of the points-based system will no longer be able to settle in the UK simply based on the amount of time they have spent in the UK.

The UK government will continue to provide a direct route to settlement for investors, entrepreneurs and exceptionally talented migrants under Tier 1. There will continue to be a route to settlement for some Tier 2 migrants, if you meet a minimum salary threshold of £35,000. 

Changes to the immigration rules will be laid before parliament on 15 March and, most likely, come into force on 6 April 2012.

Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Kenney announced last week his vision for a more efficient immigration system that would allow Canadian employers a greater say in selecting new immigrants.

He said he plans to redesign Canada's immigration points system to be more flexible and place greater emphasis on language ability, and on encouraging immigration of younger immigrants with high quality credentials that can be recognized quickly.

UK employers and the British Chambers of Commerce are urging ministers not to reduce the number of migrant workers allowed into the UK via the intra-company transfer route. They say it is vital for companies to be able to access the specialist skills they need.

The UK's Migration Advisory Committee published a report last week recommending ministers review the rules governing intra-company transfer route if they still are aiming to bring immigration down to the tens of thousands a year.

A new report released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics last week shows that immigrants have boosted Australia's workforce skills. The report stated that two-thirds of all working age migrants possessed academic or trade qualifications in 2010–11.
According to the report, in 2011, 66 percent of all immigrants aged 15–64 years possessed academic qualifications or trade qualifications compared to 56 percent of those born in Australia.

UK Immigration is aiming to double the number of immigrants who will need to have a biometric residence permit to remain in the UK. This will raise the number of individuals required to have a biometric residence permits to around 400,000 a year. The UK is expanding the biometric system to require all applicants from outside the European Economic Area applying to stay in the UK for more than 6 months to register their fingerprints and digital facial image. 

Under proposals to be laid out soon, Ireland will begin to offer special visas to individuals who invest in Ireland. It is hoped that wealthy individuals from outside the EU will wish to take advantage of one of the new investor schemes and immigrate to Ireland.

UK Universities are warning that the tightening of student visa rules are likely to prevent much needed income coming into UK Universities from international students. A new survey claims that the public undervalues the financial worth of international students. The survey also added that the UK government was taking a risk by applying tougher rules on Tier 4 Students and at the same time abolishing the Tier 1 Post Study Work Visa; They face losing potential revenue from international students.  

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