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The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has published a new report that finds migrants who moved to Britain from countries that joined the European Union in 2004 are leaving in greater numbers than ever before. Over 1 million migrants have come to the UK from these Eastern European Union Member States, but about half have already left. The IPPR predicts fewer people coming from Eastern European countries in the coming months. Also, increasing numbers are going home. This is due to a number of factors that have changed since 2004.

The United Kingdom's Border and Immigration Agency (BIA) has published details about the Tier 2 visa for skilled workers, intended to replace the current UK Work Permits scheme sometime during "the Autumn of 2008." Applicants will need to score a minimum of 70 points in three areas: Attributes, Maintenance, and English Language Ability.

On 19 May 2008 the United Kingdom made temporary changes to the documentation requirements for those applying under the Tier 1 General Highly Skilled Migrant visa. The UK Border and Immigration Agency (BIA) now requires an original letter from a relevant UK professional body confirming equivalency of an applicant's overseas qualification. This must be submitted with the Tier 1 application. The letter must meet certain detailed requirements as stated by BIA.

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.