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A non-profit think tank in the United Kingdom, The Work Foundation, has published a new study that concludes Britain needs to attract more highly skilled workers to "secure the future" of its high technology sector. The study's author, Katerina Rüdiger, says that a "climate of hostility" toward immigration could hinder the ability of UK firms to attract the professionally and technically skilled talent.

On 09 June 2008, the Canadian House of Commons passed the Budget Implementation Act, 2008 by a vote of 120-90. Also known as Bill C-50, it contains provisions to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act of Canada. These amendments allow the government to process applications from immigrants based upon job skills that the Canadian federal government decides are required in Canada. Quotas could be set without specifying a particular region, and applications related to job skills not in demand could be denied.

The British government "overwhelmingly agreed" with a recent House of Lords Committee report that outlines the economic benefits of migration into the United Kingdom. The Committee recommends that potential economic benefits for the country should influence immigration policy. Government statistics show that immigration made a positive contribution from 1997 through 2007. The UK Border Agency stated that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth should be the "key test" by which to judge their immigration policies.

Beginning from June 30th, the Tier 1 (General) category under the United Kingdom's new points-based immigration system will go into effect worldwide. Three new sub-categories of Tier 1 will also be introduced: Tier 1 (Investors), Tier 1 (Entrepreneurs), and Tier 1 (Post-Study Work). These three sub-categories will replace more than a half-dozen other categories.