Friday 29 March 2013

Cameron Announces Tough Reforms To UK Immigration


David Cameron, the UK's Prime Minister, has made a speech on immigration in which he said that he intended to 'roll out the red carpet' for 'the right migrants' but at the same time also make immigrants pay to use the National Health Service and to bar them from claiming social housing or social security benefits until they have worked in the UK for two years.

Mr Cameron gave his speech just days after the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg spoke on immigration. The leader of the Opposition Ed Miliband made a speech on immigration early in March. It seems that all three main parties in the UK now see immigration as a major political issue. While all are keen to stress that the UK has benefited from immigration, they are also competing to seem tough on abuse of the system.

Mr Cameron began by saying that 'our migrant communities are a fundamental part of who we are. And Britain is a far richer and stronger society because of them' He said that many scientists, doctors, artists, sportspeople and musicians came to the UK as migrants. But he said that migration had to be 'properly controlled' and said that it had not been under the last Labour government. 


Immigrants must come 'for the right reasons' – Cameron

 

He said that from now on he wanted to ensure that 'those who come here from the EU – or further afield – do so for the right reasons'. In 2014 Romanians and Bulgarians will be free to come to work in the UK after transitional controls imposed in 2007 expire.

He said that his government had already controlled immigration without damaging the economy. He said that the Coalition he heads had introduced a cap on the number of Tier 2 (General) visas that could be issued each year without harming business and had cracked down on bogus colleges without damaging the prospects of British universities. Non-EEA student numbers at UK universities are up, he said.

Mr Cameron said that 'the right immigration is not just good for Britain – it's essential' and said that the UK would 'roll out the red carpet to those whose hard work and investment will create new British jobs'. But he said that it was also necessary to train UK workers so that there were fewer unemployed Britons languishing on the dole.
Under the last Labour government, he said, immigration had been out-of-control. Labour's points-based immigration system 'sounded great in principle' but in reality anyone who met 'a range of low minimum thresholds' was 'entitled to come almost on a self-selection basis to work and study and in many cases bring dependants'.
  • Tier 1 visas had been intended to 'bring in the best of the best' but in reality 'about a third of those sampled only found low skilled roles, working as shop assistants, in takeaways and as security guards'.
  • Tier 2 was being used to allow immigrants to come to the UK to do 'low-level work' which could have been done by people on welfare.
  • Tier 4 was allowing migrants who could not speak English to come to the UK 'to study at low-level or even bogus colleges'.           

     

    Coalition has reformed immigration system

     

    Consequently, the Coalition set about reforming the system when it came to power in 2010, Mr Cameron said. It had
  • Introduced a cap on Tier 2 (General) visas
  • Clamped down on bogus colleges.
  • Introduced tougher tests for migrants including English language tests
  • Increased the number of face-to-face interviews for visa applicants
  • Broken the link between work and settlement so only those who contribute the most economically will be able to stay in the long term
  • Cut the number of occupations on the Shortage Occupation List; it is easier for immigrants offered a job on the list to obtain a Tier 2 visa
Mr Cameron said that his government intends to introduce further controls. He said government departments would cooperate to ensure that 'our immigration policy is factored into our benefits system, our health system and our housing system'.

 

Further changes will be introduced

 

He said that the message currently being sent to immigrants by the UK benefits system is 'If you can't find a job or drop out of work early, the British taxpayer owes you a living…no matter how little you have contributed to social security since you arrived'. This would change he said.
  • Immigrants from the EEA would only get Jobseekers Allowance if they were looking for work and had 'a genuine chance' of finding employment'. They would only be able to claim benefits for six months.
  • When immigrants from within the EEA use the National Health Service, the government will take steps to recoup the cost of their care from their government or from the immigrant.
  • Non- EEA immigrants may have to take out health insurance or pay for their treatment.
  • The government would 'radically toughen up the way we deal with illegal migrants working in this country'. Illegal immigrants will now find it harder to get driving licences. Private landlords will be required to check the immigration status of potential tenants before letting them a property.
  • penalties for firms which employ illegal workers will be increased
  • It will make it harder for illegal immigrants to get bank accounts and credit cards
  • It will introduce the biometric residence permit.
  • It will remove legal aid entitlement for immigration appeals and change the rules so that people will appeal after they have been deported.
This, Mr Cameron said, would ensure that those coming to Britain were 'coming for the right reasons' and ensure that those who came to the UK did so because they wanted to work.

If you would like to apply for a UK visa, GlobalMigrate.com can help.GlobalMigrate.com is a specialist visa consultancy . We can help with a wide range of visa applications to your country of choice. Please feel free to contact us for further details. Visit Us At: www.global-migrate.com Or Contact Us At: +44 (0) 207 - 993 - 4762

 

Monday 25 March 2013

Canadian immigration announces further changes to Federal Skilled Worker Program

Citizenship and Immigration Canada has issued a short statement about the Federal Skilled Worker Program. The program is currently suspended but is due to re-open for business in May 2013.
The CIC statement advises that if you intend to apply for the revamped FSWP in May that it intends to make three announcements in April about the program. This will affect the way in which you make your application.

CIC says it will provide details of the following in April
• There will be a cap on the number of applications in the first year of the new FSWP. The level of the cap will, presumably, be announced in April
• There will be a new list of priority occupations. This too should be revealed in April
• Canadian Immigration will announce the list of organisations that will be authorised to conduct educational assessments under the new FSWP.

CIC says that if you complete your application before this information is released you run the risk of making and invalid application. If your application does not comply with all the requirements of the new FSWP, then your application will not be processed.

FSWP 'Canada's main skilled immigration route'

The FSWP was Canada's main immigration route for skilled workers until it was suspended by CIC in June 2012. Previously, about 55,000 people gained Canadian permanent residence under the FSWP annually. However, a substantial backlog of applications had built up with some people waiting eight years to have their applications processed.
Canadian immigration minister Jason Kenney announced in June 2012 that all applications made before 28th February 2008 would be terminated and the application fees of applicants returned. This decision has been challenged in the courts by some of those applicants. Their case is currently being heard by the Canadian federal court.

In July 2012, Mr Kenney announced the temporary closure of the FSWP. No fresh applications have been accepted since then. Mr Kenney said that this would allow the backlog to be further reduced and allow CIC to reform the program. In December 2012, Mr Kenney announced a series of changes that will apply to the FSWP when it re-opens.

FSWP reformed while suspended

These include
• A higher minimum threshold of skill in either English or French (Canada's two official languages) than before. Applicants will now have to demonstrate by way of a test that they meet level 7 of the Canadian Language Benchmark.
• A greater number of points will be granted to younger applicants than under the old system.
• A new 'Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) scheme will allow the Canadian government to compare foreign educational qualifications with Canadian ones
• A reform of the 'Arranged Employment' rules so that those with an offer of employment can be hired more quickly
• Additional points will be granted to FSWP applicants if their spouse has attained a certain level of English or French ability and/or has work experience in Canada.
Mr Kenney has said that he intends to reform the FSWP in future so that it is more similar to the Australian 'expression of interest' system. He says that this will enable CIC to select the immigrants with the right skills for Canadian business.

If you would like to apply for a Canadian visa GlobalMigrate.com can help. GlobalMigrate.com is a specialist visa consultancy . We can help with a wide range of visa applications to your country of choice. Please feel free to contact us for further details.
www.global-migrate.com

Saturday 23 March 2013

UK Immigration Gives New Guidance For Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Visa Applicants






The UK Border Agency has announced that it will be writing to all those who applied for Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visas before 31st January 2013 and who have yet to have their applications decided.

The UKBA released a statement on Wednesday 20th March in which it said that it was likely that it would request further information from applicants. In particular, it said it might ask applicants for

  •     Additional information such as business plans, market research reports and so forth to show that the applicant was a genuine entrepreneur
  •     Proof that they still have access to the funds that they used in support of their applications. If the funds have been moved from their accounts into a business account, then the UKBA will want to see the business's accounts or other proof of that transaction.


The UKBA says that applicants will have 28 days to provide the information requested and warns that it may make checks on information provided to prove that it is correct.

The UKBA has also said that it will no longer be able to allow applicants for Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visas to pay for a premium 'same day' service. This is because the checks that need to be made are so extensive that the UKBA will have no chance of completing them in a same day time frame.

Emergency change to rules

On 30th January 2013, UK immigration minister Mark Harper issued a statement in the House of Commons which stated that the rules for Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visas would change from 31st January onwards because of fears that the entrepreneur visa was being abused. Mr Harper announced that there would be, from then on, much greater checks on whether applicants had continuing access to the funds required to get the visa and whether they were genuine entrepreneurs with genuine business plans.

Applicants for Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visas need to have funds of £200,000 to invest in a UK business. They are also allowed to apply if they have £50,000 from

  •     a venture capital company recognised by the Financial Services Authority
  •     a seed funding company recognised by the UK Trade and Investment website
  •     a grant from one or more of the devolved or national governments of the UK


The UKBA says that it will continue to keep applicants informed about changes in the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) rules.

The Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa, which is another immigration option for student graduates from outside the European Economic Area who wish to work in the UK, was not mentioned in the guidance. Last week, UK immigration minister Mark Harper confirmed that on 6th April 2013 the annual cap on the number of Graduate Entrepreneur visas will be doubled to 2,000.

If you would like to apply for a UK visa, GlobalMigrate.com can help.GlobalMigrate.com is a specialist visa consultancy . We can help with a wide range of visa applications to your country of choice. Please feel free to contact us for further details. Visit Us At: www.global-migrate.com Or Contact Us At: +44 (0) 207 - 993 - 4762

Friday 22 March 2013

US Immigration Announces New I-9 Employment Eligibility Form


On March 8th 2013, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a new version of the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification form which is used by the USCIS for 'verifying the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States'. The form is filled in by employee and employer when an employee begins work and each declares that the employee has shown the employer his visa allowing him to work in the US. US employers are advised to use the new form immediately though new applications on the old forms will be accepted until May 7th 2013.

The new form is designed to be easier to understand and read. The major changes are

  •     The new form has the expiry date 03/31/2016 in the top right hand corner
  •     The form now covers two pages rather than one. The first page is to be filled in by the employee. The second is completed by the employer
  •     There are now six pages of instructions for those filling in the form
  •     There are new fields on page 1 to take the employees phone number, email address and foreign passport number
  •     On page 2 there is increased space for the employer to log documentation supplied by the employee to prove his eligibility

I-9 must be completed for every employee in the US

The I-9 form must be completed whenever a US employer employs anyone in the US. The purpose of the form is to verify the identity of the employee and to confirm his (her) right to work in the US. The employer will complete the form with the assistance of the new employee. The employee must sign the form declaring that he is entitled to work and also provide the employer with the relevant documents. The employer must check the documentation and record that it has done so on the form.

Once the form is completed, the employer is required to store it safely. There is no requirement that the form be sent to USCIS or any other US government agency. The form must be kept for three years or for one year after the employment ends, whichever is later.

There are no changes to the requirement that employees should complete their section of the form either before they start work or on their first day. Employers must fill in page 2 within three days of the employee starting work.
If you would like to apply for a US visa, GlobalMigrate.com can help.GlobalMigrate.com is a specialist visa consultancy . We can help with a wide range of visa applications to your country of choice. Please feel free to contact us for further details. Visit Us At: www.global-migrate.com Or Contact Us At: +44 (0) 207 - 993 - 4762


Thursday 21 March 2013

TNT Magazine Campaigns For UK Immigration Reform

TNT Magazine, a London-based free magazine aimed at Australians, New Zealanders and South Africans living in the UK is running a campaign for reform of the UK Border Agency (UKBA). It has set up an online petition allowing its readers to register their dissatisfaction with the UKBA and to call on the agency to reform its processes to provide a better service.

The petition calls for more information to be given to applicants by the agency and for refunds of fees where the UKBA has failed, because of incompetence, to provide a timely service. The magazine has assembled a collection of horror stories from UK-based Australians and New Zealanders who have received poor service from the UKBA. The shadow immigration minister, Chris Bryant, and the shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper have backed the campaign. TNT says it has been 'inundated' with complaints about the UKBA since asking its readers to write in telling of bad experiences with UK immigration.

  • List of demands
The TNT petition calls on the UKBA to improve its service in the following ways:-

  1.     Applicants for UK visas should receive a confirmation letter when UKBA first receives their application
  2.     Applicants should receive advice about the UKBA systems and the likely impact on any travel plans
  3.     Applicants should have access throughout the application process to a UKBA helpline to check on the progress of their applications
  4.     The processing time target for visa applications should be reduced to three months from the current six months
  5.     Full refunds should be granted to those whose applications are not processed within the target time if this is because of UKBA incompetence
  6.     There should be an increase in the number of premium service appointments and complete refunds of premium fees if the premium application is not completed within a month
  7.     Applicants should be allowed to make applications for visa extensions sooner than 28 days before the expiry of the previous visa
'Inundated' with complaints

TNT also provides examples of applicants who had received poor service such as:-

  •     Melanie Quin is a New Zealander who had been in the UK for five years on an ancestry visa. She was advised by the UKBA that she should apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK. She was then refused leave. She was told that she had left her application too late and that she would be required to leave the country in two months. She was told to apply for a new five year ancestry visa from New Zealand. She has since been granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK after TNT raised her case with the UKBA.
  •     Courtney Sherwell is an Australian who worked for the NHS. The UKBA took £561 from her account for a visa extension in July 2012. In December 2012, she still had not received a visa and nearly lost her job as a result. She missed a trip to Australia. Her visa extension was eventually processed in March 2013.
  •     Brendon Watkins was advised by the UKBA to apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK. He paid £991 but was then refused leave weeks later. His appeal was also refused and he is now required to return to New Zealand before he can apply to re-enter the country. His wife and children are all UK citizens.
  •     Amanda Parker is an airline stewardess who was told that she could not apply for indefinite leave to remain until 28 days before her ancestry visa expired. She then was told that there were no premium slots available so she could not book a premium appointment. She was told that she would have to surrender her passport which would be held for six months during which time she would be unable to travel with the airline. Eventually she managed to get a premium appointment through a solicitor.
TNT says that it has already had over 1,000 signatories to its petition including Yvette Cooper and Chris Bryant. Mr Bryant said 'The UK Border Agency's failure to deal with visa applications promptly is a major own goal and it is time the government realised they are undermining our chances of turning the economy around. Since the 2010 general election, the UKBA has had to cut thousands of staff, which has only lead to things getting worse and worse.'

 If you would like to apply for a US visa, GlobalMigrate.com can help.GlobalMigrate.com is a specialist visa consultancy . We can help with a wide range of visa applications to your country of choice. Please feel free to contact us for further details. Visit Us At: www.global-migrate.com Or Contact Us At: +44 (0) 207 - 993 - 4762

Wednesday 20 March 2013

UK Immigration Minister Announces Changes To Tier 2 Visa System



Mark Harper, the UK immigration minister announced a series of proposed changes to the UK immigration system on Thursday 14th March 2013. He told the House of Commons that the changes will be introduced on April 6th 2013. The most significant changes will be made to the Tier 2 visa scheme, the tier visa of the UK's five tier points-based immigration system that is for skilled workers with a job offer.

Fees will be going up so we advise you to make your application now. The minister says that the changes will make the system more responsive to the needs of business. The introduction of a new introductory pay rate for graduate trainees and younger workers may make it easier to get a UK Tier 2 visa for some people but changes to the Shortage Occupation List will make it harder too.

Mr Harper announced a series of changes including

  •     Cap for Tier 2 (General) visas fixed at 20,700 per year until further notice
  •     An update of the Shortage Occupation List. Some medical occupations are removed from the list. Some engineering occupations are added
  •     Amendments to the Code of Practice for Employers
  •     Changes to salary thresholds and minimum appropriate salaries for individual occupations
  •     A series of changes designed to 'further improve flexibility for Intra-Company Transferees and for   employers carrying out the Resident Labour Market Test'
  •     A rise in the level of fees

The Tier 2 visa system was established in 2008 by the then Labour government. Skilled workers from outside the European Economic Area who have a job offer in the UK can apply for a Tier 2 visa. In order to apply, they must have a valid job offer from a UK employer which has a valid Tier 2 sponsorship licence from the UK Border Agency.

Cap

Since 2011, there has been a cap on the number of Tier 2 (General) visas that can be granted each year. This cap has now been fixed at 20,700 annually. It will require a change to the immigration rules to change the cap in future.

Before the prospective applicant can apply for a UK Tier visa, the UK employer must issue him with a Certificate of Sponsorship. This allows him to apply to the UKBA for a UK Tier 2 visa.
If a worker is going to apply from abroad, the sponsor can only issue a Certificate of Sponsorship if the job is at above National Qualification Framework level 6. If the worker is already in the UK, the job must be at or above NVQ level 3. (NQF and NVQ qualifications are UK standards for educational achievements. NQF level 6 is equivalent to a bachelor's degree with honours. NVQ3 is equivalent to having 1-5 A-levels (UK exams taken by school children at 18) at grades A*-C))

Shortage Occupation List

The UK's Shortage Occupation List is a list of skilled occupations for which there is a shortage of UK resident workers leading to positions remaining unfilled. The list lays out the shortage occupations and the minimum appropriate salary rates that Tier 2 workers should be paid to work in one of those occupations.

The new list has been updated by the Migration Advisory Committee. Several medical professions have been removed from the list because of increased availability of UK resident workers due to training of local workers. Several engineering roles have been added to the list because of shortages of UK resident engineers.

If the job is on the Shortage Occupation List, then a foreign born worker who is offered the job will be awarded the points required to pass the points-based test to acquire a Tier 2 visa. They will, however, still have to prove their ability to speak English and to support themselves when they arrive in the UK (maintenance requirement).

Resident Labour Market Test

If the job is not on the Shortage Occupation List then the employer will have to carry out a resident labour market test before it can issue the Certificate of Sponsorship. The resident labour market test is carried out by advertising the job for a prescribed period, usually 28 days, in a national paper in the UK.

The new rules say that, from now on, employers may have to advertise jobs in two places. If the employer is a large company (250 people or more) one of those places may be the company's own website. The new rules say that the employer can place the advert where it believes that it is most likely to find a successful candidate for the role. All jobs with a salary under £71,000 must now be advertised on the Jobcentre Plus website and through one other outlet.

Code of Practice

The employer must also comply with the UKBA Code of Practice for Skilled Workers. The latest version was issued on 14th March 2013. The Code lays out

  •     The skills level for each occupation
  •     The minimum appropriate rates of pay for each occupation and
  •     Information to allow employers to match up the job they are offering to the corresponding classification code in the Code of Practice

Changes in the minimum salary levels

  •     The minimum qualifying salary for Tier 2 visas rises from £20,000 to £20,300
  •     The level at which jobs are excluded from the Tier 2 (General) cap rises from £150,000 to £152,000
  •     The minimum salary at which Tier 2 visa holders will qualify for indefinite leave to remain rises from £35,000 to £35,500

Changes to appropriate salary rates for separate occupations

The minimum qualifying salary for individual jobs remains at the 25th percentile. - that is to say, the qualifying wage must be equal to that earned by at least 25% of people in a given occupation or higher. It cannot be less. This proviso is in place to prevent Tier 2 workers undercutting UK workers and being employed when UK workers are available.

New Entrant salary level

Mr Harper has announced he intends to introduce a new introductory tenth percentile rate for new entrant employees. It will be permissible to pay new entrants at the tenth percentile level. The following groups will be eligible for the new entrant salary level

  •     Graduates switching from Tier 4 to Tier 2
  •     Graduate recruits employed after university 'milk round' recruiting
  •     Those sponsored in the Intra-Company Transfer Graduate Trainee route
  •     Anyone under 25 at the date of their original Tier 2 application

N.B. When new entrants apply for a renewal of their visa after three years, they must then be paid at the 25th percentile or higher.

Fees

The fee for a Tier 2 visa application will rise from £450 to £494

  •     The fee for a Tier 2 Extension application will rise from £561 to £578
  •     The fee for a Tier 2 Certificate of Sponsorship will rise from £179 to £184
  •     The fee for applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK made by Tier 2 workers and submitted by post will rise from £991 to £1,051

If you would like to apply for a US visa, GlobalMigrate.com can help.GlobalMigrate.com is a specialist visa consultancy . We can help with a wide range of visa applications to your country of choice. Please feel free to contact us for further details. Visit Us At: www.global-migrate.comOr Contact Us At: +44 (0) 207 - 993 - 4762

Tuesday 19 March 2013

US Tech Chiefs Lobby Obama And Congress On H-1B Visas And Green Cards






The chief executives of some of the most famous companies in the world have written a public letter to President Obama to press him to support legislation that would allow more skilled immigration into the US. They urge the President to 'address the need for more qualified, highly-skilled professionals, domestic and foreign, and to enact immigration reform this year'. Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook, Eric Schmidt of Google and Bradford Smith of Microsoft all signed the letter.

The letter, dated 14th March 2013, is part of a campaign organised by TechNet, a policy network for the chief executives of high tech industries which aims to promote the interests of the tech sector. It was sent not only to the President but also to Congressmen and women and other influential figures in Washington D.C. It expresses support for legislation that would see more employment-based US visas granted, in particular employment based green cards and H-1B 'specialty occupation visas.

The letter says that 'the need for more qualified, highly-skilled professionals, domestic and foreign, who can create jobs and immediately contribute to and improve our economy' is 'one of the biggest economic challenges facing our nation'.

Immigrants founded eBay, Google, and Yahoo

The letter says that the US has 'a long history of welcoming talented, hard-working people to our shores' pointing out that immigrants founded companies such as eBay, Google, PayPal and Yahoo!

However, this vital role in the economy is endangered, the letter says, by an 'outdated and inefficient' immigration system which is now driving many immigrants away because of 'visa shortages, long waits for green cards, and lack of mobility'. The letter says 'there are tens of thousands of unfilled jobs requiring highly skilled individuals. Four high-tech companies alone – IBM, Intel, Microsoft and Oracle – have combined 10,000 openings in the United States. Each one of these jobs has the potential to create many others, directly and indirectly'.

In recent years, there have been many critics of the US immigration system. US tech companies complain that they cannot get enough H-1B visas for migrants working in a 'specialty occupation'. They also complain that the fact that foreign workers often have to wait for eight years to have their permanent residence (or green card) applications decided is driving them to other countries such as Canada. Many international companies also complain that it is getting harder to get L1-A and L1-B intra-company transfer visas.

Congress agreed that reform is necessary

Many Congressmen and women agree that reform is necessary but cannot agree on what form it should take. This problem has been made worse by an almost total absence of cross-party cooperation in Washington in recent years. Consequently, when the Democrats introduce a bill, Republicans oppose it and vice versa. As a result, the system remains unreformed.

The CEOs, who also include John Donahoe of eBay, John Chambers of Cisco and Marissa Mayer of Yahoo, asked the President and Congress to reform the skilled immigration system to ensure that 'numerical levels and categories for high-skilled non-immigrant and immigrant visas' are responsive to market demands.

They also ask for a change in US immigration law so that spouses and dependent children of main applicants 'should not be counted against the cap of high-skilled immigrant visas'. At present, if a worker gains a US employment based green card and brings his wife and two children with him, all four visas would be included in the cap. The CEOs say that 'there should not be a marriage or family penalty'.

Two acts have bipartisan support

The CEOs ask Congress to pass legislation to reform the system this year. They mention the Immigration Innovation Act and the Start-Up Visa Act as Acts that are already before Congress, which have bipartisan support and which would help the Tech industry to find the skilled employees it needs.

The Immigration Innovation Act of 2013 has been introduced by a group of four senators, two Republican and two Democrat. It would increase the number of H-1B visas issued by US immigration each year to 115,000 immediately and would establish a mechanism that would see more visas granted in times when they were needed up to a maximum of 300,000 a year. It would also exempt certain categories of people including graduates in the STEM subjects from US universities and wives and children of skilled migrants, from the cap on the number of employment based EB-3 green cards that can be granted each year. There is currently a cap of 41,455.

The Start-Up Visa Act would grant 75,000 green cards each year to entrepreneurial tech workers and a further 50,000 to graduates from US universities in the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

If you would like to apply for a US visa, GlobalMigrate.com can help.GlobalMigrate.com is a specialist visa consultancy . We can help with a wide range of visa applications to your country of choice. Please feel free to contact us for further details. Visit Us At: www.global-migrate.comOr Contact Us At: +44 (0) 207 - 993 - 4762


Monday 18 March 2013

COMMENT - US Immigration System Characterised By Delay



The US is famously a country of migrants. In olden days, they would arrive by ship at the port of New York. One of the most famous images of New York in about 1900 is of immigrants from Europe queuing on Ellis Island in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty. There were no requirements that you should have a job or that you should invest in a US business. All that was required was that you had made it to New York. Once immigrants were processed, they were released to begin their new lives as equal citizens of the United States of America.

Ellis Island has been closed since 1954. Most immigrants in the US now arrive by plane. But while the journey to the US may be quicker today, the process of immigration is slower. A lot slower. The system is labyrinthine and moves, sometimes at about the pace that fingernails grow and sometimes quite a lot slower than that.

Thousands of people now have to wait 20 years or more to have their application for permanent residence (or a green card, as it is known) decided. After they have a green card, they will have to apply for citizenship. The Washington Post reported recently on the case of a brother and sister from the Philippines who have been waiting for 24 years. - So far.

Some areas where system works

There are some areas where the system works; for example, senior managers wanting to work in the US can have their applications decided in a few months. The processing of marriage visas too is comparatively quick.
Over all though, the system is slow. And not only is it slow, it is also infinitely complex. There is no one 'queue' (or 'line' as the Americans would call it) for immigration. There are many different lines moving at different speeds. What line you are in will depend on why it is you came to the US and how fast you will move towards citizenship will depend upon what country you come from.

Unfortunate consequences

This system had a laudable goal but it has had unfortunate consequences. Because while all countries can receive only 7% of the total quota of green cards for each visa category, in any year, many more than 7% of the total number of applicants come from some countries and many fewer come from others, as you would expect. After all, not all countries are the same size.
As a result there are many more applicants from some countries each year than can get green cards in many categories. Applicants from these countries have to be kept in a kind of holding pen until a free visa becomes available. Consequently, applicants from India, China, the Philippines and Mexico have to wait for extremely long periods before their permanent residence or citizenship applications are decided.

But so complex is the system that not all Indians and Chinese people have to wait in the same line or for the same amount of time. How long each applicant will have to wait will depend also on which type of green card he or she is applying for.

In the 1960s, Congress decided to reform the US immigration system. It was feared that immigrants from some countries were facing discrimination in their applications for citizenship and so Congress contrived a new system of country quotas to ensure that people from all countries stood an equal chance of gaining citizenship. Nowadays, in any immigration category, no more than 7% of the green cards granted in any one year can be granted to applicants from any one country.

Unfortunate consequences

This system had a laudable goal but it has had unfortunate consequences. Because while all countries can receive only 7% of the total quota of green cards for each visa category, in any year, many more than 7% of the total number of applicants come from some countries and many fewer come from others, as you would expect. After all, not all countries are the same size.
As a result there are many more applicants from some countries each year than can get green cards in many categories. Applicants from these countries have to be kept in a kind of holding pen until a free visa becomes available. Consequently, applicants from India, China, the Philippines and Mexico have to wait for extremely long periods before their permanent residence or citizenship applications are decided.

But so complex is the system that not all Indians and Chinese people have to wait in the same line or for the same amount of time. How long each applicant will have to wait will depend also on which type of green card he or she is applying for.

Three main categories


Under the US immigration system, green cards and citizenship are also split into three main categories;
• family sponsored applicant
• employment-based applicants and
• asylum based applicants,
Each of these categories are split into sub-categories and each of these sub-categories has its own annual quota. Each of these quotas is subject to the 7% country cap. Consequently, the amount of time that an applicant will have to wait will vary. Mexicans and Filipinos in particular have to wait for the longest because so many of them have applied for some categories. US Citizenship and Immigration Services (US CIS) are currently considering green card applications made in January 2006 for citizens of most countries including Indians and Chinese citizens. However, it is considering applications from July 1993 (20 years ago) from Mexicans and in March 1996 (17 years ago) from Filipinos.

The family category has five sub-categories;
• IR: Immediate relative of US citizens (husbands and wives, minor children and parents) There is no numerical limit on these applicants.
• F1: unmarried partners, same sex partners and children over 21 of US citizens. 23,400 F1 green cards can be issued each year. There is a waiting list of 7-18 years depending on what country the applicants come from.
• F2A: Immediate relatives (As defined above) of green card holders. 87,934 F2A green cards can be granted each year. There is a waiting list of 4 years.
• F2B: unmarried partners, same sex partners and children over 21 of green card holders. 26,266 F2B visas can be issued each year. There is a waiting list of 10-15 years.
• F3: Married sons and daughters of US citizens. (Cap 23,400. Waiting list 10-19 years)
• F4: Brothers and sisters of adult US citizens (cap 65,000. Waiting list 15-25 years)

Employment-based green cards are also divided into various groups.
• EB-1: Priority workers. These are generally foreign workers with extraordinary ability in the arts and sciences, sport or academics or senior managers and executives. There is a cap of 41,455 such visas each year which is often not reached.
• EB-2: Professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability in the sciences, arts or business. (cap 41,455, no waiting list)
• EB-3 Skilled workers (cap 41,455, waiting list 6 years minimum though this will vary from country to country. Applicants from India and China in particular have to wait for the longest)
• EB-4 Special immigrants (including ministers, religious workers, etc) (Cap 10,291, not reached)
• EB-5 Investors (Cap 10,291, not reached)

There are also green cards granted to those claiming political asylum. There is no cap on these green cards.

70,000 green cards are granted annually to refugees. There are also 50,000 green cards given out each year in the diversity immigrant visa program or green card lottery.

Queues are 'a measure of success'

In some ways, the massive queues are a measure of success. The US is a very popular place to live. Over the last decade, US CIS has created 6.6m naturalised US citizens but the waiting list continues to grow.
The delays in this system are not President Obama's fault. The waiting lists have built up over years but the sheer length of the lists could cause yet more problems for the President's immigration reform program.

President Obama has said that he fully intends to see reform of the US immigration system this year. Most people are agreed that it needs reform. The president has said that part of the comprehensive reform of the system that he intends to introduce will be the creation of a 'pathway to citizenship' for the estimated 11m illegal immigrants currently in the US.

Illegal immigrants will have to wait in line

However, this will create its own problems. The President is clear that illegal immigrants will have to wait for green cards until all those currently in the line have been dealt with. With a current wait of 20 years for legal Mexicans, one wonders how many of the illegal immigrants who apply for citizenship if the President's law is passed, will live long enough to achieve legal status.
After all, if only 7% of those processed in any one year can be Mexicans, it could take hundreds of years before the last of them is dealt with.

If you would like to apply for a US visa, GlobalMigrate.com can help.GlobalMigrate.com is a specialist visa consultancy . We can help with a wide range of visa applications to your country of choice. Please feel free to contact us for further details. Visit Us At: www.global-migrate.com Or Contact Us At: +44 (0) 207 - 993 - 4762

Saturday 16 March 2013

UK Government In Small U-turn On Post Study Work UK Immigration Route


On 14th March 2013, The UK's immigration minister, Mark Harper, announced changes to the UK's Tier 4 student visa. He announced in the House of Commons that from 6 April 2013, all foreign PhD students with Tier 4 visas will be allowed to stay in the UK for a year after completing their course to work in a skilled occupation or to set up in business as an entrepreneur.

Mr Harper is a member of the UK's Coalition government which has taken steps to reduce immigration into the UK though he was not immigration minister when the government closed the Tier 1 (Post Study Work) visa route in 2012. The Tier 1 (Post Study Work) visa allowed all foreign graduates of UK universities to stay in the UK to work for two years after graduation.

This change to the Tier 4 visa will be seen as a partial U-turn by the government, even though it applies only to PhD students. In a speech in November 2011 the mayor of London Boris Johnson criticised the UK government for closure of the Tier 1 (Post Study Work) visa route which he said had been 'crazy' and sent out the wrong message to international students who would go and study elsewhere.

Increase in Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visas
The UK Border Agency, the UK's main immigration agency, also confirmed an increase in the number of Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visas that can be granted each year from 1,000 to 2,000 on 14 March. Mrs May had announced the change in a major speech on immigration in 2012; Mr Harper's announcement confirms that the change is to be made on 6 April.

The 1,000 extra places will be allocated to MBA students only. Applicants will be able to apply from outside the UK for a Graduate Entrepreneur visa.

Golbal Migrate is a specialist visa consultancy . We are OISC registered. We can help with a wide range of visa applications to the UK or your country of choice.For further details you can CLICK HERE.....
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Friday 15 March 2013

Canadian Immigration Says Canadian Experience Class Visas Growing Fast


9,353 people gained Canadian permanent resident status under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) visa in 2012, according to recently released figures. This, according to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) the official Canadian immigration Government Department that deals with immigration and citizenship issues, is about 34% above the planned level for 2012 of 7,000.
CEC visas allow skilled workers from overseas who have been working in Canada in a skilled occupation to apply for permanent resident status. In order to qualify, applicants must have at least 12 months' experience of working full time in a skilled role in Canada in the last three years and you must also be able to prove your proficiency in English or French. The language requirements vary depending on the nature of your skilled work experience. You must take a language test when you make your application showing that your English or French language ability meets either Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5 for technical jobs or skilled trades, or CLB 7 for management or professional level jobs.

The Canadian immigration minister Jason Kenney, altered these requirements in 2012 to make it easier to qualify. Previously, applicants needed to complete eighteen months skilled work in only two years. Mr Kenney said in November last year that he intended to increase the target for the number of CEC visas to be issued in 2013 from 7,000 to 10,000. The rise in the number of CEC visas will be offset by a reduction in the number of Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) visas that will be granted.
The FSWP is Canada's main skilled immigration visa. About 55,000 people gain Canadian permanent resident status each year under the FSWP. Skilled workers are assessed against CIC's points grid to assess their ability to adapt to the Canadian job market.

Canada accepted over 250,000 new permanent residents in 2012 and has said that it intends to continue to do so every year for the next few years at least.

If you would like to apply for a Canadian visa global-migrate.com can help. global-migrate.com is a specialist visa consultancy . We can help with a wide range of visa applications to your country of choice. Please feel free to contact us for further details.
www.Global Migrate.com


Thursday 14 March 2013

UK Immigration To Introduce Premium Service For Tier 4 Sponsors

The chief executive of the UK Border Agency (UKBA) has announced that he intends to establish a premium service for Tier 4 sponsors. He says that the service will cost £8,000 a year and will give UK universities who sign up a better service.
Rob Whiteman said that the new service would give Tier 4 sponsors 'a range of benefits' including
• Access to a named account manager
• Priority consideration of post-licence casework,
• Monthly information reports on certificate allocations
• Access to student eligibility checks.

The Tier 4 premium service is expected to be available from July 2013.

New guidance for Tier 4 sponsors

The UKBA has also issued new guidance for Tier 4 sponsors. It was issued on 4th March 2013. The guidance makes it clear that 'there are no substantive changes to your duties as a sponsor' compared to the previous guidance.
One minor change has been made to the rules to allow students at a musical conservatoire to remain in the UK on a Tier 4 visa for over five years.

For Further Visa Related Problems You Can Click Here.
www.global-migrate.com
Skilled Migrant Visa

Wednesday 13 March 2013

The UK Border Agency (UKBA) has said that it intends to raise its fees for all applications from 6th April 2013.



Most fees will rise by 3% in line with inflation. The greatest increases will be for dependants of main applicants applying from within the UK.

At present, dependants applying from within the UK pay only 50% of the fees paid by the main applicant. This will rise to 75% of the main applicant's fee from 6th April.

This could mean hundreds of pounds in extra fees. For example, an application for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) currently costs £991 for a main applicant and £496 for a dependant. If the changes are introduced, then the cost for a main applicant will rise to £1021 – a rise of £30. But the fee for a dependant will rise to £766; a rise of £280.

Tuesday 12 March 2013

Australia Visa and Immigration

Moving to Australia can be a great decision. It is a beautiful country, and one that has many draws for people all over the world. If you’re planning a move to Australia, you’ll want to speak to one of Global-Migrate’s qualified immigration advisors. You can go at www.global-migrate.com

Monday 11 March 2013

Visit Visa

If you are planning for a visit and you got confused Canada is a pleasent place . Here u find all the beauty of nature and the historical places are waiting for you. I you got any issue for visa than you can resolve it by visiting..www.global-migrate.com/visit-visa.html

Saturday 9 March 2013

Australia Study Visa

If  you want to go Australia for your higher studies you will need a work visa. There are various services of visa provider are available in this area  but Global Migrate provide you best solutions. You will attend by highly knowledgable professionals who will provide you best solutions.If you want some additional services you can visit     www.global migrate.com

Friday 8 March 2013

WORK VISA FOR UK


According to recent information of the UK National Office of data the net immigration for the first six months of 2012 is with 33% lower than the same time during the before year. The National Office of Statistics said that in the first part of 2012 UK population rose by 163 000 people in comparison with 247 000 during the period January-July 2011. The government of UK has welcomed the decrease. The Prime Minister David Cameroon has promised to reduce the immigration below 100 000 people before the end of 2015. The UK Immigration minister Mark Harper has said that all of the current reforms are bringing the desired effect and are reduction the visa abuse to acceptable levels. He said that the UK government remains faithful to its goal to bring the net immigration from hundreds of thousands to tens of thousands per year. The net immigration figure is considered by subtracting the number of emigrants from the number of immigrants over any given time

According to the UK National Office of Statistics the main reason why people come to Britian is education. During 2012 however the number of the incoming international students has decreased with 20%. In addition to that the number the number of people that are coming to UK from Nigeria, India and Pakistan has fallen with 30% from 168,000 in 2011 to 117,000 in 2012. There was also a fall of 14,000 in the number of immigrants coming to the UK from eastern Europe. In the year to June 2012, 62,000 came, the ONS said. Some people were however serious of the policies of the UK government. Chris Bryant, the opponent Labour Party’s spokesperson on immigration said that the ruling association has failed to reduce the immigration that is most problematic, but instead has deterred mostly students from entering the country.




Thursday 7 March 2013

USA Family Visas


If you are the spouse, parent, or child of an American citizen, you may be able to join them in the United States. For this, you will need one of the types of US visa that are specifically intended for family members. Even within this category, there are many types of visa.

Applying for a US family visa can be a confusing and complex process. You might be unsure about where to start, of you might have a question along the way. In either case, you can call Global-Migrate’s team of qualified immigration advisors for help.

With most types of US family visas, you will be given permanent residency, or you will be able to apply for permanent residency after your arrival in the US.

Spouses and fiancés

If you are married to, or engaged to, a US citizen, you can apply for a visa on this basis. If your spouse is a US permanent resident, you might also be eligible to migrate to the US on a family-based visa, too. In most cases, you will need to provide proof of your relationship, undergo a medical examination, and have an interview before you can be granted your visa. Global-Migrate can help you with each step of the process, so call today.

Children and parents

If you are the parent or child of a United States citizen, or permanent resident, you might be able to migrate to the US to join them. These visas are also used by US citizens adopting a foreign national. The application will require your US relative to file a petition on your behalf. You and your sponsor will need to prove your family relationship. Global-Migrate can give you details on what sort of proof will be required, as well as the details of the immigration process.

Whatever your family relationship, Global-Migrate can help you find the right visa for your situation. Call us or request a call back today to get your free assessment and other visa help.

Wednesday 6 March 2013

Tier 1 - Post Study Work Visa


The Tier 1 (Post-study work) category allows the UK to retain international graduates who have studied here.
On 30 June 2008, the Border Agency scrapped the IGS, SEGS and the Fresh Talent also known as Working in Scotland scheme, with a view to bringing these in line with the immigration points-based system (PBS). The PBS was aimed at ensuring that only the right individuals were granted entry to remain in the UK.
During their permission to stay here, post-study workers can look for work without needing to have a sponsor. However, If successful in gaining the PSW visa, holders will be able to transfer into Tier 2 – the highly skilled workers visa if a company is willing to sponsor them.
Global-Migrate provides a comprehensive service for all the Point Based System (PBS) applications and make sure they choose the right options for their aspirations, so please use our FREE online assessment tool for expert advice.
Eligibility Criteria

The Tier 1 Post Study work scheme requires that the applicant must have completed an approved course of study at a recognised institution within 1 year of the application being submitted. This could mean that the applicant may have completed a Bachelor’s degree course, a Master’s or a PhD course. Apart from this the applicant also needs to meet various differen criteria such as meeting a language requirement and maintaining a minimum balance in their personal bank accounts for a certain amount of time.
Once approved the Tier 1 Post Stufy Work Visa is valid for two years and is not extendable. The applicant MUST switch to a different category if they are eligible or return to their home country.

Monday 4 March 2013








Study Visa

As a foreign national, you can be granted a residence permit in order to study in Denmark.

If you are a Nordic citizen, you are free to reside, study and work in Denmark. If you are an EU/EEA citizen or Swiss citizen seeking residence in Denmark based on the EU rules on freedom of movement, you may be subject to special regulations.

There are three main categories of study which can warrant a residence permit:

Higher educational programmes

Basic and youth study programmes

Folk high schools

Higher Educational Programme

To be eligbible for the Higher education programme you must;

  • have been admitted to a higher educational programme which has been approved by a state authority or which is offered by a publicly accredited educational institution.
  • prove that u can support yourself with your own means for the duration of your stay in Denmark. If you are to pay a tuition fee, you must document that you have paid the tuition fee for the first semester or year, instead of documenting that you can support yourself. Please note that a foreign student in Denmark may not receive public assistance / benefit payments. If you do so, your residence permit can be revoked.
  • be able to speak and understand the language of instruction and have a working knowledge of either Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, English or German.

Basic and youth study Programme

To be eligbible for the Basic and youth study programme you must;
  • show evidence that you are enrolled in a basic or youth study programme which has been approved by a state authority or which is offered by a publicly accredited institute of learning.
  • prove that you can support yourself for the duration of your stay in Denmark. Please note that a foreign student in Denmark may not receive public assistance / benefit payments. If you do so, your residence permit can be revoked.
  • be able to speak and understand the language of instruction and have a working knowledge of either Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, English or German.
  • be able to prove that you have been given parental/guardian consent if you are under the age of 18.
  • show evidence that the place of study will assist in ensuring proper residence and study conditions if you are under the age of 18.

Folk High School

To be eligbible for the Folk high school programme you must;
  • show evidence that you are enrolled to follow a course at a folk high school (folkehøjskole) or similar which has been approved by a state authority. The head of the school must declare that the course you are to follow is eligible for state subsidies, or state that the course will be carried out without state subsidies. In the latter case, the school must attach a statement about the course from Danmarks Evalueringsinstitut.
  • show evidence that you have paid the course fees.
  • prove that you can support yourself for the duration of your stay in Denmark. Please note that a foreign student in Denmark may not receive public assistance / benefit payments. If you do so, your residence permit can be revoked.
  • be able to speak and understand the language of instruction and have a working knowledge of either Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, English or German



Friday 1 March 2013

Quebec skilled workers

Quebec skilled workers

Quebec is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level. Quebec is Canada’s largest province by area and its second-largest administrative division; only the territory of Nunavut is larger.

Quebec establishes its own immigration requirements and selects immigrants who will adapt well to living in Quebec.

Quebec-selected skilled workers must apply in two stages.

You must first apply to the Quebec government for a certificate of selection (Certificat de selection du Quebec). This is the official document that shows that the Government of Quebec has accepted you to that province.

After you have been selected by Quebec, you have to make a separate application to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) for permanent residence. This is the second and final stage. Here, you will have to pass a medical examination, security and criminal checks.

You must also show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family after you arrive in Canada.

To find out more about immigration to Quebec, please call us directly on +44 (0)207 9934762

Australia Working Holiday



Australia Working Holiday

Whether you’re looking for the sun, surfing, or just want to spot a few kangaroo, Australia is a great destination. The Australian Working Holiday visa is an incredibly popular way for young adults to spend a year down under. You’ll get to travel around Australia, and unlike many tourist visas, you’ll be able to earn some extra cash by taking on certain jobs.

This can give you a great set of work experience while being an amazing tourism experience. Of course, the application can be confusing, so it’s worth getting advice from a qualified immigration consultant.

The Working Holiday Visa isn’t for everybody. To qualify, you must be between 18 and 30, and a citizen of certain countries. To find out if you qualify, speak to one of Global-Migrate’s advisors today.

In general, your visa will be valid for 12 months, though in some cases you might be eligible to apply for a second 12 months. For this, you’ll need to do specified work in regional Australia. For more details about what this means, get in touch with Global-Migrate’s working holiday experts.

During your stay, you are allowed to work for an employer for up to six months. You will also be able to travel in and out of Australia as much as you’d like. This means you can go home as often as you want during your 12 months.

Global-Migrate’s consultants have helped loads of people like you get their working holiday visa. We offer a free initial visa assessment, and only take on clients we believe will be successful. To find out more about our services, give us a call, email us, or request a call back.

Spending a year in Australia can be an experience you’ll remember for the rest of your life. To make the best visa application possible, you’ll want to use the help of a MARA registered visa consultant at Global-Migrate. We can help make your Australian working holiday dream a reality, so get in touch today.