Australia and New Zealand Immigration News

Hundreds of New Zealand visa applicants were accidentally approved for visas following a computer error last week. The Silver Fern Visa scheme is limited to 300 visas annually, but a computer glitch at Immigration New Zealand incorrectly accepted a further 330 visa applications after the quota had been filled.

Australian Immigration has released a new video online in 14 languages that advises Australian visa overstayers on how to resolve their immigration status. The new video, created by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship contains necessary information for those that are unsure of how to resolve their situation.

Following Indonesia's announcement that they will remove Sri Lanka and Bangladesh from its immigration red list, Australia worries that they will soon receive a new wave of asylum-seeker boats.

A former Australian immigration department official came out this week claiming that the country's immigration system is subject to widespread fraud, with hundreds of people apparently lying about their nationality to gain a visa.

Australian immigration has announced that so far this year, India is the top source country for skilled permanent migrants coming to Australia, surpassing China and the UK."Most of the Indian migration is skilled, both independent and sponsored. Independent migrants clear the points test and come over and look for work. Sponsored migration is when an employer sponsors someone. We encourage that. It's better for them, it's better for us," said Australian immigration minister Chris Bowen.

The number of young people wishing to travel and work in Australia on the Working Holiday visa has increased by three percent in 2011, according to figures released by Destination NSW at the Australian Youth Tourism Exchange at the Sunshine Coast.