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On 6 May, 2018 workpermit.com reported that the UK Tier 1 Investor visa had been targeted for a crackdown by Prime Minister, Theresa May. Following the nerve-agent poisoning of a former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia on UK soil, the Home Office launched an investigation into Tier 1 Investor visas issued to wealthy Russians.
UK immigration minister, Caroline Nokes, had previously said that Britain’s policy towards immigrants wrongly accused of cheating on English language tests will remain unchanged. However, it seems that the Home Office may be looking into this again. On the back of the recent Windrush controversy, the Home Office faces further questions over its hostile approach to immigration.
Something similar to the new UK tier 2 visa concession for doctors and nurses coming to work for the NHS previously had the backing of Health and Social Care Secretary, Jeremy Hunt. The MP for South West Surrey had previously presented a short-term initiative for shortage healthcare workers to Home Secretary, Sajid Javid.
Ohio Governor, John Kasich, has a history of welcoming immigrants to the Midwestern US state, but now the Republican – in his second-term as Governor – is offering formal state assistance with US visas and jobs. Mr Kasich recently signed an executive order to create the Office of Opportunities for New Americans.
Wolverhampton South West MP, Eleanor Smith, said earlier this year that ‘shame and guilt’ over the treatment of Windrush immigrants by the Home Office has sparked a more positive outlook on UK immigration. The Labour MP said that ‘people are beginning to realise the damaging effect that demonising immigration has on communities and wider society.’
Amid discussions to expand US visa validity for Nigerian nationals from two to 10 years, the US-Nigeria Trade Council has urged Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Ministry and US government officials to agree a bilateral treaty that would enable Nigerians to take advantage of the US E1 (nonimmigrant treaty trader) and E2 (nonimmigrant treaty investor) visa programs.