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On 18 November 2010, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), a body set up to advise the UK Government on UK immigration including the UK's points based system, recommended that the UK Government reduce immigration by up to one-quarter.
The MAC said that Tier 1 visa and Tier 2 visa immigration numbers should fall to between 37,400 and 43,700. In 2009, some 50,000 work related Tier 1 and Tier 2 immigrant visas were granted.
The Canadian government is investing more than $1.6 million to help immigrant children and their families in London, Ontario.
The Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) program provides immigrant families with an interactive orientation to the Ontario school system as well as referrals to settlement agencies and other community support services.
"The Government of Canada is helping newcomer youth and their families succeed," said Ed Holder, Member of Parliament for London West.
Before the global financial crisis, the cap on H1B visas was being reached on the first day that visas became available for each fiscal year. In recent years visas have continued to be available throughout the year. The latest USCIS update of 12 November 2011, confirms that over 17,000 H-1B visas are still available under the regular H-1B cap and 2,600 under the Masters Exemption for the current fiscal year.
On 23 November 2010, United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) will be increasing its fees for a number of immigration and non-immigrant related visa applications. For some visa categories fees will actually decrease.
The fee for Petition for Alien Relative will increase significantly, from $355 to $420. The fee for Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) will decrease from $455 to $340. Applications fees for naturalization will remain the same at $595. H-1B and H-2B applications (Petition for a Non-Immigrant Worker) will only increase by $5, to $325.
Scotland which is part of the UK is claiming that tougher UK immigration controls will be detrimental to its economy and will hinder its ability to attract overseas students.
Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop stated in a speech at Edinburgh University that greater freedom for Scotland over immigration is needed to enable Scotland to bring in more skilled workers and students.
This is a reminder that UK visa fees are due to go up on 22 November 2010. Even if the visa fee increase is delayed again it seems likely that visa fees will go up very soon. Certain UK visa fees for dependents applying to remain in the UK will double or triple in price.