Immigration news

From 1 January 2010 the English language requirements for onshore General Skilled Migration (GSM) visas have changed:

The Association of Professional Staffing Companies a special interest group feels that the Tier 2 (Intra company transfer) visa category of the points-based system has resulted in Indian IT companies bringing in lower paid overseas workers to the UK.

From 6 January 2010 all those extending their stay under the Tier 2 visa including dependents will need to apply for an identity card.

In November 2008 the UK Border Agency started issuing compulsory identity cards for a number of non EU nationals applying to extend their stay in the UK. The categories of people who require identity cards continues to increase.

On 22 December 2009 US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that all 65,000 H-1B cap subject visas have all been fully used up for the fiscal year of 2010. Any H-1B visa applications properly filed by 21 December 2009 will be subject to a computer generated random selection process. Unfortunately, this means that some properly completed H-1B visa petitions will be returned.

A United States congressman has proposed a new 'start-up' visa which would make it easier for foreign entrepreneurs to start companies in America.

Congressman Jared Polis proposed the new visa, with the aim to make it easier for entrepreneur immigrants. Without immigration companies such as Yahoo and Google would not exist. The idea will be part of a proposed overhaul of the U.S. immigration system.

The Canadian Government has announced recently that temporary residents applying for work permits or wishing to extend their visit in Canada can now apply online.

Immigration Minister Jason Kenney had the following to say:

"Extending our online services to more temporary residents will significantly facilitate the application process by providing faster, more accessible and efficient services,".