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The tourism industry has warned that the US is losing billions of dollars due to bureaucratic visa procedures and tight security after 11 Sept. attacks. International tourists and foreign students, they say, are choosing other locations such as Australia, South Africa, Spain and Asia.
On 8 May Australian Government announced changes to its immigration strategy by adding to its Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL). The changes affect skilled visas for immigration to Australia. The MODL and Skills Occupation List (SOL) form part of the backbone of Australia's point-based skilled migration strategy.
The long-awaited regulation on the 20,000 US H-1B cap exemptions was published in the Federal Register on May 5, 2005, clarifying several issues.
Tony Blair looks set to be voted in for a historic third term as Prime Minister in the UK. Early results showed that his Labour Party won a sharply reduced majority in the British parliament.
Overall, the Labour Party has a more positive attitude towards immigration and this result will probably be welcomed by many immigrants and prospective immigrants to the UK.
Applicants for UK visas in the Netherlands can now make their applications via the Internet. The new online system, known as "visa4uk", simplifies the process for the British Consulate-General's visa applicants.
UK voters are going to the polls today, and while we won't know the outcome until early on 6 May, workpermit.com gives you an idea of what each party is offering in terms of immigration.
The Conservative Party is calling for annual refugee and immigrant quotas; bonds for temporary workers; compulsory health checks; offshore asylum processing centres; new border police; and, quitting the UN refugee convention.