Immigration newsletter 29 Mar 2012

Firstly we remind you again that UK Government fees for UK visa and nationality applications will go up again from 6 April 2012. In most cases fees will increase by only 2 percent, but there will be larger increases on visa fees for certain immigration routes. Including an increase in Tier 2 visa fees from £400 to £480 and Tier 4 visas will increase from £255 to £289 for students and their dependents.  You should apply soon to avoid the Government fee increases.

If you are interested in studying in the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, or Australia we can help. If you complete our student immigration enquiry form one of our representatives will be happy to contact you to let you know about the immigration process and possible colleges in the Country of your choice. 

There is currently a huge demand for Residential Care Officers in Australia. If you meet the necessary requirements you can emigrate to Australia under the General Skilled Migration Program. A Residential Care Officer provides care and supervision for children or disabled persons in group housing or institutional care. Apply soon because from 1 July 2012 when the new Skill Select system is in place it is expected fewer applicants will qualify for a visa and processing times will be longer.

The UK National Union of Students have launched an online campaign on behalf of international students to protest against the UK government's immigration policies. The initiative follows a report published in February that says the changes to UK visa policy deter foreign students from studying in the UK and have a detrimental effect on the country's international reputation.

Australian Immigration has announced that from 15 February 2012 the validity period for Resident Return Visas will be reduced from five years to one year when the applicant has not lived in Australia for more than two of the last five years.  

The Resident Return visa is a permanent visa for current or former Australian permanent residents. This visa will allow you to maintain or regain your status as an Australian permanent resident if you re-enter Australia and meet the necessary requirements.

The Canadian High Commission has just released 5,350 working visa places for young people wishing to spend a year in the country under the International Experience Canada programme. Work permits under IEC are available for young people aged 18-35 who are from one of the countries that have a bilateral reciprocal youth mobility arrangement with Canada. Eligible countries include New Zealand, Australia, the UK, and France. Under this permit you can travel and work in Canada for up to one year.

Australia's Department of Immigration and Citizenship announced on 19 March further changes to student visas including streamlined visa processing and other changes that are intended to go into effect on 24 and 26 March 2012.

Under the changes, student visa applicants can streamline their visa application if they submit them with a Confirmation of Enrolment from a participating university in Australia. Their applications will be assessed as though they were a lower migration risk, regardless of their country of origin.

The US announced on 21 March that they will waive the personal interview requirement for some Indians who are renewing their visas. Under the new programme Indian applicants seeking to renew a visa that is still valid or has expired within the last 4 years will be eligible to apply for a new visa without an interview. These changes would apply to applicants of B1 and B2 Visitor visas, C Transit visas, and D Crewmember visas.

Changes to the Australian visa application process for asylum seekers will combine two separate visa processes into one and are now in effect. Australian Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Chris Bowen stated that the new Protection Visa process would combine separate processes for boat and air arrivals into a single system for all asylum seekers.