Watch video news          

Announced 09 May as a Budget Media Release, the Working Holiday Makers (WHM) program will offer new temporary work and study opportunities.

Under the current program, people may stay for twelve months and work for three months with any single employer, although they may work for other employers. From July this year this will now be extended to allow work for the same employer for up to six months. WHM holders will also be allowed to study in Australia for four months instead of the current three months. Working holiday makers employed for three months in the primary skill industries may apply to renew their WHM visa for a second year. This allows Australian employers to retain trained staff for longer periods of time to recoup their investment.

The Australian Government is also making it easier for students to work in Australia. Foreign students graduating from Australian universities with a tertiary degree will be able to apply immediately for a 18-month work visa. Some foreign students graduating from non Australian Universities in targeted high-value skill areas will also be able to work in Australia on a temporary visa.

Under further legislation introduced to the Australian Parliament on 11 May, 2006, all unauthorized boat arrivals will be processed off-shore. The Government will attempt to change the Migration Act through the Migration Amendment Bill of 2006. It is designed to eliminate the distinction between unauthorised boat arrivals at any offshore location and those who actually reach the mainland

Unauthorized boat arrivals have been discouraged and reduced by enforcement in recent years. The government considers this an opportunity to welcome legitimate refugees from camps throughout the world, many of whom have been waiting for years for resettlement. At the same time, this bill is viewed as helping to discourage human smuggling in the region.

Off-shore processing centres in a country outside Australia will be used to evaluate any claims regarding refugee protection status. People found to be refugees will remain offshore for resettlement to a third country.

Border control continues to be a hot topic in the United States and, with a speech by President Bush on Monday night, it is now top news in the U.S.

The Congress has indicated that it wished to pass several immigration reform initiatives in the next few weeks. The reasoning and the details of these reforms are complex, but the issue is seen as a popular subject for the impending elections.

Bush rejected calls for amnesty of illegal immigrants, while calling for both a temporary guest worker program and a "path toward citizenship" for eligible undocumented workers who "pay their dues" for illegal entry.

Much more controversial is the strengthening of the U.S.-Mexican border. Proposed are the use of 6,000 National Guard troops and the construction of about 850 miles of wall to try to seal the 2000 mile border. Use of the military for domestic purposes and the expense of the proposals are stirring intense debate.

In Canada, Prime Minister Stephen Harper spoke on Friday, May 12, detailing a commitment by the Canadian federal government to make it easier for parents to obtain Canadian citizenship for children adopted from overseas.

Legislation was introduced on Monday 15 May to amend the Citizenship Act, expediting the citizenship of foreign-born children adopted by Canadian citizens.

The Permanent Residence Fee was reduced earlier this year from $975 to $490 Canadian dollars and applies to immigrants granted permanent resident status under all social, humanitarian and economic classes on or after May 3, 2006.

Several hundred million dollars in additional settlement assistance for new immigrants is budgeted over the next two years. It will address assessment and recognition of foreign credentials and is to support various social services targeted for recent immigrants.

The over-all goal is to attract skilled workers and provide training required to enhance adjustment to a new country. The successful Provincial Nomination Program, in place since 1998, has continued to enjoy support and revision up through May this year to expedite work and student visas.

At the beginning of May, related activity to encourage immigration to Canada now allows foreign students attending Canadian universities to apply for a work permit in addition to their student visas. Allowing students to work off-campus is seen as a way to assist students in paying for their studies, while encouraging them to acclimate to the Canadian culture and participate in the Canadian economy after graduation.

Latest immigration news

Bush Proposes Sending 6000 National Guard to Mexican Border

As anticipated during the past several days, President Bush gave a prime-time speech on American television to add his administrations opinion to the election year immigration debate in the United States. more »

Measures to Strengthen Australian Border Proposed

Under legislation introduced to Parliament 11 May, 2006, all unauthorized boat arrivals will be processed off-shore. more »

Changes to the Working Holiday Visa in Australia

Australia has a 'working holiday maker (WHM)' programme that allows foreign visitors to earn money while temporarily travelling in Australia. Persons qualifying for this type of visa may also study in Australia for a short time. more »

US National Guard and the US-Mexico Fence

The United States is undertaking a large project to build a fence along large segments of the US-Mexico border in an attempt to keep illegal immigrants from entry. more »

Proposed Changes to the Canadian Citizenship Act to Expedite Adoption and Citizenship

Prime Minister Stephen Harper spoke on Friday, 12 May detailing a committment by the Canadian federal government to make it easier for parents to obtain Canadian citizenship for children adopted from overseas. more »

US Supreme Court Allows Deportation of British Man

On Wednesday 10 May, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled to allow the Bush administration to deport a British man for breaking the law in Mississippi. more »

US Senate to Debate Immigration Reform Again

The United States Senate decided on Thursday to revive an immigration bill that was tabled last week. In theory, it could provide millions of the estimated 13 million illegal immigrants currently in the US a chance at amnesty and work visa's, with the goal of opening a path toward American citizenship. more »

EEA Family Permits Changed in the UK

The new EU Free Movement of Persons Directive came in to force in the UK earlier this year on April 30 and this will bring changes to the application process of family members of EEA nationals working or studying in the UK. more »

New work permits for foreign students

As of now, foreign students studying in Canada can apply for off-campus work permits , Monte Solberg, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, announced today. more »

video productions Are you planning to emigrate? Are you good with a video camera? We are looking for people to record their experiences at any time during the immigration process. The best footage will be used in one of our new video productions. Please send your video with an explanation of the contents of the video to: New Media Department workpermit.com Kalku iela 7 Riga Latvia LV 1050

newsletter survey First name * Surname* Email * Comments (what else you would like to see in our newsletter)* * - required fields

Automatic news updates (RSS Feed)
Stay connected to the latest immigration news with our latest feature - automatic news updates. With this technology, summaries of the latest stories will be sent directly to you.

Currency Converter