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The US DV-2008 (Greencard) Lottery is about to begin

The United States Diversity Visa Lottery for 2008, commonly known as the Greencard Lottery, will begin accepting submission of electronic applications at 12 noon, U.S. Eastern time on Wednesday, October 4th. Interested persons are reminded to begin preparations immediately if they have not already done so.

The European Commission announced that Romania and Bulgaria will be admitted to the European Union on January 1st 2007. The EU-25 will now become the EU-27, but under strict new conditions.

Bulgaria and Romania joining will increase the population of the EU by 30 million citizens. There will be restrictions on migration to other EU/EEA countries for up to three years.

The new Accession States will have to report on progress in fighting crime and corruption every six months. By March 2007, they need to set up agencies to account for millions of euros in EU farm aid. Both will face food export bans due to recent outbreaks of animal diseases, while Bulgarian planes could be banned from EU airspace until the country improves its air safety standards.

Recent controversy has arisen as the current EU-25 nations stall on final decisions regarding the access rights for working and migration for nationals of Romania and Bulgaria.

John Reid, the UK Home Secretary announced the introduction of a "points system" to assess skills, qualifications and experience of potential workers from the new Member States, signalling that the open-door policy in the UK is now closed in favour of a "managed migration" policy.

As UK universities seek to attract foreign university students, the successful Fresh Talent scheme in Scotland will now be extended to England, Wales and Northern Ireland. 2000 students who graduate annually in Scotland take advantage of the program, which allows overseas students a two-year visa extension if they complete their studies in Scotland.

U.S. universities have lost significant numbers of international students since 2002. Worldwide competition for highly skilled workers is strong, and international students are increasingly regarded as a source of highly skilled immigrants. Countries such as New Zealand, France and South Africa are attracting more foreign students by building up their own universities, with more than a 1% rise in foreign student populations over the past four years.

Australia has updated its Migration Occupations in Demand List. The MODL identifies targeted skilled occupations as being in national demand with long-term employment prospects. Skilled migration applicants with occupations appearing on the MODL are awarded an additional 15 or 20 points.

Latest immigration news

European Union approves Bulgaria and Romania for 01 January 2007

The European Commission has announced that Romania and Bulgaria will be admitted to the European Union in January 2007, but under strict conditions. Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said both countries had made enough progress to join the union. more »

Australia - Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) update

The Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) includes occupations identified by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) as being in national demand with sustained employment prospects. The MODL has its basis in DEWR's skills-in-demand research with account taken of some broader labour market information. more »

Romania and Bulgaria lobby the UK for open-doors

Romanians and Bulgarians working in the UK at some of the highest levels of banking, law, commerce and industry urged the British Government today to utilize the same open-door policy that was granted to new members of the EU-25 two years ago in the United Kingdom. more »

UK universities seek to attract and assist more university students

Universities UK, which represents university vice-chancellors, wants the scheme which gives graduates of Scottish universities easier access to visas to be extended to England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In general, universities across the UK are seeking to end Scotland's competitive advantage in attracting overseas students. more »

US universities losing international students, looking for more

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has released a study indicating that foreign-born students are signing up for university studies in countries other than the United States. more »

The US DV-2008 (Greencard) Lottery is about to begin

Popularly known as the United States Green Card Lottery, the DV-2008 Lottery will begin in two short weeks. Get prepared now! more »

US passport rules for 2007 delayed by one week

The date when passports will be required for U.S. citizens flying or cruising to Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico has been extended by one week, to 08 January 2007. more »

Australian citizen test characterized as a threat to society

The Australian Federal Government's plan to tighten citizenship eligibility would dismantle the nation's multicultural society and reintroduce an Australia of the 1950s, according to one of Australia's leading scholars on immigration. more »

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