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workpermit.com | Immigration newsletter - 8 November 2006

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The US DV-2008 (Greencard) Lottery - apply by 3rd December 2006


The UK announced that the current HSMP programme is suspended immediately and will resume under new rules from December fifth. The introduction of new rules affects HSMP extension applications, as well. Some transitional rules will come into effect for persons who currently hold an HSMP, with specific provisions for self-employed persons, but all new HSMP applications and applications for extension will be subject to the revised points-based system.

Most notable, 75 points are now required when previously 65 were needed. Several points categories have been eliminated, with a specific income scale for additional points. A high level of English language proficiency must now be proven, in addition to other criteria.

Transitional arrangements will apply for those whose leave to remain expires under the new rules and whose applications will be considered against the new criteria. Those who are making a useful contribution to the UK economy - for example, working in a skilled job - but who fail to meet the new requirements, will be offered a 'grace period' in which they have an opportunity to switch into the Work Permits scheme.

The Immigration Nationality Directorate also announced that it will double the enforcement budget by 2009/10.


Only 3 1/2 weeks remain to file for the United States Green Card Lottery. Applications MUST be submitted electronically using the Internet, and none will be accepted after 12:00 noon Eastern Standard Time, on Sunday, December third.

Greenwich time on December third will be 5:00 p.m. (in London) when it is 12:00 noon on the East Coast of the United States.


Several dozen U.S. cities and local jurisdictions began passing their own immigration laws and regulations this year. The moves are highly controversial because the United States Constitution grants specific authority only to the federal government to regulate immigration.

In Escondido, California and in Hazelton, Pennsylvania recent legal actions are contesting this trend. Escondido is being sued by a coalition of human rights interests to halt the local ordinance. Hazelton has had its law suspended by a federal judge, pending court review of compliance with constitutionally protected rights.


Spain may already have at least 800,000 Romanians living and working in the country, and the general attitude in Spain is somewhat welcoming. Studies in the United Kingdom and Ireland this year consistently show that the economic strength seen in those countries is largely due to a huge influx of East European immigrants.

30 million Romanians and Bulgarians will join to form the EU-27 on January first, 2007. Many existing EU-25 States are considering restrictions to their labour markets, but several, notably Spain, Poland, Finland and Sweden, have announced plans for few or no restrictions.

Spain is planning to give Romanians and Bulgarians free access to its job market by 2009, which will synchronize Spain's policy with the ten States that joined to form the EU-25 in 2004.

It is estimated that Spain requires an additional 4 million immigrants before 2020 to fulfil its labour needs.

Latest immigration news

UK HSMP Suspended pending a new scheme in a month

The first step towards a points based system for managing migration was launched today with the introduction of new rules for highly skilled foreign workers applying to come to the United Kingdom. more »

Turkey appears to miss out on rapid EU accession

The European Commission will decide this week if it will recommend a partial suspension of Turkey's membership negotiations for joining the European Union. Turkey has failed in several key areas, including failure to open up its ports to Cyprus and other trade issues. more »

Punitive immigration laws under fire in the US

Beginning almost a year ago and progressing into the spring of this year, the United States Congress and the White House made immigration reform a highly visible issue in preparation for the off-year election. However, intense political fighting over the details largely scuttled the debate and deadlocked meaningful progress at the federal level. more »

Spain may already have 600,000 illegal Romanians

Official figures suggest that there are about 200,000 Romanians working legally in Spain today. But, unofficial estimates suggest that at least 600,000 more Romanians are living and working in Spain illegally. Generally speaking, Spaniards and their government are not only comfortable with this level of immigration from Romania, they are welcoming toward it. more »

Wyoming, United States needs workers to fill job openings

Wyoming has good work, and lots of it. The rural state in the west of the United States is experiencing an economic boom and is having trouble filling job positions across a wide variety of occupations. more »

UK visas, work permits and application costs to rise for April, 2007

The Home Office for the United Kingdom announced on 30 October that it was reviewing the way migrants were charged for work permits, student visas and nationality applications. A sharp rise in fees is expected. more »

Visa regulations tightened in Germany

In coming weeks, Germany's coalition government will draft a bill to tighten entry regulations for foreign students and implement EU directives on asylum and residency rights. The Socials Democrats (SPD) and Christian Democrats (CDU) appear ready to act before the end of the year. more »

Germany scraps plans to entice highly skilled workers

At the beginning of the summer, German businesses attempted to convince the government to alter immigration policies to attract more skilled immigrant workers. A discussion over the past months on the long-term issue and proposed plans have now come to an end. more »

UK immigration staff can ask Muslim women to remove veils

The Home Office has confirmed immigration officers have the right to ask women wearing veils to remove them so that they can check their identity when they first arrive in the United Kingdom. more »

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