Dear Visitor

The United States will not accept any more H-1B visa petitions for this year. 65,000 H-1B visas were available for the 2008 fiscal year. 150,000 petitions were submitted on Monday April 2nd. H-1B visas will be awarded from randomly selected petitions received on Monday and Tuesday this week.

Anyone wishing to live permanently in the United Kingdom now needs to take the new version of the Life in the UK Test. The updated test became mandatory on Monday, April 2nd for persons applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain and for naturalization.

The British Home Office has agreed to examine and reconsider many recent changes in the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme. Many of the new rules for HSMP visas have made it more difficult for some people to qualify for an HSMP visa.

The United Kingdom announced a new work program called the International Graduates Scheme (IGS). It will allow international students the opportunity to work in the UK for up to a year after completing their studies. The new program will become effective from May 1st of this year, replacing the existing Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme (SEGS).

Outgoing Prime Minister Tony Blair announced a shake-up and restructuring of Britain's Home Office last week. An entirely new "Ministry of Justice" will be created under which many former responsibilities of the Home Office will now fall. Immigration and Asylum will still be structured under the Home Office, while the Ministry of Justice will control the court system and related categories.

The British Home Office announced new border security measures last week that will come into effect over the next two years. Procedures will be put in place to track every person when they enter or leave Britain. The entire visa regime will be reviewed and overhauled.

New Zealand's Work to Residency program will be changed to allow immigrants more time to obtain job offers. Persons wishing to apply for residency will now have 9 months instead of 6 to locate a job to qualify for permanent residency. Immigrants approved for residency under the Skilled Migrant Category who are already working will no longer need to wait for three months; they will be granted residency immediately.

Australia's new Immigration Minister, Kevin Andrews, is reviewing a number of immigration cases leftover from former Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone's tenure. He has reversed several deportation orders already and is currently "struggling through a pile of unresolved immigration cases."

• Life in the UK test for permanent residence goes into effect

  As of Monday, 02 April 2007, anyone wishing to live permanently in the United Kingdom - otherwise known as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) - will be required to take a test that assesses their knowledge of British life and culture. They will also be required to have proficient knowledge of the English language. more  »

• US H-1B visa cap reached in one day

  United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that they have received enough H-1B petitions to satisfy the congressionally mandated cap of 65,000 visas for fiscal year 2008. more  »

• US passport processing times increased due to high demand

  The United States State Department is warning Americans who need passports that they should expect and plan for longer than usual processing times. While the longer times are generally not longer than two additional weeks, they are still strongly advising people to apply as soon as possible if they think they will need a passport this year. more  »

• New Zealand to increase job-hunting time for immigrants

  Skilled migrants that come to New Zealand under the Work to Residency program will have more time to find employment, according to Immigration Minister David Cunliffe. more  »

• Australian Immigration Minister provides relief for immigrants facing deportation

  Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews has reversed several decisions by his predecessor, allowing for two Australian families to stay united. more  »

• New International Graduates Scheme introduced in Britain

  The United Kingdom announced a new program called the International Graduates Scheme (IGS) on 28 March 2007. It will enable international students to stay in the UK for a year to work after completing their studies. more  »

• UK Home Office announces major changes, new Ministry of Justice

  Britain's outgoing Prime Minister, Tony Blair, announced a shake-up of Home Office responsibilities and divisions on 29 March 2007. In addition to its role in police service, crime reduction, immigration and asylum, and identity and passports, the Home Office will now have a stronger role in dealing with the threat of terrorism. A new department, the Ministry of Justice, will also be created. more  »

• UK visa fee changes effective 01 April 2007, reminder

  We would like to put out a reminder about the recent changes to United Kingdom visa fees that take effect from 01 April 2007. Please see our recent news article with a comprehensive breakdown of fees for more information. more  »