Dear Visitor

Immigration into and emigration out of the United Kingdom is continuing to break records, according to figures just released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). An estimated 591,000 people from around the world came into Britain for at least one year during 2006, compared to 563,000 for 2005. However, the actual net migrant inflow decreased from the previous year due to record numbers of people leaving the country. The 400,000 people who left the UK last year were one of the contributory factors that resulted in the lowest population growth figure for the country in three years.

New Zealand continues to experience a slow-down in immigration while, at the same time, increasing numbers of New Zealand citizens are leaving the country, in large part due to more favorable economic conditions in Australia. The average annual net increase has been 12,200 migrants coming into the country, as recorded for the years ending in December 1990-2006.

Australia was New Zealand's second largest source of migrants for the year ending in October, behind the United Kingdom. Returning New Zealand citizens accounted for almost two-thirds of migrants from Australia. 87% of New Zealanders who emigrate continue to leave for Australia.

New rules requiring fingerprints and photographs for all foreigners entering Japan went into effect on November 20th. The Japanese government says the procedure is a necessary security measure to prevent terrorist attacks inside the country. The system is modeled on a similar United States program required for all visa applications. However, the new Japanese policy applies to all foreigners - visitors and residents - each time they enter the country, not just during the application process.

The United States DV-2009 Green Card Lottery is currently open. It will close Sunday, 12:00 noon EST, 02 December 2007! Applications MUST be submitted online. workpermit.com offers services to evaluate and submit your entry for you. We have made a video of some frequently asked questions and a companion article on the DV-2009 for your convenience.

When France takes the helm of the European Union presidency for the second-half of 2008, it will push for the 27-member bloc to introduce a charter on immigration that will create a more uniform approach to immigration policy. During a cabinet meeting, held to prepare the nation for its up-coming presidency of the EU, the French Prime Minister called for a "single immigration charter" to "harmonize" visa and naturalization policies in the border-free Schengen area. France also strongly supports the European Commission's recent proposal for an EU-wide "Blue Card" residency permit.

The European Commission's statistic agency, Eurostat, has released figures showing that migrants in the European Union sent home approximately Ђ26 billion in remittances during 2006, an increase of Ђ3 billion from 2005. The report does not take into account "informal" transfers of money.

Approximately 85% of the remittances were sent from just five EU countries. For both years, approximately Ђ19 billion were sent to countries outside the EU, meaning nearly all the increase in transfers is due to free movement within the EU. According to a separate EC report, Poland and Portugal account for the majority of remittances sent by migrants from EU countries back home to other EU countries.

Migrant workers from the 10 new eastern European Union states are the fastest growing category of new workers in Ireland. Nearly 60% of the total labor force growth comes from EU states that joined in 2004 and 2007.

The number of non-EU citizens working in Ireland during the third quarter of 2007 increased by 11,300, compared to the same time period of the previous year. 341,600 foreign nationals currently reside in Ireland, a quarter million of whom are employed. About 12% of the entire Irish work force is comprised of foreigners from the around the world.

Canada has announced that it will give priority to immigrants from Iraq and surrounding countries with close family in Canada. Spouses, common-law and conjugal partners, and dependent children already receive priority processing. However, the measure will now be extended to parents, grandparents, and orphaned family members sponsored by Canadian citizens and permanent residents. The measure will also apply to dependents of refugees from the region in Canada.

All the usual security and medical checks must still be passed, but every effort will be made to help people in need, according to Immigration Minister Diane Finley. The visa office in Damascus, Syria, will process applications on a priority basis for permanent residence under the Family Class for Iraqi nationals directly affected by the conflict.

According to Statistics Sweden, immigration to the northern European Union country hit "a record level" last year, a trend that has so far continued for 2007. Based upon statistics for this year through September, net immigration into Sweden is expected to nearly equal or perhaps surpass the record inflow of 96,800 for all of 2006. At the same time, the number of people leaving Sweden has also increased by 5% for the same time period last year.

• Canada to fast-track Iraqi immigrants

  Canada will give priority to immigrants from Iraq and surrounding countries with close family in Canada, according to Immigration Minister Diane Finley. more  »

• New Zealand immigration declining, emigration increasing

  New Zealand is continuing to experience a decline in immigration and more New Zealand citizens are leaving the country, mainly to Australia. more  »

• Almost 60 percent of Irish work force growth from Eastern Europe

  Immigration from the new European Union states continues to drive Ireland's labor growth, according to figures released by the government's statistics agency. more  »

• Japan to fingerprint visitors and foreign residents

  New rules requiring fingerprints for visitors and foreigners living in Japan will go into effect on 20 November 2007. The Japanese government says the procedure is a necessary security measure to prevent terrorist attacks inside the country. more  »

• France wants immigration harmonized across EU

  When France takes the helm of the European Union presidency in the second-half of 2008, it will push for the 27-member bloc to introduce a charter on immigration that will create a more uniform approach to the different immigration policies of member states. more  »

• Record number of Britons leave the UK

  According to figures released by the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS), approximately 400,000 people left the UK in 2006, compared to 359,000 in 2005. more  »

• More criticism at ending UK SAWS migration scheme

  At a meeting with the Parliamentary British Fruit Industry Group on 13 November 2007, Hugh Robertson, MP for Faversham and Mid Kent, said that the UK government's plan to end the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS) in 2010 would risk ending a "huge British success story". more  »

• Migrants in the EU send home Ђ26 billion in 2006

  Eurostat, the European Commission's statistic agency, has released figures showing that migrants in the European Union sent home approximately Ђ26 billion in remittances during 2006, an increase of Ђ3 billion over 2005. more  »

• Immigration to Sweden continues to increase

  According to Statistics Sweden, immigration to the northern European Union country hit "a record level" last year, a trend that continues in 2007. Popular sources of migrants include returning Swedish citizens, Iraqis, and new European Union member states that joined in 2004 and 2007. more  »