Dear Visitor

From February 29th, the United Kingdom is replacing the rules for highly skilled migrants with existing HSMP visas who need to extend their leave to remain. Immigrants must now qualify under the new Tier 1 category for General Highly Skilled Migrants.

People will need to score enough points under the Tier 1 system without the MBA provision previously available under HSMP. However, the English language requirements are waived for extension applications.

The number of highly skilled migrants coming into the United Kingdom continues to exceed the number leaving the country, according to a new study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The study also found that highly skilled migrants coming in are significantly better educated than their UK-born counterparts.

38.4% of foreign-born adults in Britain have degrees in higher education, compared to 20.1% of the native-born population. Even with the large influx of highly skilled migrants, the UK is experiencing the largest exodus of highly skilled citizens of all OECD countries.

Meet our Immigration Consultants at One Life Live 2008

The One Life Live 2008 event will take place at Olympia in London from February 29th through March 2nd. The event is designed to bring together organizations and resources for people who want to make dramatic changes in their lives, such as taking a career break to travel the world or relocating to work or live overseas.

Immigration professionals from workpermit.com will provide free consultations, information and advice to visitors at booth B46 in the "Relocate" zone. People may sign up to make an appointment at our website, and may be eligible for up to a 10% discount when making use of our services. If you wish, please contact our London office at +44 (0) 20 7842 0800 to make an appointment.

The government of the United Kingdom is proposing changes to rules for migrants who wish to naturalize as British citizens. The controversial proposals are being called a "path to citizenship," which, if passed into law, would become a three-stage naturalization process.

Among the provisions are a new probationary period, stronger English language requirements, and a "tax" that prospective citizens must contribute into a fund to help communities deal with the impact of increased immigration. Even tougher measures would deny or delay citizenship for migrants who commit offenses, especially those that result in prison sentences. Migrants who engage in community volunteer work would be eligible to graduate to British citizenship more quickly.

A recent European Commission report on the topic of encouraging employment growth in the European Union cites immigration as an important factor in continuing to encourage global competitiveness for Europe. Countries such as Spain, Denmark, and Ireland consider immigration to be an important element in meeting their labor market needs.

Some member states, such as the Netherlands, Cyprus, and Lithuania, are planning to develop programs to encourage highly skilled migration into those countries. The need to define a common immigration policy for the EU, such as the recently proposed Blue Card, is also seen as important. The European Commission is expected to push further for a common policy in 2008.

Australia will begin to collect biometric data as part of their immigration processes, including visa applications. The collected biometrics will include facial images and fingerprint scans. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship has said that biometric data has helped them in several cases, including the discovery of illegal foreign fishermen attempting to use multiple identities at the Northern Immigration Detention Centre in Darwin.

In another case, biometrics helped to identify a Ukrainian backpacker who turned up in a Brisbane hospital with amnesia. Immigration Minister Chris Evans said that better identity management and the use of biometrics are fundamental in securing Australia's borders. He also stated that use of biometric data would decrease processing time for "genuine travelers."

The federal government of Canada has been funding a number of programs designed to help immigrants settle, adapt, and integrate into Canadian society, including the Immigrant Settlement and Adaption Program (ISAP). The ISAP provides orientation, referral and counseling services in addition to helping migrants connect with volunteers who can help them in areas such as establishing contacts in their field of work.

Canada is one of the most welcoming countries in the world for immigrants. A major element of Canada's immigration strategy lies in the skilled migration program, which helps the nation to ease skills shortages and keeps Canada globally competitive.

• Canada funds more programs for immigrant communities

  The federal government of Canada has been funding a number of programs designed to help immigrants settle, adapt, and integrate into Canadian society. The programs are delivered in partnership with provinces, territories, and service-providing organizations. more  »

• Australia to introduce biometrics for visa applications

  Australia will begin to introduce biometrics as part of their immigration processes, including visa applications. The collected biometrics will include facial images and fingerprint scans. more  »

• Last week for UK HSMP extensions

  Starting 29 February 2008, the United Kingdom will be replacing the extension rules for the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) with the new Tier 1 system for General Highly Skilled Migrants. The new rules are part of its five-tier points based immigration system that will be implemented over the course of the next year. more  »

• EU highlights immigration in employment report

  The European Commission said that while employment growth has been impressive during recent years, the European Union will miss employment targets set out in the Lisbon strategy that was adopted by EU leaders in 2000. more  »

• UK continues to attract highly skilled migrants

  The number of highly skilled migrants coming to the United Kingdom continues to exceed those leaving the country, according to a new study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). more  »

• Meet with workpermit.com at One Life Live 2008 in the UK

  A series of seminars and workshops will take place in London that can help people find out how to make a change in their lives or fulfil a life-long dream such as living and working in another country. more  »

• New rules for British citizenship announced

  The government of the United Kingdom has proposed new changes to rules for migrants who wish to attain British citizenship, including a probationary period for new citizens, payments that migrants must pay towards helping communities deal with the impact of increased immigration, and tough measures for prospective citizens who commit offenses. more  »

• UK English language requirements for highly skilled migrants

  The United Kingdom will begin introducing a new points based immigration system at the end of February for those wishing to work, study, or train in the UK. In addition to points scored for such factors as age, education, previous earnings, and ability to support oneself, English language ability will play an important role. more  »

• Ontario, Canada wants to attract foreign students

  Ontario, Canada has expanded a program to grant permanent residence to foreign graduates of Canadian universities and colleges. more  »