Dear Visitor

A new report out by a non-profit organization, The Work Foundation, analyses the impact of recent immigration trends in the United Kingdom. Findings generally show that Britain has benefitted from the high levels of immigration over the last ten years. Inflation and interest rates have been lower than expected as a result of increased migration, according to the report. Labor shortages have been alleviated and the economy has been growing steadily. The report also welcomes the UK's new points-based immigration system, but cautions that the Tier system would benefit from greater flexibility.

A new survey by a global employment services company finds that 31% of employers across the world are having a difficult time finding employees. The report found the top three occupation categories most in demand are skilled manual trades, sales representatives, and technicians in the areas of production/operations, engineering, and maintenance.

The authors of the report surveyed over 43,000 employers from 32 countries and territories in a follow-up to previous surveys in 2006 and 2007. The survey was undertaken to forecast the most in-demand positions that employers will need to fill worldwide during 2008.

Many people immediately think about the U.S. H-1B visa when considering immigration to the United States. An H-1B visa can be difficult to obtain, but foreign employees of international companies with a presence in the U.S. have another option: the L-1 visa. Sponsoring companies are not required to be American-owned or even incorporated in the United States to sponsor a foreign worker under an L-1 visa.

An L-1 visa can be granted for an initial period of up to three years, then renewed for two year periods after that for a total of up to seven years. An employee must have worked for the sponsoring employer for a minimum of one continuous year within the previous three years - in the same capacity under which they will work in the U.S. - to be eligible.

We now have TWO new offices in India!

If you would like to meet us in India to discuss immigration to the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada or the United States,

make an appointment (either office): indiaoffices@workpermit.com.

Tel: +91 44 4301 6510
Yamuna Street, Kalakshetra Colony, Besant Nagar, Chennai 600 090, India

Tel: +91 11 4223 5361 or Mob: +91 97 1100 1174
Eros Corporate Tower, Nehru Place, New Delhi 110 019, India

Canada's immigration minister recently presented a progress report on the federal Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO). The FCRO is a resource creatred in response to difficulties some migrants in Canada have faced in having qualifications recognized by local employers. The Foreign Credentials Referral Office is operated by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, but the Canadian federal government is not responsible for assessing foreign qualifications. That responsibility is left to the individual provinces and territories.

Canadian immigration authorities have relaxed work permit rules for some graduates from participating universities and post-secondary institutions. International students graduating from eligible programs can obtain an "open work permit" under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program.

There are no restrictions on the type of job a graduate may take, and there is no requirement for a previous job offer. Qualified international students may work anywhere in Canada, after completion of their studies, for up to three years.

New research from Down Under finds a high level of support in Australia for the nation's immigration program. 69% of Australian citizens surveyed as part of the study said that immigration "makes the country stronger." The report shows a trend that negative perception of immigrants by Australians continues to decline; the number of people who feel that immigration rates are "too high" has dropped by about 50% over the last 10 years.

• The United States L1 Visa

  The H-1B filing period recently ended, with all 85,000 available visas for fiscal year 2009 snatched up by US companies eager to hire foreign talent. However, for foreign employees of international companies with a presence in the US, there is another option: the L1 visa. more  »

• Decade of immigration benefits the United Kingdom

  According to a report by a non-profit organization, high levels of immigration over the last ten years have benefitted Britain's economy, and no hard evidence has been found that migrants negatively affect the labor market. The report also welcomes the UK's new points based immigration system -- with some reservations. more  »

• Canada's Foreign Credential Referral Office

  Canada's immigration minister gave a progress report on Citizenship and Immigration Canada's Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO). The FCRO was setup in response to the difficulties some migrants in Canada face in having their qualifications recognized by local employers. more  »

• Research: Australian population supports immigration

  There is a high level of support in Australia for the nation's immigration program, according to new research. 69 percent of Australian citizens surveyed in the study said that immigration makes the country stronger. more  »

• Study finds employers across globe need workers

  A new study by global employment services company Manpower Inc has found that 31 percent of employers across the world are having a difficult time finding employees. more  »

• Improvements to Canadian Post-Graduation Work Program

  In a move to make Canada more attractive to foreign students, immigration authorities have announced relaxed work permit rules for those who graduate from eligible programs from participating universities. more  »

• Latvian labor market under duress

  While many Latvians have been going to countries such as Ireland for better work opportunities, Latvia itself is having work force troubles. Increasingly, employers must now recruit employees from other countries. more  »

• Australia grants work permission to foreign students

  Starting on and after 26 April 2008, people coming to Australia to study on a student visa will automatically be granted permission to work. Permission to work will also apply to eligible family members that will stay with the foreign student in Australia. more  »

• Canada moves to restore citizenship to 'Lost Canadians'

  The government of Canada has passed legislation that will grant citizenship to people who lost it or never had it in the first place because of unintended consequences in existing and former Canadian immigration law. more  »