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The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) released a report showing that the United Kingdom's government, local authorities, and employers underestimate benefits that immigrants bring to the economy. Three beneficial effects that migrants bring to local economies: improving the 'skills mix' in an area, increasing an area's diversity, and changing the size and productivity of local areas in the UK. The IPPR said that employers benefit from diversity because diverse workforces tend to be more productive and creative, thus boosting business performance.

According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada Minister Diane Finley, details on how the government will prioritize skilled worker applications will be revealed in "early Autumn." Canada's Immigration and Refugee Act (IRPA) was amended during June of this year, giving Canada's federal government authority to prioritize the processing of Canadian immigration applications based on the country's 'socio-economic' needs. Little is known about the exact criteria that will govern the fast-tracking of skilled migrant applications, but Canada as a whole is facing shortages in the medical, financial, and IT sectors.

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Canada will expand its Off-Campus Work Permit (OCWP) program for foreign students who graduate from Canadian universities. Eligible international students at the Maritime Christian College, a private university in Prince Edward Island, will now be allowed to apply for work permits. Previously, only foreign students of public colleges and universities were allowed into the OCWP program.

Since April, foreign students under the Post-Graduation Work Permit program have been able to obtain an open, 3-year work permit with no restrictions on the type of employment or even the requirement of a job offer. International students can use the OCWP program as a "bridge" into the Post-Graduation Work Permit program as the off-campus work permit is valid for up to 90 days after graduation.

The Canadian federal government will provide funding for the territory of Nunavut to help attract skilled immigrants. Over CAD $600,000 in a 3-year period will go toward online marketing, web-based tools, and to fund services to immigrants. The support is intended to promote the territory as a desirable destination for immigrants and to help with integration after arrival. Formally separated from the Northwest Territories in 1999, Nunavut has only 29,500 residents spread over an area about the size of Western Europe.

The Thunder Bay Multicultural Association will receive funding from the Canadian federal government to assist immigrants with settling and integrating into Canadian society. CAD $2 million in funding will go toward providing settlement services such as language training, a mentorship program, and referrals to employment-related programs and community resources. Thunder Bay is the most populated municipality in Northwestern Ontario. The area has a growing 'knowledge economy,' based upon medical research and education.

REMINDER -- the United States' 2010 Diversity Visa Lottery (also known as the Green Card Lottery) will begin very soon. People born in a country with low levels of immigration into the United States may be eligible for entry in the Green Card Lottery. The submission period for the Green Card Lottery is expected to start in October and last through late November.

The government of Queensland, Australia has begun actively marketing the state as a desirable destination for skilled workers from the United States seeking work. Record unemployment in America's industrial states, due to manufacturing plants shutting down or laying off workers, has created a large pool of skilled workers looking for employment.

In response, Peter Beattie, until recently the 36th Premier of Queensland and now Queensland's trade commissioner, issued press releases stating that "Queensland wants you!" to various media outlets in the affected regions of the U.S. Queensland -- and the rest of Australia -- has a particular need for skilled workers, especially in the manufacturing, mining, and engineering sectors.

ANNOUNCING - Vacancies for Australian & Canadian Immigration Experts

We are looking for immigration consultants experienced in Australian and Canadian immigration. This is an exciting opportunity to join our Migration Team in the workpermit.com Head Office in Central London.

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• Canada expands off-campus work permits for foreign students

  Citizenship and Immigration Canada has announced an expansion to its Off-Campus Work Permit (OCWP) program for foreign students of Canadian universities. The expansion to the program will allow eligible international students of a Prince Edward Island private university to apply for work permits.more  »

• Canada helps territory attract and integrate skilled immigrants

  The Canadian government will support the territory of Nunavut in attracting skilled immigrants, according to Immigration Minister Diane Finley.more  »

• Switzerland's skilled migrant population increases

  Switzerland's population of permanent residents has increased by more than 1 percent in 2007 as a result of a labour agreement with the European Union, according to the nation's federal Statistics Office.more  »

• Australia lures skilled US workers overseas

  According to Australian news source, The Age, the government of Queensland, Australia is actively marketing the region as a desireable immigration destination for skilled workers from the United States.more  »

• Canada provides immigrant support for Thunder Bay

  The Thunder Bay Multicultural Association will receive funding from the Canadian federal government to assist immigrants with settling and integrating into Canadian society.more  »

• Canada set to reveal new skilled immigration priorities

  According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada Minister Diane Finley, details on how the government will prioritize skilled worker applications are to be revealed in early Autumn.more  »

• UK underestimates immigration benefits

  According to a new report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), the United Kingdom's government, local authorities, and employers underestimate the benefits that migrants contribute to the economy.more  »

• Large Australian firm wants more temporary overseas workers

  Australia's largest project development and contracting company wants the government to extend the nation's temporary 457 visa scheme across all categories of workers, according to Australia's ABC News.more  »

• Ireland: Immigration falling, emigration increasing

  New findings from Ireland's Central Statistics Office show that the population of Ireland is falling. The main cause is a general slowing of immigration into the country coupled with increased emigration of Irish citizens to countries such as Australia.more  »