Dear [Visitor]

The British Trade & Cultural Office (BTCO) announced recently that from 3 March 2009 Taiwan passport-holders who visit the United Kingdom will not need a visa. This benefits those who will visit for less than six months on business or as a tourist, family visitor or student visitor.

"Britain enjoys strong commercial and cultural ties with Taiwan", David Campbell, the BTCO's new Director said. "Lifting the visa requirement for stays of less than six months will help to build on that to the benefit of both British and Taiwanese people."

It is not such good news for South African nationals. From 3 March 2009, South African nationals seeking to visit or transit the United Kingdom will require a visa to enter or transit the UK unless they qualify for a temporary exemption.

To qualify under this exemption you must have travelled to the UK recently and have evidence of your visit in your current passport (i.e. a UK entry stamp). You will not need a visa under the following circumstances:

• Transit,
• Visit for less than six months, and
• Do not want to work in the UK.

From 3 March 2009 onwards, Jamaican nationals in transit through the UK will be required to obtain a transit visa before they travel to the United Kingdom.

Travellers will need to apply for one of two visas:

• a Visit-in-Transit Visa if seeking to enter the United Kingdom in transit with a connecting flight within 48 hours; or
• a Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) for anyone remaining airside to take a same-day, same-airport connecting flight to another destination.

Shop keepers from Pakistan, in London for 7 years	University of London Union President	working in London as an IT developer in an investment bank	Selvi, in London on a business trip

It is expected that even more immigrants from outside the EEA will be required to have identity cards.  The card replaces the stickers or vignettes in passports. 

If approved by Parliament those applying for further leave to remain in the United Kingdom in the following categories will be required to provide their biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) as part of their application from 31 March 2009:

• Academic visitors granted leave for a period exceeding six months The total stay in the United Kingdom is more than six months, up to a maximum period of 12 months.
• Visitors for private medical treatment
• Where the applicant is required to extend their stay in the United Kingdom so that they are able to complete private medical treatment.
• Domestic workers in a private household
• Applies to overseas domestic workers who have accompanied a person entitled to live in the United Kingdom and are applying to extend their permission to stay in the country based upon their employment as domestic workers.
• United Kingdom ancestry
• Retired persons of independent means, and their partners and children – This is no longer a current category.  It is still relevant for those already in the UK.
• Sole representatives

Immigration 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 11 4223 5025
Eros Corporate Tower, Nehru Place, New Delhi 110 019, India

There was much controversy in Switzerland about work rights for Romanians and Bulgarians workers.  There were concerns about letting in more foreign workers at a time of economic uncertainty.  The good news is that despite this Swiss voters recently approved an expanded labor deal with the European Union that will allow Bulgarians and Romanians to work in Switzerland.

Switzerland is not part of the EU.  However, there is an agreement to allows EU citizens to work in Switzerland and Swiss citizens to work in EU Countries.  A no vote may have jeopardized cooperation with the EU on, work rights, trade and traffic controls.

About ten thousand Asian butchers are needed for meat processing plants and restaurants says an official of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) of the Davao Region in the Philippines.

Elmer K. Talavera, TESDA regional director, said skilled butchers are in demand for turning cattle and sheep into meat cuts for domestic and export markets.

ANNOUNCING - Vacancies for Australian & Canadian Immigration Experts


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

If interested please send email to worklondon@workpermit.com with a covering letter and CV.

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

If interested please send email to worklondon@workpermit.com with a covering letter and CV.

• Asian butchers needed in Australia, Canada and New Zealand

  About ten thousand Asian butchers are needed for meat processing plants and restaurants says an official of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) of the Davao Region in the Philippines. more  »

• Swiss allows in Romanian and Bulgarian workers

  There was much controversy in Switzerland about work rights for Romanians and Bulgarians workers. There were concerns about letting in more foreign workers at a time of economic uncertainty. The good news is that despite this Swiss voters recently approved an expanded labor deal with the European Union that will allow Bulgarians and Romanians to work in Switzerland. more  »

• Identity Cards and UK Immigration

  It is expected that even more immigrants from outside the EEA will be required to have identity cards. The card replaces the stickers or vignettes in passports. more  »

• UK Visit Visa changes for Taiwanese, South Africans and Jamaicans

  The British Trade & Cultural Office (BTCO) announced recently that from 3 March 2009 Taiwan passport-holders who visit the United Kingdom will not need a visa. This benefits those who will visit for less than six months on business or as a tourist, family visitor or student visitor. more  »

• Immigrant population changes in Australia

  An increasing number of Asians particularly from India and China are emigrating to Australia. The Australian Bureau of Statistics report "Portrait of a Nation" said that almost one-fifth of the new arrivals in Australia between 1996 and 2006 came from China and India. Asia may eventually overtake Europe as the main source of immigrants to Australia. However, the most common country of origin remains the UK with twenty-four percent of foreign born residents (92,000) arriving from the UK between 1996 and 2006. more  »

• UK Border Agency reminder about new Student Tier

  The UK Border Agency reminds Universities, Colleges and Schools that they must apply by 2 February 2009 if they wish to sponsor students when the new student Tier 4 is introduced at the end of March 2009. So far eight hundred educational institutional have been approved under the scheme. more  »

• Risks of illegal working in Australia

  On 23 January 2009 the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) reminded Australianemployers to check that their staff have the right to work in Australia. more  »

• Record level of UK work permits issued

  More than 151,000 overseas nationals from outside the EU were granted permission to work: almost four times the level when Labor took power in 1997. more  »

• Servants of diplomats in UK can apply for permanent residence

  On 23 January 2009 the UK Border Agency announced changes to the treatment of application for private servants in diplomatic households. This follows a commitment by Ministers that private servants will still be able to apply for settlement (indefinite leave to remain) under the new Tier 5 of the points system at the end of five years. more  »