On 24th January, Canada announced its new Start-Up Visa for entrepreneurs. Under the scheme, Canadian venture capitalists will consider business plans presented by foreign-born entrepreneurs. If investors support a business proposal, a permanent resident visa should follow. Canada says the new visa is the first of its kind and will be 'a powerful incentive to attract individuals with potential.'

53% of US voters are in favour of changing the law to allow the 11m illegal immigrants in the US to become legal residents, according to a recent poll. However, 43% of voters believe that the government should act to deport illegal immigrants. The poll shows that the US electorate is polarised but, the clear majority in favour of legalisation will strengthen President Obama's hand as he presses for reform this year.

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The UK Border Agency has announced new rules which make it less likely that people with criminal convictions can become UK citizens.
Under the new rules, anyone who has ever been sentenced to four years or more in prison, anywhere in the world, will not be eligible for UK citizenship.

Anyone who has been sentenced to a shorter custodial sentence may apply but will have to wait for between seven and fifteen years. Anyone who has been convicted of a criminal offence but was not imprisoned can apply after three years.  

A group of US business leaders has announced that it is to set up a Committee which will raise money to campaign for US immigration reform. Thomas J Donohue, president of the US Board of Trade, said, if the US didn’t admit more workers, jobs would migrate to other countries.

At present, many Republicans are opposed to reform but Mr Donohue believes that his committee will be able to persuade enough to change their minds to allow reform legislation to be passed.

The US Department of Homeland Security has proposed a change to immigration law which would allow some H-4 visa holders to work. H-4 visas are granted to spouses of H class work visa holders. Currently H-4 visa holders can hold driving licenses and open bank accounts but cannot work.

Under the proposal, an H-4 holder who is married to an H-1B visa holder who has been in the US for six years and has applied for a green card, will be allowed to work. 
H-1B visas are granted to workers skilled in a ‘specialty occupation’ and last initially for three years though they can be extended.