Immigration news

The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) has launched a number of projects which will help improve the skills and knowledge of Indian migrants who are looking for overseas employment; the goal is to ensure that India is a preferred source for highly skilled and qualified workers.

The European Union (EU) is looking into the possibility of easing visa requirements for Indian visitors in order to promote tourism."European Union wants more flexible (visa) rules for tourists coming from India", said Antonio Tajani, Vice-President, Industry and Entrepreneurship, European Commission.

From 1 July 2012, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will place a temporary pause on new applications under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and federal Immigrant Investor Program. The temporary pause on FSWP applications does not apply to candidates with offers of arranged employment or those applying under the PhD eligibility stream. Normally you will need to have a positive labour market opinion from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) for the arranged employment to be valid for the purposes of the Federal Skilled Worker Program.

Following recent changes in UK Tier 4 student visas and other UK visa changes, the British Council will host several seminars for visa applicants in India. The British Council is a non-governmental organisation that specialises in building cultural and educational relationships between the UK and other countries.

An Australian parliamentary inquiry has said that Prospective Marriage visa applicants under 18 years of age should be banned from traveling to Australia to get married. According to the inquiry, this would help protect minors from forced marriages and human trafficking.Australia's Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee reported back to the senate on its inquiry into the Prospective Marriage visa program, which allows 17-year-olds to move to Australia and marry their Australian fiancées once they turn 18.