Immigration news

UK Immigration is aiming to double the number of immigrants who will need to have a biometric residence permit (BRP) to remain in the UK. This will raise the number of individuals required to have a BRP to around 400,000 a year.

Young people from Australia and Argentina now have the opportunity to visit and work in each others countries under a new work and holiday arrangement that came into effect this week.

UK immigration has announced that the new biometric enrolment centre in Christchurch, New Zealand will re-open on 5 March 2012. Following a severe earthquake in Christchurch, the UK Border Agency had to close the centre in February 2011.

The Canadian government has announced that passengers with US Visas on Air China flights with connecting flights to the US via Vancouver no longer have to have transit visas. On 1 February 2012 Canada awarded Air China with Transit Without Visa (TWOV) and China Transit Trial (CTT) status.

Office Managers looking to emigrate to Australia can apply under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) Program. Office Managers organise and control the functions and resources of an office such as administrative systems and office personnel. In order to receive a visa, applicants will need to meet the basic requirements for GSM, pass the Australian immigration Points Test and pass an occupation skills assessment to qualify for an Australian visa.

If you are interested in UK immigration you may wish to consider applying soon under the Tier 2 (General) visa category. The UK has a high demand for civil engineers right now. If you have the right skills and qualifications and have a Tier 2 sponsor, you may be able to apply for a UK visa.Examples of jobs available on the Shortage Occupation List for civil engineers includes: