Immigration news

Australian Immigration has announced that, following a policy change, one-third of asylum seekers arriving by boat will be living in the community on bridging visas next year. Under this new process, the immigration department expects to save $400 million by moving asylum seekers out of detention centres and into the community.

Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore and US Senator Scott Brown believe "early progress" will be made on securing the Irish E3 visa bill. If passed, the new bill will allow 10,500 highly skilled Irish professional level workers to apply for the US E-3 visa program each year.

According to Australia's Department of Immigration and Citizenship, there was an increase is short-term business trips last year. New figures show over 120,000 applications were made for the 456 subclass short stay business visa in the last quarter of 2011.Under the 456 subclass visa, the holder can stay in Australia for three months to carry out business activities such as attending conferences, handling negotiations or delivering presentations.

A member of the US House of Representatives has introduced a bill that would allow eligible Israelis to receive non-immigrant E-2 Treaty investor visas in the US. Under current law, Israelis are ineligible for the E-2 treaty visa. The E-2 Treaty Investor visa, allows foreign investors to temporarily live and work in the US in their US based business.

Starting 16 February 2012, Brazilian and Argentinian citizens interested in traveling to Australia can apply for an Australian tourist visa online.The e676 electronic tourist visa allows you to visit Australia for a holiday or to visit family and friends. The short-term visa can also be used for non-work purposes including study for less than three months.A spokesman for Australia's Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) said the new online visa procedure enables you to obtain a tourist visa more quickly. Additionally, tourist visa applicants can track their visa application's status online.

UK Immigration has announced that the payment and application process for UK Visa applicants in several different countries will be changing in order to make the process more efficient.From 27 February 2012, UK Visa applicants in the following countries will be required to submit and pay for their visa online as part of the revised application process: