Immigration news

Immigration talks between the Australian government and the Australian opposition regarding asylum seekers have reached a stalemate; Government leaders can't seem to reach an agreement with the opposition. Immigration Minister Chris Bowen and opposition immigration minister Scott Morrison, blame each other for the failure to reach agreement on off-shore processing of asylum seekers.

The United States-India Educational Foundation and US immigration officials advised students wishing to study in the US should apply early for the US visas so they have time to prepare properly for their interview.Jessica Pfleiderer, Vice Consul of the Consulate General of the US, stressed the need for coming well prepared to the US visa interview.

Following US President Barack Obama's announcement of the streamlining of the visa application process for tourists, the US Embassy in New Delhi, India has announced they expect a significant increase in the number of visas applications being made by Indians.In 2011, the US Embassy in India processed around 700,000 visas. The US embassy expects the number of visa applications made in India to continue to grow at a rate of 14 percent per year.

As Australia's skills shortages worsens, nearly 4,600 foreign workers have found jobs in Queensland, and more employers are set to take advantage of the 457 visa in the coming year. According to Australia's Department of Immigration, the number of foreign workers in Queensland has increased 70 percent on the previous year.The data also shows that there were 83,290 foreign workers in Australia under the 457 visa scheme which is designed to allow entry of foreign workers to temporarily fill skills gaps.

The Australian High Commission announced they will open an Australian Visa Application Centre in Accra, Ghana beginning 8 February 2012.Billy Williams, Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, said the centre will be located at Labone a district in Accra, Ghana and will provide a fast and accessible way for applicants to apply for Australian visas. The centre aims to meet the needs of the growing numbers of Ghanaians travelling to Australia for work, study, to visit family and for leisure travel.

UK Immigration has announced that paragraph 395C of the Immigration Rules that provides various safeguards to immigrants before they can be removed from the UK will be deleted. This paragraph states that the UK Secretary of State must take into consideration the following factors before removing an immigrant: