Immigration news

Quebec unveiled their immigration plan for 2012 this week, stating the province will continue to grant a record numbers of visas to immigrants, despite complaints that it's not doing enough to integrate newcomers, many of whom don't speak French.Immigration Minister Kathleen Weil announced Tuesday that Quebec would let in between 51,200 and 53,800 new arrivals in 2012 with the same number of immigrants expected in 2013 and 2014.

Canada is making it easier for foreign PhD students with two years completed PhD study to become permanent residents, Minister of State of Science and Technology Gary Goodyear announced yesterday. The Department of Immigration aims to accept up to 1,000 international PhD students per year as permanent residents through the federal skilled worker visa program.

Following last month's announcement of Taiwan's participation in the UK's Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme, the Taiwanese Government has announced how they will administer certificates of sponsorship to its young citizens for participation in the scheme.

Official projections predict the UK population will hit nearly 75 million by 2043, surpassing Germany as the largest EU nation. This it is said will be largely due to immigration.Currently the UK population is the third largest in Europe at 62.3 million, behind Germany and France.The Office for National Statistics claims two thirds of the growth – the equivalent of adding 438,000 people, or a city the size of Bristol, every year – is due to UK immigration.

Hundreds of colleges have been banned from bringing foreign students into the UK under the government's plans to clamp down on immigration and visa abuse. Tough new rules and enforcement to stop abuse of the Tier 4 student visa system has led to over 450 education providers having their right to sponsor overseas students revoked.The Tier 4 student visa system is the most common way for migrants from outside the EU to enter the country and has been subject to widespread abuse, according to Immigration Minister Damian Green.

Australian Immigration Minister Chris Bowen announced on Wednesday, the government is doubling the period of time a skilled worker can stay in Australia to work for accredited businesses to six years; There will also be priority processing for applications for certain employers under changes to the 457 visa system.