Immigration news

Having won 56 seats during the UK election in May, the Scottish National Party (SNP) has become the third-largest political party in the House of Commons. The party is now lobbying the UK government to reintroduce the Tier 1 Post-Study Work Visa for non-EU international students.

With representation from all the political parties in Scotland, a new group has been formed to work towards bringing back the visa. Humza Yousaf, the Scottish minister for Europe and international development will head up the group and assess how the visa can work best for Scotland.

British Prime Minister David Cameron has announced new plans to 'significantly reduce' immigration to the UK from outside of the European Union. Plans include raising the salary threshold for the Tier 2 (General) visa.

Self audit reports on the running of two private immigration detention centres are to be released by the Home Office next month, after a landmark ruling by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

The monthly limit on Tier 2 visas was reached for the first time this month, prompting harsh criticism of the visa cap from business and immigration experts.

The Australian Immigration Department has sent a five-month-old baby to an immigration detention centre on Nauru Island, despite being advised against doing so. The infant, known as Asha, was sent to the Australian-run centre earlier this month; concerns remain about the conditions at the facility.

Located in the Central Pacific, Nauru Island is home to approximately 10,000 people. The island's immigration detention facility was opened on 10 September, 2001 further to an aid agreement with the Australian government.

The UK's healthcare industry has been left with a nursing shortfall of 24,000 staff this year according to consultancy firm, Christie & Co, due to a combination of tougher UK immigration rules for Tier 2 visas, spending cuts and a decline in student numbers.