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A range of voices have criticised the UK government's immigration bill which was announced by the Home Secretary on 10th October 2013. The bill has united lawyers, doctors, unions and, astonishingly, the UK Independence Party in opposition.
Even the right-wing Conservative Home website, a political website which 'champion[s] the interests of grassroots Tory members', wonders whether the public will be convinced by the bill.
The UK's immigration authority introduced new forms for many visas on 1st October 2013. Most of the new forms are to be used for applications for most visa applications made in the UK under the UK's five tier points-based visa application system.
The UK's Home Office said that it would allow applicants to use the old forms for a short transitional period but that period is nearly over. From 22nd October 2013, only the new forms will be accepted.
The relevant forms are
A committee of MPs has warned that the UK's asylum system is 'overburdened and under severe pressure'. The Home Affairs Committee scrutinises the work of the Home Office which employs immigration staff in the UK. It has said that there are unacceptable delays in the system.
Some people, the MPs say, have waited over 16 years for a decision in their case. The MPs say that it is 'wholly unacceptable that anyone should have to wait for longer than 6 months for an initial decision'.
In an attempt to attract a greater share of the world's international students, New Zealand education minister Steven Joyce and immigration minister Michael Woodhouse have announced reforms of New Zealand's rules governing students' work rights while in New Zealand.
They also announced a new 'streamlined and prioritised visa processing' system which will make it easier for some students to apply for visas.
A new survey of the world's top universities has found that 28 of the top 100 are to be found in the United States and a further 17 are to be found in the UK. There are also four Canadian and seven Australian universities in the top 100 as well as one in New Zealand.
Workpermit.com can help you with your applications for visas to any of these countries.
On Wednesday 9th October 2013, the UK's chief inspector of immigration and borders, John Vine, issued a highly critical report about the UK's e-Borders programme. The report says that the programme is not yet complete ten years after being announced and has 'yet to deliver many of [its] anticipated benefits'. The report has been censored by the UK's Home Secretary Theresa May on security grounds.
The e-Borders programme was announced in 2003 by the then Prime Minister Tony Blair. Mr Blair said that the details of all people entering and leaving the UK would be held on a computerised database by 2010.