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The UK Government introduced an interim limit on the number of initial Tier 1 (General) visa applications that can be issued overseas on 19 July 2010. The limit does not affect applications from Tier 1 (General) dependents or applications for Tier 1 visas made from within the UK. This limit is in effect until 31 March 2011, after which a permanent cap will be introduced.
A new study finds that skilled migrants are increasingly attracted to Wellington, New Zealand. New Zealand is an increasingly popular destination for people looking to live and work abroad.
The study, commissioned by the Department of Labour, found that migrants who came to Wellington chose the city for its beauty, compactness, and job opportunities. They also liked Wellington's education system.
Australia's mining industry is pushing for more immigration as unemployment rates fall across the country. They state that more skilled immigration is crucial to support the planned $140 billion in mining-related projects located mostly in northern Australia.
Sam Walsh, Rio Tinto iron ore executive director, told The Australian that the industry has to be careful not to create a situation where tradespeople across many occupations all head north at once to fill labour shortages.
Australia's rate of net immigration continues to fall as more people leave Australia and fewer people arrive.
The number of permanent and long-term arrivals still outnumbers departures. However immigration numbers fell to 210,400 people this year, compared to 324,700 the previous year.
In October, there were only 9,370 immigrants who settled in Australia, the lowest since March of 2004.
The downturn in immigration could have dire consequences for Australia's economy as it heads into another boom.
Business leaders and industry organisations in Scotland have drafted a joint letter to UK Immigration Minister Damian Green stating that Scotland's economy would suffer under the new immigration cap announced by the Government.
Scotland wants the have its own immigration limit more suited to the needs of its labour market. Business leaders say that the Scottish financial services sectors will be hit the hardest by the immigration cap.
Senior figures in the UK education sector are warning that indecision within the Government on changes to the Tier 4 student immigration program will harm the UK universities sector and the UK as a whole. The coalition government has delayed an eight-week consultation on planned changes to the UK student visa system.