Posts Tagged ‘Visa Applicants’

New Zealand computer error incorrectly approves hundreds for visa

May 22nd, 2012 Tushar Mathur

Hundreds of New Zealand visa applicants were accidentally approved for visas following a computer error last week. The Silver Fern Visa scheme is limited to 300 visas annually, but a computer glitch at Immigration New Zealand incorrectly accepted a further 330 visa applications after the quota had been filled.

“A technical fault occurred shortly after the Silver Fern opened which enabled people to submit applications after all the places had been filled,” said Rob Stevens, Immigration New Zealand’s service support general manager.

According to Stevens, roughly 4000 people were logged on to the website to apply for the visa; All the visas were used up less than half an hour after Immigration New Zealand started accepting applications.

Continue reading “New Zealand computer error incorrectly approves hundreds for visa”

Posted in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Comments Off

Australia reports increase in 457 visa applicants immigrating to Queensland

May 2nd, 2012 Tushar Mathur

Australia’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has announced that 2,500 foreign workers immigrated to Queensland in the past year to fill vacancies in mining and construction.

The figures from DIAC reveal that in the 12 months to 21 February 2012, 34 percent of foreign workers on 457 visas in Queensland were working in these boom industries, which are currently experiencing significant labour shortages. There is high demand to for those experienced in resources industries to immigrate to Queensland. In 2011 Queensland Mining Expos attracted 50,000 expressions of interest over three months, according to Mining Industry Skills Centre CEO Derek Hunter.

And DIAC says the demand for talented foreign workers is only increasing, with UK workers being in greatest demand, followed by the US and India.

Continue reading “Australia reports increase in 457 visa applicants immigrating to Queensland”

Posted in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Comments Off

Proposed changes announced for Canadian Federal Skilled Worker program

April 24th, 2012 Tushar Mathur

Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney announced the department’s plans on 10 April to fill Canada’s growing labour shortages in skilled trade occupations. He explained that the changes were expected to result in an assessment system that will make it easier for badly needed skilled tradespersons to immigrate to Canada.
“Our Government recognizes that our country faces a critical shortage in certain skilled trades,” said Kenney. “That’s why we are taking concrete steps to address this problem at a national level.”

According to the announcement, under the new Federal Skilled Worker visa program, Canadian immigration will create a separate and streamlined program for skilled tradespersons to make it easier for them to immigrate to Canada.

Continue reading “Proposed changes announced for Canadian Federal Skilled Worker program”

Posted in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Comments Off

Organisations warn US of employers substituting L-1 visa for H-1B

April 18th, 2012 Tushar Mathur

This week the US began accepting applications for the popular H-1B visa program. While the H-1B visa has been a popular visa among IT workers for a long time, critics are saying that the L-1 visa is now being used improperly in place of the H-1B visa.

The L-1 visa is used for intra-company transfers of employees from foreign offices to US offices.

The labor union AFL-CIO and the IEEE-USA professional organisation sent letters to Washington DC this week warning the government against undermining US worker protections in the L-1 visa by accepting changes recommended by more than 60 firms and organizations.

Continue reading “Organisations warn US of employers substituting L-1 visa for H-1B”

Posted in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Comments Off

UKBA announces marriage ban on Olympian visas

April 10th, 2012 Tushar Mathur

The UK Border Agency (UKBA) has confirmed that visas granted to visiting athletes, coaches and other officials for London’s Olympics Games will bar them from forming any civil partnerships or from marrying while in the UK. A civil partnership in the UK is a relationship between two people of the same sex that is formed when they register as civil partners of each other. The UKBA announced they were imposing these restrictions amid concerns that illegal immigrants and terrorists will take advantage of the games to get into the country.

Visa applicants will be required to provide evidence that they will be staying in the UK for no longer than the six months their visa is valid for.

Continue reading “UKBA announces marriage ban on Olympian visas”

Posted in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Comments Off

Canadian Immigration proposes changes for assessing skilled worker credentials

April 9th, 2012 Tushar Mathur

Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced a new proposal that would change how foreign skilled workers’ education credentials are assessed. The proposed new requirement would require applicants wishing to immigrate under the Federal Skilled Worker program to have their foreign education credentials assessed and verified before they arrive in Canada.

“Our Government is building an immigration system that is focused on economic growth and ensuring that all Canadians, including immigrants, are able to contribute to their maximum capacity,” said Kenney.

Continue reading “Canadian Immigration proposes changes for assessing skilled worker credentials”

Posted in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Comments Off

DOS Confirms China-Mainland Born and India EB-2 Visa Retrogression as of March 23, 2012

April 5th, 2012 Tushar Mathur

Charlie Oppenheim, Chief of Visa Control at the State Department, has confirmed that, effective March 23, 2012, no further EB-2 visas will be authorized for China-mainland born and India applicants with priority dates of August 15, 2007, or later. Visa applicants processing in April at consulates abroad will still receive visas, as those numbers were allocated before the cut-off date was established. Mr. Oppenheim understands that USCIS will continue to accept applications for adjustment of status for aliens with priority dates prior to the date established in the April 2012 Visa Bulletin.

Continue reading “DOS Confirms China-Mainland Born and India EB-2 Visa Retrogression as of March 23, 2012″

Posted in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Comments Off

Increased funds required for UK Tier 2 visa applicants from 14 June 2012

April 5th, 2012 Tushar Mathur

The UK Border Agency (UKBA) announced that they will increase the funds required to satisfy the maintenance requirement for Tier 2 visas applicants. The changes go into effect from 14 June 2012.

This follows a written ministerial statement from 15 March 2012 that outlines a number of changes to the Immigration Rules, including the closure of the Tier 1 Post Study Work route on 6 April 2012. The following changes will be made to the maintenance requirement for Tier 2 visa applicants:

  • Tier 2 Visa Applicants: Increased from £800 to £900
  • Dependents of Tier 2 applicants who have been in the UK for less than 12 months: Increased from £1,600 to £1,800
  • Dependents of Tier 2 applicants – all other applications: Increased from £533 to £600

If you plan to make a Tier 2 visa application on or after 14 June 2012, you must ensure that you have the correct funds held in your account as soon as possible.

Continue reading “Increased funds required for UK Tier 2 visa applicants from 14 June 2012″

Posted in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Comments Off
« Older Entries

Sponsors: