Posts Tagged ‘Visas’

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.

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Australian Immigration creates video to advise visa overstayers

May 16th, 2012 Tushar Mathur

Australian Immigration has released a new video online in 14 languages that advises Australian visa overstayers on how to resolve their immigration status.

The new video, created by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship contains necessary information for those that are unsure of how to resolve their situation.

“People who have overstayed their visas can be unaware of what to do or even where they can go to find out,” a departmental spokesman said. “They often rely on information from family, friends or the general community, which can be misleading or not relevant to them.”

According to the departmental spokesman, visa overstayers can be granted a short-term Bridging Visa so the individual has time to make the proper arrangements to leave Australia, or, if they are eligible, to apply for another Australian visa.

“Resolving someone’s visa status proactively not only saves the person a lot of angst, but benefits our compliance teams who can concentrate on illegal workers and employers or contractors willfully flouting the Migration Act,” the spokesman added.

Visa over stayers should probably research their situation on their own before seeking advice from an immigration officer as there is the possibility of being detained or immediately deported from the country if you don’t have a valid visa.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Australian immigration sees increase in 457 visa workers

February 9th, 2012 Tushar Mathur

As Australia‘s skills shortages worsens, nearly 4,600 foreign workers have found jobs in Queensland, and more employers are set to take advantage of the 457 visa in the coming year. According to Australia’s Department of Immigration, the number of foreign workers in Queensland has increased 70 percent on the previous year.

The data also shows that there were 83,290 foreign workers in Australia under the 457 visa scheme which is designed to allow entry of foreign workers to temporarily fill skills gaps.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry general manager Nick Behrens said the immigration increase could also reflect the huge number of resource projects and the demand for high level skills.

“The demand for 457 workers is often because of the disinclination of Australians to travel to the regions,” said Behrens.

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UK Tier 4 Student visa & Tier 1 visa changes coming soon – apply now!

January 30th, 2012 Tushar Mathur

The UK immigration has issued new information regarding inspections and reviews for Tier 4 student visa sponsors. There are also major changes coming to the Tier 4 and Tier 1 visas.

All current Tier 4 sponsors must be inspected by the appropriate reviewing body in order to retain their sponsorship status. These inspections and reviews will take place throughout 2012, and the results of each inspection or review will be published on the website of the appropriate educational oversight body. If the Tier 4 visa sponsor fails to achieve a satisfactory inspection outcome they may no longer be able to sponsor international students under Tier 4 of UK immigration‘s points-based system.

In particular these changes are likely to affect those looking to sponsor international students under Tier 4 of the Points Based System.

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DOS unable to Issue F, M and J Visas

November 20th, 2011 Tushar Mathur

“The Department of State (DoS) has recently identified difficulties with its Consolidated Consular Database (CCD) communicating with the Student and Exchange Visitor Program’s (SEVP) Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).  DoS discovered this issue on November 14, 2011.  SEVP and DoS are investigating this issue between CCD and SEVIS to bring about a resolution as quickly as possible. Effective immediately, in order to ensure maximum data integrity and consistency, DoS has temporarily halted the issuance of ALL F, M and J visas at all U.S. Embassies and Consulates.  Please note that this may alter prospective students’ or exchange visitors’ travel schedules.”

Source: NAFSA memo to SEVIS Users


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