On October 5th 2010 the US government will start to accept applications for the Green Card Lottery. Applications will be accepted until November 3rd 2010.
The Lottery is based on issuing 55,000 Immigrant Visas every year to citizens of various countries (UK is not included).
The application needs to be submitted online with a digital photograph. Successful applicants will then be notified and advsied how to proceed with their application.
We would advise all clients thinking of applying for the US Green Card Lottery to ONLY use the official USA government website at;
http://www.dvlottery.state.gov/
Unfortunately, every year many applicants lose money in dealing with fraudsters "gauranteeing" a successful Lottery application.
If you are looking to immigrate to the USA through another visa category, then please contact us through our website;
http://www.commonwealthimmigration.com/united_states_usa.htm
Thursday 30 September 2010
Tuesday 28 September 2010
South Australia launches State Migration
Shortly after releasing details of their occupations list for State sponsorship, South Australia is now accepting applications for State sponsorship.
This is in advance of the Minister for Immigration agreeing their State Migration Plan. This could be seen as a move to try to force the Minister to sign off their State Migration Plan quickly.
In any event, the new criteria have been launched and include some of the following;
specific English language requirements (IELTS) for certain occupations regardless of your nationality
strict financial requirements - you need to show available funds of $25,000 for a single applicant with an additional $5,000 per dependent. Each application must show an overall cash component of at least $10,000
recent work experience
South Australia has always been keen to attract migrants, however some of these requirements are stringent - especially that requiring proof of available funds held in cash funds.
We will of course bring details of the State Migration Plans of other states when launched.
If you wish to get further advice from an immigration consultant on moving to South Australia or any other state in Australia, then contact us through our website;
http://www.commonwealthimmigration.com/immigration-consultants-australia.htm
If you want information on Teaching in South Australia, then please see;
www.teaching-australia.com
This is in advance of the Minister for Immigration agreeing their State Migration Plan. This could be seen as a move to try to force the Minister to sign off their State Migration Plan quickly.
In any event, the new criteria have been launched and include some of the following;
specific English language requirements (IELTS) for certain occupations regardless of your nationality
strict financial requirements - you need to show available funds of $25,000 for a single applicant with an additional $5,000 per dependent. Each application must show an overall cash component of at least $10,000
recent work experience
South Australia has always been keen to attract migrants, however some of these requirements are stringent - especially that requiring proof of available funds held in cash funds.
We will of course bring details of the State Migration Plans of other states when launched.
If you wish to get further advice from an immigration consultant on moving to South Australia or any other state in Australia, then contact us through our website;
http://www.commonwealthimmigration.com/immigration-consultants-australia.htm
If you want information on Teaching in South Australia, then please see;
www.teaching-australia.com
Friday 24 September 2010
South Australia government publishes occupations list
The government of South Australia has now published its list of occupations for State sponsorship.
This is the list of occupations that the State wishes to attract. However it is important to remember that this has not yet been signed off by the Minister of Immigration at the Federal level. Only then can the list take effect.
Also, the list of occupations is only one of the criteria that applicants need to meet. Additional criteria will be published once the State Migration Plan is launched.
for the full list see;
http://migration.sa.gov.au/public/download.jsp?id=10101
For full information on migrating to Australia, contact us through our website;
www.commonwealthimmigration.com
For details on Teaching in Australia, visit;
www.teaching-australia.com
This is the list of occupations that the State wishes to attract. However it is important to remember that this has not yet been signed off by the Minister of Immigration at the Federal level. Only then can the list take effect.
Also, the list of occupations is only one of the criteria that applicants need to meet. Additional criteria will be published once the State Migration Plan is launched.
for the full list see;
http://migration.sa.gov.au/public/download.jsp?id=10101
For full information on migrating to Australia, contact us through our website;
www.commonwealthimmigration.com
For details on Teaching in Australia, visit;
www.teaching-australia.com
Tuesday 21 September 2010
new UK Visa Services website
A new revamped website has been launched for UK Visas - the overseas arm of the UK Border Agency.
The previous website wasn't exactly the best - a bit awkward to navigate and poorly laid out. The new version is more in line with the main UK Border Agency website for UK based applicants.
According to the Home Office, the new website;
"has the same 'look and feel' as our main website, which will help customers to distinguish it from fraudulent websites"
We'll let you be the judge of that - view it for yourself at;
www.ukvisas.gov.uk
If you wish to apply for a new UK visa, then you should visit our website;
www.commonwealthimmigration.com
The previous website wasn't exactly the best - a bit awkward to navigate and poorly laid out. The new version is more in line with the main UK Border Agency website for UK based applicants.
According to the Home Office, the new website;
"has the same 'look and feel' as our main website, which will help customers to distinguish it from fraudulent websites"
We'll let you be the judge of that - view it for yourself at;
www.ukvisas.gov.uk
If you wish to apply for a new UK visa, then you should visit our website;
www.commonwealthimmigration.com
Friday 17 September 2010
UK government split in immigration cap ?
Already we are seeing signs of a potential split in the UK government over the proposed new immigration cap.
The Business Secretary Vince Cable has claimed the introduction of a temporary cap is already doing "huge damage" to businesses.
Of course, Downing Street has been quick to dismiss the claims but perhaps this opinion by Vince Cable will start to influence the level at which the permanent cap will be set.
See this weblink for more information;
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11338994
If you want to know how a cap may affect you, then visit our website for specific advice;
www.commonwealthimmigration.com
The Business Secretary Vince Cable has claimed the introduction of a temporary cap is already doing "huge damage" to businesses.
Of course, Downing Street has been quick to dismiss the claims but perhaps this opinion by Vince Cable will start to influence the level at which the permanent cap will be set.
See this weblink for more information;
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11338994
If you want to know how a cap may affect you, then visit our website for specific advice;
www.commonwealthimmigration.com
Wednesday 15 September 2010
Australia - new Immigration Minister
Following the recent election in Australia, the Labor government has been returned to power. A new Immigration Minister, Chris Bowen has been appointed.
This will be of interest to migrants currently awaiting their application to be processed and those hoping to apply soon.
We now understand that all Australian State governments have submitted State Migration Plans to the Immigration Minister to approve. These State Migration Plans will allow State governments in Australia to select migrants with the desired skills required by that State.
Once Ministerial approval is received, then State governments will be able to receive applications for State sponsorship. We understand that the criteria for State sponsorship may not necessarily be the same as the previous criteria used by States for selection.
In the meantime, the wait for existing applicants continues while no further information on processing priorities has been made available. The position of the previous government was that the imposition of processing priorities was for the benefit of the Australian economy and that this was to be placed ahead of the expectations of migrants.
We wait to see if any changes will be made to such priorities and if a system where applicants are processed in chronological order can be re-introduced.
www.commonwealthimmigration.com
Are you a Teacher looking to move to Australia. Please see this dedicated website;
www.teaching-australia.com
This will be of interest to migrants currently awaiting their application to be processed and those hoping to apply soon.
We now understand that all Australian State governments have submitted State Migration Plans to the Immigration Minister to approve. These State Migration Plans will allow State governments in Australia to select migrants with the desired skills required by that State.
Once Ministerial approval is received, then State governments will be able to receive applications for State sponsorship. We understand that the criteria for State sponsorship may not necessarily be the same as the previous criteria used by States for selection.
In the meantime, the wait for existing applicants continues while no further information on processing priorities has been made available. The position of the previous government was that the imposition of processing priorities was for the benefit of the Australian economy and that this was to be placed ahead of the expectations of migrants.
We wait to see if any changes will be made to such priorities and if a system where applicants are processed in chronological order can be re-introduced.
www.commonwealthimmigration.com
Are you a Teacher looking to move to Australia. Please see this dedicated website;
www.teaching-australia.com
Thursday 9 September 2010
UK Minister pledges changes ahead
The UK Immigration Minister Damian Green has made a major policy speech on immigration. The speech seems to be aimed at an overall tightening of the immigration system with particular emphasis on student numbers.
The full speech and related article can be viewed at;
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2010/sept/25-minister-evidence
The Minister queries the legacy of the previous government's immigration policy and asks strong questions on students remaining in the UK for lengthy periods, the effectiveness of skilled immigration and the proposals for an immigration cap.
Obviously the current government are only at the start of their 5 year term so policy announcements such as this are common at this time. We will closely monitor and report on immigration changes as they are unveiled.
For everything to do with UK visas, please contact us through our website;
www.commonwealthimmigration.com
The full speech and related article can be viewed at;
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2010/sept/25-minister-evidence
The Minister queries the legacy of the previous government's immigration policy and asks strong questions on students remaining in the UK for lengthy periods, the effectiveness of skilled immigration and the proposals for an immigration cap.
Obviously the current government are only at the start of their 5 year term so policy announcements such as this are common at this time. We will closely monitor and report on immigration changes as they are unveiled.
For everything to do with UK visas, please contact us through our website;
www.commonwealthimmigration.com
Tuesday 7 September 2010
Australia - Labor to form government
Australia's ruling Labor Party seems set to stay in government after receiving the backing of Independent MPs after the recent election.
Julia Gillard will stay as PM - it remains to be seen who will be Minister for Immigration.
This new government is unlikely to be very stable with only a 1 vote majority in Parliament. At least the uncertainty of the last 2 weeks is at an end but whether this will allow the government to move on with robustly implementing its policies remains to be seen.
The formation of a new government will come as a relief to many migrants who are hoping for Australia to start actively processing applications again. Now all we need is for the Federal government to start to agree State Migration Plans for State sponsored migration !
Are you a Teacher or other professional looking to obtain residence in Australia, then please visit our dedicated websites;
www.teaching-australia.com
www.commonwealthimmigration.com
Julia Gillard will stay as PM - it remains to be seen who will be Minister for Immigration.
This new government is unlikely to be very stable with only a 1 vote majority in Parliament. At least the uncertainty of the last 2 weeks is at an end but whether this will allow the government to move on with robustly implementing its policies remains to be seen.
The formation of a new government will come as a relief to many migrants who are hoping for Australia to start actively processing applications again. Now all we need is for the Federal government to start to agree State Migration Plans for State sponsored migration !
Are you a Teacher or other professional looking to obtain residence in Australia, then please visit our dedicated websites;
www.teaching-australia.com
www.commonwealthimmigration.com
Friday 3 September 2010
Nursing in Australia
The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) has revised its frequently asked questions (FAQ) and explanatory notes on English Language requirements.
The new version dated 17 August, means that applicants who have completed secondary schooling and a nursing or midwifery qualification in English are now only required to provide evidence of their English language education. They are no longer required to sit the English language test (IELTS) and achieve a score of 7.
This is a significant policy change that will be welcome news to many applications applying for registration.
HOWEVER - it is important to remember that the NMBA only deal with registration for Nurses who are able to work in Australia - i.e. have a work or residence visa etc... Most overseas applicants will still need to go through the assessment process with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (ANMC) to apply for residence. The ANMC still retains the IELTS test as a compulsory requirement for ALL nurses.
Confused ? if you are a Nurse looking to move to Australia then contact us through our website for specialist advice;
www.commonwealthimmigration.com
The new version dated 17 August, means that applicants who have completed secondary schooling and a nursing or midwifery qualification in English are now only required to provide evidence of their English language education. They are no longer required to sit the English language test (IELTS) and achieve a score of 7.
This is a significant policy change that will be welcome news to many applications applying for registration.
HOWEVER - it is important to remember that the NMBA only deal with registration for Nurses who are able to work in Australia - i.e. have a work or residence visa etc... Most overseas applicants will still need to go through the assessment process with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (ANMC) to apply for residence. The ANMC still retains the IELTS test as a compulsory requirement for ALL nurses.
Confused ? if you are a Nurse looking to move to Australia then contact us through our website for specialist advice;
www.commonwealthimmigration.com
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