Friday 29 October 2010

Use a Registered Adviser

Always make sure you use a fully registered adviser when processing your UK visa application.

Full details on all registered advisers are available at the website of the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner, www.oisc.gov.uk.

The following advisers are prohibited so make sure you avoid them ! ;

African Legal Advisory Services: Indefinitely prohibited
Samba Mwani-Gambamba: Indefinitely prohibited
Jacob Moyo: Indefinitely prohibited
Rizwana Javed: Indefinitely prohibited

We offer assistance with UK visa applications, see our website;

http://www.commonwealthimmigration.com/immigration-consultants-uk.htm

Wednesday 27 October 2010

Australian Immigration Minister - Media Release

Below is a reprint of a Media Release by the Minister for Immigration in Australia.

This gives an overview of the current state of the migration program and explains the government's thinking in trying to sharpen the focus to make it more employer driven.

However it is still disappointing that no indication of the date of approval of State Migration Plans has been given.

If you wish to move to Australia, then please visit our website;

http://www.commonwealthimmigration.com/visas_countries.html#Australia

www.teaching-australia.com

1

CHRIS BOWEN MP
MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP
MEDIA RELEASE
27 October 2010

MIGRATION PROGRAM TARGETING SKILLS

Australia’s migration program continues to target the skills Australia needs for a healthy economy, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, announced today.

Launching the Report on Migration Program 2009-10, Mr Bowen said the Government’s targeted approach to overseas workers was helping to fill critical skills gaps in the healthcare, engineering, financial services and IT sectors.

More than 60 per cent of the skill stream outcome comprised applicants under the targeted categories, including those who were sponsored by either an employer or state/territory government – a 12 per cent increase on the previous program year.

The total outcome for the 2009-10 migration program was 168,623 places (0.05 per cent below the planning level). The 2009-10 skill stream outcome of 107,868 places accounted for 64 per cent of the total migration program.

The skilled program planning level was reduced in the 2009-10 Budget to 108,100 in response to the continued economic slowdown through most of 2009.

Despite this, the proportion of overseas workers who were sponsored by employers continued to rise, comprising 38 per cent of the 2009-10 skill stream, compared to 33 per cent in 2008-09 and 22 per cent in the 2007-08 program year.

“This outcome is consistent with the Government’s focus on high-demand, employer-sponsored professionals in areas where Australia has critical skill shortages,” Mr Bowen said.

“The program met the Government's objective of sharpening the focus on skilled migration and targeting the needs of Australian industries and employers.”

The migration program showed that across all permanent skilled visa categories, the top three occupations were accountants (6,734), computing professionals (5,370) and registered nurses (3,960) while the top three countries of citizenship for these categories were the United Kingdom (18,487), India (18,042) and China (14,505).

The Government announced in the 2010-11 Budget that the overall level of skilled migration would increase by 5,750 places to further address Australia’s needs as the economic climate improves. This will increase the proportion of skilled migrants to 67.5 per cent of the migration program.

The top three countries of citizenship under the family stream were China (10,218), the United Kingdom (7,229) and India (5,103). Overall, the United Kingdom remains Australia’s largest source of migrants with a total outcome of 25,738 or 15 per cent of the total migration program in 2009-10, with China (24,768) and India (23,164)
following closely behind.

The Report on Migration Program 2009-10 is available on the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Website at

www.immi.gov.au/media/statistics/statistical-info/visa-grants/

Friday 22 October 2010

Tier 1 visa quota reached for October

The UK Border Agency have announced that the monthly quota for Tier 1 General visas for October has now been reached.

This is the first time that this has happened since a new temporary quota was introduced from July.

This affects all applications for Tier 1 General visas, submitted OUTSIDE the UK. It does not yet affect Tier 1 General applications submitted from within the UK.

Applications can continued to be submitted as normal, however no new Tier 1 General visas can be issued until 1st November. This may lead to a "knock on" effect from month to month until the new annual quota is set from next April.

We would urgently advise all applicants interested in applying for the Tier 1 General visa to look at doing so promptly before the processing times for such applications are increased. Although the quota currently only affects applicants outside the UK, we would advise applicants in the UK to look at applying as soon as possible, in case any new quota is introduced.

To apply for a Tier 1 General visa, please complete the online assessment form on our website;

www.commonwealthimmigration.com

Wednesday 20 October 2010

Teaching in Australia

Do you want to work or train as a Teacher in Australia ?

Then you should read the Teaching Australia Ebook.

www.teaching-australia.com

Chapter1 - Overview of Teaching in Australia.

Chapter 2 - Registering As a Teacher.

Each state in Australia has its own requirements and procedures for teacher registration and certification. Learn what is necessary and obtain detailed information on documents, timeframes, application forms, etc. that will help you avoid costly errors that delay your registration

Chapter 3 - Employment as a Teacher.

There is a broad range of opportunities for teaching in Australia. Learn about teaching at primary and secondary levels, the difference between full-time posts, short term contracts and relief positions, and the benefits of public vs. private school positions, and get links to current vacancies so you’ll know who is currently recruiting...and where. Also included – a sample Australian style CV to help you apply for positions.

Chapter 4 - Salary Levels.

Many factors influence the pay scale of someone who is teaching in Australia. Learn how the level of teaching experience and the type of position can affect salary and what the different pay scales are in various states and territories, as well as where the best salaries are available and who pays a premium for working in different areas.

Chapter 5 - Australian Visas.

Australia issues a wide range of visas based on various criteria including age, occupation, qualifications, work experience, etc. Learn the difference between temporary and permanent visas and the process to apply. Regularly updated with immigration regulation changes.

Chapter 6 - Studying to Become a Teacher in Australia.

Teaching in Australia is a well-respected career. Learn about educational prerequisites and requirements and where to get training at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Chapter 7 - Relocation Advice.

Relocation can be difficult, even if you’re just moving down the street from one flat to another. When you’re moving to a new country, government regulations add a new level of stress. Learn about taxation, banking, the cost of living and other topics of concern to new immigrants and what you can do to take the worry out of your journey.

Chapter 8 - Australia Area Guide.

Australia is a wonderfully diverse country, offering something for everyone. Learn about Australia’s six states and two major mainland territories so you can pick the location that best suits you.

Questions and Answers.

A selection of some of the most common questions (with answers) regularly asked by teachers looking to move to Australia.

Case Study

Access information about a teacher from Ireland moving to Australia and watch a video on his story.

List of websites and other information sources.

A fully comprehensive list of all the relevant information sources to make your move a reality. Regularly updated and contains highly specific information.

For full information on moving to Australia, please see;

http://www.commonwealthimmigration.com/immigration-consultants-australia.htm

Friday 15 October 2010

Government to merge Immigration Regulator

As part of overall budget cuts, the government announced yesterday that it was abolishing, reviewing or merging nearly 200 government "quangos".

This includes the OISC - Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner, the regulatory body for UK immigration advisers.

A statement released by the OISC explained;

"A Parliamentary announcement has been made this morning (14 October) stating that the OISC will "merge". No firm details of what merger means are yet known, and may not be known for some time. We will keep advisers informed as developments happen.

The OISC continues as the sector's regulator."

If you need help with a UK visa application, then make sure you use our services - as registered UK immigration consultants;

www.commonwealthimmigration.com/immigration-consultants-uk.htm

Thursday 14 October 2010

Australia spouse visa applications

We are now finding that some spouse visa applications for Australia are starting to take longer to be processed.

This is largely the result of a reduced number of visas in the Family stream of the migration programme. At a recent meeting at Australia House, we were advised that such applications may now easily take 5 months to process.

Currently most applications have been processed in 3 months approximately.

This is just another sign of processing pressures on the migration programme.

For information on migrating to Australia as a spouse then please visit our website;

http://www.commonwealthimmigration.com/immigration-consultants-australia.htm

If you are a Teacher looking to move to Australia, then please see our Ebook at;

www.teaching-australia.com

Tuesday 12 October 2010

Detailed information on EEA Residence cards

What visa should I obtain if I am the family member of an EEA national ?

Family members who come to the UK with an EEA or Swiss national, but who are not themselves nationals of an EEA country or Switzerland, can apply for a residence card. The residence card confirms their right of residence under European law.

A residence card is normally valid for five years, and takes the form of an endorsement that is placed in the holder's passport.

We deal regularly with EEA Residence Cards. For more information on EEA Residence Cards or to apply for any visa, please see our website;

http://www.commonwealthimmigration.com/visas_countries.html#United Kingdom

Tuesday 5 October 2010

new UK visa forms

The UK government have launched new versions of many of the application forms to reflect the new application fees effective October 2010.

New guidance notes for the Tier 2 category have also been published.

If you need any help in applying for any UK visas, then please feel free to visit our website;

http://www.commonwealthimmigration.com/immigration-consultants-uk.htm