Monday 31 January 2011

Fast track Australian visa processing for flood reconstruction

The recent Australian floods in Queensland and Victoria have lead to a demand for skilled workers to assist in reconstruction. The Australian Department of Immigration have reacted to this, by agreeing to process visas for such workers, quicker.

As detailed on their website, this includes;

"fast-track processing of 457 visa applications specifically for reconstruction jobs in flood-affected areas, providing quick access to skilled overseas labour where local supply is insufficient."

Perhaps this demand for skilled labour in reconstruction may allow for state government sponsorship for residence visas.

For more information on moving to Australia, please visit our website;

http://www.commonwealthimmigration.com/australia.htm

Monday 24 January 2011

Tier 1 (General) visa applications in the UK

As most applicants will be aware, Tier 1 (General) was closed to overseas applicants in December 2010.

However, this category is still open to new applicants in the UK - i.e. those based in the UK on a substantive work visa such as a work permit or Tier 2 visa.

Processing times for these applications are now taking longer and applicants need to remember that a biometric appointment is now necessary in this category (includes fingerprinting etc...).

After 5th April 2011, this visa category will close to all applicants in the UK.

We therefore advise all intending applicants to look at applying for this asap. The amount of time to thoroughly prepare an application can be lengthy, so it is vital to plan ahead.

If you are thinking of applying for a Tier 1 (General) visa then please see our website;

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

Tuesday 18 January 2011

Australian Immigration on YouTube !

The Department of Immigration in Australia have now launched their own YouTube "channel" !

Through a variety of different videos, the Department explains the services they offer, provides information on different visas and generally gets across their key messages to visitors and migrants.

It seems we have come a long way in promoting immigration from newspapers and printed brochures (which doesn't seem that long ago!).

In order to watch IMMI TV on YouTube, please go to;

http://www.youtube.com/immitv

To obtain, more detailed information on YOUR chances of migrating to Australia, then please visit our website;

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

Thursday 13 January 2011

News Update on EEA Application processing

News Update on EEA Application processing

7 January 2011
There is now a new process for returning passports by the UK Border Agency on EEA applications. Applicants need to submit a UK Special Delivery reply envelope to ensure passports are returned securely for travel or at the end of processing.

This is effective for all applications submitted after 17 January.

10 January 2011
A new survey has been launched by the UK government on introducing a same day service for EEA applications. This would involve applicants paying an additional fee to ensure premium processing. To participate in the government survey please see;

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7X6HH83

If you need assistance on applying for any EEA permit or visa, then please contact us through our website.


http://www.commonwealthimmigration.com/assesment_form.html

Tuesday 11 January 2011

Teaching Australia - Free Ebook

Do you want to TEACH in AUSTRALIA? We offer a FREE Teaching Australia Ebook available by Instant Download.

www.teaching-australia.com

Recently updated with latest migration changes.

The Free Ebook includes;

Chapter 1 - Overview of Teaching in Australia.

Chapter 2 - Registering As a Teacher.

Chapter 3 - Employment as a Teacher.

Chapter 4 - Salary Levels.

Chapter 5 - Australian Visas

Chapter 6 - Studying to Become a Teacher in Australia.

Chapter 7 - Relocation Advice.

Chapter 8 - Australia Area Guide.

Questions and Answers.

List of websites and other information sources.


please visit;

www.teaching-australia.com

Thursday 6 January 2011

UK Immigration Update, January 2011

Since the Coalition government came to office last year, a number of key changes have taken place in UK immigration, in an effort to reduce the overall levels of migration.

Employers and applicants need to be aware of these changes and their potential impact.

Tier 1 (General) visas

Most recently in December 2010, the UK Border Agency announced that the Tier 1 (General) visa category is closed to overseas applicants.

This category will also be closed to UK based applicants after April 2011.

“UK based applicants” include those living and working in the UK on a substantive visa – such as a work permit, Tier 2 visa or Post Study Work visa.

These changes should NOT affect those who have already secured a Tier 1 (General) visa and wish to apply for an extension in the UK. This should still be possible, as normal.

We advise anyone interested in applying for a Tier 1 (General) visa in the UK, to look at starting this process immediately, before this category is closed in April.

Tier 2 visas

Following a report published by the Migration Advisory Committee, the Home Secretary has announced details of the new migration "cap" or quota for non EU workers.

From April 2011 - April 2012, the Tier 2 (General) visa category will be subject to annual limit of 20,700. This is a reduction of 6,300 compared to 2009 levels. However, there are many applicants that are NOT subject to the cap. These include;

- Tier 2 Dependents
- Those already in the UK on a Tier 2 visa or work permit
- Tier 2 Intra Company Transfer applicants
- New applicants with an offered salary of over £150,000

It is already clear that the government are providing many exceptions to their plans to cap migration levels. However, the imposition of a cap is a new development in UK immigration. Businesses will need to ensure that they plan their recruitment of non EU workers to stay within their annual allocation.

Other Proposals

The Tier 1 General visa category will be abolished for new applicants and will be replaced by a new category for "persons of exceptional talent". A limit of 1,000 visas will be available in this category. We await the publication of further details on this, however it is likely to apply only to those who have international recognition in their field.

More positively, the government have stated they will be looking to reform the Tier 1Entrepreneur route to make it more attractive. This will include more flexible criteria than the current rigid £200,000 requirement. Again, we await further details on this.

A major new consultation has been launched on reforming the student visa system. Several new proposals are included as part of the consultation including stricter entrance requirements and limitations on in-country student visa extensions.

Most importantly, the 2 year Post Study Work visa is earmarked for abolition. This is the work visa, that many graduates obtain allowing them to work in the UK and then switch to a Tier 1 or Tier 2 work visa.

For more information on applying for UK work visas, please see our website;

www.commonwealthimmigration.com