Theresa May backs student visa crackdown

Home Secretary Theresa May is backing a plan that would require foreign students to leave the country at the end of their courses.

Mrs May believes the current rules are being abused, with many students staying in the country illegally after their studies, BBC political correspondent Carole Walker said.

The proposal is being considered for the next Conservative Party manifesto.

Labour said foreign students brought "billions of investment" into Britain.

Under the current rules, students from outside the EU are allowed to stay in Britain for four months at the end of their courses and if they get graduate jobs they can switch from student visas to work visas.

Theresa May has admitted the government is unlikely to meet its immigration target

The plan put forward by the Conservatives would require anyone whose student visa expires to leave the country and re-apply if they want to continue their studies or take up graduate jobs.

A senior Home Office source said the "brightest and best" would still be able to come back to the UK, saying abuse of the system was fuelling net immigration.

Mrs May has admitted the government is unlikely to meet a target set by Prime Minister David Cameron to reduce net migration to the tens of thousands by the next election.

In April it was revealed that the number of overseas students taking up places at England's universities had decreased by 4,595 in one year - the first fall in 29 years.

'Economically valuable'

Lib Dem Business Secretary Vince Cable has repeatedly clashed with Mrs May over foreign students, who he says have been caught in a "public panic" over migrant numbers.

Mr Cable has warned that the public debate about immigration is in danger of damaging the "economically valuable" recruitment of overseas students to the UK.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said Mrs May's immigration policy was "in chaos".

She said: "More does need to be done to stop people overstaying illegally when their visas run out - whether they arrived on student visas, work visas or tourist visas.

"But the answer to that isn't to prevent highly skilled overseas graduates getting legal work visas to fill shortages in fields like science or medicine here."

Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-30570248

Belize lifts visa requirements for South American and Asian countries

Immigration Minister, Godwin Hulse (Photo: edition.channel5belize.com)

BELMOPAN, Belize (CMC) – The Ministry of Immigration and Nationality has lifted visa requirements for nationals of Columbia, Brazil, Japan and South Korea in an effort to facilitate faster entry into the country.

However, this recent decision has led to complaints from locals who expressed concern about immigration security.

In response Immigration Minister, Godwin Hulse described the complaints as “nonsense”.

The Minister insisted that as a “sovereign” nation Belize has the right to decide with whom it wants to allow into the country and it would not earmark Colombians on the drug trade issue.

On the issue of drug trafficking, Hulse said that until the lifting of restrictions, Belize was an anomaly where Colombia was concerned as the European Union and countries in the immediate region do not require visas for travel to and from Columbia.

Hr also warned against continued stigmatization of Colombia as a drug-producing nation.

Colombia, Brazil, Japan and South Korea have now joined the list of nations, now over 50, whose citizens no longer need visas to travel to Belize.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/Belize-lifts-visa-requirements-for-South-American-and-Asian-countries

European court gives UK visa direction

The UK cannot block family members who are originally from outside Europe but now live in the EU entering the country without a visa, European judges say.

They were ruling on the case of Spain-based Sean McCarthy, a dual British and Irish national, and his Colombian wife.

The couple argued she should be able to travel to the UK to see her British family without applying for a permit.

The BBC's Danny Shaw said the decision could open up UK borders to other non-EU nationals living in Europe.

A Downing Street spokesman said Prime Minister David Cameron disagreed with the ruling.

'Family permit'

The McCarthys took action against the government under the EU's freedom of movement rules.

Patricia McCarthy Rodriguez argued she should be allowed to travel to the UK with her British family without having to obtain a British visa as she holds an EU Residence Card issued by the Spanish government.

The British government has until now required Mrs McCarthy to obtain a "family permit" visa every six months if she wants to travel to the UK.

The couple argued their right to freedom of movement was being infringed.

The European Court of Justice (ECJ), which interprets EU law, backed the McCarthys, saying the UK cannot demand that family members of EU citizens resident in the EU have to have a special visa to come to the UK.

It said concerns over abuse of rights and fraud did not justify the measures.

Analysis: BBC home affairs correspondent Daniel Sandford

At a time when the government is trying to reduce the number of non-British citizens coming to the UK, this is an awkward ruling.

On the face of it the ruling is logical, if all EU citizens have the right to come and go freely from Britain, then surely their spouses should be allowed to also.

But the government's concern is that sham marriages to EU citizens accompanied by easy-to-obtain residence papers in some EU countries would become another back door into Britain.

The prime minister's spokesman argues there is no consistency in the EU on residence cards.

But the court ruled that restricting freedom of movement of EU citizens spouses could not be justified even when if there are a high number of fraudulent cases.

Mr McCarthy said he was "overjoyed" by the ruling.

He added: "As a British national I had expected my country to play by the rules, and now the court has finally forced the UK to respect British and European citizens' free movement rights."

The ruling only covers cases where the partner from the EU - in this case Mr McCarthy - has exercised their right to free movement within the union. If someone still lives in their home country, their spouse is not entitled to free movement.

The ECJ delivers guidance for the UK courts on how they must interpret European law. The case will now return to the High Court.

The UK government introduced the visa rules because it had concerns over security standards in other EU countries.

Mr Cameron's spokesman said the government would decide how to respond after the High Court ruling.

But the UK's approach was "the right one", he added.

UKIP MEP and spokesman on immigration Steven Woolfe said: "This is yet more proof that Britain can never take back control of its borders as long as it remains in the European Union."

Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-30528189

Express Entry: Ten Misconceptions

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The new selection system for immigration to Canada, Express Entry, is scheduled to come into operation on January 1, 2015 — just two weeks from today. Express Entry will change how Canadian immigration is managed by moving it from a supply-driven system to a demand-driven one and, as such, new practices will be put into place. However, we have observed some recurring misconceptions about the system over recent weeks and months. This article aims to clarify some of the more common misconceptions that remain.

Our previous newsletter contained an article titled ‘Express Entry: What We Now Know’, which you may find useful in tandem with the article below. We also encourage you to explore the Express Entry content on CanadaVisa.com in order to become familiar with the new system.

Misconception #1: Anybody can enter the Express Entry pool.

Truth: Candidates eligible to immigrate to Canada under a federal economic immigration program may enter the pool.

A common misconception regarding Express Entry is the mistaken belief that anybody who makes an expression of interest in immigrating to Canada may enter the Express Entry pool. This is not the case. A candidate must be eligible for one of Canada’s existing federal economic immigration programs in order to enter the pool. These programs are:

• The Federal Skilled Worker Program. Candidates eligible under this program must have work experience in a skilled occupation and reach a certain points threshold based on their human capital factors. Find out whether your occupation is skilled using the CanadaVisa Skilled Occupation Classifier on the CRS Calculator.
• The Federal Skilled Trades Program. Candidates eligible under this program must have two years of qualified work experience in a skilled trade in the last five years.
• The Canadian Experience Class. Candidates eligible under this program must have at least one year of skilled, professional or technical work experience in Canada within the last 36 months.

Please fill out a free online assessment today to determine your eligibility for immigration to Canada.

Misconception #2: You need a job offer to immigrate to Canada through Express Entry.

Truth: A job offer is not required, but it certainly won’t hurt.

There is a common misunderstanding that because Canadian employers will play a more direct role under Express Entry than they did previously, candidates will need a job offer in order to immigrate to Canada through Express Entry. This is not true.

Candidates in the Express Entry pool — all of whom are, remember, eligible for one of Canada’s federal economic immigration programs ­— will be ranked according to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Up to 1,200 points will be available for candidates, and Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will issue invitations to apply for permanent residence to candidates with the highest ranking. Given that 600 of these points will be allocated to candidates with either a provincial nomination certificate or a qualifying job offer of arranged employment from a Canadian employer, obtaining such an offer will give candidates an enormous boost in ranking and hugely increase their chances of being invited to apply for permanent residence.

There is no stipulation, however, that candidates are required to obtain a job offer in order to be issued an invitation to apply.

Misconception #3: Express Entry is the only way to immigrate to Canada as an economic immigrant.

Truth: Express Entry will facilitate the immigration of most economic migrants, but provinces will still be able to select a certain allocation of immigrants outside the Express Entry system.

Under Canada’s federal structure, the provinces and territories that make up the country have the advantage of being able to select a certain allocation of immigrants based on provincial labour market needs. While most economic immigrants to Canada will immigrate through Express Entry from January, 2015 — and a portion of provincial nominees will have their applications expedited through the Express Entry system — the provinces will still have their “base” Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), through which they may select immigrants who may not necessarily be eligible to enter the Express Entry pool.

In the case of Quebec, which is not participating in the federal Express Entry system, there will be a Skilled Worker stream and Quebec Experience program, both of which are scheduled to reopen on April 1, 2015.

Candidates should note that Express Entry will not be the only way to immigrate to Canada as an economic immigrant. Retaining the services of an experienced immigration lawyer who intimately knows the criteria of each PNP and the Quebec program may allow candidates, both those who are eligible to enter the Express Entry pool and those who are not, to maximize their chances of successfully immigrating to Canada.

Misconception #4: The eligible occupations list for the Federal Skilled Worker Program will continue under Express Entry.

Truth: There will be no eligible occupations list as of January 1, 2015.

We have seen discussion among potential candidates for Canadian immigration debating whether the current eligible occupation list for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) will remain in place or be updated. The answer is neither.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has confirmed that, as of January 1, 2015, eligibility for the FSWP will not include a list of eligible occupations. Instead, candidates will have to demonstrate that they have worked at least one year in a skilled occupation within the past 10 years. This is likely to open up eligibility to a greater number of candidates than is the case now.  Jobs in Canada are classified by what are called National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes, which are divided by skill level and skill type. You can find out whether your occupation is skilled using the CanadaVisa Skilled Occupation Classifier on the CRS Calculator.

Similarly, the current list of ineligible occupations under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) will not be in place under Express Entry.

Misconception #5: Sitting and passing a language test will not be required in order to enter the Express Entry pool.

Truth: Candidates must have passed a standardised language test recognised by the government of Canada in either English or French before they may enter the pool.

CIC has confirmed that candidates will have to demonstrate proficiency in an official language of Canada, either English or French, in order to enter the Express Entry pool. Language ability is determined by the candidate sitting a standardised language test, the most common of which are the IELTS or CELPIP for English and TEF for French. Candidates will not be able to enter the Express Entry pool without submitting language test results that meet the eligibility requirements for one of the federal economic immigration programs.

Eligible candidates wishing to enter the Express Entry pool as early as possible are encouraged to take a language test as a priority. Given that CIC has stated that its job matching software with employers is unlikely to be in place until at least April, 2015, there may be certain advantages for eligible candidates who don’t already have a job offer to enter the pool at an early stage, as they may be invited to apply when the first draws are made. Such candidates should also take note of the language testing requirement if they want to take advantage of being able to enter the pool as early as possible.

Misconception #6: When a candidate is issued an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence, he or she is likely to have enough time to begin gathering supporting documents and submit an application in time.

Truth: Candidates who only begin to gather supporting documents after being issued an invitation to apply may struggle to submit a complete application within the 60-day deadline.

Putting together a complete application that satisfies the demands set by CIC is not a simple task. It requires, among other things, the gathering of many personal documents relating to family and civil status, education credentials, and work reference letters, as well as the accurate completion of detailed forms. Consequently, candidates who only begin to gather these documents after having been issued an invitation to apply for permanent residence may find it difficult to submit a complete and accurate application within 60 days.

Eligible candidates are encouraged to enter the Express Entry pool with the mindset that they may, at any moment, be issued an invitation to apply. Accordingly, gathering and preparing documents for submission before being issued an invitation to apply is a prudent exercise.

Misconception #7: Candidates will know for certain how many points they will need under the Comprehensive Ranking System in order to be issued an invitation to apply.

Truth: Candidates will know their Comprehensive Ranking System points total and the government of Canada has said that candidates will know what the points threshold was for the most recent draw. However, candidates will not know their specific ranking nor how many points may be required for the next draw.

The Comprehensive Ranking System will be CIC’s method of ranking eligible candidates in the Express Entry pool. There is a misconception that candidates will know how many points will be required for the next draw from the Express Entry pool, when in fact CIC has stated that it plans to release such information about draws that will have already taken place (that is to say, the information will be retrospective). This may help candidates by giving them a figure they can aim to surpass, but will not provide them with any guarantee that they will be issued an invitation to apply if they reach that figure. Conversely, the next draw may see candidates with a lower ranking receive an invitation to apply.

Misconception #8: Once an Express Entry profile has been created, it cannot be changed, regardless of whether a candidate improves his or her points.

Truth: Candidates can update their profiles while in the Express Entry pool.

Not only will candidates be able to update their profiles, they are actively encouraged to do so. The Comprehensive Ranking System will be a fluid system, with eligible candidates entering constantly and successful candidates leaving once they have submitted an application. Candidates can improve their ranking by improving their core human capital factors (for example, by improving their language abilities, gaining work experience, or completing an education program) or receiving a valid job offer from a Canadian employer or a provincial nomination. Candidates’ profiles will not be “locked” at any stage during the one year for which their profiles remain in the pool. Indeed, profiles and ranking are subject to change.

Misconception #9: Candidates can enter the Express Entry pool by giving false information and, if subsequently issued an invitation to apply, immigrate to Canada.

Truth: Misrepresentation will be caught and will carry stern penalties.

Given that the information provided by a potential candidate when he or she makes an expression of interest in immigrating to Canada is self-declared, some candidates may be tempted to provide some elements of false information in order to appear eligible to enter the Express Entry pool. Such candidates might be hoping that they either attain those human capital credentials before they are issued an invitation to apply, or they might be hoping that false information will not be detected.

In both cases, the falsehood(s) supplied by the candidate during the initial stages of the process will be caught and will carry penalties. The government of Canada has recently introduced new measures that aim to ensure the integrity of its immigration programs and processes. Among these measures are more severe penalties for misrepresentation than were previously in place, with the penalty for misrepresentation increasing from a two- to a five-year period of inadmissibility, as well as a five-year ban on applying for permanent resident status. Candidates who are found to have given false information during any stage of the Express Entry process, including step one, will be subject to these new penalties.

Misconception #10: Express Entry will be a seamless, easy process.

Truth: The government of Canada is reviewing applications more rigorously than ever, and candidates will have to provide a lot of supporting documentation that meets the standards set by CIC.

Immigrating to a foreign country with a strong economy, diverse culture and proud history such as Canada is a desire for millions of people from around the world. Governments of Canada down the years and decades have realised that having a steady intake of immigrants is a win-win for both the newcomers and the country, which benefits from a diverse, skilled labour market.

While Canada has generous immigration programs, it also ensures that applications are thoroughly reviewed. After an application is made, there can be a lengthy processing period under the current immigration system. There has been a misconception among some potential candidates that because CIC will aim to process Express Entry applications within six months, applications will not receive as much scrutiny as they have until this point. This logic is flawed. If anything, due to the fact that CIC will be in control of the supply of applications it will be processing, it is more likely that applications will receive greater scrutiny than before.

In short, candidates will benefit from shorter processing times, but their applications should be prepared and presented meticulously.

Moving From Misconception To Truth

“It is natural that when significant changes to a system are made, people want to learn as much as possible as quickly as possible. It is important, however, for people to be able to separate good information from bad,” says Attorney David Cohen.

“My team and I have been sourcing the correct and most up-to-date information on Express Entry, but have noticed that some of the ideas that may have been shared as conjecture many months ago are still being shared today as fact. Potential candidates for immigration to Canada deserve the correct information. They don’t deserve to be misled by false impressions or misunderstandings. Retaining the services of an experienced immigration lawyer may help eager candidates in preparing a complete application. Express Entry is a system designed for people who play to win.”

Source: http://www.cicnews.com/2014/12/express-entry-ten-misconceptions-124283.html

Iraqi refugees’ visas deliberately delayed by immigration department

An 84-year-old Iraqi woman and her daughter are considering returning to Iraq as the government stalls their case until temporary protection visa laws come into force

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young described the decision to delay the two women’s visa grants as a ‘highly political move from immigration department employees’. Photograph: Alan Porritt/AAP Image

An 84-year-old Iraqi refugee and her daughter have had their visa grants deliberately delayed by the immigration department until the government’s new temporary protection visa laws come into force, and are considering returning home to Iraq.
Emails obtained by Guardian Australia reveal that the immigration department has deliberately delayed making a decision on the asylum seekers’ cases.
The revelations contradict the immigration minister’s insistence that the new legislation will help resolve the “legacy caseload” of 30,000 asylum seekers that need to be processed – and shows that decisions on asylum seeker visa grants have been actively delayed by the department until the passage of the bill was secured.
Both women arrived in Australia a year ago, entering Australia by plane and subsequently applied for protection.
They were both found to be refugees by the Refugee Review Tribunal and have completed their health and security checks. The daughter, a 40-year-old woman, has a two-and-a-half-year-old child who is still overseas with her husband, and is now considering returning to Iraq because a temporary visa does not allow a person to sponsor their family in Australia.
The emails obtained by Guardian Australia reveal that in September a senior case officer in the immigration department wrote of the 40-year-old woman’s case that “although she is grant ready for her visa the appropriate legislation has not been passed for the grant; it may take a few months and could be a TPV”.
The case officer wrote that the woman “advised she wished to return to Iraq and see her daughter who is sick and not to spend any more time in SIRH (Sydney Immigration Residential Housing).” The woman then advised the case officer “that she wished to commit suicide as she can’t bear it any more time and not get a visa”.
A second email from another immigration department officer said: “The applicant arrived in Australia as an Unauthorised Air Arrival (UAA) and therefore, as part of the government’s strategy to place measures on illegal arrivals receiving a permanent visa, the case is on hold until legislation and new reforms are possibly introduced later this month”.
The email goes on to say: “A decision will not be made on her application until new legislation is considered in late September. This is outside our control as it is a government priority.”
The government succeeded earlier in December in passing legislation that would reintroduce temporary protection visas for asylum seekers. The bill has not yet been subject to royal assent and so will not come into force until a later date.
Under the Migration Act the minister must grant a protection visa within 90 days of a decision by the tribunal, but it has now been more than 130 days for the women.
The immigration minister has been contacted for comment about the decision to delay granting visas to the women.
Katie Wrigley, principal solicitor at the Refugee Advice and Casework Service, which represents the women, said: “Mothers should not be separated from their two-year-old children. Those accepted as refugees should not be considering returning to places where Australia has found they face a real chance of serious harm.
“This case is particularly disturbing because it involves a young child, her parents and elderly grandmother each facing difficult choices because of the recent passage of legislation which has immediate impact for them. Placing refugees in the position of having to choose between these two very difficult circumstances is unfair and unconscionable.”
Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young said: “This is an unfortunate, cynical and highly political move from immigration department employees. There is clearly no way the minister or the department can be trusted to act in the best interests of asylum seekers.”
In October a letter was sent to the 40-year-old woman outlining that she had an outstanding health check, but records seen by Guardian Australia indicate she has now passed her health checks.
“The Australian government has determined that places in the humanitarian program will be reserved for those who engage Australia’s protection obligations through the appropriate processing channels and those who come illegally (by boat or air) to Australia, who are assessed as engaging Australia’s protection obligations and meet all other legal requirements will be granted temporary protection,” the letter said.
“As you and your mother arrived illegally by plane your case is affected by this policy.”

Source: http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2014/dec/13/iraqi-refugees-visas-deliberately-delayed-by-immigration-department

Minorities from neighbouring countries to get five-year visa: Govt

New Delhi: Members of the minority communities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh will be given five-years visa instead of one year as part of government's effort to address their grievances and according citizenship in future.

According to a Home Ministry statement, the central government has decided that henceforth the long-term visa will be granted initially by the Home Ministry for five years at a time on the specific recommendation of the state government or Union Territory administration instead of one year at present.

Powers have been delegated to Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) and Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) concerned to grant extension for a period up to six months on the short-term visa of the minority nationals from neighbouring countries applying for long-term visa.

A time-line of one month for FRRO and FRO and 21 days for the state government and Union Territory administration has been fixed for processing of such applications.

The statement said, "Children of minority nationals from neighbouring countries staying on long-term visa can now take admission in schools, colleges, universities, technical and professional institutions without any specific permission from the state government or Union Territory administration."

"Only an intimation is to be given in this regard to FRRO or FRO concerned. The state governments and union territory administrations have also been empowered to grant permission to minority nationals from neighbouring countries staying on long-term visa to engage themselves in employment of purely private nature," it added.

Source: http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/minorities-from-neighbouring-countries-to-get-five-year-visa-govt_1516030.html

QAA inquiry says London campuses not ripe for visa fraud

An inquiry has appeared to dismiss claims that student visa abuse is taking place at London branch campuses

The Quality Assurance Agency had been asked to examine student vetting procedures at 13 branch campuses after immigration minister James Brokenshire said there was evidence of abuse on many branch campuses.

Speaking in the House of Commons in June, Mr Brokenshire said a Home Office investigation had found the “worst abuse” of student visas was taking place in branch campuses within London.

The investigation followed a BBC Panorama exposé in February, which revealed systematic cheating in English language tests provided by an organisation called the Educational Testing Service (ETS).

Some 57 private colleges that had used ETS for their language testing had their highly trusted status suspended in June, while three universities were blocked from recruiting international students.

All three have since been allowed to start recruiting students, as have many affected colleges, though Glyndwr University was told to close its London campus.

However, the report by the QAA has now concluded that branch campuses do not present a major opportunity for student visa fraud, stating that they are “well founded and effectively managed”.

Following a review of 13 universities based in other parts of the UK, but who operate at London campuses, the QAA said they are “diligent in approval and validation processes, and conscientious in their ongoing monitoring and review of programmes at their London campuses”.

Student evaluations of the quality of teaching were positive, though the level of student engagement is stronger in some campuses than others, reviewers add, according to the report, titled London Campuses of UK Universities: Overview report of a thematic enquiry by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, which was published on 17 December.

Several potential areas of risk are identified, such as insufficient checks on student entry qualifications and systems open to academic malpractice, but reviewers state that universities are taking the right steps to address them.

“Although establishing a London campus is not straightforward, we found that universities are responding well to those challenges and taking them very seriously,” said Anthony McClaran, chief executive of the QAA.

“Our reviewers found that in general universities had carefully considered their plans to set up and operate a base in the capital, and the risks involved with setting up a London campus,” he added.

The report found that more than 8,400 students were enrolled on a course at a London branch campus in 2013-14.

While reviewers were generally positive about the branch campuses, they had specific concerns about the expansion of student numbers at some campuses, which had underestimated the cost and complexity of taking on more students.

They also flagged concerns over agreements with partner organisations who manage admissions, as well as the low rates of progression and completion at some campuses.

Individual universities involved in the enquiry will now take steps to address any issues identified, the QAA said.

However, despite the QAA’s conclusions, a Home Office spokeswoman said the report had identified “serious discrepancies in the way universities run their London campuses”.

“Some of these institutions have established themselves in London solely to attract international students and are not applying the same rules and criteria for admissions or academic results as they do for the main university,” she said.

“Universities must do more to ensure satellite campuses are admitting genuine, high performing students — and to live up to the highly trusted sponsor status they enjoy to bring in foreign students,” she added.

Institutions who benefit from student migration “must work with us to prevent abuse or risk losing their ability to recruit international students”, she concluded.

Source: http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/news/qaa-inquiry-says-london-campuses-not-ripe-for-visa-fraud/2017600.article

Ottawa about to relaunch multi-millionaire visa program

Two previous attempts were flops and put far lower price on residency than other countries

By PETER O'NEIL, VANCOUVER SUN December 4, 2014

The Harper government is expected to unveil soon Canada's latest attempt to attract multi-millionaire investors who have historically had a mixed track record in meeting the public’s expectations — especially in B.C. — after entering the country under so-called cash-for-visa programs. Canada’s two previous attempts, starting in the late 1980s, were flops, according to critical assessments in recently-released internal documents.

Photograph by: Arlen Redekop , Vancouver Sun

OTTAWA — The Harper government is expected to unveil soon Canada's latest attempt to attract multimillionaire investors who have historically had a mixed track record in meeting the public’s expectations — especially in B.C. — after entering the country under so-called cash-for-visa programs.
Canada’s two previous attempts, starting in the late 1980s, were flops, according to critical assessments in recently-released internal documents.
The first program led to a number of scams that cost many foreigners their entire investment, according to briefing notes released under the Access to Information Act. The second, designed to avoid risky investment schemes, failed to produce significant economic benefits for Canada, the documents say.
Both programs triggered resentment in cities like Vancouver where soaring housing costs have been blamed on the deep pockets and aggressive bidding of thousands of super-rich newcomers, including those who have exploited a loophole by entering Canada through Quebec’s separate investor program but never set foot in that province.
The Harper government, which stopped accepting new immigrant investor applications in 2012 and shut down the program earlier this year, has signalled its plans to create a pilot project program to make it both pricier and financially riskier for those who are prepared to part with a portion of their considerable wealth in exchange for permanent residence status in Canada.
Media reports have indicated that the minimum investment will be in range of $1 million to $2 million, with investors required to put money into a venture capital mutual fund. The old cash-for-visa program, killed in the 2014 budget, required investors to place just $800,000 in a five-year, guaranteed interest-free loan, with the money available for use by provincial governments for job-creation measures.
The program provided marginal benefits to governments — the net gain was the difference between an interest-free loan provided to government under the program and the cost of the province can borrowing on open markets at a time when rates are at historic lows.
Officials won’t confirm any details about the program or even reveal when the policy will be unveiled.
“The policy is still in development. We’ll have more to say when we’re ready to announce,” said a spokeswoman for Immigration Minister Chris Alexander.
Will Canada finally get the policy right? Documents analyzing past failures noted that Canada’s original investor program, launched in the 1980s, led to widespread abuse that resulted in the federal government being named in lawsuits launched by aggrieved investors.
Its 1999 replacement, designed to avoid undue risk for investors, ended up going too far the other way.
One 2013 presentation to Alexander and his top officials included a sarcastic and decidedly unbureaucratic headline: “Canada: An International Bargain for the Rich.”
The document noted that Canada’s modest $800,000 requirement sends “the unintentional but implicit (message that) Canada is less attractive and expects less from its investors.”
It noted that Canada charged less than Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, yet was the only country that offered immediate permanent residency status while Canada’s competitors required successful applicants to wait for between two and five years to get residency status.
Vancouver-based lawyer Richard Kurland said the minimum should be at least $2 million, and the minister should have the discretion to increase that figure if demand is high.
The number of new millionaires being churned out by China’s booming economy is ensuring a continuous supply of high-quality applicants, allowing Canada to set the terms, according to Kurland.
“We can afford to cherry-pick.”
McMaster University economist Arthur Sweetman, a frequent commentator on immigration policy, also fears Ottawa will under-price the investor visas.
Like Kurland, Sweetman believes in tougher conditions including requiring investors to immediately start filing income tax returns while reporting both Canadian and global income sources.
And rather than requiring an investment that could lead to profits for the investor, he suggested a $750,000 to $1 million no-strings-attached donation to a Canadian hospital as the price for a Canadian visa.
From 2006 to mid-2014, the federal government confirmed permanent residence status for just over 22,000 people, the majority from China, who stated their intention to live in B.C.
That total doesn’t take into account the thousands who arrived in B.C. while using the Quebec program over that period.
University of B.C. geographer David Ley, author of the 2010 book Millionaire Migrants, has argued that many either retired or operated marginal businesses after arriving and therefore may not have contributed to economic growth.
Of particular concern is the role played by rich immigrants on sky-high real estate prices in cities like Vancouver.
“It certainly appears to be the case” that foreign money has played a role in the growth in single family prices in the core areas of the Lower Mainland, especially the west side (of Vancouver),” according to Tsur Somerville, a University of B.C. professor specializing in real estate finance.
Somerville questions the utility of an investor immigrant program if the money is to be funneled into venture capital.
Canada’s immigration policy, outside of the refugee program, should be based on fulfilling shortages such as the current one involving skilled labour in many regions, he said.
“It’s really hard to see in a country like Canada an argument for investor immigrants. It implies we have a shortage of capital that needs to be addressed.”

Source: http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Ottawa+about+relaunch+multi+millionaire+visa+program/10437853/story.html

Senate backs reintroduction of temporary protection visas

Thu 4 Dec 2014, 6:45pm

 

Photo: Ricky Muir has complained of 'being forced into a corner to decide between a bad decision and a worse decision'. (AAP: Alan Porritt)

Related Story: TPVs set to be resurrected with support of Palmer United Party

Map: Australia

The Senate has passed sweeping changes to Australia's immigration laws, including the re-introduction of temporary protection visas (TPV), representing a much-needed legislative win for the Abbott Government.

Senators sat until the early hours of the morning debating the legislation, which eventually passed with the support of the two Palmer United Party senators, Family First senator Bob Day, Liberal Democrat David Leyonhjelm and a clearly anguished Ricky Muir from the Motoring Enthusiast Party.
Senator Muir told the Chamber the Immigration Minister had made it clear that tens of thousands of asylum seekers would be left in limbo unless the legislation was passed.
"I am forced into a corner to decide between a bad decision and a worse decision; a position I do not wish upon my enemies," he said.
"A decision that involves human beings, children, mothers, fathers, lives of people who have had to endure unthinkable hardship; people pushed to the point where they go to any lengths to seek asylum."
Senator Muir told the chamber he had received a letter from asylum seekers.
"They state that if a TPV was the only option this Government was going to offer, accept it because the mental anguish and pain can't go on," he said.
"It was a plea, a loud cry for help.
"I have also tonight spoken with people who have worked closely with the detainees on Christmas Island. They told me that this bill is not completely fair but that the detainees are tired, they have had enough, and they want out."

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-05/senate-agrees-to-reintroduce-temporary-protection-visas/5945576

133 Countries Mexicans Can Travel To Without Visa

inShare
Mexican passport may actually have a lot more value than what you accord it at the moment. According to the most recent global index of international passports, citizens of Mexico had visa-free access or visa on arrival access to over 130 countries and territories. This ranks the Mexican passport 23rd in the world among countries with the highest number of access to other countries and territories visa-free or with visa issuance on arrival.What this means is that you wouldn’t need to apply for visa to travel to any of the countries listed below; simply pack your bags and take off and you could stay up to the stipulated length of days.
However, it is necessary that you verify with the embassy of the country you are planning on travelling to very close to the time of your travel because visa requirements change frequently. Below is a list of countries where Mexico nationals with Mexican passports are not required to secure a visa to visit.

Source: http://www.vallartatoday.com/vallarta-general-news/133-countries-mexicans-can-travel-to-without-visa

CFIB wants temporary foreign worker program replaced by special visa

Business group says employers would rather hire permanent workers

By Lee-Anne Goodman, The Canadian Press Posted: Dec 01, 2014 7:42 AM ET Last Updated: Dec 01, 2014 4:30 PM ET

The CFIB's proposed new visa would give foreign workers in entry-level categories an opportunity to work with an employer for two years as a defined step towards permanent residency. (CBC) 

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business is calling on Ottawa to replace its controversial temporary foreign worker program with a visa that would provide a path to permanent residence for entry-level employees from abroad.

• Temporary foreign worker applications drop 74% since new reforms
• GO PUBLIC | Canadians expose foreign worker 'mess' in oilsands
• Businesses needing skilled workers sideswiped by changes

The organization says in a report released today it's proposing the Introduction to Canada Visa that would address labour shortages for small businesses.
CFIB president and CEO Dan Kelly says the temporary foreign worker program has been legitimately criticized for using TFWs to fill permanent labour market needs.
In an interview with CBC News, Kelly said the CFIB is urging government to ``build something that is on the rails of the permanent immigration system rather than the temporary one.``
He added that small businesses would much rather hire permanent workers, but the immigration system doesn't allow them to hire people with entry-level skills.
The Canadian economy needs workers at all skill levels, Kelly said, adding that addressing labour shortages is critical to small businesses.
“I want to challenge this assumption that if employers just raised wages, that all of a sudden this problem would go away,” Kelly said.
He gave the example of the grocery store or restaurant operating in a remote area where workers are attracted to highly paid natural resources jobs.
“There are lots of sectors of the economy where that is just not possible — the business would shut down because it’s not sustainable at that wage level, and secondly, even where they have increased their wages there are parts of the country and sectors of the economy that people are just not rushing to do for other reasons,” he said.
The CFIB's proposed new visa would give foreign workers in entry-level categories in areas with labour shortages an opportunity to work with an employer for two years as a defined step toward permanent residency.
Kelly also said that under the proposals any company seeking to hire an entry-level worker from abroad would have to employ a Canadian employee at the same wage.
He also said the CFIB proposal would include more protection for employees than the TFW program.
“If the employer is not meeting up to their commitments, then the employee would be able to change jobs but remain within the region or remain within the sector and find an employer that does meet their obligations,” Kelly said.

With files from CBC News

Confusion prevails over hikes in Dubai tourist visa fee

DUBAI: Unconfirmed reports of a “possible hike” in UAE tourist visa fees is causing confusion in the travel market.
Some travel agents have claimed that they received “official circulars” two weeks ago informing them that the visa charges would be hiked by Dh90 from November 13, Gulf News reported.
They claimed that as per the “new regulations”, the tourist visa would be valid only for one month from the date of entry, with no grace period or extension. However, within the next three days, they got back to their clients, saying the fee change had been withdrawn until further notification.
One travel agent reportedly said, “We received two circulars. The first one said the visa fees would increase by Dh90 from November 13 and that the tourist visa duration of stay will be 30 days from date of entry and cannot be extended (no grace period). The second, which we received on November 16, noted that the visa changes detailed in the earlier announcement had been postponed, so the old rates would hold good.”
Premjit Bangara, general manager of Sharaf Travels, was quoted as saying by Gulf News that the agency had updated its clients about both developments.
“As a matter of policy, we keep our clients informed. We were able to handle the situation smoothly,” he further said.
However, some travel agents said they had not received any official notice.
Kulwant Singh, managing director of Lama Tours and Travels, reportedly said: “We have not yet received any written communication from the authorities in this regard and hence, we are charging the same fees.”
Another travel agent reportedly said: “There have been a lot of e-mails floating around. Ten days ago, we heard that the visa fee would be increased by Dh90 with effect from November 13. Then we heard that it has been postponed till the end of the month. But we don’t know of any official announcement and our rates remain the same.”
General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs was not available for comments, Gulf News reported.

Source: http://filipinotimes.ae/editors-pick/2014/11/27/confusion-prevails-over-hikes-in-dubai-tourist-visa-fee/

Post-study work visa could be introduced in Scotland

Political parties have agreed to consider the introduction of a new post-study work visa scheme for international students in Scotland

The issue is included in the final report of the Smith Commission, which has recommended which additional powers should be devolved from Westminster. However, no additional powers need to be devolved to allow the scheme to become a reality.
Instead, the five political parties in the Scottish Parliament have agreed that the UK and Holyrood governments should work together to “explore the possibility of introducing formal schemes to allow international higher education students graduating from Scottish further and higher education institutions to remain in Scotland and contribute to economic activity for a defined period of time”, the report says.
The agreement responds to calls from higher education and business leaders, who warned that Scotland’s economic growth was being hampered by skills shortages.
A joint letter sent to the Smith Commission earlier this month by representative organisations warned that the removal of the UK-wide post-study work route in 2012, combined with the hostility of the public debate around immigration, had resulted in a significant fall in the number of international students coming to Scotland.
Signatories of the letter included Universities Scotland, the University and College Union Scotland and NUS Scotland, alongside business groups including the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and the Institute of Directors Scotland.
Speaking earlier this month, Pete Downes, the convenor of Universities Scotland, said a modified visa policy could deliver “significant economic and social benefit” north of the border.
“Scotland has distinct demographic challenges that adversely affect our potential for economic growth,” said Professor Downes, the principal of the University of Dundee.
“We face skills shortages in key sectors, as articulated by business, and our universities are forced to operate in an anti-competitive environment in attracting international talent that could be of great economic and social benefit to Scotland.”
There is a precedent for Scotland having distinct visa arrangements to the rest of the UK. Between 2005 and 2008, an initiative called Fresh Talent allowed students to stay in Scotland and seek work for two years after graduation.
The Smith Commission report also recommends that the Scottish Parliament should be given the power to set income tax rates and should retain all the income tax raised in Scotland. It also proposes that Holyrood should be given powers to allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in Scottish elections.
Alastair Sim, the director of Universities Scotland, said there was a “very strong” case for the introduction of a Scottish post-study work visa.
“We recognise that further devolution of powers are not necessary to deliver this as the Fresh Talent initiative was delivered under existing powers of the Scottish Parliament but the weight of the Smith Commission’s support gives renewed impetus to the fact that Scotland should be enabled to set its own policy in this area,” said Mr Sim.
Source: http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/news/post-study-work-visa-could-be-introduced-in-scotland/2017234.article

Israel among 43 nations to be eligible for India's new e-visa

Travelers walking in Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai, India, March 8, 2012. Photo by Bloomberg

 

India phasing in Tourist Visa on Arrival program, which will eventually be open to almost all of the 180 countries which host its diplomatic mission
Israel will be among 43 countries in the first phase of India's new program to issue electronic visas to visitors with which it has diplomatic relations, Business Standard announced Wednesday.
The list will be issued Thursday, as is expected to include most European Union states, as well as Russia, South Africa, Turkey, Oman, Argentina and Kazakhstan. The previous Indian government earlier this year announced the proposal for the Electronic Travel Authorization, which enables the Tourist Visa on Arrival without having to issue a physical visa.
According to Business Standard, visitors from all but eight countries that host India's diplomatic mission will eventually be eligible for the e-visa, the exceptions being Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Sudan.
Over 48,000 visitors from Israel arrived in India in 2011, according to statistics from the Indian Ministry of Tourism, accounting for 0.76% of all foreign tourists in the subcontinent nation.

Source: http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.628636
 

India to provide immediate visa for patients from SAARC: PM

Kathmandu: Pledging to extend all possible cooperation to SAARC countries in diverse fields, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday announced that India will provide immediate medical visa for the patient and an attendant for treatment in the country.

In his address at the 18th SAARC summit here, Modi also said that India will now give business visa for 3-5 years for SAARC nations.
Identifying health as a major sector for cooperation among the member countries, Modi said India will support monitoring and surveillance of polio-free countries, and provide vaccines where it might reappear.
"In the area of health, India will meet the shortfall in funds to establish the SAARC Regional Supra Reference Laboratory for TB and HIV. We offer the five-in-one vaccine for the children of South Asia," he said.
Seeking better environment for trade among the SAARC nations, Modi said, "India will now give business visa for 3-5 years for SAARC. Let's make it even easier for our businesses through a SAARC Business Traveller Card."
Modi said information technology has removed all barriers to quality education and India was prepared to connect the South Asian students through online course and E-libraries.
"When we set up India's National Knowledge Network, we will be happy to extend it to the SAARC region.
"The dream of a South Asian University has become a reality in New Delhi. But, to be truly South Asian, it must also have partnerships with at least one university in each SAARC country," he said.
During the course of his 30-minute speech, Modi also referred to India's "gift" of a satellite for the SAARC region and said it will benefit the countries in areas like education, telemedicine, disaster response, resource management, weather forecasting and communication.
"We will also host a conference in India for all South Asian partners next year, to strengthen our collective ability to apply space technology in economic development and governance. And, we plan to launch our satellite by the SAARC Day in 2016," he said.
"As neighbours, we should also be together in good and bad times," he said.
The Prime Minister also offered India's capability and expertise in disaster management saying it will always be available to South Asia.
"A prosperous SAARC needs the strong foundation of a secure South Asia. If we are sensitive to each other's security, and the lives of our people, we will deepen friendships, spur cooperation and advance stability in our region," he said.
 

Source: http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/india-to-provide-immediate-visa-for-patients-from-saarc-pm_1505085.html

Business visa for 3-5 years for SAARC countries: Modi

11:14 am: PM pushes for a South Asian University, immediate medical visas for patients from SAARC countries

11:12 am: As we remember the horror of the terror attack in Mumbai in 2008, we feel the endless pain of lost lives. Let us work together to fulfil the pledge we have taken to combat terrorism and trans-national crimes: PM

11:10 am: India's gift of a satellite for the SAARC region will benefit us: PM

11:09 am: IT has removed barriers to education.We are prepared to connect our South Asian students through online course & E-libraries: PM

11:07 am: We should use strength of shared heritage and our diversity to encourage tourism within our region and present South Asia to the world:PM

11:05 am: India will now give business visa for 3-5 years for SAARC Countries: PM

11:04 am: Let's all make our procedures simple, our facilities better, our standards common and our paper work less burdensome: PM

11:03 am: Why do goods from India to Pakistan go through other countries,take so long? Think of what we are doing to consumers and environment, PM Modi says.

11:02 am: As SAARC we have failed to move with the speed that our people expect and want: PM

11:02 am: India and Nepal have started a new era of cooperation in energy and, India and Bhutan are making those ties stronger by the day: PM

11:00 am: South Asia is slowly coming together: PM

10:56 am: Nowhere in the world are collective efforts more urgent than in South Asia; and, nowhere else is it so modest: PM

10:55 am: Cynicism and skepticism out of place in a region throbbing with optimism, says PM Modi

10.52 am: Last Summit was 3 years ago. Only 2 of us here were present. PM Hasina has come after her re-election, Mr. Rajapaksa will go into one: PM

10.51 am: The future I dream for India is the future I wish for our entire region: Modi

10.50 am: PM Modi commences speech at the SAARC summit

10.45 am: Bhutan knows it has sacrificed growth for sustainable development, but we will continue to do what is right for us, says Tshering Togbay, Bhutan TM

10.21 am: Sheikh Hasina SAARC:Agricultural growth has helped eradicate abject hunger and poverty.Bangladesh target being middle income country by 2021

10.17 am: Stern comments made by President Rajapaksa against what he calls "external threats" to member states over human rights concerns

10.15 am: Human rights is a moral issue, but used as a political tool. Interventions are planned in the guise of HR concerns, says Mr. Rajapaksa

Diplomats were scrambling till late on Tuesday night, ahead of the plenary session of SAARC leaders, as serious differences emerged over the agreements to be adopted at the conclusion of the summit. Read

Read: SAARC: Bursting with potential, burdened with disappointment

10.10 am: Rajapaksa at SAARC:Must pass agreement on energy cooperation,focus on health and sanitation. Compliments Modi on SAARC satellite idea

10 am: Nawaz Sharif at SAARC : Need a dispute free Asia. Instead of fighting each other, we should fight disease, poverty, illiteracy

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (centre) waves as he arrives at the Tribhuwan Airport to attend the SAARC summit. Photo: AP

Read: A case for SAARC reforms by Subramanian Swamy

With all eyes on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s take on the future of South Asia, the 18th SAARC Summit commenced on Wednesday morning.

Narendra Modi, waves to the media as he is received by Nepalese Home Minister Bam Dev Gautam upon arrival at the Tribhuwan Airport. Photo: AP

Apart from host Nepal, all seven heads of state and government are in Kathmandu to attend the summit. As chair of SAARC, Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul opened the summit and handed over the responsibility of the chair of the regional bloc to Nepal’s Prime Minister Sushil Koirala.

This is the third time Nepal is organising the summit - first in 1987 and then again in 2002.

Ahead of the summit, three meetings at foreign ministers’, foreign secretaries’ and joint secretaries’ levels decided to scrap three SAARC regional centres and merge four others into one 

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/south-asia/live-saarc-summit-2014/article6635706.ece

Russian Visa Applicants Will Have to Be Fingerprinted

In September, the Interfax news agency reported that Russian consulates in the United Kingdom, Denmark, Myanmar and Namibia would be implementing fingerprinting technology starting next year.

Foreigners applying for visas in a number of Russian consulates will be fingerprinted starting in December, in accordance with a decree signed by President Vladimir Putin earlier this week.
Starting on Dec. 10, those seeking visas at Russian consulates in the United Kingdom, Denmark, Myanmar and Namibia, as well as at Moscow's Vnukovo Airport, will be fingerprinted.
Russian diplomats abroad will also be required to inform the governments of their respective host countries of the new practice by Dec. 5. The order does not provide a timeline for the implementation of fingerprinting in Russian consulates in other countries, or at Russia's other international airports and border crossings.
In September, the Interfax news agency reported that Russian consulates in the United Kingdom, Denmark, Myanmar and Namibia would be implementing fingerprinting technology starting next year. The head of the Foreign Ministry's consular department, Yevgeny Ivanov, said at the time that the move was a pilot project that would help determine the feasibility of collecting biometric data at other Russian consulates. The fingerprinting is not meant to harshen visa requirements for foreigners, Ivanov said at the time.
The measure, which will also apply to stateless individuals and those applying for transit visas, comes ahead of the European Union's planned introduction of biometric data collection in 2015 for Russians wishing to travel to the Schengen Area.

Source: http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/511864.html

Canadian Immigration laws to re-unite families

The Canadian Parent and Grandparent (PGP) sponsorship program is likely to reopen for new applicants in January 2015.

The Program was reintroduced in January 2014 after being put on hold since 2011. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) placed a temporary hold on new applications in 2011. This was to enable Canada immigration to concentrate on dealing with the large backlog of immigration cases. In 2014 when the sponsorship program reopened Canada immigration decided to introduce an annual quota of 5000 visas.
Other changes to the program included an increase in the minimum income levels required for applicants. The Canadian government feels that this will make it less likely that family members will claim state benefits once they arrive in Canada. To confirm their income sponsors are required to submit their tax returns for the previous three years.
The program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents to come and live in Canada; demand for these visas is very high. This year the visa quota was reached within the first month of the start of the new visa allocation period. It is expected that the situation will be similar in 2015.
Applicants are encouraged to begin preparations now, to ensure that applications are submitted on time and contain all the correct documentation. As there is a limited number of visas available, it is very important that you have your application ready to submit as soon as the new visa allocation becomes available – this will give you the best chance of success. Although it is inevitable because of the limited number of visas available that many applicants will be disappointed.'
In order to give your application the best chance of success, you should follow the following guidelines:

• Try to ensure that your application is received at the CIC on the actual launch date for the new visa allocation.. The date has not been formally announced as yet, but many think the new visa allocation will be available from January 2015.
• Check your application is complete, with signatures in the right places and all relevant documents.
• Provide the past three years tax returns for the sponsor as proof of income
• If paying by card make sure that your card will still be valid when Canada immigration processes your payment. Bear in mind that this could be many months after submission.
• Download the latest versions of the visa forms, available from the CIC website.

Processing times can take years. In the meantime you may wish to apply for the Parent and Grandparent super visa, which allows entry to Canada for up to two years at a time. The visa is valid for up to ten years.

Businesses urge govt to scrap exit/re-entry visa

Prominent business executives have called on the government to scrap the exit and re-entry visa system, saying it would make Saudi Arabia a more attractive place for foreign investors and skilled foreign workers.
“The system of having exit re-entry visas is creating unnecessary hassle. The Kingdom must seriously consider scrapping this system like in other GCC countries such as Bahrain and the UAE,” said Irshad Cader, a business executive in Jeddah, on Tuesday.

“As long as expats have valid iqamas, they should be able to move freely in and out of the Kingdom. Unless an iqama holder stays away more than six months, he must be allowed to enter the Kingdom without any issues. This will encourage more qualified expats to work in the Kingdom,” he said.

Akbar Batcha, another business executive, welcomed the plan to issue five-year resident permits. He also supported the call to scrap the exit re-entry system, at least for business leaders, investors and professionals who travel abroad frequently.

He said the five-year iqama system would help Saudi Arabia collect a huge amount in fees. “If you multiply SR5,000 by 10 million expats in the Kingdom, it will be a fabulous amount,” he said, adding that the system would encourage expatriates to spend a substantial portion of their earnings in the Kingdom.

“According to one report, foreign remittances of expats rose in the first nine months of this year compared to the previous year. This report should encourage the government to adopt expat-friendly decisions such as the five-year iqama to increase their spending in the Kingdom,” he told Arab News.

Cader also proposed a salary-based sponsorship system so that expatriates who earn a certain minimum monthly income would be eligible to sponsor their families. “For example, an expat who earns a salary of SR10,000 must be allowed to bring his family over irrespective of his profession,” he said.

Source: http://www.arabnews.com/featured/news/665616

Interviews for family visa in Qatar is now through video conference

Expatriates applying for family visas can now attend the interview with the Recruitment Committee at the Ministry of Interior through video conference from the Mesaimeer Service Center.

The General Directorate of Nationality, Borders and Expatriate Affairs at the Ministry launched the new service recently.

Earlier, the applicants had to attend the interviews at the headquarters of the general directorate in Madinat Khalifa.The recruitment committee is responsible for approving family visa applications.

The service is provided through a live broadcast from a special room set up for interviews at the Mesaimeer Service Center where the screen is connected to the Recruitment Committee at the headquarters of the General Directorate. The committee can seek all required documents from the applicant directly, according to a ministry statement.

The online service aims to help the public attend the interviews from the Ministry of Interior service centres close to their localities. The service at Mesaimeer represents the first phase of the project and it will be expanded to other service centres later, said the ministry.

Brig Abdullah Salim Al Ali, Director General of General Directorate of Nationality, Borders and Expatriate Affairs said that the new service aims to save time and effort for the beneficiaries by allowing them to attend the interviews through video conference from the same place where they submitted the application. He added that the new service is part of the Ministry’s plans to build an integrated electronic system for all services.

Source: http://www.qatarshub.com/

Glyndwr Uni student visa status reinstated by Home Office

Glyndwr University has had its right to sponsor international students reinstated by the Home Office.

The Wrexham-based university was stopped from recruiting overseas students in June after an investigation into alleged visa fraud.
It followed concerns some students may have obtained English language certificates in the UK - required for a student visa - despite not speaking it.
The Home Office decision will be reviewed in January.
The university welcomed the agreement to reinstate its status as a "highly-trusted sponsor" of student visas, which was removed following the investigation.
It will be on "limited basis", the Home Office said, and is "subject to a number of strict conditions".
They include banning the recruitment of international students to a London campus the university operated in Elephant and Castle, which was the focus for the Home Office's Glyndwr concerns.
Glyndwr's Wrexham campus will also have a fixed allowance of places for overseas students who require a visa.
'Positive future' In a statement the Home Office said: "We continue to work closely with Glyndwr University in order to improve their standards for recruiting international students."
Roughly 2,104 of the university's 8,400 students are from outside the EU.
English language certificates are required for a UK student visa, and the probe followed a BBC Panorama investigation.
The decision to overturn the visa ban pointed to "a very positive future for Glyndwr University" said university officials.
It said it was committed to relinquishing the lease on its Elephant and Castle campus in London and will move to new premises by July 2015.
Prof Michael Scott, vice-chancellor and chief executive of the university, said: "The university is fully committed to continuing its support for a more robust student visa system and in that regard is undertaking a number of changes to its London campus during the coming months, including a locational move."

Glyndwr University London is based on the eighth floor of an Elephant and Castle office block
The National Union of Students (NUS) Wales said concerns remained about the situation.
"This decision may offer some relief," said Beth Button, president of NUS Wales.
"However, Glyndwr University continues to face serious financial difficulties.
"This threat to the institution's future concerns us, and it clearly concerns all the students studying on its campuses."
As part of the Home Office investigation, evidence of "serious concern" was uncovered at 57 UK college campuses, which led to sanctions.

source: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-30180437


 

Japan to ease conditions for Chinese multiple visa

The Japanese government is to ease conditions for multiple entry visas issued to independent Chinese tourists.

The foreign ministry currently issues multiple-entry visas when Chinese tourists with a certain amount of income stay overnight in Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima or Okinawa Prefecture on their first trip to Japan.

The visa is valid for 3 years. The duration of the stay must be within 90 days for each entry.

The ministry conveyed its intention to relax the conditions to promote exchanges when the foreign ministers of the two countries met earlier this month.

Officials are considering issuing multiple-entry visas for people with incomes lower than the current criterion if they have visited Japan in the past 3 years.

They are also considering allowing high-income earners to enter Japan even if they don't visit any of the four prefectures.

Source: http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20141124_09.html

Obama greenlights high-skilled immigration; relief for H-1B visa holders, spouses, students

WASHINGTON: Presenting a powerful moral argument that America is and will always be a nation of immigrants, US President Barack Obama announced on Thursday that he would exercise his executive prerogative to protect nearly four million undocumented immigrants from deportation while streamlining procedures to retain in the US skilled foreign tech students and workers, many of whom are from China and India.

In a 15-minute prime time address to the nation, Obama invoked some of the most fundamental ideals of the United States to make his case, reminding those who opposed immigration that, "We were strangers once, too."

"Whether our forbears were strangers who crossed the Atlantic, or the Pacific or the Rio Grande, we are here only because this country welcomed them in and taught them that to be an American is about something more than what we look like or what our last names are, or how we worship," he told Americans, many of who have forgotten they were immigrants too.

While the President's executive orders will largely pertain to an estimated 4.1 million undocumented parents of US-born children (and therefore citizens) and about 300,000 undocumented immigrants who came to the US illegally as children, he also announced broad procedural changes that will make it easier and faster for high-skilled immigrants, graduates, and entrepreneurs to stay and contribute to the American economy in a transparent effort to maintain US edge over other nations.  According to a factsheet issued by the White House, the President will act to provide portable work authorization for high-skilled workers waiting their Legal Permanent Residency (LPR, also called green cards), including to their spouses. Under the current system, employees with approved LPR applications are often in limbo while waiting for the process, which can take several years, to conclude, unable to switch jobs or cities or even marry.

The factsheet says the Department of Homeland Security will make regulatory changes to allow these workers, usually on H-1B visas, to move or change jobs more easily. DHS, it said, is also finalizing new rules to give certain H-1B spouses employment authorization as long as the H-1B spouse also has an approved LPR application. Tens of thousands of Indian H1-B workers and their spouses are expected to benefit from this.The executive order will also strengthen and extend on-the-job training for STEM graduates of US universities in an effort to keep them in the US. "In order to strengthen educational experiences of foreign students studying science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) at US universities, DHS will propose changes to expand and extend the use of the existing Optional Practical Training (OPT) program and require stronger ties between OPT students and their colleges and universities following graduation," the factsheet said. There are more than 100,000 Indian students in the US, nearly 70 per cent of them in STEM courses.

The proposal stops well short of "stapling a green card to a foreign student's US degree" that some votaries wanted, but it points to more breathing room for graduating students, many of whom are forced to return home if they have not snagged a job within the year-old OPT timeframe. The President's long-time gripe, fueled by high-tech immigration advocates like Bill Gates and Vivek Wadhwa, has been that foreign students trained in the US often return home to start businesses because of the broken immigration system that does not keep them in the US to contribute to the American economy.

The executive order will also direct DHS will expand immigration options for foreign entrepreneurs who meet certain criteria for creating jobs, attracting investment, and generating revenue in the US, "to ensure that our system encourages them to grow our economy." DHS will clarify its guidance on temporary L-1 visas for foreign workers — used by a number of Indian companies — who transfer from a company's foreign office to its US office. The Labor Department will take regulatory action to modernize the labor market test that is required of employers that sponsor foreign workers for immigrant visas while ensuring that American workers are protected.

The President's announcement brought mixed reaction in the Indian/South Asian/Asian circles that had felt there was too much emphasis on the illegal or undocumented immigration from the Hispanic world as opposed to the largely legal workforce from Asia caught in limbo because of procedural wrangles and archaic rules.

"The proposed executive order could provide relief for over 4 million undocumented aspiring Americans, including tens of thousands — if not more — South Asians. Coupled with proposals to expand available visas and address long wait times for many immigrants, this relief is welcome news to South Asians nationwide as we continue to work toward a legislative solution," said Suman Ranganathan, executive director of organisation SAALT, for Strengthening South Asian Communities in America.

But Congressman Mike Honda, re-elected recently from Silicon Valley, felt it did not go far enough. "There are many areas needed for true immigration reform that this executive action does not immediately address, including the backlog of visa petitions filed by citizens and green card holders, an increase in H-1B visas that attract the top business and tech talent to Silicon Valley and the nation, and reducing the employment visa backlog," he said, adding, "Our businesses need to be able to attract high-skilled workers from around the globe to stay competitive and improve our economy; and those workers need a way to have their families join them in America." Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/Obama-greenlights-high-skilled-immigration-relief-for-H-1B-visa-holders-spouses-students/articleshow/45226976.cms  

US President Barack Obama's announcement on Thursday that he would exercise his executive powers to pass the immigration reform law, has brought some cheer for Indians in the US too.

The most important announcement that the US president made concerns thousands of Indians who are in America waiting on long green card queues and their families. According to the new guidelines, portable work authorization will now be provided to high-skilled workers awaiting lawful permanent resident (LPR ..

Read more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/45230441.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

US President Barack Obama's announcement on Thursday that he would exercise his executive powers to pass the immigration reform law, has brought some cheer for Indians in the US too.

The most important announcement that the US president made concerns thousands of Indians who are in America waiting on long green card queues and their families. According to the new guidelines, portable work authorization will now be provided to high-skilled workers awaiting lawful permanent resident (LPR ..

Read more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/45230441.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

US President Barack Obama's announcement on Thursday that he would exercise his executive powers to pass the immigration reform law, has brought some cheer for Indians in the US too.

The most important announcement that the US president made concerns thousands of Indians who are in America waiting on long green card queues and their families. According to the new guidelines, portable work authorization will now be provided to high-skilled workers awaiting lawful permanent resident (LPR ..

Read more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/45230441.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

US President Barack Obama's announcement on Thursday that he would exercise his executive powers to pass the immigration reform law, has brought some cheer for Indians in the US too.

The most important announcement that the US president made concerns thousands of Indians who are in America waiting on long green card queues and their families. According to the new guidelines, portable work authorization will now be provided to high-skilled workers awaiting lawful permanent resident (LPR ..

Read more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/45230441.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst