Immigration is becoming one of the most preferred choices for people from all over the world. They are gradually understanding the benefits linked with the aspect of migrating to an altogether new country and exploring the options provided by the same in a major way.

A recent report states that more than 590,000 applicants migrated to Britain last year and the number is likely to increase in the upcoming future.  The figure increased by a huge margin as compared to 574,000 in the last year. Also 427,000 left the country as compared to 341,000 in the previous year, which forms a record in itself since the year 1991.

According to Home Office Minister Phil Woolas, the PBS (Point Based System) has allowed the government to have a greater control over people migrating to the UK.

The increase clearly shows UK as an applauded destination for migrants coming from all over the world. Also the increase in job opportunities, medical facilities, educational aspects and other such facets has added more feathers in its cap as far as Immigration is concerned. If you are making your mind to move to UK, it is better to consult an Immigration expert and fulfill your dreams of a healthy future.

It is always better to apply and qualify under a Provincial Nominee program as it can be considered as being more advantageous compared to the other visa programs. There are many reasons for the same.

Firstly, it leads to faster processing of your application. This could lead to faster grant of a Permanent Resident status. With a faster approval, it would mean no more standing in queues or checking your status online or waiting endlessly for that matter.

Secondly, the programs under the Provincial Nominee system tend to differ for each state. There are many applicants who end up not qualifying under the Federal Skilled Worker program. The Provincial Nominee program is a fresh breather for such candidates. The criteria are different for each and every province which makes it very flexible for the candidate to apply. These provincial programs do not have criteria with respect to the Point Based System. Their skills could be sufficient enough to contribute to the Canadian economy.

When compared to the Federal program, the eligibility criteria on the Points Based System are very stringent. The criteria include age, educational qualifications, work experience and language skills and so on.

With the above two key points, an applicant stands a better chance in terms of immigration. This way, it would be easier for you select your options for residence accordingly.

For instance, some provinces are very employer friendly. In such a case, if an employer finds someone who he thinks would be efficient in contributing to the Canadian economy, province would generally abide by the employer. However, the employer has to show proof of his good faith and that he is bona fide.

If you are planning to immigrate to Canada, this program is more than worth to given a thought to. With this, consult a Canadian visa expert who is always updated in this regard.

According to the Workplace Future report, Australia is soon to be in short of skilled migrants. The report states that by around 2025, there would be a skill shortage of about 1.4 million workers. To overcome these shortages, the report recommends increasing the immigration process and also to rise the retirement age.

The report stated the following –

• More steps should be taken towards hiring older people and other disadvantaged persons.
• A population growth is likely with the current birth rate being a bit on the higher side. With this, immigrant children are also adding to the cart. But this does not help the ageing population which continues to grow less in number.
• The expected labor shortage in Victoria itself by 2025 is around 440,000 workers. This figure is calculated based on the current retirement and migration rate.
• Considering the current workforce trends, it is possible that the participation rate might go down to 61.8% from 65.2% in 2025.

All in all, to meet these demands, a rise in the age of retirement is the foremost task to be carried out. With this, the boundary of the hired workforce needs to be extended.

Migration which plays a very important in building the Australian economy has to be promoted further with the recent criticism intact.

On the other hand, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the following has been stated –

• Population growth - 1.6%
• Unemployment rate – 4.5%
• Jobs Rate – 1.9%

However, the report also states that these predicted skill shortages have been partly subdued in the previous one year due to recession. Since, the unemployment rate has been constantly on the rise during this period; skill shortages can easily be fore taken. But this cannot be taken as an ultimatum because shortages still exist in many industries in Australia.

Thus, for those planning to immigrate, Australia is the best destination as of now when it comes to job opportunities. Also, migration is something which is being promoted as of now by the Australian government. So why not take your chances? You might just hit the bull’s eye!

Contact an Immigration and Visa Specialist to know more.

According to a recent announcement by Vayalar Ravi, Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, ‘The Emigration Management Bill, 2009, would be placed before the Cabinet ahead of time.

He said that the Overseas Indian Affairs Ministry aims to provide a simple, yet efficient process for Immigration along with taking all the measures to cope up with irregular migration. He said that that their motto is to get after the unscrupulous elements in order to control illegal migration.

On another occasion, he threw light in the direction that the government is in the later stages of establishing a ‘Return and Resettlement Fund’ that would further offer “financial security” to overseas returnees. He further added that the new find would act as a “contribution-based scheme” in order to assist the overseas returnees. It will further save from any financial distress or economic slowdown faced by them, the minister added.

He further elaborated on the establishment of the Indian Community Welfare Funds in the 17 ECR countries and in Maldives.

A lot has been going on in the world of Immigration!

Making plans to Immigrate? Whom have you consulted till now? Friends and family members?  But are you sure that the information provided by them is accurate and upgraded? Any irrelevant information from your dear ones can create chaos as they might not be decked with the latest news happening in the immigration arena.

For instance, you have an aunt who migrated to Canada 10 years ago. You will always find her ready and charged up when it comes to providing advice on Immigration issues. She might think that she is the only person on this earth who holds the experience and power to give advice on Immigration aspects to all the prospective applicants out there. Taking advice from her may be beneficial but trusting the same blindly would not be considered as a wise option. You must not forget that she is not an immigration expert at the end of the day and holding a Canadian Citizenship does not give her an edge over others!

Also situations have changed now! Migrating to a country is not the same as it was ten years back. The rules and regulations have changed to a larger extend. Here your general knowledge won’t do any benefit!

Then there are other facets involved with immigrating to a new country. An applicant, lets say you or me, might not know the mandatory requirements needed for a specific visa application. For instance IELTS score, educational requirements, and so on. In order to ensure that that the right documentation is presented in front of the Immigration officer along with filing of the application form in the right manner, it becomes essential to consult an Immigration and Visa veteran to avoid any hassles in your Immigration procedure.

According to a recent report released by Balanced Migration, it has been stated that UK would require almost 96,000 new school places by the year 2013 in order to fulfill the increasing demands of the people migrating to the country.

Stats by the Office of National Statistics (’ONS’) point out in the direction that UK is gradually becoming one of the hottest destinations with new migrants, as the country experienced the single largest yearly population increase in almost 50 years. Figures show that almost 703,100 children were born in England and Wales in the year 2008 as compared to 607,300 born in the year 2003. Of the additional births, just over 54,000 are from non UK born parents and 13,000 have one parent who was born overseas.
According to Nicholas Soames, who is the Conservative MP and group co-chairman, it is not just about the requirements concerned with the schooling aspect but also related with requirements associated with health, housing and other services as well.
The stats of ONS elaborated that migrant mothers were responsible for more than half of the increased birth rate, courtesy the increase in Immigration since last few decades. The report clearly applauds UK as one of the best prospective countries to migrate! Hire an Immigration expert to know more.

Canada welcomes people with arms wide open and a big smile on its face! Every year, people from all over the globe visit this amazing country with plenty of dreams in their eyes. Depending upon the purpose of visit, applicants are required to fulfill certain mandatory requirements in order to acquire a visa (for instance Temporary Resident Visa, in this case)
Visitors are allowed to stay temporarily in Canada for a maximum of six months, but in exceptions, they may be allowed to extend their stay for which they have to apply for “extension.” It is mandatory to send your “extension” application at least a month before the expiry of your visa. The applicants are eligible to extend the stay if they are planning to:

• Extend the course that they are studying in a Canadian institution
• Wish to visit or work longer in Canada
• Plan to change the type of permit (for instance, change a study permit to a work permit)
• Change the location of job or the educational institution where the applicant is commencing a course

In addition, there are other legal formalities that are attired with the process of “extending your stay” in Canada. It would be beneficial to take assistance from an immigration veteran and know further.

The Department of Immigration & Citizenship (DIAC) of Australia has suspended the clause that allows visa applicants to “re-use” previous health examination reports. It further means that applicants must get a full permanent health clearance as a part of the mandatory requirements under recent immigration policies.

The Australian department of Immigration & Citizenship was receiving certain complaints relevant to the “upgrade process” that resulted in the processing delays.  It further leads to amendments in the ‘Re-Use Health Check Policy’ by DIAC. But certain arrangements have been retained. For instance, Temporary Health Examination reports that are still valid and were cleared at a local level can be re used for Temporary Visa Application.

The rules relevant to the “Re-use” of health clearances are also same! To avoid any clutter, it would be advised to take advice from an experienced Immigration expert to avoid any confusions or error in your application form.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops wish to influence Congress to focus on an immigration reform that would reunite families, restore due process protections for people migrating to the country and regularize the status of illegal residents.

According to Antonio Cube, national manager of the U.S. bishops’ Justice for Immigrants project, their sole intention is to enhance Catholic grass-roots support for immigration reforms. Keeping the same in mind, a new postcard campaign will start in the year 2010 and will coincide with the bishops’ National Migration Week, from January 3- January 9, 2010. ‘The Catholic Church holds a unique place to comment of issues such as Immigration as it is present in sending countries as well as receiving countries,’ added Cube.

According to predictions by Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Migration, the chances of an approval of this legislation would be greatly dependent on the upcoming Health Care Reforms also.

Also, President Barack Obama has continuously emphasized on various Health Care reforms in the past and have emphasized on a deep connection between Immigration and Health Care Reforms several times.

If you want your spouse to come with you to Canada, following are the facets that must be kept in mind:

• Genuine relationship: An essential requirement is that you and your spouse must have a bona-fide relationship with each other. The Immigration officers should never think that this relationship is crafted only to fulfill the purpose of Immigration!
• The officers should never think or speculate that the applicant is trying to take advantage of the Canadian immigration system.
• Ensure that the spouse has a clear background and is free from any criminal record
• Spouse or dependants may be refused on the basis of their medical inadmissibility. It is mandatory to provide documentation related with health records and other facets.
• Marriage Certificate: If you were married in Canada, you are required to show your marriage certificate. If married outside Canada, the marriage must comply with your country’s law.
• Financial statements should be shown in the form of bank slips, loan payments (if any) and proof of other assets

It would be beneficial to consult an Immigration expert and clear all your doubts on How to bring your spouse to Canada.