Policy In Practice 2013 Report: Now Available
Managing the Global Mobility Function 2012: Now Available
Tag Archive
Canada: CIC to Limit Immigration Benefits for Children, Lift Hold on Parent and Grandparent Cases
Effective January 2, 2104, children over the age of 18 will no longer qualify for immigration benefits as dependents under any Canadian immigration program. Also on January 2, 2014, the government will resume accepting new applications to sponsor parents and grandparents for permanent residence, with an annual cap of 5,000 applications for 2014.... »
Australia: Reforms to Employer-Sponsored Permanent Residence Programs Take Effect July 1
The reformed Employer Nomination and Regional Sponsored Migration Schemes will feature a streamlined pathway to permanent residence for subclass 457 visa holders, online applications, full work rights during the pendency of an application from certain applicants, a minimum salary requirement, and new age, skill and English language exemptions. The Australian government recently enacted legislation... »
United Kingdom: British Citizens and Permanent Residents Must Meet Minimum Salary to Sponsor Family Members
British citizens and permanent residents will have will have to earn at least £18,600 annually to sponsor a spouse or partner for immigration benefits, beginning July 9. The minimum goes up for each additional family member. In addition, residency requirements for foreign spouses and partners seeking settlement will be extended. Effective July 9, 2012,... »
Australia: Government to Reform Visa System to Attract More Investors and Entrepreneurs
A new Significant Investor visa program and reforms to the Business Skills visa program seek to attract high net worth investors and entrepreneurs who have a demonstrated history of innovation and success in business. In an effort to attract more foreign investment and start-up businesses, the Australian government will introduce a new permanent residence... »
Panama: Government Introduces Nationality-Based Permanent Residence Program
The new program allows nationals of 22 countries to take up permanent residence in Panama and search for a job after entry, though to work lawfully, they must be sponsored for a work permit by an employer. Panama has introduced a new nationality-based permanent residence permit program in an effort to attract foreign investment.... »
Australia: Increase Migration Quotas to Remedy Skills Shortages in Regional Australia
When the Australian government’s new budget takes effect on July 1, 2012, fewer foreign workers will qualify for fringe benefit tax exemptions, the number of employer-sponsored permanent migration visas will increase to 129,250 (up from 125,850), and two key permanent residence programs will be revamped to address skills shortages in regional Australia. The Australian... »
Dominican Republic: Government Begins to Implement New Immigration Law
In January 2012, the Dominican Republic will begin to implement its new immigration law. Over the coming months, new eligibility criteria and application procedures will be introduced for temporary work and permanent visa categories, with full implementation of the law expected to occur after presidential elections in May 2012. A new medical examination and... »
Brazil: Local Hires Employment Visas
One of the two Brazilian ministries that must approve temporary visa extensions for foreign nationals working under local employment contracts has announced it will no longer do so, in favor of requiring these foreign workers to apply for a permanent visa after their initial visa expires. The full impact of this decision will remain... »
Canada: Government to Reduce Backlog of Pending Parent and Grandparent Cases
In 2012, Canada will sharply increase the number of sponsored parents and grandparents it admits, and as of November 5, it stopped accepting new permanent residence applications for these relatives for a two-year period. It will introduce a new ten-year, multi-entry visitor visa for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Canada... »
UK: Government Releases Final Plans for Permanent Cap System
When the permanent annual cap on the admission of foreign workers takes effect on April 6, 2011, there will be new Tier 2 sponsorship categories, a revised Tier 1 category, and transitional arrangements for foreign nationals who are already in the UK. »