HEADLINES 2007!!!

/ 4:50 PM /

AUSTRALIA
 
o   Mohamed Haneef's Australian 457 visa restored
 
o   Canada: Saskatchewan gets immigration funding
 
o   Migration contributes to over half of Australian population growth
 
o   U.S. firms in New Zealand need skilled migrants
 
o   Call for New Zealand to raise refugee quota

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A TRIBUTE TO 2007!!!

/ 4:44 PM /

UNITED KINGDOM
04 January 2007
Sector Based Scheme quotas for Bulgaria and Romania
11 January 2007
UK - protest by migrants against HSMP changes
25 January 2007
UK cannot view Schengen database for criminals, terrorists
01 February 2007
Report praises migrant contribution to UK workforce
20 March 2007
Overseas doctors win with HSMP rule
29 March 2007
UK agrees to review HSMP changes
30 March 2007
UK visa fee changes effective 01 April 2007, reminder
20 June 2007
The UK's strategy in 'managing migration' - report
26 July 2007
Quantity Surveyors added to UK National Shortage Occupation List
09 August 2007
UK MPs say tougher HSMP rules should be overturned
25 September 2007
Bulgaria plays down UK fears of uncontrolled migration
30 October 2007
UK continues limits on Bulgarian and Romanian workers
12 November 2007
UK doctors to be treated as equals in court ruling
23 December 2007
Study finds that the UK needs immigrants

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FLY HIGH :Canada Immigration !

/ 8:31 AM /
Canada is one of the world's top immigration destinations with over 200,000 new arrivals coming under the Canada immigration system every year. Deciding to immigrate to Canada is a significant step in the lives of those who pursue this dream. The Canada immigration section of our website has been created to help those seeking to live and work in Canada. Using workpermit.com's Canadian immigration lawyer can play an important role in obtaining your Canadian visa and starting a new life.
Immigration to Canada based on the skilled worker category, is a very popular visa programme and is intended for people with high levels of skills and experience. Canadian immigration also includes a special visa category for business immigrants. Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the Canadian Government's Immigration Department, also allows the province of Quebec to select immigrants. Just as importantly, 40 percent of the annual immigration to Canada is under the family reunion and refugee programs.
Let our website serve you, and be your resource on immigration to Canada! Moving to Canada is easy. Go to our relevant links for extensive information about Canadian visas, Canadian work visas, Canadian citizenship; And about immigration to Canada in general. All cases are dealt with by a lawyer authorised to represent clients in immigration matters who is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada.

Canada Skilled Worker Immigration - Points based immigration

Introduction

Canada's points score requirement was reduced from 75 to 67 points on 18 September 2003. This means a considerable increase in the number of people who meet the Canada visa requirement for the Canadian skilled worker category. The previous requirement of 75 points from 28 June 2002 meant that even most highly qualified people did not gain enough points.

Overview of Changes

The overall Canada visa requirement has been reduced to 67 points. This will greatly increase the number of people who can come under the skilled worker immigration category. Moving to Canada has become easier.
This is the most popular visa category for an immigration to Canada. If you gain at least sixty-seven points, and can show that you can successfully establish yourself in Canada, it is usually possible to meet the Canadian visa requirement in order to immigrate to Canada under this Scheme. You will see further details of the changes in our news report.
The Canadian Government had tried to apply the previous immigration regulations introduced in June 2002 retrospectively. The intention was to refuse up to 100,000 pending immigration cases. There have been various claims against the Canadian Government in the Courts and since 18 September 2003 the retrospective provisions of the previous immigration regulations have effectively been abolished:
1.    If you applied before 1 January 2002 and a decision is yet to be made your application will be assessed under the scoring criteria in force at that time. If you do not score enough points under the former immigration regulations you will be assessed under the current immigration regulations with a pass mark of 67 points.
2.    If you applied before 1 January 2002 and your application was refused between 31 March 2003 and 30 June 2003 you may apply to the Visa Office that dealt with the application to have your file re-opened and considered again under the former immigration regulations in force before 1 January 2002. If you still do not gain enough points you will be considered under the current immigration regulations in force since 18 September 2003 with a passmark of 67 points.
3.    If you have applied after 1 January 2002 and a decision is yet to be made on your application you will be considered under the current immigration act and regulations in force since 18 September 2003 with a pass mark of 67 points.

Factor 1: Education - maximum 25 points

University Degrees
PhD, or Master's, AND at least 17 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study
25
Two or more university degrees at the Bachelor's level AND at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study
22
A two-year university degree at the Bachelor's level AND at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study
20
A one-year university degree at the Bachelor's level AND at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study
15
Trade or Non-university Certificate or Diploma
A three-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship AND at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study
22
A two-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship AND at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study
20
A one-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship AND at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study
15
A one-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship AND at least 12 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study
12
Secondary School Educational Credential
5

Factor 2: English and French language ability - maximum 24

If you are fluent in both official languages English and French you will be awarded 24 points. If not, you must firstly decide which language you are more fluent in. This will be your "first official language". You can gain up to 16 points for the first official language, and up to 8 points for the second official language. Your points score will be based on your ability to read, write, listen to, and speak English and French. The definition and table are below:
Skill Level
Criteria
High-proficiency
You can communicate effectively in most community and workplace situations. You are fluent and can speak, listen, read and write the language very well.
Moderate proficiency
You can communicate in this language and can make yourself understood in most situations. You speak, listen, read and write the language well.
Basic or no proficiency
You have little ability in the language and have difficulty communicating in this language.
Calculating your language points:
First Language (Maximum 16)
Speak
Listen
Read
Write
High-proficiency
4
4
4
4
Moderate proficiency
2
2
2
2
Basic proficiency
1 to 2
1 to 2
1 to 2
1 to 2
No proficiency
0
0
0
0
 
Second Language (Maximum 8)
Speak
Listen
Read
Write
High-proficiency
2
2
2
2
Moderate proficiency
2
2
2
2
Basic proficiency
1 to 2
1 to 2
1 to 2
1 to 2
No proficiency
0
0
0
0
Total points achieved for speak + listen + read + write for both languages.

Factor 3: Work experience - maximum 21 points

The Canada immigration points system wants individuals with at least one year of full time experience in the last ten years in a management or professional or highly skilled occupation. These are listed as Skill Type O, Skill Type A or Skill Type B. You can check that you meet the Canada visa requirements by doing the following:
1.    Look at the list of occupations (noc) that meet the requirements of the skilled worker category. Then make a note of the four digit code next to your occupation.
2.    You then put in the four digit code in quick search on the left of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) web site.
You must make sure that your work experience matches that stated in the NOC. You do not have to meet the "employment requirements" section of the particular job listed on NOC.
You may need to look at a number of different occupations to find one that matches your work experience. If your occupation does not come under skill level O, A or B or your experience did not occur in the last ten years your application will be refused.
Once you have confirmed that you meet the above requirements, you can now estimate your points score. You are granted 15 points for one year of work experience and two points for each further year up to a maximum of 21 points.
Years of experience
1
2
3
4+
Points
15
17
19
21

Factor 4: Age - maximum 10 points

Your points score is calculated based on your age on submission of the application:
Age
Points Score
16 or under
0
17
2
18
4
19
6
20
8
21-49
10
50
8
51
6
52
4
53
2
54 and over
0

Factor 5: Arranged employment (maximum 10 points)

You will gain 10 points in the Canada immigration points system if you have a job offer approved by Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) as a job where it will be difficult to find someone to fill the vacancy from the resident labour market. You must be able to do the job, and meet the educational and, where relevant, licensing and regulatory requirements for the job.
You should note that it is the employer who applies to HRDC and not yourself. You may also gain the ten points in some circumstances if you are already in employment in Canada.
HRDC-confirmed permanent offer of employment
10
You are in Canada holding a temporary work permit and can show the following:
Your employment is validated by HRDC, including sectoral confirmations
10
Your employment is exempt from HRDC validation under international agreements (e.g., NAFTA) or is of significant benefit to Canada (i.e., intra-company transferee)
10

Factor 6: Adaptability (maximum 10 points)

You can receive a maximum of 10 points based on any combination of the elements listed below:
1. Your accompanying spouse or common-law partner's level of education
Secondary school (high school) diploma or less
0
Completed a one or two-year post-secondary program and has at least 13 years of education
3
Completed a three-year post secondary program and has at least 15 years of education
4
Completed a three-year university degree and has at least 15 years of education
4
Completed a Master's or Ph.D. and has at least 17 years of education
5
2. You or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner has studied in Canada
No, or less than two years post-secondary education in Canada
0
Completed a post-secondary program of at least two years in Canada since the age of 17
5
3. You or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner has worked in Canada
No, or less than one year full-time work in Canada
0
Worked full-time in Canada for at least one year
5
4. You or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner has family in Canada
No
0
Have a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, sister, brother, nephew, niece, child or grandchild who is a Canadian Citizen or permanent resident living in Canada
5
5. Arranged Employment
No
0
You have already received points under the Arranged Employment Factor
5

You will either need to show the following levels of funds to come under the skilled worker category or have "arranged employment".

You can look up the relevant exchange rate at Currency Convertor.
  • For a single person $10,168
For a family unit consisting of the following:
  • 2 persons $12,659
  • 3 persons $15,563
  • 4 persons $18,895
  • 5 persons $21,431
  • 6 persons $24,170
  • 7 persons or more $26,910
You do not have to show that you have these funds if you have arranged employment in Canada.
Please note that to be able to successfully emigrate to Canada you will have to show that you are in good health and do not have any criminal convictions.
You can add up your points score below:
You will need to gain sixty-seven points under the new selection criteria.
Factor
Maximum Points
Your Score
1 Age
10
2 Education
25
3 Language Ability
24
4 Work experience
21
5 Arranged employment
10
6 Adaptability
10

Total:
100






Family & Dependants

The Canadian Government does understand that families wish to be together and immigration is permitted for many members of the family. Outlined below are the requirements for family immigration:

Spouse:

Your spouse or common-law partner (including same sex relationships) can normally be included in your own application for immigration. The form needs to be completed and similar information needs to be provided as for the "Principal Applicant". This is normally a straightforward family immigration application to make.

Children:

  • Your unmarried children under 19 can be included in your own application for immigration to Canada.
  • Children over 19 can be included if they are in full-time education and still financially dependent on you.
  • Children who are married may be included in family immigration if they are in full-time education, and are still financially dependent on you.

Parents:

Your parents can normally be accepted for family immigration to Canada, but you can not apply for their visas until you have settled in Canada. Further, the requirements are somewhat more onerous, than is the case for applications relating to a spouse or a child; there are strict financial requirements that must be met before a parent can gain entry to Canada on the strength of their children's presence there. These financial requirements vary depending on the number of dependants already living with the sponsor, and the part of Canada in which they reside. In rare cases where the parents are living in some hardship, and there are compelling humanitarian and compassionate reasons to do so, an application may be made at the same time that the sponsor is applying for immigration to Canada.

Grandparents:

Your grandparents can be admitted under requirements similar to those for parents (outlined above).

Others:

Sponsorship applications can be made for orphaned relatives under 19 years of age such as brother, sister, nephew, niece or grandchild. Further, you can normally sponsor a child under 19 years of age that you plan to adopt (subject to the relevant adoption laws).

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Study finds that the UK needs immigrants

/ 11:01 AM /

A report released by Ernst & Young ITEM Club entitled 'Migration and the UK economy' looked at the economic impact of migration during the last decade in Britain. According to the UK-based think tank, their study found that the nation could suffer a decline in growth if the flow of foreign labor is cut off.
Economic benefits clear
"Without a million and a half foreign workers since 1997 the UK economy would have suffered slower GDP growth, higher inflation and interest rates," said Peter Spencer, Chief Economic Advisor to the ITEM Club. "Looking forward, if immigration were to continue to increase at the same rate as in the last two years, ITEM would expect GDP to grow by an impressive 3 percent a year over the next decade."
"If immigration were in line with the average of the last decade, long-term trend growth would be reduced to 2.4 percent a year. And if there were no immigration at all, it would drop to just 2.2 percent a year," Spencer added.
ITEM stated that while the political ramifications of increased immigration have been controversial, the economic benefits are clear.
"A third of the immigrants in the last three years have come from the [new European Union member states] and a large number of these have been young workers," Spencer said. "Although the numbers of immigrants from Eastern Europe are now slowing, there are very few parts of the British Isles that have not felt the positive economic impact of their arrival."
ITEM stated that the UK government needs to keep "an open mind and open doors" to economic migrants. The UK economy needs the current rate of immigration to keep growing because the native-born pool of working age citizens is growing more slowly than the pensioner population.
The need for skilled migrants
UK businesses are benefiting from the stronger GDP growth brought on by immigration, according to Mark Otty, Chairman of Ernst & Young. However, these businesses will have to look more and more towards foreign labor.
"We need immigrants to balance the demographic books and to supply us with a range of qualified professionals such as scientists and engineers," Otty said. "Moreover given the likely competition there will be for the most highly skilled immigrant employees, the most progressive companies will have to have credible diversity and inclusiveness policies in place."
"At the same time business has to do something to address the fact that the UK has one of the lowest levels of youth employment amongst all the major [Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development] countries and re-engage with a lost generation who have slipped through the net," he added.

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Immigration to France, French Work Permits

/ 9:40 AM /


Introduction to Immigration to France

The French authorities have traditionally been very protective of their domestic labour force, and put many bureaucratic obstacles in the way of companies wishing to recruit foreign workers. Their attitude is changing due to an acute shortage of IT professionals which is affecting the performance of many French companies.
New procedures have recently been introduced to make the process faster and easier. However, despite these significant improvements, France remains one of the most heavily 'protected' labour markets in Europe.
All French work permit applications are dealt with by the local Direction Departmentale du Travail, de L'Emploi et de la Formation Professionale (DDTEFP) on a town by town basis. It is therefore impossible to give absolute processing times as it varies depending on the workload of the local office,

2 Types of permits – Temporary Secondment and Full Work Permit

There are two types of permit for France:

Temporary Secondment:

This is for a non French company which needs to place their employees on it's client's site in France. This can be applied for by the foreign company but needs the full co-operation of the French client. The seconded employee must remain in the employ, pay, and line management of the foreign service provider. The maximum duration of these permit is 18 months and may then be extended for a further 9 months.

Full Work Permit

This is applied for by an established French company who wish to directly employ a non-EEA national. The candidate must be a full time employee and paid in France in Francs or Euros. There is no time limit on this permit.

Temporary Secondment (Detache)

Can My Company Obtain Temporary Secondment (Detache) Permits for our Staff?

The supplier must not be based in France and is providing services to a French company.

Does the Candidate Qualify for a Temporary Secondment (Detache) Permit?

There is no longer a nine-month rule for detache work permits according to the French Embassy. This means that new hires can work on a French client site as long as a valid employment contract and client service contract exists between the two companies involved. The candidate must still earn in excess of 3,835 EUROS/ month.

How Long will it Take to Get The Candidate on Site?

The approval of a detache application takes between 4-6 weeks, depending on the work load of the local office. The candidate can then make their visa application to travel to France; this application will take about a week depending on the work load of the consulate through which they apply.
All documents submitted must be in French and degree certificates etc. may need to be legalised. These factors should be taken into account when assessing both time and financial budgets.

Application process

The application is lodged with the local DDTEFP and incomplete applications are returned. The processing takes generally 4-6 weeks. When a decision is reached, the approval will be sent by post to the French client.
The candidate then applies for a visa du long sejour (long term visa) at the French consulate in their usual country of residence, they may then travel to France to start work. Shortly after their arrival in France the candidate will be invited by the Office des Migrations Internationales (OMI) to take a medical. The French company will be charged the 160 EURO fee, and the candidate will be issued with a carte de sejour (residence card).

How long will it take to get an employee on-site with a French work permit?

The whole process from lodging the application to the candidate starting work should take about 1-2 months.
All documentation must be submitted in French – so your time budget (as well as your financial budget) should allow for translation where required.

Can my company obtain a full French work permit?

A French work permit application must be made by an established French company
The French company is required to sign a direct employment contract with the candidate and to take on responsibility for all tax and social security matters.

Does the candidate qualify for a full French work permit?

The accepted requirements regarding experience and qualifications require that the candidate must be a "professional" ("cadre"), so high-level work experience and a degree are essential. Knowledge of the French language is also taken into consideration and will only be of benefit to the application.
The candidate's salary should exceed that of an equivalent French worker and must be more than 3,835 Euros (current as of 1 July 2002) and must be paid directly from the French employer in Euros.
Holders of a "carte de sejour salarié" authorizing a candidate to work in "toutes professions salariés" in "France metropolitaine" means that one can occupy ANY salaried post in ANY profession provided that it is not a temporary job.
In practice, the law of issuing a "full French work permit" is applied with a large degree of discretion by the DDTEFP, who has a significant amount of decision-making power when determining whether or not one is granted a work permit, as well as what type of work permit.
There are three main things that are considered, in order of importance, that determine whether or not one is attributed a work permit:
1.    Salary level
2.    Education
3.    The statute of "cadre" and a CDI contract (i.e, full-time employment)
The salary should be as high as possible, as this means that the employer and employee pays a singificant amount of tax and social charges. There is no obligation for the employer to advertise the position if the candidate earns more than 3600 EUROS per month. A salary level less than this requires a notice to be posted with the ANPE for three weeks before the application can be made.
Education is very important as the French authorities consider highly-educated candidates more able to integrate into French society, which is a consideration in the work permit application, as well as the ability to speak French.
The status of "cadre" is also important. The closest translation of the term means that one is a effectively in a managerial position, or a high-level professional. This is a prerequisite for the application to be considered.
The higher the DDTEFP considers these above three three elements to be, the more general the work permit they would issue.

How do I apply?

If you would like to make an application, please fill our on-line assessment form or contact workpermit.com. We will be pleased to prepare the application for you.
Once you have signed the application prepared by workpermit.com, it enters the French bureaucratic system and must pass through four stages:
France deals with work permit applications regionally in local employment offices. There are a number of phases to the process:
1.    The whole application and supporting documents must be lodged at the regional DDTEFP* office.
2.    The DDTEFP* office approves the application, and returns it to the employer
3.    The approved application is taken to the French consulate in the Candidate's country of residence.
4.    The French consulate issues the long stay visa.
5.    The candidate travels to France and is invited by the OMI to take a medical to be granted a residence permit from the police headquarters.

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Dutch labor market could stay closed to Bulgarians and Romanians

/ 9:38 AM /

The Dutch parliament opposes a government proposal to open the Netherlands labor market to nationals of Bulgaria and Romania after 2009, the date set by the previous government for labor restrictions to lift.
Social Affairs and Employment minister Piet Hein Donner had planned to start discussions on opening the labor market as early as May 2008 as part of his scheduled report on the needs of the Dutch labor market; however, all political parties refused to put the subject on the agenda.
Under normal conditions, European Union member states can live and work in any other EU state under the 27-member bloc's policy of free movement of labor. However member states can temporarily restrict workers from newer members under accession treaty rules as a transitional measure.
Most member states imposed labor restrictions on Bulgaria and Romania when they joined the EU in 2007. Until the restrictions are lifted, Bulgarian and Romanian citizens must have a work permit to take employment in these countries.
In May of 2004, eight Central and Eastern European states -- the so-called 'A8' countries -- joined the EU. Some nations, such as the UK and Ireland, opened their labor markets immediately to these new member states. Other nations, such as Germany and the Netherlands, restricted their labor markets.
In 01 May 2007, the Netherlands lifted restrictions on the A8 nations. It's now estimated that 100,000 Central and Eastern European nationals -- 1.5 percent of the total Dutch labor force -- are currently working in the Netherlands. Four out of five of these migrant workers are from Poland.
However, Donner said that lifting the restrictions in May 2007 for the A8 countries had not overcrowded the labor market.
According to research Donner presented to the government, Central and Eastern European migrants are primarily working in sectors that employers find hard to find staff, such as agriculture, transport, and construction.
Some Dutch cities have reported problems with migrant workers from Central and Eastern Europe living in overcrowded conditions near their workplace.
Donner acknowledged that some migrant workers "lack adequate accommodation" but that this problem was a "moral" responsibility of the employers.
Recently, the British government also announced that they would keep labor market restrictions on Bulgarian and Romanian nationals.

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