Global Immigration News February 2010
UK
Stricter rules for students
Foreign students from outside Europe planning to come to the UK to study will be required to meet stricter entry criteria. The Home Secretary aims to cut the number of bogus students, and students below degree level will have limited ability to work in the UK. The new measures will include:
- a good standard of English required as a pre-requisite for prospective students
- restricting the lowest-level courses (A levels and equivalent) to only the most trusted institutions
- reducing the permitted employment hours outside of study to only 10 hours
- a ban on bringing in dependants for anyone studying a course of less than six months
From 22 February 2010, any migrant who applies to study in the UK under Tier 4 of the points-based system must have a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) certificate from their prospective sponsor. Any applications paid for on or after 22 February 2010 that are not supported by a CAS will be refused by the UK Border Agency.
Australia
More citizens needed
Australia will be forced to look overseas for more new citizens as rising health and aged care costs are threatening to drive the country into debt by 2050. The 2010 Intergenerational Report, outlines the economic challenges facing Australia’s economy over the next 40 years as the workforce participation rate drops and aging baby boomers demand more from the country’s health and aged care services.
Russia
Quota
According to the order of the Federal Service of Employment No. 34, the quota for foreign labor has been approved. The authorities have established the quota for companies that submitted their forecasts of foreign labor before May 1, 2009. Companies that have not received approved quotas can still submit a forecast of foreign labor for 2010. Their requests will be reviewed by the committee, which will gather approximately every two weeks. The next committee meeting is scheduled for March 3, 2010. Companies can also start submitting forecasts of foreign labor for 2011. The deadline for application submission is May 1, 2010.