Archive for May, 2008

We thought the number of people emigrating last year was high but this year it has gone through the roof.  That was before Chris Evans the Australian Immigration Minister stated Australia is opening its doors to a further 300,000 people this year.  It is the biggest number of Skilled workers required by Australia since the 1940’s.  UK workers are taking full advantage of the offer.

The Australian economy needs the influx of skills due to an aging population and growing economy.  Even with a world class training and educational system the young people just can’t fill all the gaps in their growing and healthy economy.

It is amazing to have such a grand stand seat watching the UK’s best of UK workers walk away with not a word to say about the UK into the arms of Australia.

The UK Foreign Office has today announced a new website called LOCATE. It has been designed with the aim of tracking down Britons in the event of a crisis overseas.

In the aftermath of recent international disasters such as the Burma Cyclone and Chinese Earthquake, the British government has recognised a growing need for individuals to be found. The site will act as a two-way piece of communication between the traveller and their homeland.

All people need to do is register their details prior to heading abroad, they will also leave contact details for someone in case of an emergency.

Should a situation occur and family members become concerned, they simply need to enter the details of the loved one. If the overseas loved one is ok then they can confirm this with the site which then informs the family.

The Foreign office reported that two thirds of us don’t know where our loved ones are and over half of us go abroad without leaving any details of our trips with friends or family.

With an estimated 68 million foreign trips made by British nationals in 2006 and 96% of those individuals going away up to 3 times a year, it seems the site is a much needed initiative. It manages to offer both safety and protection for those heading away, as well as peace of mind for their family and friends at home.

During my time in South Africa, working as an immigration consultant in Cape Town, I became accustomed to the way things worked. I knew that we could lodge certain applications for visas using a particular method and this would ensure a positive outcome.

The Immigration Act of 2002 has been amended twice and new regulations have been implemented ensuring that there is a clear and distinct understanding on the processes involved in putting forward applications for foreigners wishing to reside in South Africa.

I have now been working for Global Visas in London for 7 months and have built up an extremely good relationship with the High Commission. We’ve established an open line of communication with the staff and things are going well. However, I’ve noticed a fundamental flaw in the way that they have perceived these changes in the Act and as a result have developed inconsistent methods in approving visas.

For example: In South Africa, if a married couple wanted to pursue a spousal visa for the husband or wife, it is possible to lodge an application with an employment contract and get sub-conditional working rights on that visa allowing the foreigner to conduct work. This makes sense as this person would probably be contributing to the household income and supporting the family.

In the UK, however, the High Commission is reluctant to give working rights to life partners of South African citizens. Why is this? If the departments abroad and locally are supposed to run on the same regulations, surely the visa with working rights should be as easily available in the UK as it is in SA.

What we are forced to do is convince our clients in this situation to enter South Africa on visitors visas and apply once they are in the country. This brings about its own set of issues as according to the law, a foreigner must not enter South Africa based on falsified intentions

i.e. If you are intending on working, conducting business or studying in South Africa before your departure for the republic, you must submit the necessary application in the country where you are domiciled so you can enter on the correct visa.

by Robbie Ragless

Branded a hero by the majority of the Canadian population, it has been reported by the Canadian press that David Igali, an Olympic Champion Wrestler has had visas denied for his fellow Nigerian training team members.

Used to daily facing physical and mental challenges on the wrestling mat, Igali was stunned when finding out he will now have to face similar challenges, this time however with the Canadian government.

Igali who won a gold medal for Canada at the 2000 Summer Olympics applied for 6 visas so that his team members could accompany him to the country for an important tournament.  The high commission however subsequently refused the visas on the grounds that the athletes don’t make enough money or have family ties with the country.

It is now thought that the team which was scheduled to fly to Canada in order to participate are likely to miss the event altogether.

This issue is sparking public outrage amongst many Canadian citizens who think that the country should be doing more to support its Olympic talent.

However, the sad truth of the matter  is that even if the government have a change of heart, with the competition rapidly looming the likely hood of the team partcipating is now very slim.

CN

Yesterday, I had a private meeting with Steve Lamb, the Deputy Director of the UK Borders Agency Sponsorship Unit, who came to my office to discuss the new sponsorship requirements. I thought it would be worthwhile to report back to you on our discussions.

Firstly, allow me to put some context to the importance of this meeting by providing a little back ground on Steve Lamb. Steven Lamb ran Work Permits UK successfully for many years.  The department became so successful that David Blunkett moved it from DFE to the Home Office when he moved from Education, to become the Home Secretary. In recent years Dr John Reed said “the Home was not fit for purpose”, he was responding to the case where the Home Office was found releasing prisoners back into society who should have been deported.  Steve was the person offered the task of sorting out the prisoner issue, which he did with ruthless efficiency. 

I have over 20 years experience in immigration and in that time Steve has stood out as one of the most highly respected people within the Home Office. Those of us who are in daily contact with him and know immigration from working within it and now as a private Immigration consultant regard him highly.

Our discussions covered several key areas. I would like to share a few key points of our meeting.

Is 60,000 the maximum number the Home Office can cope with?

Steve’s staffs have been busy answering a steady stream of questions from many UK employers asking if the Home Office had a cap of 60,000 licences. This came on the back of the information leaked to Global Visas from the UK Borders Agency which was picked up in the press.

“I agreed to highlight going forward and leaks should not be listened to”. He continued by stating: “The official line is that the Home Office does not have a fixed upper figure of cases they can cope with”.

”Outside of the meeting I continue to urge you to remember no organisation has an infinite amount of resources regardless of their best intentions. The more companies that leave it to the last minute the greater the strain will be on the Home Office resources. To avoid this, the best thing to do is apply early”.

Are Companies leaving it too late?

Ironically the next point we covered was if I knew of the reason why companies we not submitting their applications yet? 

“The UK Borders Agency is concerned that companies may be leaving everything a little too late. It was noted that some Immigration consultants are suggesting not registering yet.  I could only offer the fact that Global Visas are fully functional in the new Tier 2 Points Based Scheme and are assisting our clients to register now”. 
Steve made it clear that he sees no commercial benefit in delaying registration and he could not provide an explanation as to why some advisors are not yet registering their clients.  The Home Office are now going to step up their marketing campaign to encourage employers to recognise the seriousness of this legislation.

The analogy used by Steve to address the issue of getting companies to register in time was to ask clients to view the registration as a tax return deadline which must be completed and if left too late companies could suffer penalties. Companies are expected to have the relevant records when paying an employer, they would not pay anyone cash in a brown envelop. So why would they not keep correct Immigration records?

How Many licences per organisation?

“It was agreed an organisation should hold as many licences as fits the organisational chart but if they wish they can just have one.  Licences in line with the organisation allow regional managers to issues their own work permits and comply with immigration legislation at branch level.  It would be difficult for one individual centrally to monitor every change within the company of which the Home Office now requires to be kept informed about. Home Office must be informed on employers who are taking 10 days unplanned leave, a job title change etc”.

Steve stressed that “It was made clear that if a local manager employs a person who does not qualify or who they should not have hired, they could expose the organisation to a fine and/or other actions taken regarding continued registration.  It is currently difficult to foresee how many licences will be applied for in the coming months as no one knows how many licences each organisation will elect to secure”.

What do organisations need to do about Fraudulent Documents?

“The organisation will be expected to protect themselves against exposure of employing people on forged or misrepresented documents. There are endless ways people misrepresent themselves from a little white lie on a CV to pretending to be Polish when they are Russian to claiming to hold working rights. An employer is expected to protect themselves against people misrepresenting themselves. Failure to do so will leave the organisation and individuals exposed under the new legislation”.

Over all it was a very worthwhile meeting which highlighted just how much is happening within the UK Immigration. From biometrics to employer visits. Immigration is changing at such a fast pace and one of the biggest issues is keeping people informed.

Visas and immigration is the name of the game at Global Visas. Each day, week, month, year we deal with requests and provide  visa services for a range of countries from Canada, UK, Australia and many other desirable destinations around the world.

Often when the visa is in hand, our services are highly praised through emails, recommendations and thank yous. Gifts are a rare gesture but plants, chocolates and vouchers have been received by some staff here – today’s gift was a little different.

A plastic packet came today as a thank you gesture to one of Global Visas’ much loved managers. Such a gift, due to its rarity, was met with much excitement. We stood around his desk and as the plastic bag was slowly opened a strong fishy smell emerged. What was found you may ask?

Well, packed in about five polystyrene containers was enclosed an assortment of sushi. Yes the gift was fish rapped in seaweed and rice, accompanied by some soy and an essential dash of wasabi.

We wonder what could have prompted such a gift. Is it Global Visas’ dedication to its jobs, just like the sticky rice  that clings to the fish or is it our attention to detail reminiscent of craft of sushi creation. Could it be that the manager looks or act somewhat like a fish in her opinion?

It is clear though that this lady truly appreciated the services of Global Visas who organised her HSMP (Highly Skilled Migrant Programme) for the UK, allowing her to stay and work. 

Its a strange gesture but much appreciated nonetheless. To the lady who sent the sushi, thank you, on behalf of all Global Visas staff, the fish will be enjoyed by all. If we all die from food poisoning well she obviously wasn’t happy with her visa as we assumed, that we certainly hope is not the case.

Global Visas strive to make people happy in any way possible and it is days like this that make us want to do even better and days like these that make us love our job.

I wonder what gift we will get tomorrow, a puppy by any chance…

TB

There’s just a week to go before hundreds of English footie fans board a plan to watch the great showdown between Chelsea F.C and Premiership Champions, Manchester United in the all English Champions League Final. And it seems that fans have at last received some good news from Moscow.

Much has been documented about the controversy surrounding the number of spectators hoping to visit the city for the game. First fans needed visas, then they didn’t and then those which had already purchased them on the sheer expectation of their team making the final were later informed that they would not receive a refund.

However as Global Visas reported today, it seems that the Russian embassy has reviewed their policy surrounding entry for foreign fans and now plans to waive visa requirements for future events.

What great news for all sports fans the world over.  Hopefully this will mean that Russian scheduled events will receive the accolade they deserve from a sporting angle instead of a political one. It’s also great news for all of those hoping to attend the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

It will now be interesting to see whether other countries will step-up and follow Russia’s lead. Watch this space!

CN

For a long time students have been packing their cases and heading to the great unknown in order to experience a gap year prior to attending university or other further education.

Although a gap year is no doubt a great way of cutting loose and experiencing a new found freedom and the world beyond the familiar, it seems an emerging trend is gaining speed. This is the concept of becoming a foreign student and studying for your qualifications whilst abroad.

I know that for many years students have opted to study abroad and that this is not a ‘new’ trend. However it does seem that the number of foreign applications to universities is increasing the world over. A particularly strong student exchange relationship has been building between the U.S and the U.K.

It appears that in the present climate of increased global mobility, the young are jumping at the chance to gain more than just an academic education. Aside from gaining both credible and respected qualifications, students are also gaining a different kind of education, one away from the classroom. Working within a different social, political and economic system enables students to gain new insights and different perspectives.

This new age of global education is one which can surely only become a benefit to the global economy and its worldwide relations. With graduates qualifying with much more than just a degree certificate, having personal knowledge of international issues, surely there are only good things to come from the influx of foreign students around the world.

CN 

Last night I said good bye to my wife and children when the driver knocked on my door to take me the airport for my week long trip to visit our Indian office to discuss the new tier 1 and tier 2 visas.  My laptop was packed, Rupees in my pocket and my Passport. I was even prepared for the 40 degree temperatures at this time of year in Delhi and my diary was full of things I had to do and meetings I needed to attend.

I arrived at the airport where I was greeted by a well presented young lady with a warm and genuine smile from the car who asked for my Passport which I provided as they took my bags away.  Then all changed in a heartbeat a she asked if I had renewed my India Visa.

I knew the thing she continued to look for in my passport would not be found.  I said as relaxed as possible “No I did not.” she kindly pointed out my current visa for India had expired just a few days ago which wouldn’t help my case but she felt in someway it might make me feel better.

I was going to get on the plane.  She knew it, I knew it and all the other passengers around knew.  I bet they all remembered to get their visas.  I wondered just for a minute how many used Global VIsas to get their visas but that was another issue.

The lady past me onto one of her colleagues to re arrange a flight.  As we discussed my options and of course re booking fees he thought it best he explain to me how a person needs to go to embassy or High Commission where you complete the relevant paperwork and finally receive a visas which allows the passenger to travel.

I wanted to in some way to confess like a criminal after committing a crime.  I reached into my bag and pulled out my business card.  He read it and at first was in disbelief “How could a man in your position miss a flight due to your visa being out of date?”  The only thing that came to mind was the old cliche about shoe menders.  Still I stood red faced. 

The man quickly regained his sense of humor and started seeing the funny side.  So much so he decided to invite all his colleagues to share the joke and witness the card he was holding and the man it belonged to.  I was in a Victorian freak show - I was the freak!

After paying a large sum for a reschedule of my flight and firm promises to all the staff of the airline next time I WILL have the correct valid visa I found my way to the taxi rank and finally my bed.

This morning I arrived at my London office where several of my colleagues pointed out I should be India.  Once I told them I didn’t have a visa they looked at me in a way I look at people in padded cells on TV.  Mm mm, I thought - the water cooler will be buzzing with my name today.

Anyway, the good news is I gave my Passport to a colleague who completed the paperwork within 10 minutes and had it whisked off to the India High Commission to have my Indian Visa updated.

Now I know the impact of not having the right visa I now know more than ever my company does provide a very worth while service.  I am looking forward to seeing all my new friends at Virgin Atlantic again same time next week.  

For a long time students have been packing their cases and heading to the great unknown in order to experience a gap year prior to attending university or other further education.

Although a gap year is no doubt a great way of cutting loose and experiencing a new found freedom and the world beyond the familiar, it seems an emerging trend is gaining speed. This is the concept of becoming a foreign student and studying for your qualifications whilst abroad.

I know that for many years students have opted to study abroad and that this is not a ‘new’ trend. However it does seem that the number of foreign applications to universities is increasing the world over. A particularly strong student exchange relationship has been building between the U.S and the U.K.

It appears that in the present climate of increased global mobility, the young are jumping at the chance to gain more than just an academic education. Aside from gaining both credible and respected qualifications, students are also gaining a different kind of education, one away from the classroom; as they get to experience different cultures, faiths, attitudes and make friends with people from a vast array of lands.

This new age of global education is one which can surely only become a benefit to the global economy and its worldwide relations. With graduates qualifying with much more than just a degree certificate, having personal knowledge of international issues, surely there are only good things to come from the influx of foreign students around the world.