Archive for June, 2008

Tourism Australia is working on an international marketing campaign to coincide with the release later this year of epic film ‘Australia’, set in the outback and starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, the film hopes to increase the countries visitor numbers as well as raise the profile of less documented areas.

Australia, which has a budget of £63m, is expected to draw a phenomenally large audience. Talking about the films imminent release the Australian tourism minister, said “the film would bring to life little-known aspects of Australia’s extraordinary natural environment, history and indigenous culture”.

The period film takes place during the bombing of Darwin in the Northern Territory and like many of its Australian predecessors, such as Crocodile Dundee it is hoped that the film will act as an exceptional opportunity for positive promotion.

Australia is already seeing a current influx in immigration particularly from the UK and with this forthcoming film being another masterpiece of the Moulin Rouge director and Aussie prodigy Baz Luhrman, surely interest from all over the world will be huge. (CN)

Almost 20 years safter being released from prison and about 14 years since the advent of democracy in South Africa, Nelson Mandela is finally able to loose the tag, ‘terrorist’.

The US Congress has finally passed a bill to remove the name of Nelson Mandela from the list of terrorists.

Since the 1980s a stigma has remained that relates to the African National Congress (ANC), the current South African ruling party and the party which Mandela led. When applying for a US visa those with ANC membership have, until now, had to endure additional investigation.

The US has strict immigration laws that attempt to curb terrorist or potential suspicious entry into the country. However “old legislation such as this that is outdated and not needed should be removed,” says Colin Romberger of www.globalvisas.com, this new bill has therefore been welcomed.

“Congress finally stands ready to rid US immigration law of this anachronistic blight,” said Howard L. Berman, the bill’s author.

This legislation, decided upon on Thursday, now needs to be signed off by President George W Bush. (TB)

Here! Here! To our Equality Minister Harriet Harman. Today the minister established the much needed Equality Bill to end discrimination in the work place. Personally I am over the moon about this, I think it’s the feminist in me coming out and I know the old boys club who set up these ridiculers rules to discriminate against age, race, sex or sexual preferences are all rolling about to try to revoke the new proposed bill. This bill will make it easier for women to demand equal pay and as it has been the trend in the past years, age discrimination will come to an end, eventually.

Thank goodness www.globalvisas.com is a company that prides itself in equality and diversity. The equal pay legislation was introduced 30 years ago however the gap is still mounting. Everywhere else in the world the anti-discrimination bills are in place but they are not “really” implemented. So what the minister is saying is that, all that has to stop and government and business need to work together to eliminate that gap and play fair and square on the playground. So how does this bill fit into immigration policies?

More diverse skilled migrants can come into the country knowing that they will be treated fairly and equally. As women, the uncomfortable feeling of negotiating what we are worth will take a plunge. More women will start tracking the world for better opportunities to the UK. Recent studies has shown that women in the IT industry for example which happens to be one of the fastest growing industries in the world (next to banking and business to name a few), women are being paid much less. Women may feel that getting a university degree is useless as they will continue to earn less than their male counterparts. This will all hopefully change.

Of course many of us know that the UK has always sold itself to the rest of the world as the mother of the global community and that it has opened its doors to multiculturalism and diversity. Even with recent UK border and immigration law changes the UK can still hold its head high as one of the best in the world.

Even in the US, Democrat presidential candidate Obama Barrack has been trying to lure female voters by promising better earnings and pay raises. While in Spain the Spanish cabinet boasts itself with nine women alongside eight men, including Spain’s Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero. Could this be why many English natives prefer Spain as an alternative immigration destination? Whatever the reason, this law proposal is slowly restoring my hope in humanity. I think the world with the help of the UK is initiating a much needed movement 0f anti-discrimination on anything.

Now we only hope that they can walk the walk as much as they are talking it. (TM)

Recently I read an article by Toronto journalist and author, Joe Clark called The Web is like Canada. The article touches on the paradigm and similarities that the web and Canada have to each other. Mr. Clark states: “like the web Canada defines itself by what it is not”.

“Only Canadians could assert themselves by explaining what they aren’t. Even the West and East Germans; the North and South Koreans; the New Zealanders and the Australians; the Scottish, the Welsh, the Irish, the Northern Irish, and the British; or the Walloons and the Flemish – all identifiable in relation to someone else – don’t take definition by negation to such lengths”. 

I thought how right Clark is. We hear very little of Canada and when we do hear about them they are either “requesting” (I use the word request and not need for good reasons) for skilled immigrants, or on its picturesque perfection and maybe sometimes if we are lucky we may hear a bit on sporting events.

But generally we hear very little of this diverse country and its inhabitants and yet many desire to move to there. Canada has become almost like a myth, it exist only when you want to get to it but it somehow manages to remain in hibernation until its needed to come out to make some announcement to the world or defend itself from Americans.  

Let’s take a look at what is happening in the world at the moment, politically (US presidential candidates elections), socially (earthquakes in China and famine in Ethiopia) and economically (mortgage crashes and economic downfalls of the super-powers (America and UK)). Why have we not heard anything from the world’s biggest immigration country? Could Canada be so perfect as to not get affected by the rest of foreign policies and market crashes?  Is it so invincible? 

Every year millions of UK immigrants flock to this country for a better lifestyle. Canada is truly Zion. Is this the reason we should all move to Canada because its so kept itself away from all the chaos of the world?  

This wonderland seems unattainable yet it is. Even though Canada and its inhabitants live in a bubble, we do know Canada has opened its borders to the world, housing refugees or opening up for students and workers. Clark states that Canada is struggling to find its own identity yet Canada has a solid reputation internationally making it the Hallmark of the world.  I couldn’t agree. 

Maybe I’ll ask the boss to move me to our  www.globalvisas.ca offices! (TM)

If you have a criminal conviction you will not be allowed a visa to enter the United Kingdom. This is a blanket rule that applies to everyone, even celebrities like Martha Stewart.

Stewart’s conviction of four years ago where she spent five months in jail, is the reason why she has been banned from entering the UK, says a report in the Telegraph.

This multi-millionaire lifestyle guru was planning on coming to Britain this week to address the Royal Academy in London and meet with various fashion labels and industries.

Although Martha’s representatives are hoping for a resolution it is clear that the Home Office has strict rules when it comes to this, no matter who it concerns.

Visit www.globalvisas.com to find more about UK immigration laws.(TB)

Today the European Parliament approved a contentious new rule to expel illegal immigrants from the bloc (Basic Level of Capability). The new rules come after anti-immigrant sentiments from wealthy blocs such as Italy, who are blaming foreigners for spiking violent crimes in the country. France is also one of the countries that pushed for this new law that has had human rights activists protesting against. The last few years has seen France grappling with tensions in its “immigrant-heavy suburbs”. The EU joins bloc member (UK) in the latest drastic immigration rules implementation.

With the US credit crash affecting economies, governments are struggling and the old trusted scapegoat of immigrants (legal or not) comes into place as introduced heavily by the UK and Europe. Goverment immigration authorities argue that the dramatic immigration changes across Europe and the UK are needed to preserve a countries economy and to let in those (immigrants) who will benefit the country, however at www.globalvisas.com we believe that goverments should be more cognizant when making immigration policies. Not only is the rest of the world being stopped from moving freely they have to deal with new discriminatory rules that are being implemented on a regular basis just to keep migrants out.
 
Many industrialised countries can not deny the contribution of immigrants labour to their countries prosperity. With global mobility ever increasing, whether it’s forced (refugees/illegal immigrants) or by choice (skilled labour immigration), migrants tend to move to cosmopolitan, developed countries. In return immigrants become the worlds scapegoats for when things go wrong and especially when economies and social structures take a plundge. Immigrants are only admitted to satisfy a labour shortage and later discarded e.g. UK discarding doctors based on the new tier system and immigration changes.

Border control is important for any country and yes countries do need to protect what’s theirs. However decisions on immigration control and law change so frequently that in some cases by taking thoughtless measures a government could be sending someone to their death bed. A country has every right to protect itself but discrimination and racism and inhumane laws are incomprehensible, especially when developed countries preach peace and togetherness to the rest of the world. The new EU law on illegal immigrants is a scramble to regain power and give a solution to countries where they have not sorted out their own internal problems because of bad policies. In the end a migrant is seen as nothing more than “human capital”, and more “capital” than “human” and if he is neither, measures are taken to deploy him. (TM).

The Australian government has proposed that all foreigners on a study visa will be able to stay in the country for as long as another year.

This will not only be a great opportunity for these young students but due to their temporary status and lack of work experience manual industries such as the hospitality industry is bound to benefit.

Many international students come to Australia to gain from the top class educational system. While studying many often opt for jobs in restaurants and bars to subsidise there expenses, with an extra year this will continue.

This new policy will allow these students to continue to enjoy all that Australia has to offer in terms of travel, adventure and beauty while earning some money.

These changes should begin in December this year. So watch this space for more details. (TB)

All those looking to go to India for holiday, business or to visit family remember to get a visa. Be warned the Indian government is clamping down on people trying to get in without valid travel documents.

This comes as a Pakistani traveller found without a visa was sentenced to 5 years in prison for staying in India illegally. As the judge, Arijit Pasayat, said, “Considering the large number of infiltrators coming to India without valid documents, there is a need for imposing stricter sentences.”

“Applying for a visa to India is not a difficult process,” says Ajay Hasija of www.globalvisas.com. “It is just a matter of going through the process and abiding by the visa’

The Supreme Court in India has announced that they will show absolutely no leniency toward those in India without the correct papers no matter what the circumstances.

Australia is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and with World Youth Day approaching it is becoming even more popular.

The annual World Youth day will be celebrated in Sydney this year and with it will come an expected 125 000 youth coming to join in the festivities. The foreign youth will get together with about 100 000 Australian youngsters on this day and celebrate their Roman Catholic faith.  

There is such a demand for people wanting to come to Australia for this event that an extra 36 flight from around the world have had to be added.

If you are interested in going to this year’s event book your flight now and contact www.globalvisas.com to arrange your Australian tourist visa.

The highly controversial Canadian immigration proposals were past in the Commons last night, this legislation will now go to the Senate for a final vote.

These amendments will give the minister of immigration power to fast-track certain applications based on skills that are in need. She would also have the power to refuse certain applications.

These amendments have been proposed to speed up the immigration process and reduce the massive backlog. However many criticise the new policy labeling it a “politicisation” of the immigration system.

This Bill is a budget-implementation bill that contains immigration reforms. If it is voted against this will result in an election. This will not benefit anyone in government circles; therefore it is inevitable for this new policy to become law soon.