Canada set to introduce new three-year work permit

In a bid to align immigration with labour shortages, Canada’s Immigration Minister, Jason Kenney, is set to announce a change in immigration ruling, offering skilled migrants a three-year Canadian work permit as opposed to the present one year allocated to foreign skilled workers.

New migrants seeking Canadian skilled visas in fields such as teaching, engineering and accountancy are likely to be amongst those who will benefit from the policy change.

Instructions on which skilled worker applications are eligible for processing

Under changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, federal skilled worker applications are assessed for eligibility according to the eligibility criteria listed below. Note: This does not apply to applicants intending to live in the province of Quebec.

These criteria affect you only if you applied on or after February 27, 2008. If you applied before February 27, 2008, your application will be processed according to the rules that were in effect at that time.

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Canada set to open the gates to migrants in 2009

Canada is set to welcome between 240,000 and 265,000 refugees in 2009, according to Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, Jason Kenney.

The plan for the forthcoming calendar year includes the intake of 156,000 new migrants in the economic category and 71,000 in the family category.

Mr. Kenney also aged that under new and improved administration, all applications for Canadian migration lodged before 27 February 2008 will be processed as a priority, provided the applicants hold one of the 38 specified migration in demand occupations, or have an arrangement for sponsors employment in Canada or have already been legally residing in the country for over a year.

New Zealand’s new immigration minister brings fresh plans to the table

Dr Jonathan Coleman has been sworn in as the New Zealand Minister for Broadcasting and Immigration and the Associate Minister for Tourism and Health.

Dr Coleman has entered a high-profile position in New Zealand politics since the National Party was voted into power in the recent elections. He will now be responsible for developing policy on New Zealand immigration and will play a key role in marketing the country as a prime location for tourism.

According to National Party spokesman, Lockwood Smith, Coleman will focus on persuading a number of Kiwis from overseas to return home, in addition to boosting figures for the admittance of overseas nationals hoping to immigrate to New Zealand.

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Canada’s banks are the soundest in the world

In the midst of the global financial crisis, it has been revealed that Canada has the most secure banking system in the world.

A report conducted by the World Economic Forum (WEF) has placed Canada at the top of the pile, just above the likes of Sweden, Luxembourg and Australia.

The statistics have been compiled based on information provided by 12,000 corporate executives throughout the world.

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Canada’s oil sands provide ideal platform for migration

The Canadian oil industry, valued at approximately $1.5 trillion, is set to become a major source of employment for temporary foreign workers.

A written agreement has been signed the Canadian migration authorities and Petro-Canada, providing favourable rules for temporary and foreign workers including paid training and payment of full-time wages for periods of unemployment if a temporary foreign worker moves between any of the 30-50 pre-approved employers.

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Australian businesses speak out against migration cuts

Australian business owners have voiced concern over the possibility of government-implemented reductions in the number of migrants taking up work in the country.

According to the government, the current economic downturn is likely to result in increased levels of unemployment, meaning a continued influx of migrants with Australian skilled visas could have a negative impact on local job-seekers.

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Release of New Zealand updated skills shortage list delayed

The results of a biannual review detailing New Zealand’s long-term and short-term skills shortage lists have been postponed.

The revised version of the Essential Skills in Demand List, which includes the Long Term Shortage list as well as the Immediate Skill Shortage List, was scheduled for release on 1 December 2008. However, it now seems that it will not be published until 3 March 2009.

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Immigration balances out Australia’s ‘brain drain’

Immigration Minister, Senator Chris Evans has revealed that although record numbers of Australians are taking up work abroad, the constant influx of workers provided by Australian immigration is more than enough to make up for the ‘brain drain’.

Despite the fact that statistics show some 77,000 Australians left the country in 2007, most of whom were professionals and tradespeople of a working age, Senator Evans revealed that net migration far exceeded the rate at which Aussies are leaving the country, with growing numbers of foreign workers applying for Australian skilled visas.

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