UK rejects Scotland's bid for more immigrants

Prime Minister David Cameron has rejected Scotland First Minister Alex Salmond's plea that the UK exempt Scotland from recent restrictions on UK immigration from outside the European Union.

Writers, artists decry UK immigration rules

Writers and artists are banding together to criticise changes to the UK points based immigration scheme which make it more difficult for writers, composers, and artists from outside the EU to come to Britain.

In a letter to the Daily Telegraph, 120 writers and artists called the points based system "inappropriate for short-term visits by artists".

UK Immigration strike starts evening of 29 June 2011

29 June 2011

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There is likely to be a twenty-four hour strike by The Public and Commercial Services union starting in the evening of Wednesday 29 June until the evening of Thursday 30 June. A number of UK Border Agency staff in the UK will not be working during this time.

UK Student Tier 4 Visa - More restrictions on working

There have been significant changes to the Tier 4 student visa category recently. The Tier 4 student visa changes include the following:

Section 19 Rumors :

On Tuesday I speculated on whether section 19 of the UK Borders Act 2007 might be brought into force. This was entirely speculative at the time, but today I’ve heard rumours that this is indeed what is going to happen, and soon. However, I can find no relevant Commencement Order and have checked both Hansard and the statute database.

Fees from immigration appeals from October :

The Ministry of Justice has confirmed that fees will be charged for lodging appeals in the immigration tribunal from October 2011. There is no summary and the important details are spread out all over the place, meaning the document requires careful and close reading to comprehend. Frankly, it is not well written or set out, and there is at least one odd contradiction.

Gain or drain? How study abroad affects our economy

The number of British students enrolling at international universities is rising, but at what cost? Building broader networks and a greater diversity of experience enhances our position in the global economy, but it could also mean we’re facing a “brain drain” where our biggest and brightest talent floods out of the UK.

New Selection Model for General Skilled Migration

The Department of Immigration announced on 10 May 2011 that a new selection model for skilled migration will be introduced which will require applicants to first make an Expression of Interest before being invited by the Department of Immigration to lodge a skilled visa application.

New work visa for Austria 

A new work permit is being introduced in Austria making it easier for non European Union people to get jobs in the country that is suffering from a skills shortage.

Spain, the UK, Germany and Italy top European immigration tables 

More people from outside of the European Union arrived to live in Spain, Germany, the UK and Italy than any other countries, according to the latest figures to be released.

UK Deputy Prime Minister criticises UK Prime Minister on immigration

UK Deputy Prime Minister criticises UK Prime Minister on immigration

Nick Clegg the Liberal Democrat Deputy Prime Minister has attacked the Conservative Party Prime Minister's immigration plans. He says that reducing the number of immigrants to tens of thousands a year was not government policy. Immigration policy has been an ongoing source of friction between the Liberal Democrat members of the Government and the more anti immigration Conservative Party members of the Government.

UK closes consultation on student immigration; Tighter controls likely

UK closes consultation on student immigration; Tighter controls likely

For some non-EU citizens who wish to study in the UK, applying now for a student visa may be advisable. The UK Government concluded a consultation on stricter student immigration rules on 31 January 2011. Immigration Minister Damien Green has said recently that stricter regulations are "in the best interest of legitimate students".

New Zealand to make student immigration easier

New Zealand's immigration minister has said that overseas students wishing to study in New Zealand will have less red tape to deal with when obtaining a student visa.