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What does a Trump victory mean for UK immigration?

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The world will take some time to adjust to the reality of a Donald Trump victory in the US presidential election. In the UK, the government is cogitating on the geopolitical ramifications of Trump 2.0, where the guardrails are off and the victor will be largely left to follow his radical agenda. The news of Trump’s win has been met with political trepidation this side of the pond, but the markets, on the other hand, showed positive signs, with the dollar rising against foreign currencies and stock markets making gains. Whether these positives were a result of relief that the uncertainty of the election was over, or a sign of confidence in Trump’s economic manifesto, remains to be seen. The election of Trump a second time will have wide-ranging effects on the UK, and not all of them will be good. One area where businesses may benefit, however, is international talent acquisition, where we can make a few educated predictions as to what will happen next. First, it must be borne in mind th...
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How Some Express Entry Candidates May Benefit From Category-Based Selection Draws

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Recent patterns suggest that Express Entry candidates who are eligible for category-based selection draws are likely to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) even if they have a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score below 500. CRS scores are the numeric values based on a candidate’s human capital factors that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) assigns to every eligible Express Entry candidate when they enter the candidate pool. In addition, CRS scores are used to determine the cut-off score for each Express Entry draw. Cut-off scores represent the lowest Express Entry profile score of all candidates who received an ITA during a given Express Entry draw. These scores are important because no candidate with a CRS score below the determined cut-off will be considered for an ITA for Canadian permanent residence in that specific draw. In recent weeks, several outlets have indicated that many immigration candidates are expressing concern over high CRS cut-off scores. Thus ...
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Opportunities for Dentists in Canada's Immigration Landscape

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 Every Canadian province needs dentists to fill Canadian jobs and is hoping Canadian immigration will help tackle a growing labor shortage for these medical professionals. Job Bank, Canada’s job-hunting and career-planning website, ranks the anticipated job prospects for dentists across the country as “good” to “very good”, its highest ranking, over the coming eight years. “For dentists, over the period 2022 – 2031, new job openings arising from expansion demand and replacement demand are expected to total 13,500, while 10,500 new job seekers arising from school leavers, immigration, and mobility are expected to be available to fill them,” notes Job Bank. That’s an anticipated 3,000 jobs for dentists that will be going begging for a want of qualified candidates to fill those positions. "In recent years, the occupational group of dentists has experienced a relatively balanced job market. However, projections indicate that the number of job openings will significantly surpas...
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New Statement of Changes to Immigration Rules Raises Minimum Skilled Worker Salary to Over £38K and Spouse Visa Threshold to £29K

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As originally announced by the immigration minister in January, the Home Office has today published a highly consequential new statement of changes to the Immigration Rules. It increases the minimum earnings threshold for those arriving on the Skilled Worker visa route by 48% from £26,200 to £38,700. The financial (minimum income) requirement for family or partner/spouse visas is increased from £18,600 to £29,000. You can download the lengthy 292-page statement of changes here (HC 590). The helpful 17-page accompanying explanatory memorandum is here. The changes for skilled worker visas come into force from 4 April, while the family visa changes take effect from 11 April. They are part of the Government's five-point plan to reduce family, study and work-related immigration announced in December. For those unable to meet the new £29K threshold for a family/partner visa, the explanatory memorandum highlights: "Existing exceptional circumstances and the need to safeguard and prom...
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Australian Student Visa Fee Hike Proposal Triggers Debate

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Aproposed student visa price hike in Australia aims to curb a perceived strain foreign matriculators are putting on markets, but critics say limiting international students will cause worse problems. The Grattan Institute, an Australian public policy think tank, suggested late last month a hike in student visa application charges, raising the fee from AU$750 to AU$2,500 (US$497-1,656), which applicants must pay regardless of whether or not they secure a visa. According to the institute, since the pandemic, Australia's international student numbers have soared to over 650,000, doubling the figures from 2012 and tripling the ratio of foreign students to locals in Canada and the U.K. The surge has spiked demand for housing, pushing rent up by about 1% for every 100,000 newcomers due to the scarce supply. While higher rents paid by these students boost national income, as Australians own most of the rented properties, it also widens the wealth gap. Wealthier, older homeowners benefit, ...
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Uncovering Green Card Routes without Employer Sponsorship: EB-1A Visa, EB-2 NIW Visa, and EB-5 Visa

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Obtaining a green card in the United States without the support of an employer can be tough, but it's possible. Although most green card categories tied to employment demand a job offer and support from an employer, there are other ways for people to seek permanent residency on their own. In this article, we'll delve into some of these options, discussing who qualifies, the obstacles they might face, and the advantages they can expect. EB-1A Visa EB-1A, known as the Extraordinary Ability category , is designed for individuals who excel in their fields, spanning sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. To meet EB-1A requirements, applicants must showcase exceptional ability acknowledged nationally or internationally. This recognition should reflect sustained acclaim in their area of expertise. Applicants for EB-1A must substantiate their extraordinary abilities with comprehensive documentation, demonstrating the impact and recognition of their achievements wi...
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New Laws to Cut Migration and Tackle Care Worker Visa Abuse

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New rules to radically cut net migration and tackle visa abuse are now in force as part of the government’s plan to bring down unsustainable levels of legal migration.  Care workers will now be restricted from bringing dependants, after a disproportionate 120,000 dependants accompanied 100,000 workers on the route last year.   Care providers in England acting as sponsors for migrants will also be required to register with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) – the industry regulator for Health and Social Care – in order to crack down on worker exploitation and abuse within the sector.  It forms part of a wider package of measures, which is being implemented as soon as possible, which means a total of 300,000 people who were eligible to come to the UK last year would now not be able to do so. Home Secretary, James Cleverly MP, said:  Care workers make an incredible contribution to our society, taking care of our loved ones in times of need. But we cannot justify ina...
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