July 2014 Emigrate News Archive
Archived Daily Emigrate UK News...
Expat market in China sees evolution and increased diversity
In spite of media accounts suggesting that the expat community in China is shrinking, the market is evolving to include more nationalities and individual groups. Given the rapid expansion of the world’s second most powerful country, it’s no surprise that adventurous expat workers are rushing to get on the ground in China. In spite of...
Expat Scots barred from voting in independence referendum
Scotland’s controversial referendum on independence from the rest of the UK is not likely to represent the views of all Scots as those not living north of the border are banned from voting. Expatriate Scots, whether they’re living just across the border in England or working in distant countries half-way across the world, are all...
Canada temporary foreign worker programme faces first legal challenge
Canada’s controversial Temporary Foreign Worker Programme, already unpopular with employers, is now facing a legal challenge by a Labrador businesscouple. Introduced in its reformed version in June by Employment and Social Development Minister Jason Kenney, himself a former immigration minister, the programme includes the Labour Market...
Irish diaspora feared unending as more medical professionals leave
Thousands of medical doctors are feared to be planning to emigrate, according to the Medical Council responsible for issuing competence certificates. The crisis in the Irish health service seems to be escalating, with around 3,000 certificates of competence issues to practicing medical professionals over the last 19 months. Recently, the...
Canada adds more occupations to priority list and expedites credential assessments.
In addition to plans to streamline the foreign credentials recognition process, Canada’s immigration authority has added 10 more occupations to its priority list of skilled jobs. Citizenship and Immigration minister Chris Alexander and Employment and Social Development minister Jason Kenney together announced the changes. Applicants...
Survey shows expats in Oz get great property deals but outstrip citizens
Australia is the all-time favourite for Britons on the emigration trail, especially as regards the real estate market. The latest Mercers’ cost of living survey reveals that immigrants arriving in Australia are getting a seriously good deal as regards property purchases, but are causing locals to be priced out of the market. As the rush...
NZ government states no immigration rule changes in spite of migrant surge
In spite of a surge in the numbers of migrants entering the country, the New Zealand government has no plans to change immigration rules. New Zealand’s Prime Minister John Keys stated earlier this week that the country’s economy is growing steadily, with its labour market suffering severe skills shortages as a result. Unemployment is...
Study shows expat children successfully integrate into Spanish life
Although expats are generally perceived as older adults, many younger couples with children now leave their home countries for fresh starts overseas. Spain is an ever-popular expat destination for its warmer weather and more laid-back lifestyle than in Northern Europe, but parents can be forgiven for wondering about the effects of...
Canadian mother still fighting for visa for her husband
A Canadian-born resident legally married to her Indian husband is hoping against hope that he will be allowed to join her in time for the birth of their second child. Harpreet Sandhu, born to Indian immigrant parents resident in the town of Surrey, met and married her husband in June 2010, and the couple immediately applied for his...
Canada toughens up on foreign spouse sponsorship
Canadian citizens applying to sponsor their foreign spouses will be hit hard by the government’s doubling of processing times due to a backlog of applications. At present, any foreign national spouse of a Canadian citizen can be sponsored as long as temporary residence has been permitted and the couple are already legally resident in...
Middle East requires expat talent pool to manage international expo events
Gulf State governments are drawing up wish lists of talented expat professionals needed to manage Dubai’s Expo 2020 and Qatar’s 2022 World Cup finals. The two massive infrastructure projects require expat additions to their executive teams to ensure the success of the two events, both of which are expected to draw millions to the...
Coca Cola China offers pollution hazard pay to attract top talent
The giant USA Coca Cola corporation is offering a wage premium ‘environmental hardship allowance’ in order to attract top talent to its Harbin city plant now under construction. The massive new plant in Harbin City began construction last month, and will cost some $100 million to build at a time when highly qualified expat workers are...
UK court ruling supports UK citizen spousal financial requirements
In spite of a 2012 high court ruling that the new financial requirements for UK citizens bringing in non-EU spouses and children were unjustified and onerous, a Government appeal has now been allowed. The controversial new Minimum Income Requirement rules forced returning UK citizens wishing to bring in their non-EU spouses and children...
OECD recommends cut on low skilled and working holiday visas
A recent report from the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development is recommending the tightening of controls over the numbers of working holiday and low-skilled visas granted by its member states. Concern over high youth unemployment in many of the 34 OECD member states has prompted the organisation to warn against giving...
Expats looking to buy repossessed properties overseas warned of pitfalls
The drastic fall in property prices in many favourite expat destinations overseas is tempting for would-be migrants with homes to sell in the UK as well as for expats on the buy-to-let trail. The boom in property prices in the UK coupled with the massive fall in real estate prices in many Mediterranean hotspots is tempting many...
US foreign worker visa system hijacked by companies using cheap expat labour
Global tech companies based in the USA are being accused of using the H-1B visa programme to import temporary cheap labour from overseas, thus denying jobs to American citizens. Indian company Infosys Ltd is facing a federal lawsuit alleging discrimination against local workers. According to lawyers acting for former Infosys employees,...
British expat workers facing increasing numbers of FCO warnings
British nationals have been warned to stay clear of Ghajjar and Gaza regions due to the increased danger of attacks. Expats living and working in the region surrounding the Gaza Strip are being warned to stay well away from the border with Lebanon. Fighting between Gaza militants and Israeli armed forces has sent tensions in the region...
NZ immigration issues fuel upcoming election debate
Immigration and its effect on soaring property values is becoming a contentious issue in political debates leading up to New Zealand’s September general election. In the run-up to New Zealand’s general election, Kiwi political parties are busy formulating anti-immigration strategies appealing to their supporter bases. Proposals include...
China eases green card requirements to lure skilled professionals
Work visas in China are normally restricted to short-term stints and linked to a specific employer, with long-term residency green cards rarely granted and visa and work permits renewable annually. At the present time, China is experiencing a brain drain in which successful skilled professionals are queuing up to emigrate to less...
Future Canadian skills shortage spells good news for migrants
A recent skills seminar on Canada’s labour market has revealed an impending skills shortage in the popular immigrant destination country. The summit, held in Toronto in June, was focused on skilled labour, its marketplace, skills training and under-represented sectors within the market. Employment and Social Development Minister Jason...
New Zealand announces nationwide provider centres for settlement advice
In an attempt to improve its settlement services to new immigrants, the New Zealand immiration authority is to introduce a raft of settlement services through its citizens’ advice bureaux. The long-established Citizens’ Advice network is widespread across the country, and will be tasked with giving settlement information to new...
