Australia has announced changes to its independent skilled migration points test which will go into effect on 1 July 2011. The new immigration points system will put increased emphasis on work experience and high level educational qualifications.Points will continue to be awarded for study in Australia, regional study, community languages,…
Immigration Lawyer Blog
Special Cross Border Agreements for Cambodia and Thailand
Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said yesterday Cambodia and Thailand would sign an agreement next week allowing nationals from each country to cross the border without having to obtain a visa. He said the agreement would be signed during the two-day Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy Summit in Phnom Penh,…
New Zealand: Clearer rules for immigration sponsors
Immigration New Zealand head Nigel Bickel says sponsors will need to meet more specific eligibility criteria and be willing to take real responsibility for ensuring people they sponsor don’t become a burden to New Zealand taxpayers. More specific rules for people sponsoring family and friends to visit or live in…
Finland to open visa centre in Tatarstan
The country’s President Tarja Halonen announced during her visit to the Russian city that Finland will open a visa centre in March 2011in Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan. It is a part of Halonen’s four-day state visit to Russia. Speaking with republican President Rustam Minnikhanov, Halonen said that the visa…
European Parliament grants Taiwan visa-free access
The European Parliament passed a proposal Thursday to grant visa-free privileges to Taiwanese nationals entering the 28 European countries, following the inclusion of Taiwan in visa-waiver programs for the United Kingdom and for Ireland. The proposal still needs to clear the Council of the European Union before it can be…
Zambians travelling to Ethiopia urged to use VISAs
Zambian Ambassador to Ethiopia Albert Muchanga has noted with concern the increasing number of Zambians being denied entry in Ethiopia due to lack of VISAs. Mr. Muchanga has since appealed to all Zambians travelling to Ethiopia to ensure that they obtain VISA documentation before departing Zambia. He said Zambians travelling…
South Africa introduces N120,000 visa caution fees
The South African embassy in Nigeria has introduced N120, 000 as caution visa fees for visa applicants travelling to South Africa for the first time or applicants that the embassy suspect will not come back. The caution fee would be returned to visa applicant when he or she returns to…
Nigerian Govt. extends deadline on MR passport to April 30, 2011
The Federal Government of Nigeria on Tuesday announced the extension deadline for expiration of the Machine Readable Passport (MRP) to the Harmonised ECOWAS Electronic (Smart) Passport, otherwise called e-passport from December 31, 2010 to April 30, 2011. The Minister of Interior, Captain Emmanuel Ihenacho, who made this known during the…
Canadians needs to obtain visas to enter UAE
Canadian passport holders will have to obtain visas prior to entering the UAE from January 2, 2011, the UAE Embassy in Ottawa announced on Tuesday. The Canadian diplomatic missions in the UAE have posted the new visa regulations for Canadian nationals on their websites. According to the website of the…
U.S.-India Economic and Trade Relationship: Indian Investment in the U.S.
In view of Mr. President Barack Obama visit to South Asian giant ‘India’, here are some updates on Indo-US bilateral relationship. The basic purpose of Mr. Obama’s visit is to strengthen the bilateral relationship.U.S. President Barack Obama began his maiden visit to India on last Saturday by promising to remove…