The so called Super Visa was supposed to bring families closer together by allowing parents and grandparents to visit their children in Canada for up to two years at a time over a decade.

But critics claim that the reality is that most families won’t be able to afford the high-costs involved with the Visa, including meeting minimum salary levels and paying thousands for private health insurance. All of this is assuming the application is even approved, and we all know how difficult that has become under the Conservatives.

Worse, the Super Visa controversy is distracting attention from the Conservatives’ decision to freeze parental sponsorship applications for two years – breaking a promise to new Canadians. For some, having the right to sponsor their parents is the reason why they chose to come to Canada. What the Conservatives have done – no matter what their excuse – is not right.

With a majority, the Conservatives have begun their Reform Party agenda, known for its anti-immigrant policies.  They have chosen to ignore all the hard-working new Canadians who elected them based on empty promises.

In contrast, the Liberal Party of Canada believes in reuniting families. In government, Liberals worked closely with immigrant communities leading to a fair and flexible immigration system. Indeed, more immigrants have been welcomed in by Liberals than by any other Party in Canada.

Only with a Liberal government in Ottawa will Canada have an immigration policy that puts the concerns and needs of immigrants first.

Kevin Lamoureux

Critic for Immigration for the Liberal Party of Canada.

Source: South Asian Link, Canada

See also:

Filipino migrants ‘taken to the cleaners’ in Canada by fake visa adviser

Will you survive the cold reality of Canadian living?

Almost half of Canadians see immigration as positive

Why the world wants to be Canadian

MIGRATE TO CANADA

Healthcare workers needed now

Canada – new ads warn of crooked immigration consultants

My Immigration Consultant is designed to guide you *step By Step* towards successfully migrating To Canada.

Click Here!

Gloria Delos Santos will dry clean your dress shirt for $1.99. She promises next day service.

She also claims that for $5,000 she can get an immigration visa to bring your relative to Canada in as little as three months.

The shirt will be delivered on time. Your relatives, not so much. If ever.

A Star investigation shows Santos is running a visa business from her Glory’s Dry Cleaning store in a Scarborough strip mall at Ellesmere and Midland Aves.

Sandwiched between a tattoo parlour and a barber shop, Santos deals mainly with the Filipino community. According to people who have paid for her services, Santos has told them she is connected to an official in the federal immigration department who can expedite the paperwork to bring loved ones to Canada.

A federal law passed earlier this year makes it illegal for anyone other than lawyers, paralegals or licensed immigration consultants to provide advice or make any representation at any stage of an immigration proceeding. Dry cleaners are not on the list.

But three Filipino nationals who agreed to pay an average of $5,000 to Santos (two paid the amount, another made a $500 deposit before getting cold feet) say they have nothing to show for their money. Santos, they say, gave them receipts and promised a full refund if things didn’t work out. But when they tried to get their money back, they met with a wall of excuses.

The Star followed the money trail and found several people, each pointing fingers at the other over the missing money.

Three of the victims have filed a complaint with Ajax-Pickering MP Chris Alexander, who they say pledged to pass the information to Immigration Minister Jason Kenney’s office. (Alexander did not respond to an interview request from the Star.)

Some victims have sought legal advice. One has taken his case to the Philippines consulate, which recommended he call the police.

In an interview, Santos acknowledged she took money in some cases but says she passed it on others to handle the immigration applications.

“They only give me money to give to her,” said Santos, who described herself as a conduit for immigration payments.

Santos is angry that people who provided money think she has done something wrong. “This is wrong statement. I can sue them for accusing me,” she said.

There is no proof, she said, that “I get that money to put in my pocket.”

Santos also said she does not know anyone in the federal immigration department and never claimed she did.

The Star spoke to three people who said they paid money to Santos.

One of them, Reynaldo Garcia, said he went into Glory’s Dry Cleaning to get his laundry and came out agreeing to pay $5,500 to bring son-in-law Jerold Panganiban, a civil engineer, here from New Zealand. But more than a year after he started making the monthly payments Santos cannot give him proof that any work was ever done on his son-in-law’s file. He is demanding his money back.

“Gloria told me that if I paid this money she could have Jerold here in three or four months,” said Garcia, a building superintendent. “She said she knew someone in immigration who could make this thing go fast for Jerold.”

Garcia said he then asked Santos for proof that she had filed the application. Santos said there was none because “they are dealing directly with someone inside immigration.”

Ilda Tamayo, a caregiver also awaiting permanent resident status, said she too fell for Santos’ promises and paid $4,500 in a bid to bring her brother, Alex Seguido, over from Saudi Arabia, where he works as an engineer with that country’s largest phone company.

“Gloria said she knew someone in Immigration and she could do this fast,” Tamayo said. “When I asked for my money back, she said she was going to put me in the court, that nobody will believe me and that I will waste all my money on lawyers.”

In an interview, Santos denied suggestions she is involved in an immigration scam.

Confronted by the Star with the allegations (plus copies of the receipts she gave Garcia, Tamayo and others), Santos acknowledged she received money in two cases (Garcia and Tamayo) but said she turned it all over to two people who were supposed to find sponsors for these would-be immigrants.

“I try to help them and now they are accusing me,” an agitated Santos said. “They can’t prove that I took that money to put it in my pocket. I didn’t keep the money. I help them.”

Santos would not say how many people she has helped in such way, but says many of those seeking her help are out of status in Canada — meaning they overstayed their work permits.

Santos says she did not charge anything for her service and actually put in $3,000 of her own money in the Garcia and Tamayo cases.

One thing is certain. None of the immigrant hopefuls who were supposed to benefit from this laundromat operation have yet to set foot in Canada.

“I think the whole thing is a scam,” Alex Seguido told the Star from Saudi Arabia.

Weeks after his sister paid the money, Seguido received a request from an obscure email address for personal information and a resumé.

The email espouses the many benefits of immigration to Canada, including a “world-class medical system free for its citizens,” pension benefits and a Canadian passport that is “world recognized.” It also asks Seguido to pass on the email to anyone else interested in immigrating to Canada.

The email does not bear the name of any company, firm or individual other than “Administration office.” It claims Seguido would receive a response from an “immigration law office” after upon completion of his assessment.

When months passed and nothing happened, Seguido wrote to the email address requesting a full refund of the $4,500 paid by his sister on his behalf.

He got a snarky response: “Please be very clear that we have never spoken with you and no payment was ever requested from you via this email address directly or indirectly or ever received via this email referral service. Please get in direct contact with the person whom you initially made your payments who must be accountable to you.”

Only licensed immigration consultants, paralegals and lawyers can legally do immigration work. The federal government’s “Cracking Down on Crooked Immigration Consultants” Bill C-35, which became law this summer, calls for penalties of up to $100,000 for anyone providing unauthorized immigration representation at any stage of the process.

“Crooked immigration consultants pose a threat not only to their victims, but also to the integrity of our immigration system,” Kenney said of the new legislation. “We are targeting undeclared ghost consultants as well as other unscrupulous immigration representatives who are engaging in unacceptable activity.”

Meanwhile, back at Glory’s Dry Cleaners, Gloria Santos sits ready to handle all your dry cleaning needs. Hemming your pants is a minimum $7, she says, cracking her trademark smile. Maybe $10, depending on the amount of work.

“I don’t do immigration,” she insists. “I’m not doing that. No, no, no, no. Never.” Source: The Star.com

Earlier this year a series of television ads warning would-be immigrants against crooked immigration consultants is being blasted by a lobby group for consultants.

The ads, running in English, French, Urdu, Mandarin, Cantonese, Tagalog, and Punjabi, warn that consultants cannot guarantee that immigration applications will be approved, cannot make an application fool-proof or ensure your spouse will get into or be able to migrate to Canada.

The ads urge people to ensure their immigration consultant is honest and refers viewers to a government website.

There are similar bogus advisers operating in the UK and other countries. They are usually part-time ‘jack of all trades’ (master of none) fixers who promise the earth in order to extract money from vulnerable, gullible migrants.

In the UK it is ILLEGAL to give immigration advice without being regulated by one of the authorised bodies for instance, the OISC or Law Society.

Yet every day crooks get away with these crimes, taking migrants money under false pretences never to be seen again. In most cases immigration applications are either botched or not even submitted.

Unfortunately, the police do not seem to want to know about these blatant crimes and will usually refer the fraud to the regulatory body such as the OISC, which lacks the resources to track down and prosecute fake advisers.

Under Canadian law, it is also illegal to charge migrants to arrange a job.

Whether you are in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia or the UK, the advice is: always use qualified, authorised or regulated immigration advisers.

If you need UK immigration advice, make sure you use an OISC registered immigration adviser or a specialist immigration lawyer. OISC qualified immigration advisers must be competent before they can practice and remain competent by undertaking annual CPD and training.

Some advisers, such Bison UK, offer an initial consultation service where you can sit down and discuss your problem with a qualified adviser.

See also:

Why the world wants to be Canadian

MIGRATE TO CANADA

Healthcare workers needed now

Canada – new ads warn of crooked immigration consultants

My Immigration Consultant is designed to guide you *step By Step* towards successfully migrating To Canada.

Click Here!

The unemployed lack basic skills and a strong work ethic, encouraging companies to fill vacancies with immigrants, the Government has been told by a leading business representative, the Telegraph reports.

UK population boom blamed on immigration

Immigration flows have hit their highest level for six years with numbers increasing from Eastern Europe, even from Bulgaria and Romania despite restrictions on working in the UK.

UK Border Agency staff on strike on 30 June

The Public and Commercial Services union is currently holding a 24-hour strike which will end this evening. The end times will vary as each port has different shift patterns, the UK Border Agency has announced.

Universities will have to compete against private providers for students

Universities in England will have to compete against each other and private providers for a quarter of their student places, the BBC reports.

UK Border Agency announce rules to extend of stay for skilled workers in ‘closed’ work schemes

The UK Border Agency is setting up new arrangements for skilled workers who came here under work routes, such as Work Permits, or schemes that have now closed, in order to extend their stay in the UK to a total of 5 years.

YES, TIER 4 VISA RULE CHANGES ON 4 JULY 2011 WILL STOP WORK & DEPENDANTS FOR STUDENTS AT PRIVATE COLLEGES

The UK Border Agency is pushing ahead with further Immigration Rule changes coming into effect on 4 July 2011, which will have serious consequences for Tier 4 students studying at private colleges.

If you need any immigration advice or are worried about the new immigration rules or need help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa, ILR/Settlement, Citizenship, dependant visa or an appeal against a refusal please email: 

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

STILL CONFUSED BY YELLOW CARD RULES?

Free presentations are being run at Bison UK Immigration Advisers for Employers, Romanians and Bulgarians  Monday to Friday, from 11am-12noon and 3-4pm. No need to book, just turn up.Venue: Bison Management UK, 16 Shenley Road, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire WD6 1DL. Nearest Train Station: Elstree and Borehamwood Station; Buses from Edgware underground station: 107 and 292.

Looking for a college or University?

UKUS is a free University and College Admissions and advice service based in London, UK. Students interested in studying abroad can complete the Online UKUS Registration Form for more details.

The agency said:

‘When we introduced Tier 2 of the points-based system in 2008, we made transitional arrangements so that migrants in closed work categories could apply to extend their stay under Tier 2. We intended that their permission to stay (known as ‘leave to remain’) under Tier 2 would take their total stay in a work category to 5 years, but we are aware that some migrants may have been granted an incorrect extension owing to technical restrictions.

‘We will soon introduce arrangements for these migrants to get additional leave to remain, taking their total stay to 5 years. This additional leave will be granted free of charge.’

So who can apply?

To qualify for the ‘additional leave’ (further leave or extension), you must have previously been given permission to stay for less than 2 years as:

• a Business and Commercial work permit holder (which includes ICT work permits);
• a Sports and Entertainment work permit holder;
• a Jewish agency employee;
• a member of the operational ground staff of an overseas-owned airline; or
• a minister of religion, missionary or member of a religious order.

Additionally, you must meet the following requirements:

• you applied for, and were granted, leave to remain under Tier 2 through the transitional arrangements in place for migrants in these categories;
• you are still working for the employer who assigned your certificate of sponsorship, and being paid the appropriate salary for your job;
• you intend to continue working for the same employer;
• you currently have valid leave to remain in a Tier 2 category (General, Intra company transfer, Minister of religion or Sportsperson);
• you were granted the maximum period of 3 years’ leave to remain under Tier 2; and
• you can prove that you still meet the conditions of your existing leave.

If you are granted additional leave, this does not guarantee that you will qualify for permission to settle in the UK (known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’ or permanent residency) when you have been here for 5 years – you will need to meet all the settlement criteria in force at the time when you apply for settlement.

How to apply

To apply for additional leave under these arrangements, you will need to use new application form T2 (W). We will publish this application form on this website in early August 2011.

You will not need to obtain a new certificate of sponsorship, but you will need to:

• enrol your fingerprints and facial image (known as ‘biometric information’); and
• provide evidence that you are working for the same employer.

The application form will list the supporting evidence that you will need to send with your application.

Your family members will need to apply on a T2 (W) (Dependent) application form, which will also be available on this website in early August 2011. Source: UK Border Agency.

There are separate arrangements for Bulgarian and Romanian workers who arrived before the A2 EU expansion.

See also:

See also:

Latest phase of student visa rule changes come into force 4 July

If you need any immigration advice or are worried about the new immigration rules or need help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa, ILR/Settlement, Citizenship, dependant visa or an appeal against a refusal please email: 

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

Nine people have been arrested following a UK Border Agency-led operation targeting a crime gang suspected of trafficking sex workers around Britain, the agency announced this week. In one of the biggest operations of its kind ever undertaken in the UK, around 150 officers from the UK Border Agency and eight different police forces carried out simultaneous raids on 13 different addresses around the South and East of England.

Eight arrested in Bangladesh visa forgery factory raid

Eight people were arrested after a fake visa discovered by a UK Border Agency officer in the capital Dhaka was traced back to the forgers’ base in the city of Sylhet in north east Bangladesh.

Immigration cap discourages academics to work in UK

Under these rules academics from the United States, India, China or Australia will think twice before applying for a job in Britain. At the start of April the coalition government introduced an immigration cap that makes it incredibly difficult for academics from outside the EU to secure the right to work in Britain.

University of Wales criticised in report

The University of Wales should be wound down and closed if other plans for its future fail, a report concluded.

Visa scam warning

The UK Border Agency has issued a warning to potential migrants to guard against being duped by scammers demanding cash in return for dealing with immigration cases.

Judges attack ‘abusive’ migrant appeals

Judges have made an unprecedented attack on the ‘wholly abusive’ way that immigrants are exploiting the British legal system, the Daily Mail reports.

If you need any immigration advice or are worried about the new immigration rules or need help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa, ILR/Settlement, Citizenship, dependant visa or an appeal against a refusal please email: 

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

Looking for a college or University?

UKUS is a free University and College Admissions and advice service based in London, UK. Students interested in studying abroad can complete the Online UKUS Registration Form for more details.

In one of the biggest operations of its kind ever undertaken in the UK, around 150 officers from the UK Border Agency and eight different police forces carried out simultaneous raids on 13 different addresses around the South and East of England.

Three men aged 52, 38 and 34 and a woman aged 35 were arrested on suspicion of conspiring to control prostitution for gain, trafficking and money laundering offences.

In addition four men and a woman, all believed to be Chinese nationals, were arrested on suspicion of being involved in the management of a brothel. All nine are now being questioned by our investigators.

Five suspected sex workers were discovered at the addresses. They are now being cared for and assessed at a specialist centre in the south east of England.

Three people, all Chinese nationals, were detained for immigration offences.

Suspected brothel premises in the Surrey, Berkshire, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hampshire and Essex areas were among those raided. In addition, residential or business addresses in south west London, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire were targeted.

Immigration Minister Damian Green said:

‘As today’s raids show, we are working with the police and other law enforcement agencies to tackle the organised criminals who abuse the immigration system.

‘This summer we are targeting our efforts on breaking up the organised gangs who trade in human beings and are behind visa scams.

‘The message is clear – the UK is no longer a safe haven for immigration offenders and human traffickers.’

Sam Bullimore, assistant director, criminal and financial Investigation team., said:

‘This is one of the biggest operations ever undertaken by the UK Border Agency, targeting what we believe is a significant organised crime group responsible for the supply of sex workers around the south east.

‘It is the result of an extensive and lengthy investigation involving the UK Border Agency and a number of police forces. That investigation continues with the evidence that we have seized today.’

In addition to UK Border Agency investigators and staff, officers from the Thames Valley, Cambridgeshire, Metropolitan, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Surrey, Hampshire and Essex Police forces were involved in the operation.

UPDATE 24 June 2011: A tenth person has been arrested in connection with the investigation into the trafficking of sex workers around Britain.

The 37-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of conspiring to control prostitution for gain, trafficking and money laundering offences at an address in Chessington, south west London late on the 23 June.  Source: UK Border Agency.

Illegal immigration and trafficking is one of the UK Border Agency’s biggest problems. Since the EU expansion into Eastern Europe Britain’s borders have become extremely difficult to police.

Fake documents, organised crime, sham marriages to Europeans and confusion over which Europeans have the right to work have all contributed to the UK Government’s headache.

Apart from the estimated 700,000 illegal migrants already in the country, immigration flows have hit their highest level for six years with numbers increasing from Eastern Europe, even from Bulgaria and Romania despite restrictions on working in the UK.

There is much confusion surrounding the whole area of Bulgarian and Romanian rights to work and study in the UK.

Migrants, employers and even advisers at Job Centres and help lines are not always clear about whether or not Bulgarian and Romanian nationals can work in the UK and what documents are required.

Despite the fact that they are EU members, when it comes to employment Bulgarian and Romanian citizens do not have the same rights as other Europeans, for instance from Poland, Slovakia or other A8 Accession countries.

See also:

Immigration Rules for Bulgarian and Romanian nationals 

HOW TO FIND APPLICATION FORMS FOR A ‘YELLOW’ OR ‘BLUE’ CARD REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE ON THE UK BORDER AGENCY WEBSITE

Eight arrested in Bangladesh visa forgery factory raid

Visa scam warning

Student Visa crackdown could cost UK £2.4bn say Home Office

Government accused of creating an ‘amnesty’ for asylum seekers

Sham marriage raid in Hertfordshire

Could a European immigration agency take control of British borders?

Immigration to UK from Poland rises again

If you need any immigration advice or are worried about the new immigration rules or need help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa, ILR/Settlement, Citizenship, dependant visa or an appeal against a refusal please email: 

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

Looking for a college or University?

UKUS is a free University and College Admissions and advice service based in London, UK. Students interested in studying abroad can complete the Online UKUS Registration Form for more details.

A large haul of fake visas, stolen passports and immigration stamps which could have been used to attempt to illegally enter countries including the UK was uncovered when police swooped on a forgery factory.

Eight people were arrested after a fake visa discovered by a UK Border Agency officer in the capital Dhaka was traced back to the forgers’ base in the city of Sylhet in north east Bangladesh.

Immigration Minister Damian Green said:

‘We are doing more than ever to stop those seeking to abuse our immigration system from entering the UK and, as this raid clearly demonstrates, that work does not stop at the border.

‘Our investigations into organised immigration crime both in the UK and abroad mean we know the scams the gangs use and can keep one step ahead. The message is clear – the UK is no longer an easy touch.’

The raid on 18 June is an example of strong intelligence-sharing between the UK Border Agency and overseas law enforcement agencies to stop those with no right to enter the UK from boarding the plane in the first place.

Following the detection of the forged visa by a UK Border Agency entry clearance officer, the agency’s RALON (risk and liaison overseas network) team in Dhaka worked with the US Embassy in Bangladesh and Bangladeshi police to trace the forgery back to the factory. Bangladeshi immigration special branch officers then moved in on the alleged forgers. The police investigation is ongoing.

UK Border Agency officers receive detailed forgery and detection training and last year detected over 27,000 forged travel or supporting documents used to support visa applications worldwide.

The UK Border Agency’s regional director, Chris Dix, said:

‘We have made our border safer as a result of this operation. We will not tolerate abuse of the UK’s immigration controls and this operation shows what we can achieve through close and effective co-operation with the Bangladesh authorities and other countries to target this kind of fraud.

‘The UK Border Agency has effective verification systems as part of the UK visa application process. Where it uncovers fraud and forgery, the UK Border Agency will refuse an application, ban the applicant from travel to the UK for 10 years and will refer applicants and agents to the Bangladeshi police.’  Source: UK Border Agency

See article:

UK Border Agency launch new website

The newly revised UK Border Agency website has a better look and feel and navigation seems faster, but previously published links to specific pages of the site may no longer exist.

For instance, the link for European Workers is now:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/eucitizens/bulgaria-romania/work-permits/applying/

The link for ‘Bulgarian and Romanian nationals‘ is:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/eucitizens/bulgaria-romania/work-permits/

The UK Border Agency and Home Office website contains a vast amount of information which can be difficult to wade your way through the guidance and Immigration Rules.

The navigation section for European workers from Bulgaria and Romania also appears to have been simplified although finding specific information is still a challenge.

Confusion remains over the need for Bulgarians and Romanians applying for BR1 Yellow Cards as students to take out Comprehensive Sickness Insurance cover. 

The BR1 Form in Section 9 states:

‘If sections 4 (Students) and 5 (Self-sufficient) have been completed: evidence of ‘Comprehensive Sickness Insurance’ cover in the UK and funds to show you are economically self-sufficient, e.g. a bank statement.’

In other words, the paragraph means you need comprehensive sickness insurance only if you are applying under both ‘student’ and ‘self sufficient’ sections.

Nevertheless, student applicants are being asked to take out private medical insurance policies and are being refused if they fail to supply the correct cover.

What is the correct insurance cover?

One insurance company manager told Immigration Matters that he has been trying to get clarification on the exact requirements from the UK Border Agency for several weeks.

Active Quote offers an easy to use online quotation and application system, but also has telephone support from advisers who are on hand to answer questions.

To obtain a quotation for Comprehensive Sickness Insurance visit the Active Quote website.  

See article:

UK Border Agency launch new website

The newly revised UK Border Agency website has a better look and feel and navigation seems faster, but previously published links to specific pages of the site may no longer exist.

For instance, the link for European Workers is now:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/eucitizens/bulgaria-romania/work-permits/applying/

The link for ‘Bulgarian and Romanian nationals‘ is:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/eucitizens/bulgaria-romania/work-permits/

The UK Border Agency and Home Office website contains a vast amount of information which can be difficult to wade your way through the guidance and Immigration Rules.

The navigation section for European workers from Bulgaria and Romania also appears to have been simplified although finding specific information is still a challenge.

Confusion remains over the need for Bulgarians and Romanians applying for BR1 Yellow Cards as students to take out Comprehensive Sickness Insurance cover. 

The BR1 Form in Section 9 states:

‘If sections 4 (Students) and 5 (Self-sufficient) have been completed: evidence of ‘Comprehensive Sickness Insurance’ cover in the UK and funds to show you are economically self-sufficient, e.g. a bank statement.’

In other words, the paragraph means you need comprehensive sickness insurance only if you are applying under both ‘student’ and ‘self sufficient’ sections.

Nevertheless, student applicants are being asked to take out private medical insurance policies and are being refused if they fail to supply the correct cover.

What is the correct insurance cover?

One insurance company manager told Immigration Matters that he has been trying to get clarification on the exact requirements from the UK Border Agency for several weeks.

Active Quote offers an easy to use online quotation and application system, but also has telephone support from advisers who are on hand to answer questions.

To obtain a quotation for Comprehensive Sickness Insurance visit the Active Quote website. 

See also:

Visa scam warning

Students are not migrants says MP Keith Vaz

Illegal immigrants allegedly ‘given UK visas for bribes’

Immigration advisor jailed for 6 years in fake visa scam

Latest phase of student visa rule changes come into force 4 July

Student Visa crackdown could cost UK £2.4bn say Home Office

If you need any immigration advice or are worried about the new immigration rules or need help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa, ILR/Settlement, Citizenship, dependant visa or an appeal against a refusal please email: 

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

Looking for a college or University?

UKUS is a free University and College Admissions and advice service based in London, UK. Students interested in studying abroad can complete the Online UKUS Registration Form for more details.

The warning follows a report of an individual posing as a UK Border Agency officer and visiting a pensioner’s home to ask for £1,350 to process his partner’s visa.

The allegation is being investigated by the UK Border Agency security unit.

Jonathan Nancekivell-Smith, Director of Visa Services at the UK Border Agency said:

‘UK Border Agency officers do not visit homes to collect cash payments and we have referred these allegations to our security team.

‘Anyone who is approached in this way should contact the police.

‘Details of how to pay for visas are included with our application forms and further information is available on our website.’

There are also a large number of internet based scams offering jobs and UK work permits/Certificates of Sponsorship(CoS), which should be avoided. 

UK based Immigration Advisers are regulated by the OISC and can be found on their website: http://oisc.homeoffice.gov.uk.

Applicants are advised to treat these so called offers with extreme caution and, where appropriate to go through the proper channels or use approved agencies to gain employment abroad.

The golden rule is: NEVER send money to unknown persons for work permit processing or other fees.

See article:

UK Border Agency launch new website

The newly revised UK Border Agency website has a better look and feel and navigation seems faster, but previously published links to specific pages of the site may no longer exist.

For instance, the link for European Workers is now:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/eucitizens/bulgaria-romania/work-permits/applying/

The link for ‘Bulgarian and Romanian nationals‘ is:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/eucitizens/bulgaria-romania/work-permits/

The UK Border Agency and Home Office website contains a vast amount of information which can be difficult to wade your way through the guidance and Immigration Rules.

The navigation section for European workers from Bulgaria and Romania also appears to have been simplified although finding specific information is still a challenge.

Confusion remains over the need for Bulgarians and Romanians applying for BR1 Yellow Cards as students to take out Comprehensive Sickness Insurance cover. 

The BR1 Form in Section 9 states:

‘If sections 4 (Students) and 5 (Self-sufficient) have been completed: evidence of ‘Comprehensive Sickness Insurance’ cover in the UK and funds to show you are economically self-sufficient, e.g. a bank statement.’

In other words, the paragraph means you need comprehensive sickness insurance only if you are applying under both ‘student’ and ‘self sufficient’ sections.

Nevertheless, student applicants are being asked to take out private medical insurance policies and are being refused if they fail to supply the correct cover.

What is the correct insurance cover?

One insurance company manager told Immigration Matters that he has been trying to get clarification on the exact requirements from the UK Border Agency for several weeks.

Active Quote offers an easy to use online quotation and application system, but also has telephone support from advisers who are on hand to answer questions.

To obtain a quotation for Comprehensive Sickness Insurance visit the Active Quote website.  

See article:

UK Border Agency launch new website

The newly revised UK Border Agency website has a better look and feel and navigation seems faster, but previously published links to specific pages of the site may no longer exist.

For instance, the link for European Workers is now:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/eucitizens/bulgaria-romania/work-permits/applying/

The link for ‘Bulgarian and Romanian nationals‘ is:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/eucitizens/bulgaria-romania/work-permits/

The UK Border Agency and Home Office website contains a vast amount of information which can be difficult to wade your way through the guidance and Immigration Rules.

The navigation section for European workers from Bulgaria and Romania also appears to have been simplified although finding specific information is still a challenge.

Confusion remains over the need for Bulgarians and Romanians applying for BR1 Yellow Cards as students to take out Comprehensive Sickness Insurance cover. 

The BR1 Form in Section 9 states:

‘If sections 4 (Students) and 5 (Self-sufficient) have been completed: evidence of ‘Comprehensive Sickness Insurance’ cover in the UK and funds to show you are economically self-sufficient, e.g. a bank statement.’

In other words, the paragraph means you need comprehensive sickness insurance only if you are applying under both ‘student’ and ‘self sufficient’ sections.

Nevertheless, student applicants are being asked to take out private medical insurance policies and are being refused if they fail to supply the correct cover.

What is the correct insurance cover?

One insurance company manager told Immigration Matters that he has been trying to get clarification on the exact requirements from the UK Border Agency for several weeks.

Active Quote offers an easy to use online quotation and application system, but also has telephone support from advisers who are on hand to answer questions.

To obtain a quotation for Comprehensive Sickness Insurance visit the Active Quote website. 

See also:

Illegal immigrants allegedly ‘given UK visas for bribes’

Immigration advisor jailed for 6 years in fake visa scam

If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa, ILR/Settlement, Citizenship, dependant visa or an appeal against a refusal please email: 

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

FILIPINO ASSOCIATION OF CENTRAL HAMPSHIRE

Winchester based group the ‘Filipino Association in Central Hampshire’, headed by Glenbert Mo­day, welcomed Immigration Advisers UK to deliver a semi­nar last month on the problems faced by students when renewing their Tier 4 visas.

OISC registered Immigration Advisers Cynthia Barker, Evelie Padadac and Charles Kelly (all pictured), spent the day at Winchester University on Friday advising stu­dent members on the latest Tier 4 changes.

The date coincided with this week’s an­nouncement by UK Home Secretary, Theresa May, of plans to reduce the number of stu­dent visas by up to 80,000.

The changes, set to be implemented on 6 April 2011, include allowing only students studying at universities and publicly funded colleges to work and bring their dependants.

After the seminar and lunch at Winchester University’s brand new cafeteria, the students had free one-to-one consultations with the advisers.

Glen said that the talk was ‘very useful’ and the students ‘learned a lot and now have a better idea where they stand’. He would definitely invite Bison UK back again at a future meeting.

CHARLES KELLY ADDRESSING MEMBERS

Charles Kelly said afterwards:

“Many of the students were unaware of the ‘Established Presence’ rule and the effect this has on the amount of money needed at visa renewal.

“We also helped interpret the Tier 4 and Tier 2 changes, which were both announced in March.”

Cynthia Barker added:

“The group said the information was very informative, especially the new student visa working rules which made many of them re­consider staying with private colleges.

“The implications of the new student visa and Tier 2 working visa rules have not yet been fully grasped by migrant workers and students and we hope that the seminar went some way to unravelling some of the guid­ance.”

CYNTHIA BARKER ADVISING STUDENT

This week the UK Border Agency has published its ‘Statement of Intent and Transitional Measures’ for the student visa changes announced by the Home Secretary, Theresa May, on 22 March. 

The document outlines details of the new guidance, effective 21 April 2011, and dates of implementation of other measures, including the new rules on student working hours. Source: Planet Philippines.

The UK Government hopes to ‘ensure a smooth transition with minimal disruption to sponsors’ recruitment plans and student decision making’. 

The first round of implementation, including interim measures, was started by laying changes to the Immigration Rules before Parliament on 31 March, which will come into effect on 21 April 2011. 

There will be further changes to the Immigration Rules taking effect in summer 2011, in April 2012 and by the end of 2012. 

UKBA publish Statement of Intent and Transitional Measures for Student Visas

Student visa changes now Law after being laid before Parliament today

UK student visa restrictions announced by Home Secretary

Post Study Work Visa to be abolished April 2012 as part of student visa clampdown

Universities UK welcome student visa action by Home Office

Cross party MPs warn student visa proposals could ‘cripple’ sector, BBC reports

If you would like more information on the University of Bedfordshire email joanna or call 0208 905 1822.

If you need any immigration advice or are worried about the new immigration rules or need help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa, ILR/Settlement, Citizenship, dependant visa or an appeal against a refusal please email: 

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk 

Bison UK are running special free student visa seminars to advise students on the new Tier 4 changes and their renewal options.

In a report by the Globe and Mail, Robin Bajer said his client – who can’t be identified because of a publication ban – is still considering his options after the Immigration and Refugee Board ruled earlier this week that he was inadmissible to migrate to Canada.

“The client does have some options, so we’re going to be investigating those and likely pursuing some of them,” Mr. Bajer said in an interview.

One of those options is to apply to the Federal Court for a judicial review. The migrant can also apply for a pre-removal risk assessment and stay in Canada if he proves he’d face cruel and unusual punishment upon his return to Sri Lanka.

Mr. Bajer wouldn’t say exactly which avenue he’ll pursue, or when applications might be filed.

He said his client left the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam – a terrorist organization banned in Canada – more than a decade ago and hasn’t had any contact with the group since. “There’s an issue whether he’s anything of a security threat to Canada at this point.”

The migrant – one of 492 MV Sun Sea passengers who arrived in B.C. last August – told the Canada Border Services Agency he was a Tiger for more than five years. The Tigers lost the decades-long Sri Lankan civil war in 2009.

The man said he was once shot in the leg during a battle with the Sri Lankan navy. He said his division’s mission that day was to destroy the navy vessel so it couldn’t deliver weapons to a government-controlled area. The ship sustained damage and was unable to complete its arms run.

The man told Canadian border officials he never wanted to join the Tigers and was tricked into doing so by his friends when he was a teenager.

CBSA argued the man should be deported under a section of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act that deems refugee claimants inadmissible if they engaged in subversion or terrorism against a democratic government. The hearing adjudicator agreed and said it was “significant” that the man did not try to leave the LTTE for several years.

None of the other MV Sun Sea passengers have been declared inadmissible, but more than 30 admissibility cases must still be heard. Only one other case has been held – that migrant was ordered released.

None of the 76 passengers onboard the Ocean Lady – which arrived in British Columbia in October, 2009 – were deemed inadmissible. All filed refugee claims, as did those on the MV Sun Sea. Source: Globe and Mail, Canada.

See also:

Canada – new ads warn of crooked immigration consultants

Japan opens door to Indian language teachers

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