Immigration

The beauty, quality of life, and strong economic opportunity in Canada do not blur at the behest of uncertainties and doubts at various quarters of the world. Far from losing its charm, Canada as an immigration destination continues to get approached by applicants from around the world in record numbers, thanks to its immigration programs, particularly through Express Entry. The just-released 2023 Express Entry Year-End Report is replete with plenty of this trend. Canada’s Growing Popularity as an Immigration Destination This is contrary to any fallacy that Canada has lost its attractiveness as a favourite destination for immigrants. In 2023, Canada issued 110,266 Invitations to Apply during 42 draws in the period between January 11 and December 21. This was an astonishing 136% increase compared to the 46,539 ITAs issued in 2022. It is, therefore, a stupendous increase—and clearly at the very advanced level of attractiveness of Canada as a friendly and prosperous land to head for a newcomer. Record the number of Express Entry profiles submitted. The statistics also underline an impressive volume of interest under the Express Entry ITAs. The total came to 488,571 profiles submitted: 67% were found eligible, or 343,875, and 33% were not, with 144,696. This signals a strong interest in the Canadian immigration pathway, and these are parties who qualify based on the requirements set by the Comprehensive Ranking System. Express Entry System and Canadian Immigration As provided by the system, express entry remains one midst of the way to a country, a Canada-Country in nature. It continues the main pillar involving the Canadian immigration policy to be followed and provides an avenue for fast processing of the different economic applicant classes under the FSWP, CEC, and FSTP. The CRS score will outline who receives an ITA by scoring and ranking candidates out of a maximum score of 1200 points. This method is more competitive and efficient for managing immigration to Canada because ITAs are mostly likely given to those who score high. Introduction to Category-Based Selection Draws Another new feature in 2023 was the introduction of category-based selection draws within the Express Entry system. Category-based draws require considering candidates from all Express Entry programs but targeting them against specific criteria like occupation or language ability. In this regard, this change exemplifies Canada’s evolution in immigration priorities towards attracting talent that meets the needs the country’s economy has at any given time. India Leads As the Top Source Country for ITAs In the country of citizenship, India is on top for the maximum number of people receiving ITAs through the Express Entry, followed by Nigeria and China. In 2023, the highest number of Express Entry ITA receipts was from India, at 76,791, with the second-highest being Canada, at 7,394. Repetitive perceptions are, therefore, resonating in respect to both the typical and deep-seated relations between India and Canada and the consequential huge interests of Indian citizens in going to Canada. Remarkably, among the top 10 countries in 2022, Pakistan posted a very high ITA of 1,173 in 2023. This shows that ITAs from different regions are surging in Canada. In-Demand Occupations The work experience of a candidate is a major driver of eligibility for Express Entry, and some skills are highly in demand. In 2023, a large number of ITAs went to candidates in computer, tech, and finance occupations. However, 48% of all ITAs were issued to candidates in “other” occupations not specifically listed in the report, indicating a diverse range of skills being welcomed into Canada. That is the second year in a row that it was software engineers and designers who came in first: 7,259 in total and 5,183 for software developers and programmers. Of these 15 occupations identified by the authors of the report, 10 actually fall under TEER 1 of the NOC system; typically, these occupations require a university degree. Therein is proof that Canada still needs highly skilled workers. Conclusion Canada has remained an attractive destination for immigration worldwide. Far from waning, the statistics of the 2023 Express Entry ITA numbers bear testimony to the rise in Canadian immigration’s popularity. Category-based draws and unremitting high professional demand in different industries are the assurance that the earnestness of Canada in inviting the workforce base will build their economic fortune and ultimately enhance their demographic diversity. With these trends expected to continue over time, Canada will remain the destination of choice for those looking for new opportunities and, indeed, a better way of life.

Government ministers are reportedly looking into tightening the UK’s rules on the recruitment of foreign professionals working in IT, telecom, and engineering. Under the policy, arguably the biggest change since the highest levels of migration were recorded, many thousands of skilled workers, mainly from India, would be affected in various crucial positions. It has been reported that the UK government is pressing to tighten up rules on visas for foreign high-tech professionals. This can alter the current makeup of technology and engineering in the UK. It has been initiated, sources say, due to growing concerns around high migration levels and strong dependencies on international talent to fill critical skill gaps domestically. If implemented, this could have implications for thousands of Indian professionals contributing to the UK’s technology and engineering sectors. This could have far-reaching implications for thousands of Indian professionals integral to the UK’s technology and engineering industries if implemented. The role of foreign talent in the UK The country has traditionally been a destination for migrant talent, particularly in the areas of information technology, telecommunications, and engineering. These sectors have traditionally relied on foreign technology professionals to supplement their thirsty-needed skills. The current visa rules have allowed firms to hire workers from countries like India, which has emerged as a significant supplier of skilled labour to the UK. The UK government is now reviewing this dependency, under the supervision of Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. She has asked the Migration Advisory Committee to assess the extent of dependency on international recruitment in these sectors. This review is likely to drastically change the manner in which the UK deals with the inflow of foreign workers, principally from outside the EU. Changes Likely in Visa Rules Several steps are being mulled in the review, including raising the minimum salary threshold for foreign workers and introducing regional restrictions on the hiring of foreign workers. This could make it more challenging for firms to hire foreign talent, especially for posts offering lower salaries compared with India and the US, for example. The review will further explore the underlying causes of UK labour shortages and examine whether these sectors have made enough efforts to mitigate these pressures in a way that is not reliant on overseas recruitment. Impact on Indian Professionals In the event of any tightening of the rules related to visas, Indian professionals—who represent a large chunk of the UK’s foreign workforce in these sectors—will perhaps be the hardest hit. Hundreds of Indian workers have been plugging crucial gaps in the UK labour market for years. The dynamics may just change with possible competition for available positions rising and a reduction in the number of visas issued. Ganapati Bhat, an IT consultant from Bengaluru who moved here in 2007, responded to proposed changes. There is a need to take up the immigration concerns, he said, but it is also necessary to acknowledge the contribution that foreign professionals make towards the UK economy, particularly in those sectors where domestic talent is inadequate. Broader implications for immigration policy Any tightening of UK visa rules for foreign tech professionals must be considered within a broader UK immigration policy trend. It was only last week that the government postponed plans to increase the minimum threshold for British nationals and permanent residents to bring family members into the country. Applied to many Indian families, this underlined that the balancing act between immigration controls and the needs of the economy and family life continued. The fate of the sector will hang in the balance while the MAC makes its recommendations in the coming months. How this review concludes may have deep implications for the UK tech and engineering sectors but also for the entire UK approach towards managing immigration into the future. Conclusion Any tightening of UK visa rules for the recruitment of foreign technology professionals will deliver a devastating blow to the economy, particularly in sectors that are heavily dependent on international talent. Much as the government seeks to reduce migration levels, it is imperative to consider the value that foreign professionals bring to the UK, particularly helping to address skills shortages. As the situation evolves, so must stakeholders, in terms of being well-informed and prepared to adapt to any possible changes that come about from the MAC’s review.

If you think about using the Express Entry system to immigrate to Canada, one of the first questions that most potential applicants often ask themselves is whether there is the best age for which one should apply. Since age plays a huge role in the Comprehensive Ranking System, this is not really what makes the application successful or otherwise. Knowing how your age impacts your CRS score and other factors to strengthen the application will help you improve your chances of getting an invitation to apply for permanent residence in Canada. Age Factors Under the Express Entry System The Express Entry system remains one of the most viable routes through which skilled workers can migrate into Canada, with the CRS score playing a major role in determining eligibility. Age is an important component of the CRS; candidates aged 20–29 earn maximum points. Here is a breakdown of how age affects your CRS score: Applicants aged 20–29 who apply without a spouse can earn up to 110 CRS points, which is the highest possible score for their age.Age 30-34: The maximum points achievable for age drop to 105Age 35: These points drop further to 77, and a continued drop ensues as applicants get older than this age.This could be a bit discouraging to the older applicants. However, one must keep in mind that there are quite a few other factors on which the CRS score is based. Other Important Aspects of the CRS Score While age plays a significant role, it isn’t determined by that alone. Other key elements are: Language Ability: Getting high scores on language tests like IELTS and CELPIP boosts your points drastically under the CRS system.The following factors can help maximise your CRS score: higher education, advanced degrees, and additional qualifications; relevant work experience in high-demand occupations; and including a spouse in the application for extra points in education, language, and work experience. Strategies for Applicants with Lower CRS Scores If you have a low CRS score, all is not lost. Here are a few strategies that can be used to improve one’s prospects: Improve your CRS score. Spend some time developing your language ability, getting work experience, or obtaining further education. Improvement in any of these factors will raise your CRS score. Explore PNPs: Some provinces have immigration programs that have a lower CRS score requirement. This can boost your CRS score by 600 points if you are successfully nominated by any province, thus improving your prospects of getting an ITA. Re-Apply After Improvement: In the event that your initial application gets rejected, consider re-applying after profile or CRS score improvement. Consider Other Immigration Pathways: Consider alternative pathways of immigration, such as family sponsorship, study permits, or work permits, that may eventually result in permanent residency. Conclusion: Though there is no ideal age for Express Entry into Canada, knowing the age factors on your CRS scoring and other elements that would strengthen your application will definitely help a lot. Take care of your language, education, and work experience while also finding ways to settle into permanent residence in Canada.

With the US experiencing labour shortages in various industries, many cities, from New York to Denver, have been striving to draw migrants to fill critical job gaps. Extremely low unemployment rates in the US have increasingly pushed workers towards higher education and white-collar jobs, a trend that has left many of its industries—especially food service and hospitality—severely horthanded. This has created a trend wherein businesses are increasingly turning to asylum seekers and migrants with federal work permits to meet their staffing needs.  Denver’s Plan to Help Migrants and Local Businesses Denver, like most US cities, is hit hard by an acute shortage of manual labourers, particularly those in the hospitality industry. Mark Berzins, owner of 17 bars and restaurants in Denver, said that staffing kitchens has been a huge challenge. He says the majority of residents in Denver have college degrees, and none of them want to work in the kitchens, cooking and washing dishes. So he’s begun to fill those jobs with asylum seekers from South and Central America using a city-run program. So far, he has employed about a dozen people who have been granted working permits and who speak Spanish there to alleviate his chronic understaffing in kitchens.  It is a national trend, but Denver’s program is really trying to help asylum seekers improve their English and computer skills on their way to getting federal work authorization. But the city stipulates that at least one household receiving city services must attend. “It not only benefits businesses like Berzins’ but also saves the city money by transitioning migrants from public assistance to self-sufficiency.” System to Combat Worker Shortages in North Dakota As a result of the second-lowest unemployment rate in the country, state officials have created an Office of Legal Immigration in North Dakota. It is actually a new department dedicated to fighting widespread worker shortages, putting businesses in contact with migrants who have work authorization. Although North Dakota has a small foreign-born workforce, it has experienced huge growth in its immigrant population, particularly in health care jobs, which has proved important in offsetting labour shortages from an ageing population.  The Office of Legal Immigration is just getting off the ground, but eventually the department will help businesses untangle the bureaucratic knot that comes with hiring migrants and help newcomers adjust to life in North Dakota, including the harsh winters. State Senator Tim Mathern, who sponsored the legislation to create the department, puts it this way: the state needs these workers just as much as they need jobs.  Political Tensions and Economic Realities  It is this wave of migrants and legions of efforts to integrate them into the workforce that have become highly controversial. In politically conservative states like North Dakota, the welcome for asylum seekers came with tension, notably the claim that they might replace native-born workers. However, studies—including a paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research—indicate that immigration has had at best a marginally positive effect on the wages of native-born workers over the period 2019 to 2022. Moreover, US immigration is biassed towards the admittance of highly skilled workers; this generally leaves room in the labour market for lower-skilled jobs that are better filled by migrants.  Cities like New York have also had a huge influx of migrants; tens of thousands of jobs could be filled with asylum seekers who have work permits, the State Department of Labour has estimated. On Staten Island, an organisation is working to help migrants get proper certifications and trainings required for entry into official employment, which draws them out of the underground economy into stable work.  Conclusion As labour shortages continue to afflict US cities, integration of migrants into the workforce is becoming more plausible. Cities like Denver and states like North Dakota open up businesses’ most vital job vacancies and provide a chance at a new life for many of the migrants moving into the US. While political tensions still exist, the economic benefits are obvious, offering a way forward for both migrants and local economies.

As the case may be, international tourism boards, hospitality, and travel companies are beginning to make concentrated efforts to cater to this emerging set of target customers with outbound travel from tier two and three cities of India. The substantial growth in outbound travel by the people from small-town India is not new and has been making noticeable inroads across the globe. DET has said that between 19 and 23 Indian cities are connected to DET’s overall connectivity through flights; some of these places include Jaipur, Pune, Coimbatore, Lucknow, Kochi, and Surat. Bader Ali Habib, regional head (proximity markets) at DET, said that tier two and tier three cities in India have a huge potential for outbound tourism. He also said that a strategic focus should be brought about due to the higher demand from those regions for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), weddings, honeymoons, and sports tourism. The Singapore Tourism Board also emphasizes the significance of these markets. Markus Tan, regional director for IMESA, shared that Singapore has welcomed over 629,000 Indian visitors during the first half of 2024, hence representing India as its third-largest source market. Foodie markets in destinations like Jaipur and Coimbatore are increasingly serving as key feeder markets as consumers in these aspirant cities seek their own taste of world-class experiences. Customized products and creative packaging aimed at specific markets Liam Findlay, CEO, Miral Destinations, said he saw a 40 percent surge in visitation from India in 2023, where contribution was largely coming from tier two and three markets. The Yas Island Abu Dhabi has increased its expenditure in these cities, finding potential for higher disposable incomes and an increasing propensity for travel. Cities like Chandigarh, Jaipur, Rajkot, Kolhapur, Coimbatore, and Kochi are showing interest in international travel. According to Rajeev Kale, president and country head for holidays, mice and visa at Thomas Cook, singles, DINK couples (Dual Income, No Kids), and child-friendly experiential travel help to build demand. This builds a good tailwind in demand from smaller towns, driven by rising disposable incomes and improved connectivity. The company has now designed special regional tours into its product portfolio catering to the Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati, and Tamil markets. This will offer them with the comfort of a regional language-speaking tour manager and enjoy regional delicacies. Even regional India is growing phenomenally for SOTC Travel. Daniel D’Souza, president and country head for holidays, also says the opening of several holiday stores and franchises pan India, with presence of tier two and three cities, making accessibility for their customers easy. Regional Group tours for SOTC like ‘Gurjar Vishwadarshan holidays’ are guaranteed vegetarian and Gujarati meals across the key destinations making the traveler feel at ease while on the tours in the company of fellow regional passengers. Technology and Regional Marketing Plays Rajesh Magow, co-founder and group CEO of MakeMyTrip, stated that in this period of time, searches for outbound travel from tier two and smaller towns had grown by 38% year-on-year. This growth was reported at 25% from tier two cities and 67% from tier three cities. This trend is also being harnessed by Atlys, an online visa application company. Mohak Nahta, founder and CEO, announced that they are looking to increase their market share in tier two and three cities by up to 40% in the next one year through region-specific marketing campaigns and working closely with local influencers. Traction is growing exponentially from tier two and tier three cities within Sri Lanka now, as Chamindra Goonewardene, VP Sales and Marketing of Resplendent Ceylon, confirmed. Demand is coming from places like Madurai, Surat, Coimbatore, Jaipur, Chandigarh, and new customers are looking for luxury travel experiences. It is growing interest in traveling abroad from tier two and tier three cities in India slowly changing the landscape of travel outflows. With rising incomes and increased connectivity, the world tourism boards and hospitality companies now have their eyes set on those from the small cities of India as their next big focus. With these markets growing, the travel space will need to innovate and adapt equivalence to the diverse needs and wants of small-town India.

There is a new ray of hope for Indian techies in the US. A recent court ruling has upheld a federal rule that allows spouses of H1B visa holders to work in the United States. This landmark judgement delivered by the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit will definitely let the “Employment Authorisation for Certain H-4 Dependent Spouses” regulation survive. This blog post will pick up the argument brought to the fore by this decision, elaborating on H-1B and H-4 visas and what this ruling means for the technology sector. The Court’s Decision: Victory for H-4 Visa Holders The ruling by the court dismissed a challenge from Save Jobs USA, a group of US-born tech workers. As carried forward by President Obama, in 2015, the Department of Homeland Security passed the rule allowing H-1B visa holders’ spouses to work in the US. Save Jobs USA had argued that DHS was reaching beyond its powers in allowing H-4 spouses to work, but the court upheld the decision of the lower court, citing precedence in support of the powers of DHS. Understanding the H-1B and H-4 Visas H-1B Visa ExplainedThe H-1B visa is a nonimmigrant work visa that enables US employers to employ foreign workers with specialised skills. Types of jobs that would generally qualify for an H1B visa normally require at least a bachelor’s degree and tend to be related to technology, engineering, financing, and architecture. The H-1B visa is crucial for the US technology sector, which employs thousands of highly qualified foreign professionals. H-4 Visa ExplainedThe H-4 visa is issued to the dependent family members of H-1B visa holders, including their spouses and unmarried children below 21 years of age. This visa will enable them to accompany the principal visa holder to move to the US and remain there for as long as the principal visa holder has valid status. Under certain conditions, H-4 visa holders may also be eligible to apply for work authorisation, which will authorise them to seek employment in the US. Eligibility and Process of the H-4 Visa Eligibility CriteriaTo qualify for an H-4 visa, the following conditions must be met by the applicants:1) Spouse or unmarried child less than 21 years of age of an H-1B visa holder.2) The holder of the primary visa should hold valid status.3) Proof of financial support from the principal visa holder.4) The applicant should not have a criminal record. Application Process The government charge for applying for an H-4 visa is $205. It encompasses the determination of eligibility, collection of documents, filling out of an application, fixation and appearance for a visa interview, and issuance of a visa after approval. Why was the challenge raised? Save Jobs USA, on behalf of US-born tech workers, challenged in court the authority of DHS to allow H-4 spouses to work in the US. It was argued that the rule was against US jobs and must be rescinded. However, the court opined that the matter was much like the earlier litigation over Optional Practical Training, or OPT, for F-1 students and said DHS was well within its powers. Support of technology firms The H-4 rule had the immense support of leading technology companies and business organisations, like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft. Their argument was that work authorisation for H-4 spouses would benefit the US economy by allowing the retention of highly skilled employees who would continue to stay in the country and also motivating H-1B workers to seek permanent residency. This would be very important for the retention of competitiveness and innovativeness in the US tech sector. Impact on Indian Skilled Workers: The court’s ruling may have wide implications for the US tech industry and its abilities to draw and retain foreign workers who are highly skilled. By allowing H-4 spouses to find work, the regulation is a step towards a more congenial environment for H-1B visa holders who otherwise might not want to relocate to the US if their spouses cannot find work. This could be especially good news for Indian techies, as outsourcing firms based in India are the biggest users of H-1B visas. Conclusion The latest court ruling that will now allow spouses of H-1B visa holders to work in the US is a major victory for both the tech industry and highly qualified foreign workers. In the case of retaining H-4 employment authorisation, the court has ensured that the US will continue to remain a beacon of the world’s best talent. This move, besides supporting the families of H-1B visa holders, has also strengthened the US economy by retaining highly skilled professionals.

Germany is all set to increase the existing proof-of-funds requirement for student visas for the 2024-25 academic year. The threshold for proof of funds has been €11,208 since 1 January 2023. With the new academic year, it would be hiked to €11,904, a near 6% rise over the previous level. This development comes as Germany remains in the process of managing and further supporting its international student numbers, says ICEF Monitor. New Funding Proof Requirement The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research provides several options on the Study in Germany website to meet the updated funding requirement. Attested Documents: A student may present attested documents that explain family income as well as other sources of income or enrichment. Bank Guarantee: This could also be in the form of a pure bank guarantee, “Bankbürgschaft.” This flows from the bank and assures that the student has got enough means. Blocked Account: This is one of the available options, and it is especially meant for foreign-born students. Banks like Deutsche Bank and Fintiba offer blocked accounts. What that means is that the “blocked account” is one which is not accessible to the student until they get to Germany, after which the funds are made available in monthly calendar installments of up to a certain limit. Comparison with Other Study Destinations The new proof-of-funds requirement is €11,904 ($12,875), which keeps Germany competitive vis-à-vis other countries among the top study destinations. Contrast with the following: Australia: AUD$29,710 ($19,540)Canada: CDN$20,635 ($14,930)Ireland: €10,000 ($10,680)France: €7,380 ($7,980) Elsewhere too, there have been landmark hikes. Australia doubled its proof of funds requirement in December 2023, while Australia recorded a second hike—around May 2024—of over 20%. Record Enrollment Nevertheless, Germany continues to be a favored destination for international students. Germany is becoming all the more popular, and the official figures already went up almost by 370,000 foreign students, which is an increase of 5% from last year in the winter semester of 2022-23. That relates to the fifth time in a row when the number of foreign students to Germany shows an upward trend.

Spain Golden Visa program has been the fast lane to residence for high-net-worth individuals looking to obtain residency in exchange for making a financial investment in the country. Since the program’s inception in 2013, more than 15,000 people have benefited, with the vast majority gaining residence through real estate investments. Recent events have brought signs that the Spanish government may be edging towards complete abolition of the program under the current Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, and his Socialist Party, the PSOE. This blog will explore the reasons behind the decision, its potential implications for investors, and the future for residency through investment in Spain. The End of an Era: Why Spain is Abolishing the Golden Visa Program  The Golden Visa Program in Spain has been immense, an attraction for foreign investors due to the ease of acquiring residency. However, recent reports indicate that the government is not only abolishing the real estate investment option but is likely to end all routes for the acquisition of residency through this particular program. The move comes after research found out that almost all golden visas were handed out through real estate investment. The measure is part of a more general strategy dealing with the housing crisis in Spain, as high property prices make it difficult for many locals to afford.  How Social Impact Investing is Redefining the Real Estate Landscape The abolition of the Golden Visa Program will have wider implications for foreign investors and, therefore, on the Spanish real estate market. Investing in real estate requires a minimum capital outlay of €500,000 typically.If such an avenue is closed, then investors will be looking for alternative options elsewhere. Also, high-end property sales may no longer be there in the real estate market, thus stabilising the housing prices in the long term.  Future of Residency by Investment in Spain Whereas the Golden Visa Program is ending, Spain will definitely seek alternative ways to attract foreign investment. The government will no doubt design new programs that look at business investments, creating jobs, or any other kinds of contribution to its economy. However, these are early days of change, with details yet to be unveiled. Conclusion In terms of residency through investment, this is a basic policy change in regard to the abolition of Spain’s Golden Visa program. The measure allows for control of the housing crisis and makes foreign investment into the country more coherent with the socio-economic objectives of the country. With the program coming to an end, investors shall update themselves on new opportunities and legislation in a shifting Spanish immigration landscape.