Entering December, the weather is getting colder and colder, and many immigrants are also feeling the "cold wind" of the change in immigration policy - recently, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Hungaryand many other popular immigrants have announced measures to tighten immigration policies. Below, Xiaoqiao will take stock for everyone.
UK: Don't come if you don't contribute!
With the number of net migrants in the UK reaching a record 74 last year50,000 people, the UK recently introduced the largest restrictions on legal immigration in history. James Cleverly, Home Secretary of the British Conservative Party, saidThe goal is to reduce net migration to the UK by 300,000, emphasizing that "if you don't contribute to the UK, don't come".
The measures to reduce immigration are targeted at different groups of people and are as follows:
1.From next spring, the minimum wage required to qualify for a Skilled Worker Visa in the UK will rise to £38,700, up almost 50% from £26,000 previously.
2.The order for a review of the PSW route for the Graduate visa is likely to be further tightened "to prevent PSW visa abuse".
3.The salary requirement for a family visa will be increased from £18,600 to £38,700.
4.* The number of occupations on the Shortage Occupation List will be reviewed and reduced, and the requirement that wages for scarce occupations be less than 20% of the prevailing wage will be abolished.
5."End the abuse of health and care visas" and stop carer visa holders from bringing their family members to the UK.
These policy changes will take effect next spring. According to the Home Office's model, about 140,000 of the 300,000 immigrants who shrink each year will come from the international student immigration route100,000 from health and care work visas;50,000 from other skilled work visas;The number of dependents will also be reduced by nearly 10,000.
The reason why the United Kingdom hastened to introduce this series of policies is because the latest number of immigrants has been completely "exceeded" recently. The latest data shows that the number of net migrants in the UK in 2022 is higher than previously estimated1390 thousand, most of them are from countries such as India, Nigeria and China.
Controlling the number of immigrants is a long-standing philosophy of the British Conservative Party, which believes that the reduction of immigration will be done by next yearBoost votes, because many voters believe that immigration has added strain to already overburdened public services and exacerbated the housing crisis.
For those who want to move to the UK in the future but are still hesitant, the policy introduced this time can be said to be a hammer. Therefore, friends who want to come to the UK through work visas and innovation founder visas must seize the time and act as soon as possible in order to catch up with the window period before the political change, in case they encounter policy barriers and have to give up their efforts.
Australia: Cut half of the immigrants!
Coincidentally, Australia seems to be interested in following Xi UK's immigration policy and slashing immigration. On December 11, local time, the Australian Labor Party** announcedTighten visa rules for international students and low-skilled workers to cut immigration arrivals in half over the next two years.
Australia** revealed that the number of net migrants in Australia will exceed 500,000 this year, the highest level in Australia's history, and it needs to ease the growing pressure on infrastructure, housing and living costs. And through policy control, it will fall to 37 next year50,000, down to 250,000 in 2025.
Under the new policy, the English language requirements for student and temporary graduate visas will increase from early next year, according to the International English Language Testing SystemStudents applying for a Graduate visa will have a score of 60 points increased to 65 points, while student visa applicants will start from 55 points increased to 60 points.
The new policy also aims to:Blocking the "visa springboard".Overseas students or other visitors are not allowed to jump from one immigration application to another, so many people will not be able to extend their stay in Australia this way.
In addition, a stronger immigration cutter may still be on the way, and if net enrolment does not fall as planned next year, Australia is prepared to take stronger measures, such as the possibility of imposing some kind of tax on international students.
In addition to restricting visas for international students and graduates, there will also be a new "skills in demand" temporary visa to attract high-skilled workers who "have the potential to improve the skills and expertise of the Australian workforce", while discouraging low-skilled workers.
New pathways will be directed in any professionIncome of at least 13$50,000 is open for qualified applicants, with the exception of manual workers, machinery operators and drivers, and laborers.
Highly skilled immigrants in unique areas of expertise like science, technology, and cybersecurityA visa to work in Australia will be obtained within 7 days, which could take up to a year under the current system.
Hungary: Buying a house for immigrants may rise to 500,000 euros
On 15 November, Hungary** submitted to the National Assembly a draft proposal on the rules governing the entry and residence of citizens of third countries. This proposal is considered to be a fundamental change in Hungary's immigration rules. WhileTomorrow (December 12), the Hungarian parliament will vote on the proposal.
In the final draft of the Act, in order to obtain Hungarian Residency by Investment, it is required:
Invest 250,000 euros to obtain an investment certificate issued by a real estate registered with the National Bank**;
Direct investment of 500,000 euros in the purchase of Hungarian residential property (without encumbrances or creditor's rights);
Donation of 1,000,000 euros to higher education institutions to support educational, scientific, artistic or creative activities carried out by public interest trusts** that carry out public tasks.
This means that once the new bill is approved, the existing investment threshold of Hungary's immigration policy of 150,000 eurosThere will be a significant upward revision。It is reported that if the vote is successful, the bill is expected to come into effect on January 1, 2024. While the dust remains to be determined whether and when it will be implemented by Congress, it is only a matter of time before Hungary becomes a couponer as the overall threshold for immigration in Europe is raised.
Canada: The cost of living requirement for a study permit is doubled
Canada's federal Minister for Refugees and Immigration, Marc Miller, said on Dec. 7Increase the cost of living required for foreign nationals applying to study Xi in Canada to double the current amount.
From 1 January 2024, each applicant will need to prove that they need to have in addition to their first year's tuition and travel expenses20,635 CADCost of living. Currently, this fee is only requiredCAD 10,000
In the future, Statistics Canada will adjust this threshold each year when it updates the Low Income Criteria (LICOs). In other words, the standard of living expenses for international students applying for a study permitIt will rise every year after that.
In recent times, Canada has imposed strict controls on international students. According to reports, the number of applications for international study Xi permits in Canada has dropped dramatically. Only 6030,000 Xi licenses, down 20% from last year (-1.).550,000 copies). This is the largest annual reduction since 2020.
Recently, Canada's federal Minister of Immigration and provincial immigration directors also held a closed-door meeting on the theme of adjusting the direction of future immigration policies. The meeting finally determined that the future immigration policy will move in the following two general directions:Increase the provincial nomination quota and increase the economic immigration quota.
In this regard, there is an interpretation that Canada's current focus is on immigrants who meet the labor market, not just requiring high education and economic ability.
Canada's immigration ministers also reached a consensus again, that is, Canada does not resist "rich people immigration", but rejects "rich people" who only want to come to Canada to buy luxury cars and houses and enjoy Canadian benefits but do not work or invest.
Overseas Chinese experts said that in recent times, the immigration policies of various countries have changed at any time, especially investment immigrants, which have become more and more difficult. In the future, applicants who want to obtain overseas status may face a sudden increase in the threshold, an increase in difficulty, or even a direct shutdown at any time.
Therefore, seizing the opportunity before the change of government has become a top priority for immigrants. Those who are interested should not wait and see, hesitation will only make the dream of immigration go down the drain.