USCIS suggests improvements to EB-5 Visa Scheme

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services(USCIS) recently proposedsignificant improvements to theUSCIS Immigrant Investor Program,the EB-5 Program, whichwould lead to faster processing ofimmigrant investor applications.There are 10,000 immigrantvisas available each year underthe immigrant investor scheme.

People can come under the EB-5immigrant investor scheme if theycreate at least ten jobs in the USand invest $1 Million or invest$500,000 in Targeted EmploymentAreas and/or Rural Areas.

According to USCIS DirectorAlejandro Mayorkas, "Congresscreated the EB-5 Program in 1990to attract investors and entrepreneursfrom around the globe tocreate jobs in America…We arededicated to enhancing this programto ensure that it achievesthat goal to the fullest extent possible."USCIS' three changes for theprocessing of EB-5 Regional Centerapplications include setting up"specialized intake teams" withexpertise in economic analysisand the requirements of the EB-5immigrant investor scheme; and,setting up of an "expert DecisionBoard" to make decisions on EB-5 Regional Center applications.The board will include an economistand adjudicators.

UK tourist visas will allow entry to Ireland for nationals of 14 countries

Starting on July 1, 2011 andcontinuing until October2012, a UK tourist visa willallow entry to Ireland for nationalsof India and China, as well asfor nationals of 12 other countriesin Eastern Europe and the MiddleEast.The move will coincide with the2012 Olympics in London, whena large influx of visitors is expectedinto the UK. Ireland ishoping to capitalize on the extratourismrevenue that theOlympics are expected to bring.Ireland's Justice and DefenseMinister Alan Shatter said that removingbarriers to entry for nationalsof the fourteen countrieswould help boost Ireland's ailingeconomy.

"It will have real and tangible benefits for the nationals of the 14 or so countries (who currently require a visa to come here) participating in the scheme and it will provide a much needed shot in the arm for the hard pressed tourist industry,"Shatter said.

The fourteen countries includedin this program are India, China,Russia, Belarus, Montenegro, Serbia,Turkey, Uzbekistan, Ukraine,Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, UnitedArab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.

Canada's new visa regime for Indians

Canada has announced a new visa regime that will allow Indians 10 years multiple entry visa to the country. The announcement was made by Canadian Minister of International Trade Edward Fast at a meeting with delegates of the Indian government and business community at the two-day mini Parvasi Bharatiya Divas Canada 2011 convention that began here on June 25, 2011.

Fast said the new visa processwould be available to Indians whotravelled to Canada frequently."After an initial visa screening, applicantscan get a visa that allowthem to visit Canada often – aslong as their passports are valid upto ten years."Minister of State for External AffairsPreneet Kaur, who is leadingthe Indian delegation, said bothcountries were committed tostrengthen their bilateral trade relations."The Indo-Canadian communityis a microcosm of thepeople of Indian origin livingabroad."

"India and Canada will soon signthe Social Security Agreement,conclude a bilateral InvestmentProtection Agreement, negotiate arevised Double Taxation AvoidanceAgreement and complete anambitious Comprehensive EconomicPartnership Agreement,"she said, adding both nations aimat a bilateral trade target of USD15 billion in next five years.Both countries were in talks for aComprehensive Economic PartnershipAgreement that wouldyield significant economic benefitand lower tariff on a large numberof products for both the countries.

"A Comprehensive EconomicPartnership Agreement is a freetrade agreement (FTA) from Indianperspective. It is aimed at promotingmarket opening policiesand stands to become one of themost important building blocks inconstructing a broader and deeperbilateral relationship," Kaur said.

S M Gavai, the High Commissionerof India, said the new 10-year multiple entry visa wouldhelp to meet the longstanding demandof Indians businesses andothers who would like to comeCanada frequently. "2011 is a specialyear for India-Canada relations.It was in November 2009 inNew Delhi that Prime MinisterManmohan Singh and Prime MinisterStephen Harper announcedthat 2011 would be celebrated asYear of India in Canada," Gavaisaid.

"Ties between India and Canadahave never been so close, so extensiveand potentially so exciting asthey are today. The Indo-Canadiancommunity has played a majorrole in enriching this relationship,in building bridges between thetwo countries," Gavai added.

Australia hopes to attract skilledIndian workers

The Australian government hopes to attract more skilled Indian workers to deal with a shortfall of labor through changes in its skilled immigration scheme. There continues to be rapid growth in the Australian economy; Many Australian firms are looking abroad for skilled workers, particularly workers for the resources industry (such as mining), said David Holly, Australian Consul-General for South India.

Under reforms to immigrationpolicy which will take place on1 July 2011, the age limit for applicantsunder the General Skilled Migration programwill be raised from 45 to 50 years ofage.

Slovakia may implement EUblue card immigration scheme

Slovakia may start implementing the European Union's blue card immigration scheme in July, if approved by parliament. The EU blue card is designed to make it easier for non-EU skilled migrants to live and work within the 27 member bloc. "The Blue Card will enable foreigners from [non-EU countries] to live and work in Slovakia," said Natália Hattalová, spokesperson for the Interior Ministry in a press release. The blue card would be valid for three years and can be renewed for an additional three years. An applicant for a blue card must have a valid job offer and must alsohave the required qualifications and experience for the job.

[ BY YOGESH KARIKURVE ]