Anglo-Continental, a renowned English language school, offers a transformative Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) Working Holiday Programme for young adults from Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan aged 18-30. This programme is an excellent opportunity for participants to live, learn, and work in the picturesque coastal towns of Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole in England.

The programme aims to significantly enhance the English language skills of its participants while providing them with valuable work experience in the UK. Students enrolled in this programme can expect to improve their language skills, gain paid employment, and enhance their resumes.

Additionally, successful participants will receive certificates acknowledging their achievements and growth during their stay.

The YMS Working Holiday Programme includes a thorough orientation to working in the UK and assistance securing employment. This comprehensive support ensures that participants are well-prepared for their work placements and can make the most of their experience abroad.

Interested candidates must apply for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa and meet specific eligibility criteria, including financial requirements and, in some cases, health screenings. The visa application process is detailed and can vary depending on the applicant's country of origin.

Prospective applicants can visit Anglo-Continental's site for more detailed information on application processes and programme specifics.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced a new requirement for visitor visa applications that will take effect from June 17, 2024. Applicants must now provide certified English translations of all supporting documents originally in a foreign language. This update aims to streamline the visa application process by reducing the processing time for applications that previously included non-translated documents.

Previously, only medical or police certificates needed to be translated into English. However, the new rules extend this requirement to all kinds of supporting documentation, such as proof of funds, flight itineraries, proof of employment, leave of absence documents, and identity documents other than passports.

INZ has outlined that certified translations must be done by reputable private or official translation businesses or by community members recognized for their accurate translation abilities.

Family members and immigration advisers of the applicant are excluded from providing these translations, although licensed immigration advisers not associated with the applicant may do so.

The update, clarified in the last communication from Education New Zealand, states that these new requirements currently apply only to visitor visa applications, not student visas.

This is significant for markets like China, India, and Vietnam, where applicants will face these new requirements, unlike those from visa waiver countries such as EU nations, Japan, South Korea, and Brazil, who do not need visitor visas for short-term studies.

For more detailed information on these new regulations and access to Immigration New Zealand's statement, stakeholders and applicants are advised to check the official INZ website.

Australia Implements New Visa Rules to Prevent 'Visa Hopping'

The Australian Department of Home Affairs has introduced stricter visa regulations effective July 1st to eliminate 'visa hopping.' The changes prohibit Visitor Visa holders from applying for Student Visas while in Australia and prevent Temporary Graduate Visa holders from reverting to Student Visas for additional studies.

These adjustments are part of a broader initiative detailed in last December's Migration Strategy. The initiative is intended to close loopholes that previously allowed visitors to prolong their stay in Australia indefinitely through sequential visa applications.

The government aims to streamline the visa process, focusing on encouraging graduates to secure skilled employment and pursue permanent residency or to leave the country, thus avoiding a cycle of temporary extensions.

Despite government intentions, the policy revision has faced criticism from the educational sector.

English Australia, representing English language teaching institutions, has expressed concerns that these changes may deter genuine students who initially visit as tourists and later wish to extend their education. They argue that firsthand experience in Australia is crucial for potential students making significant educational commitments.

This policy shift is part of Australia's effort to manage its migration flow more effectively while ensuring that its education system remains robust but free from misuse.

Canada's New Strategy on Post-Graduation Work Permits

Canada is refining the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program better to align graduates' employment with current labour market needs. The government plans to limit PGWP eligibility to fields that address specific labour shortages. This targeted approach is a shift from the previous policy that allowed all graduates from publicly funded institutions to work in any sector.

Key Proposed Changes:

• Focused Eligibility: The PGWP will be restricted to sectors experiencing labour shortages, directing skilled graduates where they are most needed.
• Job Offer Requirements: Graduates may need to show a job offer in a relevant sector to qualify for a permit beyond the first year.
• Selective Criteria: Additional qualifications, such as language skills, might be introduced to maintain the quality and relevance of the workforce.
• Consideration for Current Students: The government is contemplating whether to apply these rules to all immediately or allow those already in Canada to continue under the old rules.

The adjustments are in response to the significant growth in international student numbers and aim to ensure that the integration of graduates into the workforce benefits the Canadian economy. This strategy targets labour efficiency and manages resource strain in housing and healthcare, intensified by the rising student population.

Canada's initiative reflects a strategic calibration of immigration policies to support economic needs and international education standards.