The Uniting American Families Act saw an important development on 3rd June, 2009, as the Senate Judiciary Committee began its hearing to end the current discriminatory immigration policy for same-sex bi-national couples.
Currently, same-sex partnerships that have one non-American partner are unable to sponsor their loved one for US visa applications, unlike opposite-sex couples. With more than 36,000 bi-national same-sex couples affected by the law, an estimated 47 per cent of whom are raising children together, it is no surprise that this is an emotional and highly-charged issue.
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Immigration consultant USA immigration immigration, USA
The Knowledge of Life test for those visa applicants of all categories, including UK marriage visas and partner visa applications, has just got a little bit stricter.
While the test itself is, in many ways, a continuous work of changes and amendments in response to the changing face of life in the UK, an announcement made on 19th March 2009 has highlighted the necessity for UK visa applicants of all categories to pass the Knowledge of Life test before settlement can be granted.
This is a core change to the current visa application process because, prior to this announcement which came into affect on 31st March 2009, some UK settlement visa applications that met all the relevant requirements except the Knowledge of Life test were able to be automatically considered for limited leave to remain to be granted in the same category, with the difference in monetary fees being refunded.
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Immigration consultant European immigration, UK immigration settlement visa, settlement visa application process, UK
One of the most frequently asked questions our clients ask about the UK settlement visa application process is “How long does it typically take to obtain a visa?” We are pleased to provide you with the most up-to-date information on the current processing times. The table shown below represents cases that have been approved within the last two months.
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Immigration consultant European immigration, UK immigration Marriage visas, Processing Times, settlement visa application process, UK, UK fiancée
On 1st June 2009, the UK Border Agency brought an important change into effect regarding the processing of a range of visa-related applications.
The core change is that applications for registration certificates, residence cards, family member residence stamps and confirmation of permanent residence in the United Kingdome by European nationals and their families will now be checked for accurate completion as soon as they are received by the UK Border Agency.
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Immigration consultant European immigration, UK immigration EU, UK, UK Border Agency
The relocation of the previously-named Perth Offshore Parents Centre (POPC) on 25th May 2009 brought with it some important administrative changes which will affect the visa application process for spouse, parent and interdependency visas to the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).
Since 25th May 2009, the POPC has been renamed the Parent Visa Centre (PVC) and has moved from its previous address of Level 3, 166 Murray Street, Perth, WA, 6000 to its new location at Wellington Central, Level 3, 836 Wellington Street, West Perth, WA, 6005.
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Immigration consultant Australian immigration australia, DIAC, immigration, Parent Visa Centre, POPC
