According to the latest statistics released from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), there has been an increase in net migration to the UK. In 2009, the net migration figure was 196,000 compared to 163,000 the previous year. Migration analysts have stated that the increase is due to a decrease in the number of people moving overseas rather than an increase in people moving to the UK.  The number of people leaving the UK in 2009 fell by 13% compared to 2008. In total, 371,000 people emigrated from the UK last year.

It was also noted in the research that many of the immigrants recorded were British nationals returning to the UK after a period abroad.

News from the Home Office’s Annual Bulletin demonstrated that an increasing number of people are moving to the UK via an academic route i.e. student visas. In contrast, the number of work-related visas being issued has fallen. This could be due to a combination of factors such as the economic downturn leading to less jobs being available. In addition, the introduction of the points based system may mean that it is now more difficult to obtain a work-related visa.

John Mason International’s overseas partners, Asian Tigers, have advised that they are currently experiencing delays for inbound shipments via sea and air freight to China.

International Removals via air freight to China

Customs examinations on inbound air shipments to Shanghai and other airports in China have become more stringent.

Items which will prompt inspections include:

•  Medicines 
• Books

Items which will not be allowed into China include:

•  Liquids
• Food items

International Removals via sea and air freight to China

Luxury goods are either not allowed to be imported in household goods shipments to China or are heavily taxed. Some examples of effects considered luxury goods include billiard tables, grand pianos, stamp collections and coin collections.

In addition, it is vitally important that packing inventories are detailed, clear, accurate and detailed. Shippers should be advised that packing any of the items mentioned above may result in longer customer clearance times which will cause delays to the delivery of their shipment. It is also important not to misdeclare items – apart from receiving a large fine for doing this, the customs licence of the overseas agent or consignee will also be put at risk.

Anyone considering moving to Australia will be interested to know that the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) is to hold an expo in the UK entitled ‘Skills Australia Needs’. The objective of the expo is to help Australian employers find skilled workers. The expo will be held in London on the 11^th September and the 12^th September 2010.

There will be a focus on jobs in engineering, medical professions and tradesmen, the skills which are needed most currently in Australia. These jobs reflect the industries which are in most demand for skilled workers from other countries to fill skill shortages: mining, health and construction.

Exhibitors at the expo will include major Australian employers, government representatives from all territories and states and relocation service providers.

Feedback from the last UK expo in 2009 found that 90% would recommend it to friends. 80% of attendees also left feeling that they may have found a sponsor.

The event is free but access is by invitation only. Attendees must register online and then wait to receive an invitation. Priority will be given to people whose occupation is on the critical skills in demand list for Australia.

The DIAC expos began in 2005 and so far 8 have been held in the UK, 23 in total worldwide. More information on the exhibition and a registration form can be found on the DIAC website.

The latest Natwest Internatioanl Personal Banking Quality of Life Report has been published with interesting findings concerning the lifestyles and attitudes of British expatriates abroad. The report was undertaken in partnership with the Centre for Future Studies, a UK based think tank.

In the 3^rd annual publication, the principal revelation appears to be that 9 out of 10 British expatriates say that their quality of life abroad is better than it was at home. In addition, almost 90% said that their work / balance was either excellent or good.

In the survey, expatriates were asked to rate 16 ‘life experience’ factors in order of how satisfied they were with each experience and how important each factor is to them. Interestingly, despite the financial concerns often associated with moving overseas, the study found that other factors such as climate, culture, education, leisure and healthcare were considered more important than financial security for the survey participants.

Head of Natwest International, Dave Isley, said about the report:

‘It seems the grass really is greener for Brits living abroad’.

He also pointed out that despite the global economic downturn, British people still seem determined to live their dream abroad.

The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) have recently published an interesting selection of memorabilia and historical documents relating to Australian immigration over the last 65 years. The documents give an interesting insight into immigration policies in the past and Australian culture and way of life.

In particular, a booklet entitled ‘Why you will feel at home in Australia’, aimed at the British population, contains chapters which are probably still relevant today. The booklet promotes the benefits of Australian life including the long hours of sunshine compared to Britain and the outdoor lifestyle which the climate allows. Further information and access to the memorabilia can be found here:  

http://www.immi.gov.au/about/anniversary/

Recent statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics have revealed that one in four Australians were born overseas. This is the highest percentage since 1901.  The quarter foreign born situation has arisen due to constant immigration and people moving overseas to the country since the 1960s.

Both Australian political leaders were born abroad. Current Prime Minister and Labour Party leader Julia Gillard was born in Wales and Liberal Party leader Tony Abbott was born in London.

The report has also shown that new migrants mainly choose New South Wales and Victoria as their preferred destinations. Western Australia, however, has the highest density of migrants with 4.4% of the population being born overseas. The majority of migrants have come from the UK (5.4%), followed by New Zealand (2.4%) and then China (1.6%).

Another key aspect of the recent migration statistics was that the majority of recent migrants arriving in Australia fall into the 15-34 age group. This means that this should help to counteract the effects of the ageing population in the future.

If you are moving overseas, especially if it is the first time, you may come across some vocabulary which may be unfamiliar to you. In particular, your International Move Manager may talk to you about shipping your belongings and customs procedures. Here is a quick glossary of words which may crop up.

Shipping Terms

Customs Clearance = the process of a formal inspection by Customs Officials  before goods are allowed into the country.

Bonded Warehouse = your Move Manager may inform you that your goods have been moved to a Bonded Warehouse. This means a Customs Bonded Warehouse which means that your consignment can be stored here pending Customs Clearance.

Inventory / Packing List = a list of the items you are shipping or putting into storage.  When you sign this, it becomes a receipt for your belongings. This is checked at any stage that your goods are handled. It is also used for insurance purposes and customs clearance.

Export Wrapping = a packing method involving specialist packaging materials and techniques specifically designed for overseas transport.

Destination Agent / Overseas Agent = the removal company which has been appointed by your moving company to act as the partner in your move at the destination country.

FCL / Full Container Load = the sole use of a container for your belongings.

Groupage = a shared container service (i.e. the shipping container is shared with other people’s consignments).

PBO = packed by owner

Shipper = the person whose goods are being shipped (i.e. the customer).

The Home Office in the UK are to hold a review into the number of student visas being issued to international students. This is due to a large increase in the number of international students coming to the UK over the past few years leading to fears that the current system is not effective in detecting bogus students. Immigration Minister Damian Green has stated that improvements to the system are needed in order to ‘minimise abuse’ so that a greater number of genuine students are able to move to the country for their studies.

From March 2009 to March 2010, 313,011 student visas for non-EU nationals were granted. This is an increase of around one third when compared to the previous year.

The latest results of the Mercer Cost of Living survey have recently been published. Tokyo has been knocked off the no.1 position for ‘most expensive expatriate city’ to be replaced by the capital of Angola, Luanda. In fact, many African and Asian cities dominated the top of the table reflecting the increasing economic importance of these continents. N’Djamena, Chad is the third most expensive city in the survey. Karachi, Pakistan is ranked as the cheapest city for expatriates to live in.

 The HR and Financial Consultancy Firm, Mercer, produces the survey on an annual basis. The study involves analysing 214 cities around the world with the objective of finding out the cost of living for each location. The comparative cost of hundreds of items is reviewed, covering many areas including housing, shopping and entertainment. The cost of housing is usually the most important factor determining a city’s place in the rankings.

The results of the study are used by many multinational organisations to determine compensation allowances for international assignees.

Billionaire business tycoon, Richard Branson, has spoken out about his views on the Australian Immigration debate. He, like many other businessmen, is pro a ‘Big Australia’, the concept formulated by former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. Head of Coca Cola Australia, Terry Davis, spoke out last month about the need for Australian Immigration systems to be flexible in order to enable companies to train their staff in the country. He also pointed out that immigrants in the past, in particular the Greek and Italian populations, have been an asset to the country.

In an interview with UK newspaper, The Sunday Telegraph, Branson speaks about immigration being necessary for stable economic growth. He also makes the point that with such an ‘enormous land mass’, Australia has the space to accommodate more people without effecting people’s quality of life.

Branson also enthused about the idea of attracting wealthy migrants to the country, in a similar way that Canada has done, as a way of boosting the economy.

The views of Branson and other businessmen are in opposition to the opinions and policies of the current political leaders in Australia. Tony Abbott and Julia Gillard both favour a reduction in the number of migrants allowed to arrive in Australia in the future. It is currently a key debate in Australian politics in the lead up to the election.