UK

The government rolled out a points-based immigration system for workers from outside the European Union, looking at education, earnings, age, command of English and other factors. The new system replaced more than 80 different ways of coming to work in Britain with five tiers and makes sure that Britain receives only the migrant workers it needs. The other changes: biometric information, citizenship tests, higher age limits for foreign brides, a new border police force.

Australia

The Kevin Rudd government is looking at changes to visas for foreign workers to meet the shortfall of skilled workers.

Australia has a points-programme, where more points are awarded for very good English skills.

Singapore

Its immigration policy has been described as one that tries to maximise the economic benefits of immigration while minimising its social and economic costs. Skilled workers, professionals and entrepreneurs are encouraged to take up permanent residence and citizenship may be granted after two to ten years of residence. Unskilled foreign workers, on the other hand, are permitted to work only for limited time periods, after which they are expected to return home.

Netherlands

As part of a crackdown on immigration that has been gathering momentum since 2001, applicants who want to migrate must watch a film that has racy scenes, including one which has a gay couple kissing on the beach. This film is a test of the readiness of would-be immigrants to “participate in the liberal Dutch culture”—if they can’t stomach the film, they need not apply.

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