Anyone who is planning to immigrate to Australia under the General Skilled Migration Visa category should be aware of the fact that they should have fluency in English language; otherwise they might be refused to grant an Australian visa. No matter how equipped you are with other details to meet the requirements of a job, you could be denied to be issued with a visa, thereby restricting you from immigrating to Australia and work there. The Immigration and Citizenship Department of Australia has set the English language norms, apart from other prerequisites required for immigrating under this category, so that they can find a good employment in the Australian economy.

Importance of IELTS score

Every prospective immigrant intending to migrate to Australia under the General Skilled Migration Visa category is required to take an IELTS test. The test consists of four components, viz. speaking, reading, writing and listening. In order to be able to apply for any of the permanent categories under GSM, the principal applicant is required to have ‘component’ English or ‘vocational’ English, if they nominate for a skilled trade occupation.

The Australian immigration categorizes seven English skill levels under the GSM visa category. They are:

• Proficient English: A minimum score of seven points in every module of the IELTS test is required to be obtained by an applicant to be able to fall into this skill level. They then earn twenty-five points in the General Skilled Migration points test.
• Competent English: This skill level requires the applicant to gain at least six points in each module of the test. They are further allocated with fifteen points in the GSM points test.
• Concessional Competent English: Individuals with an average score of 5.5 in the English proficiency test come under this skill level. Applicants with this skill level are further allocated with fifteen points in the GSM points test, given they have considered to immigrate under the Subclass 487 visa category, as well as committed to attend English language tuition in one of the participating Territory or State and paid for that already.
• Vocational English: Those who earn at least five points in each of the IELTS’ components belong to Vocational skill level. Individuals with this IELTS skill level are granted with fifteen points in the visa category points test, given they select a listed skilled occupation.

Vocational skill level is the marginal English requirement for Skilled Sponsored applicants under the employment nomination program. Apart from the above-mentioned categories, below are the three more English skill levels:

• Functional English: Individuals with IELTS score of 4.5 points come under this level. In the GSM points test, they are not allocated with any point.
• Limited English: The Limited English skill level includes those IELTS appearing applicants who score four points in every module of the English language proficiency test. Again, no points are awarded to these candidates in the GSM points test.
• No English: Applicants with a little know-how of the English language belong to this skill level. They do not get any point in the GSM points test as well.

An applicant’s IELTS report is valid for maximum two years. If an applicant’s report expires this period, he/she is likely to be required to appear for the test once again. There are certain occupations, like Engineers and Teachers in Australia that require specific (prescribed) IELTS scores. Thus, in order to be eligible to apply for any of these occupations, an applicant must obtain the prescribed scores. For example, Engineers must score minimum six points in each of the IELTS testing modules in General Training Test, while Teachers must earn at least seven points in all of the IELTS testing modules in Academic Training Test.

For more information about the Australian Immigration Department’s English language proficiency requirements, contact an Immigration and visa consultant!

As per the recommendation of the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), United Kingdom Immigration department may bring changes to the Tier 1 visa scheme in the near future. To be very precise, people with a Masters Degree, along with meeting the requirements of the particular visa category would find it easier to obtain a Tier 1!

Last year in December, the MAC put forward its recommendation to make changes to the requirements for the UK Tier 1 Visa, for instance, allowing people with a Bachelor’s Degree, not just Masters Degree or equivalent degree to immigrate under the said visa scheme. Of course, such an implementation would help many people to immigrate to the UK. If the changes recommended by the MAC are going to be amended, there would also be a provision under which prospective immigrants would gain points for previous annual earnings.

Undoubtedly, the recommended changes will prove to be a better chance for future immigrant to migrate to the UK. But, there would be some people as well who may not meet the requirements for previous annual earnings. Let’s see if the UK Immigration will put these recommendations into force or not. Let us hope for the best!

The UK Tier 1 visa scheme is designed to attract overseas talent from outside the European Union in order to let them contribute to the UK economy. This scheme is part of the Points-based system for employment-based immigration. Under this program, highly skilled professionals, investors, entrepreneurs, as well as foreign graduates of UK educational institutions are issued with visa to work in the UK!

New Zealand appeals to a wide range of visitors- be it tourists, entrepreneurs or students. A lot has been told and written about the beauty of this country, so now let us focus one of the most important aspects of our lives, that is Education. New Zealand is one of those countries, which is known for offering world-class education in a number of fields. So, if you are contemplating to immigrate for your studies, you have all the reasons to consider the Kiwi land as your destination! Here is why you should study in New Zealand:

• There are a lot of things in New Zealand to explore, including its academic options and educational opportunities. Courses are available for college-level students to vocational students to professionals. Apart from academic courses, these universities focus on recreational activities and personal development. Moreover, studying in New Zealand makes a great way to explore the country!
• The country is known to have a favorable environment for local as well as international students. In fact, New Zealand is increasingly becoming more popular as compared to other famous study destinations like the US, the UK and Australia. New Zealand welcomes thousands of foreign aspirants each year from all over the world with open arms. The country has overseas students mostly from the UK, the US, Australia, India, South-East Asia, Japan, and North Asia.
• That New Zealand has advanced and world-class facilities pertaining to education, students are catered with the kind of education that helps them cope with the global environment.

New Zealand has increasingly been preferred as a study destination by international students over the recent years. Since, it is technically advanced and offers topnotch educational facilities; it makes sense for you to consider the country as one of your study destinations, alongside the US, Australia and the UK.

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According to the Australian Immigration and Citizenship Department, statistics show that Victoria has become the most desired place to live/immigrate as compared to other premises in the year 2008-2009. India has been applauded as the main source of migrants for the past six years in a row.

However, the recent flurry of attacks has played a critical role in affecting the relationship between both the nations in a major way. On the other hand, Melbourne has seen a huge decline in the Indian migrants with a majority of recent attacks happening in Melbourne itself.

Coming back to Victoria, 6191 Indian immigrants settled in the state, in addition to Indian students and workers. New South Wales became the second most desired state amongst Indians, stating 5547 people settled in the year.

Despite all the controversies and racial attacks, India managed to outshine China as the main source for providing overseas students to Australia, a majority of students involved in vocational courses. Stats say that by mid-2009, India provided 91,440 students as compared to 76,417 students.

Apart from Indians, Victoria remains the most preferred place for Malaysians and Sri Lankans too. But the recent attacks on Indians would surely have an impact on Australia’s population and economic growth in the upcoming future.

Immigration, as a facet is nice, but when incidents like racial attacks happen on a regular basis, it surely creates a sense of doubt in the minds of applicants!

Over the last few years, there have been many instances where Malaysia is witnessing illegal entry of foreigners in order to participate in various kinds of road races, thanks to the organizers! In other words, the race organizers are not adhering to the country’s immigration rules, thereby encouraging illegal participation of athletes from outside Malaysia.

Various business entities are trying to attract these foreigners to participate in sporting activities and races that offer lucrative cash prizes. For these business entities, Africans make the hot target. The participants are offered with sponsorship, accommodation and in return the entities get a considerable percentage of the cash prizes offered!

For the last four years, road races, such as marathons in Malaysia witnessed mostly participants from Africa, say the country’s athletic officials. The officials expressed that initially they thought Africans taking part in the races had a positive impact in the competitions, since they happen to be a challenge for the local talents. With the participation of the efficient athletes the competitions would automatically climb to a different level. However, later they realized that the business groups were not that genuine who started to sponsor even juniors to take part in these activities.

The instances of illegal participation in sporting activities have recently caught the ears of Datuk Abdul Rahman Othman, country’s immigration director-general. He cleared it that if people are in Malaysia on social visit, they are not allowed to take part in any other activity. And if they do so, they are entitled to violation of the country’s immigration rules. However, overseas students are permitted to participate in sport events, but on one condition- their participation must be sponsored by the respective organizations from where they are pursuing their courses!

Mr. Othman urges the country’s athletic associations and other organizers to keep a check on the immigrants’ status. They are further requested to follow the immigration rules and examine the documents of the foreigners before they are allowed to take part in competitions. Violation of immigration rules is serious offence, where people may be punished with imprisonment and heavy fine. Act lawfully and abide by each country’s rules and regulations!

Reports from U.S. Department of Homeland Security say that illegal migration has fallen by 1 million people in 2 years; however, private researchers are questioning the reality of this fall. Statistics represent that January 2009 marked 10.8 million illegal immigrants as compared to almost 12 millions in the year 2007, which represents a fall of more that 1 million illegal overseas migrants.

Jeffrey Passel, a demographer with the nonpartisan Pew Hispanic Center, elaborated that it is believable that the number of undocumented applicants and illegal immigrants have fallen by a huge margin, but the way the measuring has been done, Jeffrey said that it has been a little overstated.

Passel went on to say that the U.S. Census Bureau has made certain amendments with the way it has been measuring the statistics since the last two years. Therefore, there are chances that the mends might have distorted the results in a huge manner.

Others believe that no matter what the size of the population is, it is certainly true that illegal immigration has dropped by a huge extend, especially during the phase of recession. Also, another group believes that the fall might be a result that more illegal immigrants are leaving the premises, and not because fewer illegal immigrants are coming.

Steve Camarota of the Center for Immigration Studies has confirmed that illegal immigration in the U.S. has plummeted for sure. The main reason behind this is that a lot more people are going home as compared to the ones intending to come to the U.S.

According to stats, a majority of undocumented applicants come from Latin America, followed by Mexico and El Salvador. Now these figures would certainly awake Obama as far his Immigration Reform is concerned.

After the recent amendments in the Australian Immigration rules, various applicants are left in a dilemma about their Immigration status. According to reports, hundreds of Koreans who were intending to immigrate to the land of Kangaroos were left in a state of confusion for finding alternatives, after Australian government streamlined the Skill List in its Immigration regulations.

Immigration Minister Chris Evans said that the mends are targeted at accepting migrants having higher skills. He strictly said that if the migrants are not draped with proficiency in the English language, don’t have apt trade skills, then they should not have any right to be eligible for a PR status.

At the mention of vocational schools, stats say that almost 11,500 Koreans got themselves enrolled in vocational colleges as of last November. Out of them, 5,200 managed to get a PR status from July 2008 to June 2009.

A Korean official confirmed that the amendments are not targeted for any particular nation. A Seoul official said that until and unless the amendments are targeted at a particular nation, it becomes difficult for any country to get involved in the issue.

There are speculations that the amendments would be targeted at minimizing the enrollment at vocational schools to ensure that students with right skills are entered in Australian premises.

It is not just about Koreans, but applicants from all over the globe would suffer a hint of effect in their Immigration plans to Australia!

With beginning of the New Year, Australia’s immigration department made amendments to the English skill requirement for applicants who would immigrate under the General Skilled Migration Visa category. Let’s have a look at the changes that are in effect from January 1, 2010:

• English skill requirement for all GSM visa applicants who nominate trade occupations have increased. Now, the applicants are required to gain a minimum of 6.0 points on Competent English on each of the four facets of an IELTS test.
• Applicants would not gain points for the General Points Test for vocational English. Earlier, there was a provision of receiving a minimum of 5.0 points for vocational English on each components (four) of an IELTS test.
• Moreover, if applicants intend to apply with concessional competent English, they would require to get an average of 6 points in IELTS test.
• A state or territory would no longer restrict prospective immigrants claiming ‘concessional competent English’ to fulfill the condition of getting sponsorship or nomination.
• Principal applicants would not be awarded with points in the General Points Test if they rely on their partners’ points; given the later have vocational English.
• The English language standard for prospective immigrants applying under Skilled-Regional Sponsored GSM Visa category has been increased from an average of 5.5 points to an average of 6.0 points in an IELTS test.

From the above, one thing is clear that prospective immigrants planning to enter Australia under the GSM Visa category would now require to have higher level of English proficiency. However, the new requirements will only apply to applicants who have filed applications after January1, 2010. Applications filed before the commencement of the changes - May 12, 2009 would not require to meet these criteria!

IAD takes decision on matter linked with following Immigration appeals:

• Sponsorship Appeals: you may appeal to IAD, if your application to sponsor your relative to Canada has been rejected. It is mandatory that you should hold a PR or should be a citizen of Canada. You can appeal in the following cases:
  1. If the family members has been charged of serious criminal offence or has linkage with an organized crime.
  2. The application has been earlier rejected on security grounds or violation of human rights.
  3. Misrepresentation
• Removal Order Appeals: If you have been ordered removed from Canada, you have all the right to apply in the Immigration Appeal Division. If the applicant is found guilty of any of the below mentioned facets, he may lose his eligibility to apply for the same:
  1. Has committed a serious crime and has been sentenced an imprisonment of more than two years/ holds involvement in an organized crime.
  2. Has been rejected on security grounds
  3. Has been charged of violation against human or international rights.
• Residency Obligation Appeals: The applicants may lose their PR, if found that they have failed to fulfill the requirements of residency obligation. It is mandatory to show a physical presence of 730 days out of every 5 years. Those who are deprived of their PR on the basis of the above mentioned facet may apply to the IAD.
• Minister’s Appeal: The Minister of Public Safety can present an appeal to the IAD on the basis of admissibility made by the ID.

Some of the most crucial decisions of one’s life come about when it is least expected. It is when you are all relaxed and have forgotten about the rest of the world or your future for that matter. Such an occasion could be best described on a vacation.

You visit a new destination and realize that it is the place that you would want to spend the rest of your life. If you have had such an experience, it is best thing that has ever happened to you. This is because one part of your decision to immigrate has become much easier. You know where to settle down and more so, you have already seen the place.

For instance, you went to Australia on a vacation and you loved the place so much that you want to reside in that country permanently. After you have made your mind on migrating to Australia, the next obvious thing to do is how to go about immigration. More so, whether you are eligible or not for the same.

Here are a few aspects which can help with the same.

What kind of a visa would you require? This basically depends on your purpose of visit. Australia is a great place to set a business or to work and so on. It is of high importance to apply and obtain the correct visa before actually boarding your flight. You would not want to be deported the moment you land in Australia.

If you are visiting as a tourist, you would need to avail a tourist visa. This is known as an ETA Short Stay Tourist visa or a Long Stay Tourist visa. If you intend to travel on business and work purposes, then you need to apply for the Business visas. The visa to be availed depends on your duration of stay in Australia.

How to Apply? It is easier to apply online via the ETA or the Electronic Travel Authority visa. This visa is basically for those individuals whose duration of stay in Australia would not exceed beyond three months. With this visa, no other form of documentation would be required. Your passport would be given a number which is digital in nature. This number is specific to your application.

On the other hand, if you intend to live permanently in Australia, you need to apply under the Skilled Migrant category. Professionals are selected based on the requirements in a specific professional or occupational domain. Those intending to study can apply for the study visa.

Do you need a visa to go to Australia? Citizens of specific countries do not require a passport to visit Australia. These include the citizens of New Zealand or if you are just stopping by in Australia for not more than eight hours. Also, you should have a valid flight ticket and not departing from the transit lounge.

Australia was just one example. It is almost similar with many other countries where you have to apply for the right visa program before you can actually board your plane. To know more, it is best to contact an immigration and visa expert who could further help you with the same.