On 10th March 2010, the government of Canada announced certain amends to be brought about in the criteria for excepted language skills. These changes would be applicable for all those applying under the Federal Skilled Worker and the Canadian Experience class. This was announced by Jason Kenney, the Minister for Immigration and Multiculturalism.

Clarifying the above, Kenney said that the language skills criterion has not changed as such. The only change is that from now on, the applicants have to submit the proof of their language skills while submitting their application itself. So, the applicant has to now submit his proficiency either in English or French since these are the two official languages for Canada. This amend has been brought about to ensure faster processing of the applications.

Earlier, the applicants were permitted to either submit a written statement or a test conducted by a third party that is independent from the Citizenship and Immigration Canada. The written statement was meant for those who had English or French as their first language. But this was not being limited to the above. Those not having the above as their first language were also due advantage of the same. These written statements did not prove the candidate’s proficiency in the practical use of the language. So, they had to provide with other forms of evidence which obviously lead to a processing delay.

With this, all the applicants would be given a single chance to prove their proficiency in the same. However, they are still free to submit a written statement.

On the other hand, submitting test results for the language skills would ensure quick and genuine processing of the application. With this, these tests would also let the applicants know of their standing in the same. After getting their test results, they would be in a better position to decide on whether to apply for immigration or not. Incase of written statements, the applicants would not know how much they have scored till their application has not been assessed by the relevant authority.

However, it is recommended to present with the test results straight away to avoid any forms of delay.

It has to be realized that for any immigrant, the language skills are the key indicators to his success rate in the job market. The better his language skills, the more likely are his chances of landing with a good job.

When it comes to the applicants of the Canadian Experience Class, it is mandatory for them to meet the requisites for the same. For the Federal Skilled Workers, a maximum of twenty four points are awarded for this criterion.

The Skilled Regional Sponsored Visa Program allows individuals with skills to enter the New South Wales New as per the occupational requirements of the regional areas in the state. This visa category that falls under the subclass 475/487, requires sponsorship from the state government or a Regional Certifying Body in order to help an individual to enter and work in the NSW.

Like any other visa category, the Skilled Regional Migration Visa also requires applicants to meet a number of criteria. Here are a few of them:

• An applicant should not be above forty-five years of age.
• An applicant should have a certain level of English language skills.
• An applicant must gain at least 100points on the DIAC skills test.
• An applicant must intend to live and work in regional New South Wales.

New South Wales accepts applications for sponsorship under the Skilled Regional Sponsored Migration category for regions- Southern Inland Region, Northern Inland Region, Riverina, Orana and Murray. The Regional Certifying Bodies in NSW are entitled to accept the applications for skilled occupations. But, before applying for this visa, one needs to verify if he/she has the qualifications that are recognized in Australia, as well as the listed occupations available in the regions.

In order to apply for sponsorship from any of the above mentioned regions, all one needs to do is to fill up the NSW From R and send it to the regional office, along with a copy of the skills assessment with application fee!

Jason Kenney, Immigration Minister Canada has recently criticized the fact that people with poor language skills easily gain Canadian Citizenship. Though it is mandatory to have proficiency in Canadian languages including French and English, Kenney says that the language requirements are not enforced in a strict manner, which leads to immigrants with poor language skills.

He recently held a meeting with certain citizens residing for more than 15 years and found that none of them were able to converse in either of the official languages. Now the minister is planning to revamp the Immigration process in order to increase the priority given to the official languages of Canada.

The amendments would also ease out the procedure with which foreign credentials are accepted and will assist the applicants applying for Canadian Immigration in a major way.

It is advised to take a language course before planning to migrate to Canada. It will not only provide you with an added advantage in your application process but would help you cope with an altogether new world of Canada. In addition, you can hire the services of an Immigration and Visa advisor to know more.

It is always better to apply and qualify under a Provincial Nominee program as it can be considered as being more advantageous compared to the other visa programs. There are many reasons for the same.

Firstly, it leads to faster processing of your application. This could lead to faster grant of a Permanent Resident status. With a faster approval, it would mean no more standing in queues or checking your status online or waiting endlessly for that matter.

Secondly, the programs under the Provincial Nominee system tend to differ for each state. There are many applicants who end up not qualifying under the Federal Skilled Worker program. The Provincial Nominee program is a fresh breather for such candidates. The criteria are different for each and every province which makes it very flexible for the candidate to apply. These provincial programs do not have criteria with respect to the Point Based System. Their skills could be sufficient enough to contribute to the Canadian economy.

When compared to the Federal program, the eligibility criteria on the Points Based System are very stringent. The criteria include age, educational qualifications, work experience and language skills and so on.

With the above two key points, an applicant stands a better chance in terms of immigration. This way, it would be easier for you select your options for residence accordingly.

For instance, some provinces are very employer friendly. In such a case, if an employer finds someone who he thinks would be efficient in contributing to the Canadian economy, province would generally abide by the employer. However, the employer has to show proof of his good faith and that he is bona fide.

If you are planning to immigrate to Canada, this program is more than worth to given a thought to. With this, consult a Canadian visa expert who is always updated in this regard.

Now that you have arrived in Canada, certain mandatory requirements are a must to be fulfilled. The initial culture shock of the new place would make it a difficult for you to settle down. But, worry not! The service of an immigration and visa specialist is an important guiding factor at this stage.

You would need to find a job for yourself so that you can support self and dependents. Along with this, comes chalking out a suitable accommodation. The following details would help you with the same –

Apply for a Canadian identification which includes a driver’s license, a health insurance card which are mandatory to be carried at all times.
Open a local bank account, apply for private health insurance incase you do not qualify for the immediate public health insurance coverage of the local province.
A Social Insurance Number (SIN) has to be applied for.
Last but the not least, start searching for a job.

In your initial days of landing, you can prioritize the below mentioned activities as the major ones –

Look for accommodation and housing options.
Get accustomed to the local area. It would be ideal if you go through a map and find out about the various modes of transportation available.
Exchange money to get and use the Canadian currency.
Get your hand on a local telephone and make a record of all the telephone numbers that are important.
Get to know more about Canada and enroll your children to an appropriate school.

The first few months should see you doing the following –

Work on your language and communication skills.
Register with a doctor in the community.
Immunize your children.
Know more about the various services offered in your local community which is now your home.
Get in touch with the Language Instruction for Newcomers (LINC) assessment centre in your community. It is suggested that you enroll yourself for language classes.
Apply for tax and the various tax benefits and other credits.

As time passes and you get acclimatized to your surroundings, you can slowly learn more about your rights and responsibilities as put forth by the Canadian laws.

Above all, it is best to consult an Immigration and Visa firm where the consultants would see to it that you go through a smooth ride post landing in Canada.

Now that you have landed in the new country, there would be many changes you would experience, some expected and others unexpected. This article gives you an insight on such instances.

It is always better to get acquainted with the changes you would need to adapt to. To help you with this, consult an Immigration and Visa Specialist who is adept with all the information in this regard. A Visa Expert would provide you with all the relevant information which would help you better adjust with your new environment. And the more you learn, the better it is.

Since, it is going to be extremely challenging dealing with the extreme weather or the culture shock, it is highly important that you are mentally prepared for the same. Some such challenges include the following:

• Canada could be considered as a mix of cultures where you can find people from different ethnicities from across the world. Thus, you would meet people totally different from you in all aspects. You would have to get used to the local customs and traditions followed by the citizens.
• You might end up feeling uncomfortable, alienated, insecure and uncertain of the decision you took. This would lead to an increase in your stress levels. You might feel helpless and how to react to situations initially.
• You might have to get used to the Canadian accent or even learn English or French according to the province in which you reside.
• Getting your children enrolled into a school, get yourself a job and a house to live in a decent community.

During such circumstances, it is important that you do not give up hope. It is all a matter of time for you to adjust to the new country. All you need to do is keep trying and learn at every step.

A Visa Veteran would help you contact an Immigrant – Serving Organization which would help you with the necessary resources to cope with the circumstances.

The Canadian government offers various services to all the newly landed immigrants on its soil. These are executed via the Immigrant Serving Agencies or organization in the various communities throughout the country.

For some of the provinces, the respective provincial governments are responsible are implementing such programs. These include British Columbia, Quebec and Manitoba. You can contact the concerned provincial authorities to know more on the same.

The various Immigrant Serving Organizations cater to the following services –

• Getting in touch with the local Canadian officials who could help with the various services.
• Housing and accommodation facilities.
• Applying for the Social Insurance Number (SIN) and a Health Insurance Card.
• Register with a Doctor to rush to incase of emergency.
• Helping to enroll your children in a good school.
• Availing language skills classes.
• Referring to the services offered by the government and the community.
• Making you familiar with the day to day activities such shopping, banking and so on.

To know more, contact an Immigration and Visa veteran who is updated in this regard. He would help you find an Immigrant – Serving Organization in your community which will make it easier for you and your family to better acquaint with the new country.

The Republic of Hong Kong is one of the main industrial economies in Asia today. Being one of the global financial hubs in the world, it is one of the most promising and an upcoming country for those seeking better incomes and lifestyle. Hong Kong is a territory of the People’s Republic of China which makes it the perfect destination to experience an amalgamation of different cultures in the same region. With this, the country is also a brilliant tourist destination. As a developed nation, the region offers all the major amenities and much more. So, here is a chance for you get the most of it…combine work with pleasure and reap the best fruits out!

The Hong Kong government is always on the look out for talented and efficient immigrants who would contribute to the development of the country. The mode of immigration to Hong Kong involves applying for the Hong Kong Talent Scheme which is the visa for all the people who wish to live and work in Hong Kong. In order to qualify for this scheme, you must be a highly talented skilled migrant who could help build the nation further. Apart from this, your age, educational qualifications, language skills, character requirements and your financial status would be considered. You would score points for the above via the Point Based System.

If you clear the above, you would have to comply with the application procedure that includes the assessment of the application, followed by an “Approval – In – Principle” where in the applicant would have to come to Hong Kong on a temporary visa for a final interview. If found eligible by the immigration officer, the candidate would be granted a visa based on which he can bring his spouse and other dependents (however, he has to apply in advance for the dependent visas). Also, only a few candidates are selected from an entire pool of applicants which is usually known as the “Visa Pool”.

If you are into high end marketing, exports and financial trading, merchandizing and so on, Hong Kong is the place for you to immigrate. You can consult an Immigration and Visa Specialist dealing with this visa since he would be the one aware of the all the latest in this sector. This is because the government of Hong Kong is very particular on the immigrants it selects. So, if you apply, you should not miss out on the golden opportunity. Hence, get in touch with a specialist today!

For all those planning to live and work in Hong Kong, these series of articles are a must to be read. All the intending immigrants must apply under the Hong Kong Quality Migrant Talent Scheme. This article only aims at providing information on the same.

The applicants must satisfy a certain series of conditions laid down by the Government of Hong Kong. A specific number of individuals would only be allotted for the program since it is implied on the basis of a quota. Only highly skilled applicants are selected for the program since they are expected to contribute to the economy of Hong Kong. In addition, only those personnel would be selected who otherwise would not be permitted to enter Hong Kong.

The eligibility criteria include age, educational qualifications, language skills, character requirements and the financial status of the applicant. If found to be qualifying in the above; they must undergo the Points Based Test.

Also, those applicants qualifying and are approved need not get a job in prior to migration. They are also permitted to bring their spouse and unmarried dependent children. However, the candidate should to be capable of supporting them financially.
The application process involves qualifying for the eligibility criteria, appearing for the Points Based Test. This would be followed by the assessment and an Approval – In – Principle.

Also, this program is not applicable for the citizens of Afghanistan, Cambodia, Albania, Cuba, Laos, Korea, Nepal and Vietnam.

However, these articles can be considered as a medium to get acquainted with the terms and conditions of the same. But contacting an immigration and visa specialist would churn out more. He would be the sole person to be in the know - how of all the recent updates regarding immigration to Hong Kong.
Stay tuned for the next post regarding the Points Based System!

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What is the Hong Kong Migration Talent Scheme?

This program is meant for those people who intend to live and work in Hong Kong. This scheme is completely based on the number of allotments that the High Commission has for foreign immigrants. It is for those who are highly skilled and could contribute to the economy of Hong Kong.

It is basically meant for those who are well qualified and experienced but would otherwise be not permitted to work in Hong Kong.

Is it necessary for an applicant to get an employment offer prior to immigration?

No. It is not at all necessary to get a job in prior. However, you must satisfy all the eligibility criteria that have been asked for.

How is the assessment done to check my eligibility?

You would be assessed on the Points Based Tests. There are two categories under this which are applied based on the candidate’s profile.

• The General Points Test
• Achievement – Based Points Test

Am I allowed to bring my spouse if I qualify?

Yes. You are allowed to bring your spouse and dependent children (unmarried and if they are below the age of 18 years). However, you should be able to prove that you can support self and dependents financially.

Is this scheme applicable to all nationalities?

The scheme does not consider the nationals from Albania, Cuba, Laos, Afghanistan, Korea, Nepal and Vietnam. Citizens of all other countries can apply.

What are the eligibility criteria for this program?

The various factors considered include the following:

• Age
• Qualifications
• Language Skills
• Family Background
• Financial Requirements
• Character Requirements

Which is the best age – group to apply for the scheme?

All applicants should be in the age group of 18 – 50 years while filing an application.

Is there any specific language that I am supposed to be proficient in?

All applicants are expected to be proficient in written and spoken Chinese (Putonghua or Cantonese) or English.

Am I supposed to be academically qualified to be eligible for the program?

Yes. You are expected to have a good academic background with a degree from a recognized university or any other tertiary educational institution. In some cases, good technical qualifications along with professional experience proving your skills. In addition, achievements proved via evidence can add to your profile.

However, if the supporting documentation is not provided, the application is deemed to be cancelled.

Am I supposed to prove myself financially viable for self and dependents?

Yes. You must be capable of supporting yourself and your dependents in Hong Kong. You would not be expected to be dependent on the public service authorities.

What character requirements must I provide for?

You must not have any criminal record or any form of adverse record on immigration in Hong Kong or any other country. In other words, you must prove yourself to be of good character in the form of documentary evidence from a relevant authority.

When do I appear for the Points Based Test?

You can appear for the Points Based Test if you clear the pre – requisites for the eligibility. However, you have the option to select the particular test which you would want to take.

What are different kinds of Points Based Test?

There are two types of Points Based test – General Points Based Test and the Achievement Points Based Test. The General test looks into 5 different aspects where as in the Achievement test, there is only 1 point scoring factor.

Is there a minimum pass mark to qualify under the Points Based Test?

The minimum pass mark is only valid in the General Points Test which is 80 points. The minimum pass marks is subject to change without notice.

Does Approval – in Principle mean that I have qualified for the visa?

No. An Approval – in – Principle letter simply means that the applicant has cleared all the previous stages of the procedure. With this letter, you are required to go to Hong Kong to attend an interview and submit all the documents in original.

Do I have to pay any application fee?

No fee is charged while submitting the application. However, you have to pay an amount of HK$ 160 during the issuance of the visa.

Can I extend my stay in Hong Kong?

Yes. You would be permitted. However, you have to submit your application one month in prior to your visa expiration. Also, you must satisfy certain terms and conditions.

What are the requirements for an approval of an extended stay in Hong Kong?

You must prove that you have settled in Hong Kong and have contributed to its economy by employing many local citizens from various fields.