According to an Immigration expert from America, the Korean government should implement an approach parallel to that of Canadian approach as far as its Immigration policies are concerned.

The Canadian government allows their individual province to have their individual policies, a step which would further enhance the economy in a major way. Additionally, the approach would allow the government to tackle all the immigration related issues with an ease.

Dr. Charles Harns said that by implementing individual policies for each province, the latter would be able to have their own economic goals. They should collaborate together and be partners in deciding as to what policy is apt for these provinces to achieve their goals. He went on to say that while there is no single model for Immigration in the country, he is really looking forward to an immigration model like that of Canada. The immigration policy of the latter allows each province to play a critical role in catering to the Immigration strategies in an attempt to meet the economic needs of the country. This allows them to balance the quantity of temporary migrants with that of the number of immigrants.

A similar model would allow Korea to lure global talent, at the time when the country faces the problem of aging population and other facets. In addition, it is good to have a healthy competition amongst the provinces, which would allow them to learn important aspects from each other and come out with the best practice.

With the popularity of live- in relationships, I really feel whether marriage holds that importance in our lives as it used to be earlier? There cannot be a straight “yes” or “no” answer to this question. But live-in relations have definitely put down the significance or I can say the need of marriage in today’s times.

Live-in relations is all about sharing your life with your partner or living with him/her without getting married either religiously or legally. There is no such rule in our constitution that stops the couples to be in a live- in relationship. India is a very religious and culturally rich country where marriage plays a very significant role or I wouldn’t be wrong in saying that it is a pre-requisite for any couple to start their life together. But now the scenario is changing and more couples are adopting the culture of living-in together.

There are many reasons for the growing popularity of this concept amongst the youth. No doubt the world is truly moving at a fast pace and people have different lifestyles and nature, so it becomes very important for partners to check if they are compatible with each other. Here, live-in relations really help a lot as couples can see if they can spend their entire life together. They can judge whether they can adjust with the nature and the lifestyle of the other person.

With the rising number of divorces, with couples not being able to adjust with each other has encouraged people to live with their partners before deciding on getting married. Broken marriages are the worst as it brings disharmony not just in the lives of the couples but in the lives of their children as well. And I believe a live-in relationship really helps a couple to decide what is best for them.

Another important reason for this trend is that the youth is very independent. Gone are the days when parents used to find out the match for their children and they would happily agree with them. But now everybody wants that his /her life partner must be of his/her own choice who could share some level of similarity and interest. And one can judge if his/her partner shares that same wavelength or not. A live-in relationship is a western concept which has come to India and is now growing quite popular with the Indians.

One would think that parents may object to this kind of a relationship as it goes against the Indian ethics and norms but it is very surprising that there are few parents who do agree and support this system. I guess they also feel that live-in relationships can save many marriages from breaking up. But there is no surety that couples won’t be divorced after living together but there can be lesser possibilities.

The whole world is changing and one has to move on with times. Live-in relationships as a pre-marital concept may sound very weird to our grandparents but it is definitely the need of our times. But no matter what, ultimately we would want to settle with one person for forever in our life. Therefore, even if concepts like live-in relationships have emerged but they can never replace the significance of marriage in our life. Because ultimately, the stability comes from a marriage only and a live-in relationship is more like an open relationship which is loose and scattered.

What women want in men continues to be a mystery. It is often very difficult to figure out what is that one thing that women love to see in their men! This is perhaps one of the most challenging questions ever. Men always keep trying to impress their partners/women with whatever they have, without knowing what exactly the latter want in them. This is really a tricky condition. Many have even passed most years of their lives unfolding the mystery. But, you lucky guys out there…no more suffering and bearing the frustration. Here, I am going to unfold what women want in their men.

Even though it was not easier for me to figure out what women love to see in men. Still, I am not sure how many will agree with this. But, precisely I would like to put down what women want in men to ‘Masculinity’. Well, masculinity itself comprises a lot of qualities. A woman may fall for a man for many reasons. But, masculinity is something that most women will want in men. This is an element in a man that can bring him the woman he dreams of!

Masculinity is something that women consider as a standard to gauge men. Higher the masculinity quotient, better the man! Women really adore the masculinity feeling that they experience being with a man. When with such a man, a real man, there is a feeling of completeness. Remember, most women do not want a boy to be their partner, they want a man!

Most men out there might be wondering what it takes to be manly! I believe, a few examples would help you learn what you should do to be endeared. Let’s visualize a situation- you and you girlfriend are going for a party or any social gathering. The things that you may not seem worthwhile to you can be matters of concern for your girl. If you want to impress a girl, you need to look at the finer details of everything. Coming back to the example, what your girl would want from you is to lead her. Do not allow her to lead you, nor allow others to lead her.

To my surprise, I have realized in my case, as well as found in others’ case that even though women do not show it off, they want to be dominated by their partners to certain extent! Mind, ‘to a certain extent’ only. So, you get it right. Be a real man and do not allow your girl to take over you, because you never know she may take a test on you!

More interesting is that when a woman begs you for something, she may not actually mean it! Wondering? Yes, a girl may hope to hear ‘No’ from her man when still she is eating his head with her pleading. Do not be submissive, be assertive at times! No, no, this does not mean that you should refuse her each and every time she asks you for something. You are smart- you better know when and where to please her, and when not!

Remember, if you are single, a little bit of work on masculinity can make you a head-turner, and if not single, this will keep the spark between you and your partner alive!

With growing times, couples are realizing the significance of giving and taking enough space for each other to sustain the marriage relationship. In metropolitan city like Delhi there are many couples who are married and both the partners are working. But they share a kind of distance relationship as their job needs are such that they have to travel a lot. In such case, giving space to each other becomes an important need to keep the relation going.

There are many friends of mine whose parents are constantly traveling for their work, so many a times they go for family holidays with either of the parent. In fact, in some families the role of a mother is taken by father because their  mother mostly stays outside owing to her work commitments but father’s job is home based. So, respecting each others commitments in individual life, the roles and duties can be inter changed with time. Some couples even survive long distance relationship for many years because situation demands so. Gone are the days when wife used to sacrifice their career or husband used to change their jobs just because they wanted to stay together. Now the scenario has changed and so are the priorities and to keep the relation going, one has to adjust with the needs of the other partner as well.

Recent survey conducted by Hindustan Times –C survey taken in metropolitan cities like Delhi, Bangalore, Chandigarh and Mumbai in which around 2,206 youth aged 16 to 40 took part responded to various questions. One of the questions was about the importance of space in relationship and the other was if they think that long distance relationship can sustain. About fifty per cent of them said their answers in yes and agreed that space is extremely important in relation.

Couples with different tastes and likings can live with each other comfortably if they give enough respect to each others individuality and freedom of choice. With family, friends and work buddies plays the same significant role in our lives. And the changing lifestyle of every individual is another reason that freedom of choice is extremely important for any relation to keep going. Anuttama Banerjee , a Kolkata based marriage counselor says that now a days more couples are hesitant to get  too much emotionally involved in a marriage and hence look at their relation from practical point of view.

Couples prefer to hang around with their own friends and buddies to avoid any conflict and trouble. They do not force each other to go out each other; rather they prefer to understand each other’s liking and moods. In fact many couples go for holidays alone and have separate bank accounts to maintain the financial space. These are newly adopted methods to keep the marriage conflict free and avoid any cases of divorce. But there are many flaws of having too much space in a relation. Too much space and distancing can make the couples vulnerable to extra marital affairs and zero tolerance. Everything in extreme is bad but balancing can resolve many issues. So, this can be the funda for the changing scenario which would benefit the couples to the maximum extent.

UK’s Labor MP Keith Vaz, who has recently been elected the chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, is bothered by the UK Coalition government’s new plan of making English language test mandatory for Indian and other non-EU spouses in order to be able to enter and accompany their partners in the UK. The MP, who has his origin in India, has raised his voice over the issue of late.

The language rule which the UK is likely to implement in the coming days, will have deep impact on communities which have their origins in India. Moreover, it is likely to affect the people with low quality of education and poor financial backgrounds. Migrants/citizens in the UK who have or going to have relationships with someone from above mentioned backgrounds may not be able to bring their spouses to the UK. The MP is however concerned about the timescale for the implementation of the rule pertaining to the UK’s official language test for spouses outside the European Union nations. He hopes that the decision would not be hurried one and thinks that the government should take the outcome of having such a policy into account before implementing it.

Reportedly, the UK’s former Labor government was considering implementing the same policy. However, the policy was not supposed to come into effect until 2011, because this would have given appropriate time to both the government in making migrants aware of the rule; as well as the migrants in receiving proper English teaching in order to enter the UK.

Besides Keith Vaz, there are other associations which have expressed their disagreement over the language rule for spouses, including the Indian Workers Associations. On the contrary, the nation’s Home Secretary said that the new policy would play vital role in backing integration, as well as eliminating barriers when it comes to cultures. The Secretary also hopes that move will protect the nation’s public services as well.

While many countries are making their immigration rules and regulations flexible pertaining to people who want to immigrate to accompany their spouses, United Kingdom is just doing what seems to be contrary to the above scenario. The nation is trying to make the immigration rules stringent for prospective brides/grooms in India and Pakistan. The UK government is intending to introduce an English language test which would become mandatory for everyone in these countries to be able to join their spouses who are living in the UK.

The UK government’s intentions have already led many people criticize its move towards having the language test for the spouses. UK boasts large communities of Indians and Pakistanis and they have been an integral part of the British economy. The government’s aim to introduce such a regulation is a matter of concern for these communities since it would appear as hurdle in marriages for their children who would be making relationships with partners in their home countries.

If the move comes across as legislation in the UK, it is likely to create tensions between the UK government and the governments of the India and Pakistan. The government’s proposal to make the English language test compulsory for spouses who wish to join their partners in the UK seems to be a measure of the new Coalition government to have a check on the immigration level to the nation. The move has already been criticized as a racist approach, complete disappointment and sheer violation of basic human rights.

If the move passed on to as law, it would not applicable for people from European countries. It is most likely to bring obstacles for people who are immigrating from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The UK, even today requires people from non-English speaking nations to take up an English language test. But, the new move does not raise the question of immigration being harder, but raises the debate over the legitimacy of the new regulation. The UK government’s new rule is likely to conveying the message to the outsiders that ‘you are free to marry anyone, as long as they are educated and to some extent rich’.

Relationships are a sensitive arena for us humans. After all, the individual differences creep in all the time…and thus, no two couples are similar! Sometimes it takes movements to realize that you are with that special someone where as in other cases, it takes a lifetime. But once you know, you would want to spend the rest of your life with that special someone and you would want that life to start that very movement itself.

But as time passes, the sparks tend to disappear which are usually substituted by the pressures of the daily chores, children and ultimately leads to fights. Agreed that every couple has its own set of fights! However, keeping the sparks alive needs mutual effort to be put in. After all, just like any other aspect, there are rules for marriage as well. So, here’s what you can start doing incase you belong to one of those couples which need to enliven their sparks:

• Anger is always the evil in any relationship. So, Rule No.1: Never end the day with a fight! Understood that you are tired and stressed after a whole day at work but fighting would only worsen the situation. It’s best to leave the situation till you are fresh to think upon with an open mind.
• Honesty is the key to any successful relationship. Being honest helps keep both the partners on an equal level. The key point to be noted here is that the spouse cares and is concerned about you. So, being honest and open about all aspects is the best policy. This would be the best way to respect the partner.
• Try and not to stay apart from each other from more than a day. We are already living in a fast paced world where time is a constraint. So, try to spend the little time that you have together. Take a vacation together…it is the best way to relive the days of the old!
• Try and avoid having a fight as far as possible…it is simply the road to divorce. Here, avoiding does not mean restricting yourself. Try and find better ways to resolve conflicts. This could be done without blaming one another during the process. In other words, try to be healthy in your approach.
• Having children means responsibilities…they should always come first! But this does not mean that your relationship should take a backseat. That is an absolute NO! Your kids would only be happy if they that their parents are happy being together. Thus, both should be equally prioritized. Make out time for everything!

It does not end here. There are many similar aspects as a relationship means two people being together as one. And so, working on being together is of utmost importance. Do share in your views!

Immigration policies are the most confusing and they vary greatly for each and every country. This becomes even more confusing when it involves same sex couples. The main criterion that remains is that ability of one partner to sponsor the other. This is in a case where one of the partners is the citizen of a particular while the other is planning to immigrate and apply for a citizenship.

In most parts of the world, only heterosexual couples where in one of the partners is a foreigner are permitted to apply for residence. There are only nineteen countries in the world that permit homosexuals to sponsor their foreign partners. Due to this, most such couples are forced to live separately in their country of origin or become undocumented residents.

Similar to most countries, the United States does not recognize the couples of same sex as per their Defense of Marriage Act (1996). However, the Permanent Partners Immigration Act was brought about in 2000. This act has been re – introduced in 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2007. It was done under Uniting American Families Act. But these bills did not see any progress when it was referred to the House Judiciary Committee.

In a recent advent on the issue for similar and equal rights for immigration, the Uniting American Families Act was sponsored again in both the Houses by Representative Nadler and Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT). This bill was brought out again in February 2009 to set the same – sex couples in the same league as those of heterosexual couples.

Seventy – five percent out of the Green Cards given out to the one million residents were heterosexual spouses. This is as per the American Civil Liberties Union. According to the 2000 US census, off the 594,391 same sex couples who are not married, around six percent comprise of one partner not being a citizen of the United States.

All in all, action has to be taken which could help cut down immigration problems.

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!

Partnership of many kinds may require people to leave their country of origin and migrate to New Zealand. The country has a lot to offer and thus many people find the country a favorable place to work, live or settle for the rest of their lives! Now, you can also immigrate to New Zealand if you have your partner in the country. Your partner must be a permanent resident/citizen there.

The New Zealand Partnership Visa allows people to move to the country in order to be with their spouse, or genuine partner. But, your partner must have the ability or should meet the eligibility criteria to sponsor you in New Zealand under this visa. Below are the criteria that meant to be fulfilled by the applicant and the sponsor:

• Both applicant and sponsor must be eighteen years of age or older. However, if they do not meet the age criterion or are between sixteen and eighteen years of age, they must have the consent from their parents or guardian.
• Both partners must be legally married. Otherwise, both the partners should be in a genuine, stable and close living relationship for a minimum period of twelve months. In this concern same sex relationships are also considered.
• The applicants should meet, even for once before submitting the application.
• They should not be close relatives.
• People may also apply for the Partnership Visa even if they have not been into a living relationship for twelve months. But, for this they have to be in a genuine relationship.
• Besides the above mentioned requirements, applicants must meet the health and character standards set by New Zealand Immigration.

To know more about the New Zealand Partnership Visa, contact an Immigration and Visa Consultant!

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