Just when Immigration Minister Jason Kenney was blamed for removing gay rights in the Citizenship guide, he came out with a statement in his defense, stating that he has taken “full responsibility” of the matter present in the Immigration guide!

The minister was blamed for omitting the content which referred to the rights of LGBT people and their chances to immigrate to Canada. The minister, however, defended that the guide shows the diversity present in the nation and hence he is proud of the content.

Earlier the opposition accused the minister for not including the gay-rights milestone in the final Citizenship guide. Reports say that the early draft was arrayed with such rights but it couldn’t find its way into the final Citizenship guide.

The whole issue created a whole lot of controversy, demanding the minister to present an apology for the same. Liberal MP Marlene Jennings emphasized on the “apology” facet while NDP MP Olivia Chow stated that new comers should know that gay bashing is illegal and that gay marriage needs to be celebrated!

Kenney replied to this statement, stating that new Canadians are not potential gay-bashers! He defended the Citizenship guide to his extensive limits and took full responsibility of everything present in the guide! However, he provided no explanation for the content of the Citizenship Guide.

The guide also includes hints against spousal abuse and gender-based violence, to name a few. The issue of gay rights is still one of the hottest topics of debate in the Parliament till now!

Your spouse is the most important person in your life. Any issue pertaining to your spouse is definitely something that would be a cause for worry. This is especially true for immigration. Certain guidelines have to be followed when it comes filling a spouse application for Australian immigration. This article is an attempt to clear certain misconceptions regarding spouse visas for Australia. Hope it is an aid to those reading it!

• Joint Bank Accounts are Mandatory – This is one of the most common assumptions made by an applicant. Here, it has to be understood that the visa official is looking for evidence that proves your relationship as being genuine. For this, documents for a joint bank account are not the only evidence that could be provided for the same. The proof for this involves much more than the joint finances. It includes your relationship’s past, views of others regarding your relationship, travels documents for which you have traveled together, personal statements regarding your relationship and so on. So, worry not even if you and your spouse do not have a joint bank account. However, having a joint bank account is an added advantage but not compulsory.
• Spousal Applications are a Cake Walk! This is another common misconception because of which you might lose out on your visa. Spousal applications are of equal importance. It is not mandatory that you must consult an immigration specialist…you are in the rights to file your own application. But, to what extent are you willing to put everything at stake? However, if you consult a specialist, the ride would be hassle free since you would be having an expert by your side. More so, spousal applications are of equal importance. So, don’t neglect it at any cost!
• Do Not Take Anything for Granted – If you are an Australian, it doesn’t provide you with automatic rights to get an approval for your spouse. Your spouse would only be granted a visa provided both of you prove that your relationship is genuine. Or else, the fraudulent practices would simply be on the rise, especially to gain entry to Australia. Thus, a rightful channel has to be passed in order to obtain a visa and enter Australia.
• Apply Yourself and Get Fast Track Visas – Definitely not true! Applying on your own would take around four to six months or may be more than a year till you get a positive response from the Australian High Commission. On the other hand, a consultant has a great network and knows when and who to contact for the right purpose. So, he would know the right person to meet for your spousal application. It is agreed that you might have to spend on the consultant but it’s definitely worth it rather than waiting for months and years together.
• Spousal Visa is guaranteed inspite of an Earlier Denial – It is usually the opposite! If your earlier application has faced a denial, filing for a plea or even a fresh application would mean double stringency being maintained. You might be asked for additional documents as proof of your relationship. Also, causes for denial of your previous application would also be looked into and what has been done to overcome it. So, the process becomes even more tedious. Thus, it is better to succeed in the first attempt itself.
• Lack/Minimal of Documentation would do! This is absolutely not true…submitting the relevant documentation is of utmost importance. The documentation that you submit support is evidence of your relationship. These form the credibility of your relationship which is further used to verify the same.
• Being married and Living together are Important Criteria – Either of the two is important! According to the Australian law, a couple must either be legally married or should be in a relationship that is genuine for a minimum of a year prior to applying for the visa.
• Visas are always obtained for Genuine Relationships! This is not true…making mistakes is a part of the human nature. It is similar with the visa officers where in there are chances of overlooking documents and information provided by you. Your visa officer might also turn out to be biased or even inefficient. In such cases, you must approach a consultant to guide you through the same.
• Any Consultant can do this job! This is absolutely not correct…there are many fake consultants out there who might only be interested in your money. So, ensure that you select the right consultant who deals with Australian immigration and with spousal visas for the same. More so, he should be experienced and authorized personnel with a successful track record.
• A Consultant is a waste of money! This waste of money is your ticket to get your spouse along. So, spend that extra money, save time and resources and get things done quickly. A consultant is an experienced personnel; who is always updated with the latest in this regard. However, select the right one!

All in all, your spouse’s application is of equal importance. So, put your best foot forward!

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This article would acquaint the readers various ways on how to go about emigrating to the land of Kangaroos. Have a look:

First of all, check your eligibility for the Australian Immigration. Take assistance from an Immigration consultant and know in what ways you, as an applicant is legally accepted in Australia. Skilled people are in high demand in Australia and General Skilled Migrant Program is a perfect option for them!

Secondly, the applicant may apply for “Australia Working Holiday Visa.”  This is a good option for all those intending to get employed in Australia for up to 12 months. It is mandatory that your age should fall between the age group of 18 to 30 years. Know more at: http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/working-holiday/417/

Another option to emigrate to Australia is to opt for a Family Visa. If you have a spouse or a family member residing permanently in Aussie country, it is the best time to apply for a Family Visa. Anyone of the residing permanent person may sponsor you, provided you manage to fulfill the eligibility criteria.

You can also opt for Tourist Visa or an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) which would allow you to travel in Australia for a particular span of time. The travel could be for the purpose of leisure or a short business trip.

For those who are intending of doing business or investing in the Australian economy, what better option than Business and Investment Visas! The qualifying criteria are crafted around certain factors like age, income, financial background, business plan, state sponsorship, health and character requirements, to name a few.

To know more about other options and a detailed info on the ones mentioned above, it is advised to hire services from an Immigration expert and know about your CHOICES…

The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada is a legal (informal) body that takes decisions on cases linked with immigration related issues. The body consists of four major divisions. They are:

• Refugee Protection Division
• Immigration Division
• Immigration Appeal Division and
• Refugee Appeal Division.

We shall discuss the working of Immigration Appeal Division in this blog. Canada’s Immigration regulations offer various review mechanisms that allows the applicants to make appeal on immigration matters. It would be a wise decision to hire a lawyer or consult an Immigration expert before representing your case at “Immigration Appeal Division.” The IAD has the power to reconsider the original case after determining whether the decision performed in the favour of the applicant was wrong or right.

There is no judge in this informal court but a person takes all the decisions, taking aid from informal rules. The most common cases that are addressed in “Immigration Appeal Division” are those of rejected application for a PR, sponsorship of spouse or relatives, applications with criminal background, to name a few.

For instance, if the sponsor has applied for sponsoring a relative (applicant), but there case receives a denial, then the applicant has 30 days to file the appeal, after which the appeal cannot continue in the IAD.

Taking the example of criminal cases, the IAD accesses as to how much serious the crime was, what is the background of the applicant, and other related facets. Similarly in the case of sponsorship cases, IAD takes into consideration certain aspects like the hardship that would be faced by the sponsor after the separation, how much burden can the immigrant may leave on the Canadian economy and so on.

At the IAD hearing, the applicant may be required to prove evidences, documentation, and witnesses in support of his case. If not satisfied with the IAD decision, the applicant has the right to appeal further.

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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If you want your spouse to come with you to Canada, following are the facets that must be kept in mind:

• Genuine relationship: An essential requirement is that you and your spouse must have a bona-fide relationship with each other. The Immigration officers should never think that this relationship is crafted only to fulfill the purpose of Immigration!
• The officers should never think or speculate that the applicant is trying to take advantage of the Canadian immigration system.
• Ensure that the spouse has a clear background and is free from any criminal record
• Spouse or dependants may be refused on the basis of their medical inadmissibility. It is mandatory to provide documentation related with health records and other facets.
• Marriage Certificate: If you were married in Canada, you are required to show your marriage certificate. If married outside Canada, the marriage must comply with your country’s law.
• Financial statements should be shown in the form of bank slips, loan payments (if any) and proof of other assets

It would be beneficial to consult an Immigration expert and clear all your doubts on How to bring your spouse to Canada.

Immigration is one such cup of tea which has to be literally earned. Being human, an individual always tries seeking the easiest options available. The gateway to a better future is not easy to reach but is tempting enough for an individual to seek new alternatives.

One such alternative is to marry a foreign national. There are advantages and strings attached with this option. The primary aspect here is bridging gaps and developing the idea of internationalism. Marrying a person from a different ethnic and a cultural background would definitely help making the world a smaller and a better place to live in.

Advantages to immigration by marrying a foreign citizenship –

• You are in the mood to immigrate to a new country. But you are not eligible for the same. Worry not! There is an easier way ‘Marry a foreigner!’ It cannot get better than this. The sure shot and a visa guarantee.
• With immigration made easier, you would easily have local references for you to work in the new country.
• In addition, you would not have to start from scratch. A home would be waiting for you with your spouse helping you to settle down.
• Also, family and friends spring up all of a sudden in the new country. The country which was once alien to you is now your long lost home.
• It would be easy for you to study, get a job and so on. Finances might not be an issue since you can bank on your spouse.
• You never know, it might turn out to be a Cinderella or Rags to Riches story altogether. Its all about taking risks and chances.

The list does not end here. However, similar to other aspects of living, there are cons attached as well. So, your decision should be well – thought and timed accordingly. Since, marriage is the most crucial event in an individual’s life; it has to be cherished forever.

In case, you got lucky and have married a foreigner, there are lot of mandatory requirements that needs to be fulfilled. To know more, it is best to contact an Immigration and Visa Specialist who deals with such visas. He would be able to guide you appropriately for the right procedure to be followed.

So, good luck on your marriage!

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!

Post issuance of an entry visa to the applicant and his dependents, it would be affixed on a valid travel document of the applicant.

You should submit the following documents after recieving the Approval – In – Principle letter:

• A certificate proving that the applicant does not have a criminal record.
• If an applicant is a resident of the Mainland of China (also those currently staying in Hong Kong or Macau temporarily) have to submit a letter of consent from his current working unit or the relevant Mainland authorities.
• A copy of this letter must be sent along with the Approval – In – Principle letter.

On the other hand, if an applicant has resided in Hong Kong previously, he could only apply under the condition that his application would still be treated as a fresh one.

All applicants are permitted to bring along their spouse and dependent children. However, the dependent children must be below the age of 18 years and unmarried. Also, the main applicant would be the sponsor for all his dependents. Thus, he should prove himself to be financially viable to support self and dependents. He must also submit the dependent visa application for his accompanying family members.

In addition, the visa is issued for a specific period of time. Post this period, either an extension could be applied for or the applicant has to return back to his home country. Incase of applying for an extension, it must be done one month in prior to the visa expiry.

If the applicant has been staying in Hong Kong as an ordinary resident for a minimum of 7 years, he would be permitted to apply for the right to abode in Hong Kong with respect to the laws.

However, if an applicant has resided in the country for a year and seeks an extension, he must prove that he has settled in the country and has acquired a job or has started a business in Hong Kong.

Above all, it has to be remembered that it is the minor errors that lead to a denial. Thus, it is best to seek the advice of an expert who is updated with all the latest regarding the above.

You can refer to our next post if you still have doubts!

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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