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!
Those who are planning to immigrate to the United Kingdom in the near future, this piece of information is much needed for them! The UK Border Agency is soon going to introduce new immigration fees for various visa categories, since the Parliament has given its nod to the changes.
As part of the regular revisions done by the UK government, the new immigration fees were announced on January 20 and February 10, 2010. Now that the reviewed fees have been accepted by the Parliament, they are going to be on effect from April 6, 2010. The fees will be applicable for those who are intending to work, study, visit and stay in the United Kingdom. In other words, they are applied to Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, Tier 4 and Tier 5 visas.
Most the revised fees are higher than the earlier ones. The fees include payments to the Migration Impacts Fund, a fund incepted by Hazel Blears and Jacqui Smith last year. The fees paid by the migrants towards the Fund go to the welfare of the local UK communities that comprise migrant populations. Check out the new immigration fees at http://ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/news/new-immigration-fees
Thus, it is clear that people who are going to submit visa application on or after April 6, 2010, they will need to pay higher charges when they get their UK visas. Along with the new immigration fees, the UK Border Agency will also revise a few application forms. The changes in fees and application forms may seem to be very confusing for you at times. Thus, it is advised that you hire the service of an Immigration and Visa Consultant in order to sail through the process of immigration smoothly.
Recently, the New Zealand government has rolled out two new retirement visas. Here is a little detail of the visas:
Parent Retirement Visa: This visa category enables the New Zealand Immigration to prioritize high net worth people, who are already contemplating to migrate to the country under the Family Category. As per the this category, the visa holders must invest at least an amount of $1 million after migrating to New Zealand over four years.
Temporary Retirement Visa: This visa category is for those retired people who intend to spend some time in New Zealand. However, this too requires them to meet the condition that they invest there, as well as repay the government for the health and welfare costs. A temporary retiree will be required to invest $750,000 over two years. Retirees under this category can be able to renew their permits up to the time when they could meet different criteria, including the investment funds and health insurance.
According to the spokesperson for Labor’s Immigration, Pete Hodgson, the idea of a retirement visa plan was in fact considered a decade ago, but dismissed considering the scheme would not work and fearing high costs involved in it. But, the country’s current Immigration Minister had decided to give the scheme a green signal.
Now, if some people out there are contemplating a plan to immigrate to New Zealand after retirement, here are two more options! However, these visa categories are meant for rich retirees, and this is what for which the plan already drawing criticism from all around! Let’s see New Zealand immigration’s new retirement visa plan brings what changes to the country’s immigration scenario.
UK is planning to make study visa rules stringent for Ugandans, confirmed the British High Commission.
According to UK Entry Clearance Manager Susanah Richmond, certain amendments in the UK immigration rules are likely to happen very soon. For instance, students making their minds to enroll themselves in a study course less than a degree level would only be allowed to work for 10 hours a week. Earlier the prescribed hours were twenty!
Also, applicants planning to study a course for less than six months won’t have the permission to bring their dependants with them.
For those students who already have their dependants living with them, the later would not be allowed to work, provided the student applicant enrolls in a course lower than a degree level.
In addition, it is mandatory to have good proficiency in the English language. UK has tightened visa rules in the past also. Under the previously listed regulations, it is mandatory for students to prove that they enrolled themselves in an institution licensed by UK Border Agency. Additionally, it is a requisite to prove that the students can financially support themselves in the UK.
Richmond went on to say that the number of Ugandans applying for UK have slowed down by a huge margin. She also defended the hike in the visa fees, saying that the money is used in the processing of the application.
Stringent rules would further ensure genuine entry for legal applicants!
This surely raises the question, what happens when a foreign child is adopted by Canadian parents! It becomes a matter of concern when a case of hearing reported for a teenage; accused for committing an assault and robbery that is facing the threat of deportation to his birth land. The teenager had committed the crime four years back in 2005 and has been released from a juvenile detention center recently.
The accused who was a minor at the time of the crime had been adopted by a Canadian family. This means he is not a Canadian citizen. Now that question arises what really happens to such an adopted child? So, here is the answer…
A child born after 1947 in Canada is regarded as a citizen of that country. Besides, if a child is born outside Canada after 1977, but if he/she has a Canadian parent is also regarded as a citizen of Canada. This criterion was applicable to a number of generations of people who were born to original Canadians until 2008. But, a law that had been passed in 2009 restricted this to only one generation.
Until 2006, an adopted child from a foreign country was required to be sponsored as a permanent resident first before he/she could be regarded as a Canadian citizen, which is popularly know as naturalization. Towards the end of the year 2007, this law was altered which stated that an adopted foreign child would be granted with Canadian citizenship without first going through the process of immigration. The same law was extended to Canadians who live outside the country.
Now foreign nationals who are adopted by Canadian citizens can obtain Canadian citizenship directly, without having to go through the process of naturalization! To know more about this, contact an Immigration and Visa consultant!
Every immigration program follows distinctive procedure. Thus, when one is looking forward to immigrate to a new country, it is very important for that person to have the proper understanding of the application process for the particular program that he/she has opted for. It fact, the secret of successful immigration lies in the proper understanding of the application process and little homework beforehand.
Let’s have a look at the application procedure for Canadian Federal Skilled Worker program:
Before an applicant is set to work on the application process, he/she must confirm that the Federal Skilled Worker category is appropriate for him. It follows choosing the right application form.
The applicant is required to get his/her qualifications, occupation, experience, and other required documents assessed by the authorized body.
When filling up the form(s), the applicant must make sure that he/she has put in all the details carefully and it is complete. Incomplete forms are most likely to be rejected.
The fee for the processing of the application for the applicant as well as dependants should be submitted along with the forms.
Once the applicant is done with these steps, the application will go to the Centralized Intake Office (CIO) in Nova Scotia, Canada. Here, things undergo scrutiny and the CIO will decide whether the application meets the prerequisites for the Federal Skilled Worker program. If they find the application fulfills the criteria, they would forward it to the designated country visa office, otherwise if they end up with a negative decision, the application is most likely to be returned back.
This follows the submission of the application along with all the essential documents at the local visa office.
The applicant must provide the IELTS test score report earned for the language proficiency at the visa office.
The applicant must bear his/her expenses related to medical and security clearances.
Once the applicant is approved to immigrate to Canada, he/she must pay for the Right to Permanent Resident fee. However, the fee, which covers both the applicant and his/her spouse or law partner, should be paid before the applicant is issued with the PR visa. Afterwards, if the applicant decides not to use this visa, the fee would be refunded.
Last but not the least, the applicant must submit his/her passport to be stamped on the visa.
The process of making application is one of the most important parts of the whole immigration process. This is the phase where you should be presented yourself watchfully in order to make your immigration successful. While, you may find it critical at times, hiring an Immigration and Visa consultant would be the smartest move you could make!
Reports say that the Indian government is planning to make amendments in the guidelines on Conference and Tourist Visa. Union Home Secretary G K Pillai has confirmed that the Home Ministry has received a lot of complaints against the present regulations. Therefore, the Centre is working on easing out the guidelines to make it easier for the overseas academicians to visit the country.
The criticism is against all those guidelines that specify that overseas participants from 8 countries need to go through the security clearance from the Ministry in order to get the Visa.
Pillai confirmed that the Ministry, in consultation with other agencies, is reworking on these guidelines and making it simpler for the foreign nations to come and visit the country. In addition, he committed that Government do make rules which may be not correct and it is a democratic society and we have the right to correct our mistakes too.
He went on to say that the ministry is deeply concerned for overseas nationals who come for a conference in the country. Therefore, it is mandatory to know their backgrounds and other essential details. The essence behind the regulations is to ensure the country’s security.
Pillai also mentioned that scholars having genuine backgrounds would no difficulties, especially if they are qualified from registered Universities.
Former foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal confirmed that it is essential to check the credentials of overseas applicants.
The government of UK has made some changes in the Immigration regulations, to further aid the entry of genuine students in the country. Below are the new amendments implemented under Tier 4 Student Visa. Have a look at them:
If the student applicant is applying under Tier 4 Student Visa in General category to study a course which is not up to a Degree level course, then you will only work for 10 hrs/week.
The minimum level of English course that Tier 4 Student Visa holders can enroll into is level B2 of CEFR.
Applicants who are aged 16 or 17 and are applying under Tier 4 (Child) category, they are entitled to work only for 10hrs/week till the time their term is finished.
Applicants applying for course for six month or less are not allowed to bring their relatives or family members.
For those applying for a course lower than a Degree course won’t have the freedom to allow their dependants to work unless they fulfill the requirements set under Tier 1 or Tier 2 of the PBS.
Further changes would be introduced from April 2010. Students would surely be affected from the recent amendments, but this would ensure the entry of genuine applicants into the country. In addition, the rules would make sure that genuine students get the right time to work part time, in addition to their regular study hours.
The Denmark Green Card program is based on the Point Based System. This immigration program is meant for senior executives and professionals. The program offers a permit for residence for a period of three years to the applicant and his dependent family members. The eligibility criteria that an applicant is judged is based on the points based system which includes academic qualifications, age, total work experience, academic qualifications obtained in Europe and so on. The Government of Denmark has brought out an occupation list which is the ground for applicants to apply.
However, while applying for the program, it is but obvious that the applicant has to be extremely careful and should take all the necessary precautions. Some such aspects to be considered include:
Details regarding the points based system should be looked into very carefully prior to applying. The applicant should only apply if he scores the minimum pass mark. In order to score the bare minimum, the applicant must carefully look into all the aspects of the points based system.
The applicant has to be sure whether or not his profession features in the Positive List of Occupations. This list is based on the assessment conducted by the government. This list consists of those professions where in there is a shortage of skills in the country. These are the jobs that could likely be taken over by immigrants.
The applicant should get a complete overview of the educational qualifications that are mandatory for him to qualify for the visa. It is best that the applicant consults a specialist for the same who can advise him on the same.
Just by having the relevant qualifications will not make an applicant automatically eligible for the program. The applicant has to provide with the relevant reference letters from his employers which enlist his job responsibilities.
Right amount of fee has to be deposited along with the application form. The form should contain the right information with the relevant supporting documents.
To prove his English proficiency, he must submit his English test reports or a statement in English language.
All the documents which are not in English language should be translated in English.
The application procedure involves certifications for various documents from the various Indian authorities. So, the applicant must know of all the authorities that need to be contacted for the same.
The most important of the eligibility criteria is to have the relevant amount of money to cater to the settlement expenditure in Denmark. This has to be for the first year after obtaining a permit. Thus, proof of funds should be attached with the application form. For this, it is important to seek advice of an expert regarding the various forms of savings and so on.
All in all, the applicant must know that the application must be submitted at the nearest Danish Embassy in the applicant’s country of origin. In order to go through a hassle free immigration process, it is best recommended to contact an Immigration and Visa Specialist.
Recently, the Australian Immigration Minister, Chris Evans stated and made it public that the employers would use the temporary skilled visa program, that is 457 Subclass only if they do not able to find skilled workers within Australia.
The government made it clear that Australian employers are now required to look for the local workers to fill the vacancies first. Further they will be able to use the 457 Subclass visa scheme and recruit overseas skilled workers only when they do not find Australians who could fit the bill. With this, the Oz government wants to deliver that the local skilled workers should be given the priority and provided with the job opportunities created in the country.
The government is trying to make sure that the hiring of overseas employees does not affect the local skills. It is true that Australia needs skilled overseas workers, but at the same time it is also important to ensure that the temporary skilled visa holders do not replace the local workers. As a matter of fact, Australian workers have always been concerned about the possibility of bringing in foreign skilled workers at cheaper rates, thereby making local skills out of work.
However, the Worker Protection Laws are there to protect the rights of the Australian workers. According to February statistics, the average salary of a temporary visa holder in Australia is near about $100,000, up $10,000 from a year ago. The stats clearly show that the 457 Subclass visa holders are highly skilled workers and working for the same pay rates as local residents, which further indicates that the worker protection policies have been effective so far and are working!
