Countries Accepting Immigrants
Immigrating abroad -Information & Guide
Choosing where to Immigrate -
Countries accepting immigrants
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA -
CANADA - AUSTRALIA
| Australia to establish migrant assessment centre in India - Check here |
Immigrating to the United States of America.
Probably the most sought after country as people think this is where the money and opportunities are. Direct immigration to USA for independent categories is a dream only. For family class applicants sponsored by relatives the wait can even be as much as ten years.
The immigrant visa for United States of America is called the 'Green Card' and it entitles the holders to similar benefits as its citizens other than voting rights.
The United States has a Diversity Visa program which is referred commonly as the Green Card Lottery. Applications are accepted online from citizens of countries that have low rates of immigration to the United States.
The winners are selected randomly by computer. A maximum of 55,000 visas are offered in the program every year.
United States Visa
Lottery: Citizens of the following Asian
countries may be eligible to apply:
√ Afghanistan
√ Bahrain
√ Bangladesh
√ Bhutan
√ Brunei
√ Burma
√ Cambodia
√ East Timor
√ Hong Kong
√ Indonesia
√ Iran
√ Iraq
√ Israel
√ Japan
√ ordan
√ Kuwait
√ Laos
√ Lebanon
√ Malaysia
√ Maldives
√ Mongolia
√ Nepal
√ North Korea
√ Oman
√ Qatar
√ Saudi Arabia
√ Singapore
√ Sri Lanka
√ Syria
√ Taiwan
√ Thailand
√ United Arab Emirates
√ Yemen
Indian professionals wanting to work in the United States the fastest route perhaps from India is to get a job offer and qualify for an H1B Visa.
The H1B Visa is the primary USA work visa that is issued to allow
skilled professionals to work and live in the USA.
As Individuals are not allowed to apply for their own H1B visa.
It is necessary for H1B visa seekers to first find a job with an
employer in the US, who will then sponsor the applicant for an H1B visa.
There are several firms that advertise on the internet and specialize in
helping applicants complete this procedure after applicants have found
jobs and employers willing to sponsor them. In some cases employers may
pay the fee of these consultants once they hire an employee.
Immigrating to Canada -
Information
Information
Immigrating to Canada is a lot easier and straight forward process if you meet the criteria set by the government of Canada regarding immigration. Canada has a point system where there are good chances for professionally qualified people to qualify for an immigrant visa.
If you are a professional with some experience in your field. Then you do not need to bother with immigration consultants and travel agents who offer help for a fee to assist people in getting visas.
Travel agents and Immigration consultants may give the impression that they can influence officials to grant visas but this is not true. Any information that these agents give you is available for free from Canadian government offices.
Those of you who want to immigrate to Canada can get the most up-to-date information about immigrating to Canada on the Canadian Governments website free of charge.
Canada has several
categories for processing immigrant visas.
Such as:
Skilled Worker Class Immigration:
BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR CANADIAN SKILLED WORKER VISA
Canada uses a points-based system and issues visas to those applicants who meet the pass mark to qualify for the Canadian Skilled Worker Visa. The current pass mark is 67 points. Applications are judged on criteria such as education, work experience, proficiency in English and/or French ability, your age, and your ability to adapt to life in Canada. Once you qualify for your visa, a medical test must also be taken before a visa is issued.People with education, work experience and abilities to help establish themselves successfully in Canada should not have any trouble meeting the visa requirements.
DO YOU QUALIFY FOR A SKILLED WORKER CANADIAN
VISA?
You can check if you will qualify
as a skilled worker by visiting the Canadian Governments website. To
check now click:
Will you qualify as a skilled worker?
Business Class Immigration: This category of visa is available to business people who will support the development of the Canadian economy. Potential immigrants who can invest $400,000 or more as a business investment that will help create jobs in Canada.
Canada has an excellent website and provides first class information to prospective immigrants FREE of charge.
In the business class immigration there are three classifications.
1. Investors Visa
The Immigrant Investor Program seeks to attract experienced business people to invest $400,000 into Canada’s economy. Investors must:
√ Show that they have business experience
√ Have a minimum net worth of CAN $800,000 that was obtained legally
√
Make a CAN $400,000 investment.
Your investment is managed by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)
and is guaranteed by the Canadian provinces that use it to create jobs
and help their economies grow.
CIC will return your $400,000 investment, without interest, approximately five years and two months after payment.
2. Entrepreneurs
The Entrepreneur Program seeks to attract experienced business persons who will own and actively manage businesses in Canada that contribute to the economy and create jobs. Entrepreneurs must:
√ Show that they have business experience
√ Have a minimum net worth of CAN $300,000 that was obtained legally; and
√ Respect the conditions for entrepreneurs after they arrive in Canada.
3. Self-employed persons.
The Self-Employed Persons Program seeks to attract applicants who have the intention and ability to become self-employed in Canada. Self-employed persons are required to have either:
√ Relevant experience that will make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada, or
√ Experience in farm management and the intention and ability to purchase and manage a farm in Canada.
Provincial Nomination: Some Canadian provinces have programs that encourage immigrants to settle in their province. For more information us the link: Provincial Nomination.
Family Class Immigration: Canadian citizens and permanent residents 18 years of age or older may sponsor some family members. Sponsorship information is available here.
International adoption: Canadian law allows its citizens and permanent residents to adopt a child from another country.
Quebec-Selected Immigration: Quebec is a French speaking province. Those desiring to settle in the province of Quebec should visit the Quebec Immigration Web site.
Permanent residents in Canada can now also apply for Canadian citizenship only after three years.
STUDENT VISA FOR CANADA
Canada welcomes more than 130,000 students every year. Canadian Universities and Colleges are well-known. In fact both my children have been educated in Canada. The University of Waterloo is famous for its computer science program. There are several first class Universities throughout Canada.
Student coming to Canada for study usually do not need a Study Permit if they are planning to take a course or program in Canada with duration of six months or less. In such cases, You must complete the course or program within the period authorized for your stay in Canada.
However, you should apply for a Study Permit before you come to Canada if you think you may wish to continue your studies in another program after you complete the short-term course or program.
If you do not have a valid Study Permit and wish to continue your studies beyond 6 months, you will have to leave Canada in order to apply for a study permit!
Students holding Indian passports coming to Canada to take a course or study program with duration of six months or less without a study permit, require a Temporary Resident visa in order to enter Canada.
There are a few basic steps for students to follow for studying in Canada.
1. Find the study course you wish to enroll in
2. Calculate the cost
3. Apply for your Study Permit and/or Temporary Resident Visa for Canada
Students contemplating to come to Canada for study should visit the Canadian Governments excellent information website.
(Please Note: Links to websites are provided as a convenience. Links
however periodically change. In case a link does not work, please take
the time to advise me by email so the problem can be corrected for other
viewers. My email address is vkc@travelindiasmart.com
Your help is appreciated.)
AUSTRALIAN IMMIGRATION - Immigrating to Australia
Australia is another destination where several people from the Indian subcontinent have started to immigrate to.
Guide to Australian Immigration – Information on Australian Visas
Types of Visas for traveling to Australia:
| √ Visitor Visa | √ Work Visa |
√ Business Visa |
| √ Retirement Visa |
√ Student Visa |
√ Family Visa |
Visitor Visa for Australia
Those of you wishing to travel to Australia
for tourism or business need a valid entry permit or a travel visa to
enter Australia.
Applications for a short time tourist visa
can be made online for a valid entry permit from Electronic Travel
Authority using the online Australian government website. Online
applications for tourist visas for Australia are accepted from citizens
of the following countries:
Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Republic of San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, USA, Vatican City State.
Citizens of other countries need to file paper applications by
filling the required visa application forms. Short travel visa
application guide and forms should be obtained from the Australian
consulates in your country of residence.
Australian work visas - How to apply guidelines and information
Work Visa for Australia
Australia allows its employers to seek Temporary or Permanent visas to sponsor skilled workers from overseas.
The Temporary visa is the most common one and allows holders to live and work in Australia for a period of three to four years. This is also a step to get a permanent visa at a later stage.
Qualify for a skilled worker visa to Australia: There are several Australian immigration companies that offer an assessment online, for those people wondering if their skills will meet the requirement for a skilled worker visa applicant for Australia.
This online test takes about two or three minutes and gives you an idea of the points you would score based on some answers you provide. This is a free service provided by some consultants specializing in Australian immigration.
A brief description of the method for getting a residence visa for Australia is that applicants first need to get their skills assessed by the an assessment agency in Australia. Once a favorable assessment of your skills is received applicants can submit an application with the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Australia. The next step is to get a police clearance and finally a health examination before being issued with residence visas.
There are several types of work visas issued by Australia.
SKILLED INDEPENDENT VISA: This
type of visa is for those individuals who have skills that are of a
category that are required in Australia and are not readily available.
If you have a unique skill that will help the Australian economy then
you may qualify under this type of visa without relying on sponsorship
from family members who may be already living in Australia.
To qualify under this category, in addition to your unique
skills you must meet specified age requirements, have sufficient command
of the English language as well as work experience in your field. The
pass mark you should be able to obtain is presently 120 points. Many
immigration consultants provide free assessments for skilled applicants
online and can guide you whether you qualify under the skilled visa
category and can get the required 120 points.
SKILLED SPONSERED VISA: This
category requires fewer points than the Skilled Independent Visa and is
for those applicants who already have a family member in Australia
willing to sponsor them.
The family member must be in a permanent resident or an Australian citizen.
EMPLOYER NOMINATON SCHEME:
Australian employers can hire skilled workers from aboard if they are
unable to find suitable talent in Australia for their business
requirements. In short, if you have special skills and an Australian
employer wants to hire you then this class of visa would be the route to
take.
Employers wishing to bring staff from overseas have to seek approval as a business sponsor. A business will be approved for a specified number of temporary business entrants over a 2 year period.
The approval procedure requires that Employers nominate each of the positions they wish to fill with a temporary resident. The nomination must relate to an occupation which meets a minimum skills threshold. The nominated position must also be paid a minimum salary level, specified in a Gazette Notice for this Visa.
Those interested in settling in Australia should check out the
advertised jobs for Australia and directly approach employers by
submitting resumes. Many immigration advisors who operate from Australia
may be able to help skilled workers contact suitable employers for the
applicants field of work.
(This website does not endorse any particular consultant or advisor)
WORKING HOLIDAY VISA FOR AUSTRALIA:
This type of visa is for people who are between 18 and 30 years
of age. This visa opportunity can only be used once by applicants. This
is NOT a work visa but a type of tourist visa that allows such visa
holders to work to supplement their holiday in Australia.
This type of visa is valid for up to 12 months from the date of
entry and is a multiple entry visa that allows you to leave and return
to Australia during the validity of the visa.
This type of visa is not available to citizens of only the
following countries:
The United Kingdom, Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, Ireland, South
Korea, Malta, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region, Finland, the Republic of Cyprus, Italy, France
and Estonia.
PLEASE NOTE:
Unless you hold a passport from one of the countries listed above, you
are not eligible for an Australian working holiday visa.
Business Visa for Australia
If you already run a business and want to start a business in
Australia then this type of visa, known as the business owner visa is
for you. Even if you are just a part owner of a business at present you
may be able to qualify. Applicants must be under 45 years of age and be
able to have knowledge of the English language and have sufficient funds
to finance their business in Australia.
Along with the required forms filled by visa applicants for an
Australian business visa, a detailed business proposal plan should also
be submitted so as to show the authorities that the applicant is capable
and committed to establishing his business in Australia. It may be
advisable to contact migration consultants in Australia for help in
filling for business visas.
Family members of business visa applicants are also permitted
to accompany business visa holders. Initially the business visa is
issued for a four year period. Business visa holders may qualify for
permanent residence in Australia after two years.
Investor Visa for Australia
Where there is money, there is always a way. The main motive of
providing investor visas is job creation in host countries. If you have
the capability to invest 1,500,000 Australian dollars, then the investor
visa may be available to you. Applicants should not be more than 45
years of age and have workable knowledge of the English language. A
successful business background also helps.
Retirement Visa for Australia:
While almost all Australian visas stipulate applicants must not be over
45 years of age. There are some exceptions that allow applicants who are
between 45 and 55 years to qualify for special visas provided they
accept certain conditions, like moving to certain areas etc. For
applicants over 55 years of age, the Australian retirement visa is the
only choice. The catch being that such persons must have significant
assets to invest in Australia. Initially Investor retiring visas are
issued for four years and can be renewed as long as you meet the
Australian government’s criteria.
Applicants for Investor Retirement Visa must be over 55 years
of age and should not have any dependants other than their spouse.
Student Visas for Australia
To qualify for a student visa, you must be enrolled in a
registered course in a recognized educational facility. Applicants
should have workable knowledge English as well as sufficient funds to
finance their stay and studies for the duration of their course. Student
visa applicants also need to arrange for health care insurance coverage.
Student visa holders may work 20 hours a week part time during their study term and full time during their vacation periods. Student visa holders planning to work abroad, please our student visa and work page
After graduating student visa holders may be able to apply and
get permanent residence visas.
Family Class Visa for Australia
Under this category, Spouses, Fiancé (e) s, Aged Parents or
remaining relatives where a majority of family members are already
settled in Australia, are issued visas.
Parent visas are controlled by some sort of quota system where
only a certain number of visas under this category are issued every
year. Family class visas apply only to those applicants who have family
members already settled in Australia as permanent residents or citizens
of Australia.
The Australian government
is all set to ease out the evaluation of the skilled migrant workers by
setting up assessments centers in India and other countries.
Electricians, cable jointers, power line persons, plumbers, motor
mechanics, refrigerator and air conditioner mechanics, carpenters,
joiners and bricklayers from India, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Britain and
the Philippines will benefit from the service.
Australian Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Joe Hockey on
June 26, 2007 said, "The new service means more certainty for migrants
and employers. It comes as a result of extensive consultation with
industry and state and territory governments."
Applications from prospective migrants will be accepted from Sep 1,
2007.
"During the second half of this year all prospective migrants with trade
skills will be tested to agreed Australian standards before migrating,"
said Kevin Andrews, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship.
"The new service will include an assessment of qualifications, skills
and licensing requirements to make it easier for skilled migrants to
work immediately upon arrival in Australia. This will also assist in
meeting industry demands," Andrews said.
Australia's skilled migration program is designed to attract young,
highly skilled people, with a high level of English language skills.
Currently, people applying as skilled migrants have to send their
paperwork, including details of their training and qualifications to
Australia for assessment. Under the new system, these assessments will
be carried out in their home country.
In recent years, skilled labor shortages, especially in the resources
and construction sectors, have been a significant constraint on the
Australian economy.
Skilled migrants have filled about a third of the 460,000 jobs created
over the past two years. On average, the addition of a migrant to the
workforce creates one additional job.
People applying for skilled migration qualify for 15 extra points if their nominated occupation is on the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) at the time when their application is assessed. The MODL includes managers and administrators, professionals in the fields of building and engineering, accountants, medical and nursing, hospitality, textile, clothing and hairdressing.
For complete details on immigrating to Australia
visit the Australian Government Department of Immigration and
Citizenship
website.
