UK immigration has announced that from 5 March 2012 applicants from more Countries will need to make the initial stage of their UK visa application online. This change was made in order to make the visa process more efficient.
From 5 March 2012, all UK Visa applicants in the following countries will be required to submit and pay for their visa online as part of the revised UK visa application process:
•India
•Papua New Guinea
•Fiji
All UK visa applications will need to be submitted using UK immigration's online application system and paid for online. You will still need to visit your respective UK visa application centre to submit any necessary supporting documentation and biometric information. Appointments for attending the visa application centre can be booked online following completion of the online application process.
Moving the application process online is part of UK immigration's efforts to streamline the visa application process. The UK Border Agency hopes to have all visa applicants apply and pay for their visas online by 2013-14.
If you are interested in studying in the UK you can apply for a Tier 4 visa after your confirmation of acceptance for studies from an UK university. If you are looking to immigrate to the UK to work you can apply for a Tier 2 visa if you are sponsored by an UK employer to fill a position that cannot be filled by a settled worker or to fill a position on the Shortage Occupation List.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Special Report: Apply now for Australian Skilled Migration - Office Managers are in demand!
Office Managers looking to emigrate to Australia can apply under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) Program. Office Managers organise and control the functions and resources of an office such as administrative systems and office personnel. In order to receive a visa, applicants will need to meet the basic requirements for GSM, pass the Australian immigration Points Test and pass an occupation skills assessment to qualify for an Australian visa.
Please note that beginning 1 July 2012, Australian immigration will be introducing significant changes to their skilled migration program. Under the new Australian immigration system, it is expected fewer applicants will qualify for a visa and processing times will be longer. If you wish to come under the current skilled immigration programme you should apply for a skills assessment as soon as possible. Prior to submitting your immigration application, you need to be ready with your skills assessment and have passed the English language test.
GSM is for professionals and other skilled migrants who have skills in particular occupations required in Australia and who are not sponsored by an employer. Australian Immigration uses a Skilled Occupation List (SOL) as part of their points system. In order to qualify for skilled migration to Australia, you must nominate an occupation from the SOL. Fortunately, the Office Manager position is on the SOL.
In order to qualify as an Office Manager, you must meet the following requirements:
•Have a level of skill commensurate with an AQF Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma or Diploma in a relevant field.
•If you have no diploma, at least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications. In some instances, relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.
Before emigrating to Australia as a skilled migrant you need to have your skills assessed by the relevant assessment authority for your occupation. For this occupation you will need to be assessed by VETASSESS. They assess your post-secondary educational qualifications against the educational level requirements of your nominated occupation. In addition to this, they also assess whether your qualifications are in a highly relevant field to your nominated occupation.
Once you have your positive assessment letter from VETASSESS, you can apply for the skilled migration visa electronically and count your assessment points in the points test in order to qualify for the visa.
Please note that beginning 1 July 2012, Australian immigration will be introducing significant changes to their skilled migration program. Under the new Australian immigration system, it is expected fewer applicants will qualify for a visa and processing times will be longer. If you wish to come under the current skilled immigration programme you should apply for a skills assessment as soon as possible. Prior to submitting your immigration application, you need to be ready with your skills assessment and have passed the English language test.
GSM is for professionals and other skilled migrants who have skills in particular occupations required in Australia and who are not sponsored by an employer. Australian Immigration uses a Skilled Occupation List (SOL) as part of their points system. In order to qualify for skilled migration to Australia, you must nominate an occupation from the SOL. Fortunately, the Office Manager position is on the SOL.
In order to qualify as an Office Manager, you must meet the following requirements:
•Have a level of skill commensurate with an AQF Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma or Diploma in a relevant field.
•If you have no diploma, at least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications. In some instances, relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.
Before emigrating to Australia as a skilled migrant you need to have your skills assessed by the relevant assessment authority for your occupation. For this occupation you will need to be assessed by VETASSESS. They assess your post-secondary educational qualifications against the educational level requirements of your nominated occupation. In addition to this, they also assess whether your qualifications are in a highly relevant field to your nominated occupation.
Once you have your positive assessment letter from VETASSESS, you can apply for the skilled migration visa electronically and count your assessment points in the points test in order to qualify for the visa.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Australian skilled migration visa program changes coming 1 July 2012 - Apply now!
Beginning 1 July 2012, Australian immigration will be introducing huge changes to their skilled migration program. This represents the most dramatic change to the Australian immigration system in many, many years. It is expected that under the Australian immigration system fewer people will qualify and processing times will be longer. If you wish to come under the current skilled immigration programme you should apply for a skills assessment as soon as possible. You need to be ready with your skills assessment and, have passed the English language test before you can submit your immigration application.
Australian immigration's new skilled worker program will be called the Skilled Migrant Selection Register, known as SkillSelect. In order to apply, you will have to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). The SkillSelect will work as an electronic two-stage process where prospective visa applicants first submit a claim for skilled migration through an online EOI. Following this, applicants may then be invited to submit an Australian visa application on the basis of their EOI.
This is a really significant change from the current Australian immigration system. It is likely that fewer people will qualify under the new scheme because under the new scheme you will not only need to gain enough points but, in addition, Australia immigration will decide whether or not you will be allowed to submit an application. This is compared to the current system wherein if you gain enough points under the particular visa scheme you are likely to get in.
From 1 July 2012, all new prospective Australian skilled migration visa applicants will have to submit an EOI and wait for an invitation before they can lodge their visa application. For those who have lodged a visa application before that date, Australian immigration will process the application in accordance with any priority processing direction in effect at that time.
Australian visa applicants will be selected based on their points test score in a number of selection criteria. All prospective visa applicants will be required to meet the relevant English language requirements and obtain the necessary skills assessment prior to their EOI submission. However, unlike now you will have to also be approved by SkillSelect to obtain your visa. This brings in greater uncertainty compared to the current system.
The SkillSelect system will affect applicants for the following Australian skilled visas:
Independent Skilled Migration (subclasses 175 and 885)
State Sponsored Skilled Migration (subclasses 176 and 886)
Business Skills (subclasses 132, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 890, 891, 892, 893)
Employer Nomination Scheme (subclasses 121 and 856)
Regional Sponsored Nomination Scheme (subclasses 119 and 857)
Subclass 457 Temporary Business (Long Stay) visa (subclass 457).
Remember if you wish to apply for a skilled immigration visa you should start preparing now so that you are ready to submit your application before 1 July 2012.
Once the new system in implemented, SkillSelect will begin issuing invitations to eligible applicants in August 2012. Invitations will be issued to the highest ranking EOIs in descending order. The date and time of submission of the completed EOI may be used to separate those who score equally, so apply as soon as possible. Australian immigration will also announce a cap for occupations to limit how many people are selected from a certain occupation group. This ensures that the migration program is not dominated by a narrow range of occupations.
Australian immigration's new skilled worker program will be called the Skilled Migrant Selection Register, known as SkillSelect. In order to apply, you will have to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). The SkillSelect will work as an electronic two-stage process where prospective visa applicants first submit a claim for skilled migration through an online EOI. Following this, applicants may then be invited to submit an Australian visa application on the basis of their EOI.
This is a really significant change from the current Australian immigration system. It is likely that fewer people will qualify under the new scheme because under the new scheme you will not only need to gain enough points but, in addition, Australia immigration will decide whether or not you will be allowed to submit an application. This is compared to the current system wherein if you gain enough points under the particular visa scheme you are likely to get in.
From 1 July 2012, all new prospective Australian skilled migration visa applicants will have to submit an EOI and wait for an invitation before they can lodge their visa application. For those who have lodged a visa application before that date, Australian immigration will process the application in accordance with any priority processing direction in effect at that time.
Australian visa applicants will be selected based on their points test score in a number of selection criteria. All prospective visa applicants will be required to meet the relevant English language requirements and obtain the necessary skills assessment prior to their EOI submission. However, unlike now you will have to also be approved by SkillSelect to obtain your visa. This brings in greater uncertainty compared to the current system.
The SkillSelect system will affect applicants for the following Australian skilled visas:
Independent Skilled Migration (subclasses 175 and 885)
State Sponsored Skilled Migration (subclasses 176 and 886)
Business Skills (subclasses 132, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 890, 891, 892, 893)
Employer Nomination Scheme (subclasses 121 and 856)
Regional Sponsored Nomination Scheme (subclasses 119 and 857)
Subclass 457 Temporary Business (Long Stay) visa (subclass 457).
Remember if you wish to apply for a skilled immigration visa you should start preparing now so that you are ready to submit your application before 1 July 2012.
Once the new system in implemented, SkillSelect will begin issuing invitations to eligible applicants in August 2012. Invitations will be issued to the highest ranking EOIs in descending order. The date and time of submission of the completed EOI may be used to separate those who score equally, so apply as soon as possible. Australian immigration will also announce a cap for occupations to limit how many people are selected from a certain occupation group. This ensures that the migration program is not dominated by a narrow range of occupations.
UK Tier 4 Student visa & Tier 1 visa changes coming soon - apply now!
The UK immigration has issued new information regarding inspections and reviews for Tier 4 student visa sponsors. There are also major changes coming to the Tier 4 and Tier 1 visas.
All current Tier 4 sponsors must be inspected by the appropriate reviewing body in order to retain their sponsorship status. These inspections and reviews will take place throughout 2012, and the results of each inspection or review will be published on the website of the appropriate educational oversight body. If the Tier 4 visa sponsor fails to achieve a satisfactory inspection outcome they may no longer be able to sponsor international students under Tier 4 of UK immigration's points-based system.
In particular these changes are likely to affect those looking to sponsor international students under Tier 4 of the Points Based System. More importantly though, beginning 1 April 2012, the following major changes will be made to the Tier 4 Student Visa and to the Tier 1 Visa:
Work placements will be restricted to one-third of the course, unless the course is at degree level and the sponsor is a higher education institution or the student is on a study abroad programme.
Tier 4 visa holders will be limited to the time they can spend at degree level to 5 years, with certain exemptions for longer courses and doctorates at higher education institutions.
Tier 1 Post-study work will be CLOSED from 1 April 2012. UK immigration will still offer visas through Tier 2 of the points-based system for graduates. In most cases only graduates who have an offer of a skilled job from a sponsoring employer under Tier 2 of the points-based system will be able to stay and work in the UK
All current Tier 4 sponsors must be inspected by the appropriate reviewing body in order to retain their sponsorship status. These inspections and reviews will take place throughout 2012, and the results of each inspection or review will be published on the website of the appropriate educational oversight body. If the Tier 4 visa sponsor fails to achieve a satisfactory inspection outcome they may no longer be able to sponsor international students under Tier 4 of UK immigration's points-based system.
In particular these changes are likely to affect those looking to sponsor international students under Tier 4 of the Points Based System. More importantly though, beginning 1 April 2012, the following major changes will be made to the Tier 4 Student Visa and to the Tier 1 Visa:
Work placements will be restricted to one-third of the course, unless the course is at degree level and the sponsor is a higher education institution or the student is on a study abroad programme.
Tier 4 visa holders will be limited to the time they can spend at degree level to 5 years, with certain exemptions for longer courses and doctorates at higher education institutions.
Tier 1 Post-study work will be CLOSED from 1 April 2012. UK immigration will still offer visas through Tier 2 of the points-based system for graduates. In most cases only graduates who have an offer of a skilled job from a sponsoring employer under Tier 2 of the points-based system will be able to stay and work in the UK
New Immigration Group created to welcome immigrants and refugees to Canada
A new immigration group was launched in Canada last week comprising of local service providers, health care representatives, business people and politicians. The new Immigration Partnership Council will help immigrants and refugees integrate into Canadian life.
The group brainstormed ideas on how to best assist new immigrants and refugees to become part of the community for two years. Last Friday, the group officially launched their immigration council in Kitchener, Ontario.
This immigration organization aims to help immigrants and refugees settle, work and integrate into the community; It is one of 45 immigration councils across the province. The region's council has a budget of $680,000 for the next two years funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the Region of Waterloo and the United Way of Kitchener Waterloo and Area.
Immigration Partnership Council manager, Arran Rowles noted that the local immigration partnership is important because it connects new foreign immigrants with the Waterloo Region Immigrant Employment Network through free seminars and networking events and by offering internship and mentoring programs.
Currently, 22 percent of the region's population are immigrants or refugees; That number is expected to increase to 30 percent by 2031, according to the Kitchener Waterloo Multicultural Centre.
On 6 February a discussion will be held on how to best welcome immigrants and refugees to Canada followed by a forum on March 26 about how immigrants can take part in civic leadership.
The group brainstormed ideas on how to best assist new immigrants and refugees to become part of the community for two years. Last Friday, the group officially launched their immigration council in Kitchener, Ontario.
This immigration organization aims to help immigrants and refugees settle, work and integrate into the community; It is one of 45 immigration councils across the province. The region's council has a budget of $680,000 for the next two years funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the Region of Waterloo and the United Way of Kitchener Waterloo and Area.
Immigration Partnership Council manager, Arran Rowles noted that the local immigration partnership is important because it connects new foreign immigrants with the Waterloo Region Immigrant Employment Network through free seminars and networking events and by offering internship and mentoring programs.
Currently, 22 percent of the region's population are immigrants or refugees; That number is expected to increase to 30 percent by 2031, according to the Kitchener Waterloo Multicultural Centre.
On 6 February a discussion will be held on how to best welcome immigrants and refugees to Canada followed by a forum on March 26 about how immigrants can take part in civic leadership.
Russia promises visa-free travel for all World Cup ticket holders in 2018
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin announced this week that Russia would allow visa-free travel for fans at the 2018 World Cup. Putin discussed the visa-free arrangements with FIFA president Sepp Blatter and his UEFA counterpart Michel Platini.
"Russia has decided to let in all the fans for the 2018 World Cup if they have tickets," Putin said during the meeting with top World Cup executives. "What's more, we are even considering the option of letting fans use their tickets to travel between host cities for free."
FIFA president Blatter said it would be "tremendous" for fans to be able to bypass the normal Russian visa procedures.
UEFA's Platini added that he was currently working on allowing for visa-free travel with Poland and Ukraine - the twin hosts of this year's Euro championship.
"The problem with entry visas is a political problem," said Platini. "We need an agreement between Ukraine and Poland so that there are no difficulties for the fans."
"Russia has decided to let in all the fans for the 2018 World Cup if they have tickets," Putin said during the meeting with top World Cup executives. "What's more, we are even considering the option of letting fans use their tickets to travel between host cities for free."
FIFA president Blatter said it would be "tremendous" for fans to be able to bypass the normal Russian visa procedures.
UEFA's Platini added that he was currently working on allowing for visa-free travel with Poland and Ukraine - the twin hosts of this year's Euro championship.
"The problem with entry visas is a political problem," said Platini. "We need an agreement between Ukraine and Poland so that there are no difficulties for the fans."
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
London most popular immigration destination for foreign professionals
UK immigration officials are warning of possible delays this summer due to the London Olympics. Olympic VIPs will be given dedicated passport lanes at Heathrow Airport in order to fast-track UK visit visas for 25,000 athletes, coaches and officials. This reallocation of resources will likely mean delays for other travelers, according to the UK Border Agency.
Currently, queues at Terminal 4, Heathrow Airport for non-EU arrivals already reach two hours at peak times, according to the UK Daily Mail. In order to handle the influx of passengers, thousands of UK immigration staff will be transferred from their normal duties to deal with arrivals during the Olympics.
Olympics officials and athletes who have not registered their biometric data in advance will be required to have their fingerprints and photographs taken by border staff when they enter the country to be checked against immigration and security watch-lists.
"We have plans in place to make Games Family Members' arrivals at Heathrow as quick and simple as possible," a UK Border Agency spokesman said, "We expect most visa nationals will already have provided their biometric information prior to Games time and there will be dedicated Olympic lanes at Heathrow to speed up the process where we need to collect the biometric information of those who haven't."
The UK government predicts up to 80 percent of foreign Olympics visitors will go through the airport – including athletes, officials, sponsors, media and spectators. The day following the Olympic's closing ceremony – August 13 – is expected to be London Heathrow's busiest ever day.
The UK has begun processing Visitor visas for the 2012 London Olympics. We advise you to apply as soon as possible so that UK immigration officials have plenty of time to process your application. You will normally then be issued with a UK visitor visa with a start date that will cover you for the whole Olympic and Paralympic Games period. Once you receive your UK visitor visa, you can then travel to the UK for the Games from the beginning of 2012.
Currently, queues at Terminal 4, Heathrow Airport for non-EU arrivals already reach two hours at peak times, according to the UK Daily Mail. In order to handle the influx of passengers, thousands of UK immigration staff will be transferred from their normal duties to deal with arrivals during the Olympics.
Olympics officials and athletes who have not registered their biometric data in advance will be required to have their fingerprints and photographs taken by border staff when they enter the country to be checked against immigration and security watch-lists.
"We have plans in place to make Games Family Members' arrivals at Heathrow as quick and simple as possible," a UK Border Agency spokesman said, "We expect most visa nationals will already have provided their biometric information prior to Games time and there will be dedicated Olympic lanes at Heathrow to speed up the process where we need to collect the biometric information of those who haven't."
The UK government predicts up to 80 percent of foreign Olympics visitors will go through the airport – including athletes, officials, sponsors, media and spectators. The day following the Olympic's closing ceremony – August 13 – is expected to be London Heathrow's busiest ever day.
The UK has begun processing Visitor visas for the 2012 London Olympics. We advise you to apply as soon as possible so that UK immigration officials have plenty of time to process your application. You will normally then be issued with a UK visitor visa with a start date that will cover you for the whole Olympic and Paralympic Games period. Once you receive your UK visitor visa, you can then travel to the UK for the Games from the beginning of 2012.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)