Immigration Advice Work Permits

November 27, 2009

Move to the US

Filed under: Immigration Requirements, US Visas, Visa Immigration, Work Permit — New Thirteen @ 10:30 am

Renowned for its vast landscapes and as being a melting pot of diverse cultures, its no wonder that the USA is such an attractive proposition for anyone wanting to make a new life for themselves. Have you ever dreamed of seeing the Statue of Liberty up close or standing on the edge of the incomparable Grand Canyon? Ever dreamed of visiting the sights and sounds of Hollywood?

US immigration laws, though known for being a little complicated, actually offer several opportunities for USA immigration, because there are many types of non-Immigrant US visas or temporary US options available.

In terms of securing a short-term American visa, if your country is not a member of the US visa waiver scheme you must either apply for a B1 Business Visa or submit a B2 Travel Visa application. A longer period of stay, to live or work in the country, requires applying for an L1Visa, H1-B Visa or another type of non-Immigrant visa.

For anyone involved in business or investment, an E1 or E2 Visa should be applied for. These are valid for up to five years and offer the holder the opportunity to apply for a US Green Card.

If you are considering a more permanent stay, USA immigration also allows for family members to sponsor each other. If you are looking for employment opportunities, anyone with certain “extraordinary” abilities in their field, who can show an ability to contribute to American society, may apply for EB-1 and EB-2 visas.

Finally, permanent immigration to the US, via the Green Card, takes several years to fully comply with and usually begins with temporary applications.

November 25, 2009

USA Immigration and Visa Guide

Filed under: Immigration Requirements, US Visas, Visa Applications — New Thirteen @ 10:40 am

For immigration involving US companies and specialty workers, the visas required are the H1B and L1. The H1B visa allows a US based firm to employ foreign specialty occupation workers for a maximum of six years. The L1 visa permits a company that is both operating within the USA and abroad, to transfer a particular class of worker from its foreign operation to the USA, for a maximum of seven years.

For non-US firms and potential investors in the USA, B1 and B2 visas and E1, E2 and E3 visas are the ones to apply for. B1 and B2 visas or visitor visas, are only valid for a planned business trip, but not for gainful employment or running a business. Foreign nationals of treaty countries, who carry on a substantial volume of international trade with the USA, may be granted an E1 visa. Foreign nationals of qualifying treaty countries who have made a substantial investment in the USA may also qualify for an E2 visa. The E-3 visa, however, is specifically designed for Australian nationals who wish to enter the USA to perform services in a “specialty occupation.”

For a foreign individual who wishes to gain residency and work authorisation in the USA, sponsorship by an employer, investment, sponsorship by a close relative already residing in the country, the annual Diversity Visa Lottery Programme and asylum and refugee status, are the five main possibilities.

For exchange visitors, a visa gained under the J-1 Exchange Visitor Programme permits a foreign individual to train, work and travel within the USA.

November 23, 2009

United States Immigration

Filed under: Immigration Requirements, US Visas, Work Permit — New Thirteen @ 3:35 pm

The United States has a long history of welcoming new immigrants who will contribute to the nation’s development. America is more than twice the size of the European Union with a population of 306 million people and over the past ten years, more than 10million immigrants have moved to the country. Figures issued by the US Census Bureau put the average household income at $50,233 in 2007, while the average life expectancy is 77.8 years, one short of Western Europe. Finally, Americans watch television more often than any other country in the world, averaging 5 hours a day.

Work Permits
Currently there are over 60 different types of US work permits available to both skilled and non-skilled workers immigrating to the country. Among the most common work permit categories are US Business Visitors (B1), which allows a foreign national to temporarily enter the USA in order to conduct a variety of business-based activities, but not to engage in actual gainful employment. US H1-B Visas allow an employer in the United States to recruit foreign workers in specialty occupations for a period of up to six years. The US L1 Visa functions similarly to a UK work permit application, which allows a UK based company to transfer a specific worker to a branch office in the US.

US E1 Treaty Trader Visas are designed to make trade easy between America and certain countries and allow candidates to immigrate to the country, based on trade carried on with the USA. US E2 Treaty Investor Visas are similar to the E1 and allow qualifying candidates to migrate to the USA, based on investments made in US based businesses. US EB3 Visas are designed for applicants who can be categorised as professionals, “skilled workers” or “other workers”.

November 21, 2009

Getting a visa to South Africa

Filed under: South Africa Visas, Work Permit, Working Abroad — New Thirteen @ 9:35 am

South Africa’s Immigration Visas gives visitors the opportunity to go to the country for long-term work, excursions, study-based projects and permanent residency.

Work visa South Africa
Working in South Africa requires a work permit, which enables an individual to be employed there in a specific pre-arranged position and for a set period of time.

Visas in South Africa are also available for individuals who wish to start a business or invest in an existing enterprise.

Study visa South Africa
Studying in South Africa requires the South African Immigration Study Permit.

South African Immigration for Spouse and Family
Visas for a spouse can only be obtained by a life partner or spouse who is a permanent resident of South Africa or a bona fide citizen.

Family visas can be obtained for the entire family if necessary.

South African Retirement Visa
For retirees who wish to live in he country, a South African retirement permit can be granted. Its duration is for four years, but it can be renewed for an indefinite number of times.

Permanent Residence Visa in South Africa
Many of the visas previously mentioned are issued as a temporary residence permits. However, their holders may also qualify for permanent residency permits.

Visa to South Africa
Visitors to South Africa who only intend staying there temporarily, for holidays or visiting family and friends, may be granted Tourist Visas or South African Visitor Visas, which are normally valid for three months.

November 16, 2009

Guide to Indian Immigration

Filed under: Immigration Requirements, India Immigration, Work Permit — New Thirteen @ 10:29 am

The types of Indian visas offered for short-term relocation to the country include Indian business visa, Indian work permit, Indian tourist visa, Indian student visa and Indian medical visa, commonly known as the “M” visa.

There are two types of Indian business visa; the single type and the multiple entry type and both require a letter from the sponsoring India-based company and an introductory letter from the employer of the applicant in his country of residence.

Indian work permits are required by employers if they are to recruit skilled workers from abroad. They are also usually granted for applicants who are required to work in a specialty occupation.

Indian tourist visas are valid for six months and do not allow their holders to work in the country during their stay.

Indian student visas are given to students who wish to study in the country and their validity depends either on the applicant’s course or for a maximum of five years.

Indian Medical visas, or M visas, are given to foreign nationals who wish to visit the country for medical treatment. This visa is valid for one year, but can be extended as long as the applicant provides proof that continued treatment is necessary. As with normal tourist visas, medical visas are strictly a temporary route and do not offer a way of gaining permanent residency in the country.

For permanent residency in India, the country offers Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) cards and Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards. PIO cards, which are granted for 15 years, allow their holders to travel in and out of the country, while OCI cards are granted for life and also offer all the benefits of the PIO card.

November 14, 2009

US Immigration via Green Card Lottery

Filed under: Immigration Requirements, US Visas, Visa Applications, Working Abroad — New Thirteen @ 9:14 am

The Diversity Immigrant Visa or the Green Card Lottery is an immigration programme aimed at citizens of countries with low US immigration rate. Countries not covered by the programme are those that have sent more than 500 immigrants to the US over the past five years. Countries exempted from DV-2010 include China, Canada, United Kingdom, Mexico, Japan, Colombia, South Korea and Ecuador.

If your country is not on the list of eligible recipients of the Green Card Lottery programme, you can still qualify if either one of your parents was born in any of the approved countries.

To date 80% of green card lottery visas have been issued to European and African nationals, but no single country can have more than 7% of the total issued.

To qualify for the US immigration programme, you must be a graduate of the foreign equivalent of the 12-year US primary and secondary education programmes. Completing the elementary and secondary education in one’s native land does not necessarily mean meeting the educational requirements of the immigration programme, since each country has different educational standards.

Among the citizens of countries eligible to obtain a lottery visa, educational attainment is not the only requirement. Work experience can override the educational requirements for anyone who has been employed in certain professions for two or more years. To date, workers covered by the immigration programme include accountants, computer scientists, medical personnel, physicians, teachers, engineers, cartoonists, multimedia specialists, machinists, chemists, microbiologists, biologists, musicians and veterinarians.

November 11, 2009

Australian immigration – the facts

Filed under: Australia Work Visa, Immigration Requirements, Working Abroad — New Thirteen @ 10:52 am

The Australian Department of Immigration deals with businesses and private clients who have immigration issues in Australia. The team is composed of highly trained MARA consultants and former immigration officers who are best qualified to help applicants understand the country’s immigration policies.

Australian immigration had seen a substantial growth in the past 15 years and among the millions of immigrants are families becoming reunited and skilled workers. The number of Immigrants rose from 30,000 in 1992-93 to 177,600 in 2006-07. In current 2008-09 year, Australian visa figures are still quite high, at 115,000, mainly because the nation has managed to avoid the worst effects of the recession, unlike many other parts of the world.

Most skilled workers are from the UK, at an estimated 1.1 million, while Irish immigrants total only 57,338. One of the reasons why the employment level in Australia has grown is the huge number of skilled immigrants who have moved into the country.

Australia has an extensive list of temporary and permanent visas for skilled, unskilled and family immigrants, Australia Spouse Visa, Australia Child Visa, Australia Parent Visa, Australia Remaining Relative Visa, Australia Business Owner (Provisional) Visa, Australia Senior Executive (Provisional) Visa, Australia Investor (Provisional) Visa, Australia State/Territory Sponsored Business Owner (Provisional) Visa, Australia State/ Territory Sponsored Senior Executive (Provisional) Visa, Australia State/Territory Sponsored Investor (Provisional) Visa, Australia State/ Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa, Australia Skilled (Independent) Visa, Australia Skilled (Sponsored) Visa, Prospective Marriage Visa Australia, Spouse (Provisional) Visa Australia, Investor Retirement Visa Australia, Working Holiday Visa Australia, Educational Visa Australia, Entertainment Visa Australia, Sport Visa Australia, Dependent Child Visa Australia, Australia Business (Short Stay) Visa, Australia Business (Long stay) Work Visa, Australia Sponsored Business Visitor (Short Stay) Visa, Australia Skilled – Recognised Graduate Visa, Australia Skilled – Graduate Visa, Skilled-Regional Sponsored Visa Australia and Australia Skilled-Independent Regional (Provisional) Visa.

November 8, 2009

US Visa for Trainees and Au Pairs

Filed under: US Visas, Visa Applications, Work Permit — New Thirteen @ 2:59 pm

The J-1 is a US visa programme aimed at interns or students who visit the country under exchange visitor programmes. The US visa programme grants temporary residence to foreign research assistants, teachers, scholars, college or university students, medical practitioners, non-academic specialists, au pairs, camp counsellors, summer students and other professionals who are to undergo business, industrial or academic training.

J-1 applicants must be between 18 and 26 years of age, high-school graduates, who are proficient in the English language and have no plans to permanently settle in the USA.

A J-1 visa, for the purpose of internship, requires a degree or professional certificate from a tertiary educational institution and a minimum of one year’s work experience or in cases of college undergraduates, a minimum of five years work experience. Interns may only remain in the USA for a maximum of 18 months. The residence period for trainees in agriculture, hotel and tourism industries is limited to a shorter duration, 12months.

The J-1 is also available to au pairs. The US visa programme allows au pairs, young people who live with host families while providing child care services, to stay in the USA for 12 months, which can be extended by one more year. Au pairs, under the US visa programme, are required to spend at least six semester hours at an accredited US school.

Any expenses incurred by au pairs in the course of travelling to and from the USA must be shouldered by their host families, who must also provide them with suitable accommodation. Au pairs should not be asked to work for more than 45hours per week and they are entitled to 1.5 days of rest every week.

November 5, 2009

Applying for an Indian Visa

Filed under: Immigration Requirements, India Immigration, Visa Applications — New Thirteen @ 9:06 am

So you have decided to explore the diversity of Indian culture, the rich history of the country, the contrast between the British influence and the country’s ethnicity, and the mystery of its people. All you need is a visa.

In order to obtain an India visa, you first need to decide on the length of your stay. There are four types of Indian visa available, business, tourist, student and conference.

If you are planning to work in India, you will need a business India visa, which requires you to bring a letter from the organisation or institution you will be working for while in the country. You are permitted to stay for a year or more, depending on the endorsement of the Indian employer.

If you wish to obtain a tourist India visa, you only need to bring documents that can prove your financial status. If you have a tourist visa, you can stay in the country for up to six months.

In order to take up studies in India, you will need a student India visa. To obtain this type of visa, you should have proof that you are admitted to a recognised school, institution or university in the country.

For anyone invited to attend a seminar or a social function in India, you will need a conference India visa, which will allow you stay in the country only for the duration of the event. In order to obtain this type of visa, you will need to provide a letter of invitation from the institution organising the seminar or conference.

November 4, 2009

Guide to Canadian Visas

Filed under: Canadian Immigration, Immigration Requirements, Visa Immigration, Working Abroad — New Thirteen @ 5:04 pm

For foreign nationals wanting to permanently reside and work in Canada, the visa types include the Canada family class visa and Canada spouse visa.

The Canadian family visa allows an existing permanent Canadian resident or citizen to sponsor their foreign national relatives for an agreed time, which is between three and 10 years in the country until they can establish themselves. Immigration is also allowed for the spouse, conjugal partner of a permanent Canadian resident through a sponsorship system.

For short-term relocation in Canada, Canada temporary visas include work permits, business visas, and study permits. If an international student wants to study in the country for more than six months, a study permit must be secured. For a work permit, the employer must first receive a positive Labour Market Opinion before it is granted.

For the release of business visas, there are three categories in which an applicant must score a minimum of 35 in a points test. In addition, a business visa applicant must meet certain criteria, like at least two years in the management of a qualifying business in the investor category; the ability to prove that his business will be able to contribute to the country’s economy in the entrepreneur programme; and the need to have been self-employed in cultural activities or athletics or have farm management experience for self-employed people.

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