Immigration Advice Work Permits

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 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 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.

October 28, 2009

Australia Visa Guide

Filed under: Australia Work Visa, Immigration Requirements, Visa Applications, Working Abroad — New Thirteen @ 11:56 am

If you wish to live and work in Australia, the following are the types of visas you might consider, the skilled independent visa, skilled sponsored visa, spouse visa, contributory parent visa, De Facto visa, last remaining relative visa and prospective marriage visa.

The skilled migration visa is one of the best ways to enter Australia. This is because skilled workers can easily fulfil and complete the requirements for a permanent Australia visa. Applicants can use their skills, work experience and language proficiency.

The Australian General Skilled Migration programme is intended for people who don’t have firm employment contracts, but have the expertise required in the Australian labour force. There are certain requirements, one of which is that the work experience and skills must qualify for Australia’s Skilled Occupation List.

Recently, the programme has highlighted the importance of effective English skills, so more points are awarded to proficient English speakers. There are two different categories of visa, sponsored and independent.

Sponsored visas have more requirements than independent visas. People who apply for this particular version must be sponsored by an Australian relative or by the Australian government. In addition a bond has to be paid.

Independent visas are issued to applicants who have the necessary skills and qualifications, but do not have employment contracts. Since they are more likely to meet the requirements, they have fewer restrictions and are considered to be the preferred category of skilled workers.

Australia visa have subclasses that are assessed on the basis of a points system. Applicants who fail to reach the number of points required are listed on the reserve pool in case the system is amended at some point.

October 16, 2009

Living in Australia

Filed under: Australia Work Visa, Immigration Requirements, Visa Applications — New Thirteen @ 11:19 am

Over the years, Australia has attracted millions of immigrants. The usual procedure for a candidate is to apply in his or her country of origin. The process is completed when the applicant has successfully complied with the Australian Immigration Laws during his or her stay in the country. However, the Australian Immigration service is strict in applying both the rules and the quotas. Many factors, such as professional skills, work experience and English language skills are considered. The system has become more challenging and demanding in recent years and the process now requires considerable time and effort to be expended by the applicant.

Australia offers several visas for skilled workers, including the Skilled Independent Regional Visa, Skilled Independent Visa, Skilled Sponsored Visa and the Employer Nomination Scheme. The rules for these visas are always changing and being updated.

The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship is responsible for the implementation of the various requirements for an Australian Skilled Visa. It is advisable to apply for this type of visa as soon as possible, because new criteria are always being introduced. Of course, the main requirement for obtaining this visa remains the same, which is to possess skills currently in short supply in Australia. In addition, the government needs to be sure that immigrants will help boost the economy and not be a burden on society.

Australia promises tremendous advantages, with its rich culture and traditions, which are admirable and a source of great pride for the country. It provides many benefits to its citizens, such as excellent education, comprehensive medical and dental facilities, low levels of crime, high standard of living and a wonderful natural environment.

The government issues Family Visas to those who have relatives living in Australia. One way to obtain a family visa is to apply for the Contributory Parent Visa or the Last Remaining Relative Visa.

The Last Remaining Relative Visa is an Australian permanent residence visa, intended for anyone who wants to settle there because they have no other close relatives in their country of origin. The Contributory Parent Visa is designed for those whose children are living in Australia and can meet sponsorship requirements.

Spouse Visa, De Facto Visa and Prospective Marriage Visa are other ways by which a spouse or single person can join his or her loved ones in Australia. In the case of the Prospective Marriage Visa, applicants are usually engaged to be married to Australian citizens, permanent residents or even to holders of eligible New Zealand passports.

The STNI (State/Territory Nominated Independent Visa) allows people with businesses to move to Australia. They can choose an appropriate Australian Business Visa, which is sub-divided into Investor Visa, Business Owner Visa, Business Talent Visa or Senior Executive Visa.

September 29, 2009

FAQs about Canadian Visas

Filed under: Canadian Immigration, Immigration Requirements, Visa Applications, Work Permit — New Thirteen @ 1:33 pm

What is a work permit?

A work permit is a Canadian visa that grants a foreign national the right to work in Canada on a temporary basis. However, obtaining a work visa does not mean gaining permanent resident status. The number and types of work visas granted by the Canadian government depend on fluctuating labour demand and availability of local workforce.

Are work permits granted based on point-based system?

Other types of visas require applicants to meet a point threshold, but this is not the case with Canadian work permits. It is the sponsorship of a Canadian employer that matters most in the pre-approval of a work visa.

Can a work visa be upgraded or changed to another immigration status?

Yes. Alien workers can change their immigration status during the lifetime of their work permit.

Can the principal visa holder bring his dependents to Canada?

Marriage and spouse immigration are allowed under this type of Canadian visa; however, dependents need to apply for the work visa in their own capacity in order to be legally employed in Canada.

How should I apply for a Canadian visa?

Once the Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) confirms job vacancies for foreign nationals, you may begin requesting a Canadian visa from the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). Jobs based in Quebec also require visa approval from the provincial immigration authority.

Are there any professions who are exempted from work permits?

Yes. Such professions include aircraft inspectors, reporters, onboard airline personnel, government representatives and expert witnesses.

September 22, 2009

How to Apply for a UK Visa

Filed under: Immigration Requirements, UK Immigration, Visa Applications — New Thirteen @ 5:00 pm

What is a visa?

A visa is a certificate appended to a passport, which authorises the owner to enter and travel within a certain country. A valid UK visa will guarantee your entry into the country unless your personal circumstances have changed, your visa has not been updated accordingly or you provided inaccurate information during the visa application.

How can I apply for a UK visa?

You must file your work permit visa in the country where you are a legal resident. You can send your UK visa applications via post, in person or online. In some countries, visa application centres (VAC) offer a more convenient way to send application forms. Officials will take note of your biometric information, check if you pass all the visa requirements and attend to your inquiries, though fees may be charged for some of these services.

What are the visa requirements?

If you have an ordinary work permit or TWES, you must be able to carry out the duties and responsibilities stipulated in your work permit if you are to obtain a UK visa. You must commit yourself to the sponsoring employer unless your work permit says otherwise. You should also be able to prove your capacity to support yourself and dependents in your own right, without relying on government grants or subsidies. Depending on your country of origin and length of stay, you may be required to undergo a tuberculosis test. Finally, you must declare your intention to leave the country when your visa expires.

Can I bring my dependents?

To bring your dependents into the country you must provide documents to prove their relationship to you. If you do not have an existing visa, you must present your original work permit and other supporting documents.

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