Immigration Visa OnlineA Blog of Mr. Ajay Sharma, Immigration and visas Specialist

The island continent is one of the rich and developed nations of the world. It is a treat for any student coming from a developed country to come and study in Australia. The degrees availed in Australia are accepted throughout the world. With these, is an array of courses including vocational and other training related aspects that are being offered. Also, the students are given opportunities to conduct independent research, work with the community and so on, adding to the exceptionally brilliant courses offered.

However, in order to study in Australia, you must avail an Australian study visa. In order to qualify for a student visa, you must satisfy the following conditions:

• You must get an evidence of your offer to study from a CRICOS authorized Australian institute.
• You should prove your competency in English language via IELTS.
• Documents proving a source of financial support during your stay in Australia. Incase you are availing a scholarship, a letter from the institute/university proving the same.
• A passport proving that you are a citizen of a particular country.
• You should be cleared of medical and other security aspects. Also, it is mandatory to maintain an Overseas Student Health cover while residing in Australia.
• You must ensure that you leave the country before your visa expires.

Apart from the above mentioned criteria, there is a separate set of documents to be provided while filing the application. Some such documents include your photographs, a statement of purpose and so on.

For more, contact a study visa expert and avail his guidance at every step. This would ensure a smooth visa issuance without any delay.

It all started when recently some people were charged over a conspiracy to storm an army base in Sydney and plotting a suicide attack on a military base. Keeping these issues in mind, Australian lawmaker Kelvin Thomson has suggested marking a reduction in the number of immigrants coming to Australia and has called for more precise and stringent checks for people wishing to migrate to Australia.

Labor MP Kelvin Thomson said that the reduction would not only reduce the number of migrants but also the activities related with terrorism in a major way. He further said that reducing the rate by half would give authorities ample time to assess applicants.

Facts say that almost 213,000 migrants arrived in Australia last year. 12,000 of which were UN refugees. Also, out of the five arrested for the plotting of the Sydney attack, three of them were of Somali descent. Speculation are being made that these terrorists arrived via the UN refugee program. This clearly depicts the increased number of applicants coming to Australia via UN program at a gradual pace.

According to Mr. Thomson, Islamists enter the country through official channels. This aspect is even more critical than an attack by another country.

But will cutting down the Immigration Quota really solve the issue? Knowing the fact Australia requires Skilled Migrants in the long run, cutting the quotas won’t solve the problem at the core. Therefore, instead of curbing migration quotas under the Skilled Migrant Program, the Australian Government would do well by keeping a careful background check on the applicants under the UN refugee program.

Australian Economy has always remained one of the strongest aspects of the country. Various reports from International sources are affirming on this fact. The best part is that the country managed to rise faster as compared to other countries, especially after the Great Economic Catastrophe that occurred recently!

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in one of his statements stated that: “We currently, among the major advanced economies, have the fastest growth. We have also the second-lowest unemployment levels and the lowest debt,”

Here is what the other facts have to say:

• Australia’s unemployment rate remained at 5.8 per cent for July, despite various speculations that the seasonally adjusted rate would reach at least 6 per cent.
• Part-time employment increased 48,200 to 3.203 million. On the other hand, full-time jobs are dropped by 16,000 to 7.590 million. These facts are giving an indication that the employers are cutting hours rather than positions.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard, “The figures indicate that Australian companies have taken sensible steps to retain skilled workers where possible and in some cases offering for workers the option of converting to part-time employment,” she said. “It’s far better for a working person to be kept in a job than to be unemployed.”

Here are some other facts on the Australian Economy:

• The Housing aspect is expanding (http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/ProductsbyReleaseDate/05DBCE56402EC566CA25723D000F2999?OpenDocument) in a major way.
• Business investments are increasing (http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/5625.0?OpenDocument) at a decent pace.
• Real retail sales are increasing (http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/ProductsbyReleaseDate/4A7B3A600C3DE89FCA2574F300154B48?OpenDocument).

On a promising note, Australia is improving in terms of Trade, Employment factor, Real Retails Sales, and so on. All in all, its economy is on a roll – Thanks to the mentioned aspects!

The Detention Policy of the US has been criticized since ages! The tough rules, the deadly detentions and other such practices – all are condemned in a major way. The decision to reform the US Detention Policy was cheered and welcomed by people from all over the world.

John Morton, Immigration and Customs Enforcement director, told reporters that detentions of families at the T. Don Hutto Residential Center in Taylor, Texas, which has held 400 people, would end immediately.

According to a recent press release by The Associated Press, “Some families would go to a facility in Pennsylvania, but it has only 85 beds and Morton said other alternatives would be considered. These could include community homes, often run by nonprofit or religious groups, where the immigrants can come and go, but federal officials can still keep track of them.”

Morton further elaborated that this change would lead to “the creation of a system that is marked by and driven by the civil detention philosophy.”

According to the Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, More changes are coming in what she called a major overhaul that DHS officials acknowledge will take years.”

“There are a number of issues that need to be corrected,” Napolitano said. “If people are going to be held … we have an obligation that they be held safely in a clean, healthy environment.” she further added.

All in all, this plan is turning out to be a huge revolution as far the “Overhauling of the Detention Policy” is concerned. People are not only applauding this new makeover but are also seeing this as a step towards the benefit of mankind. We are no exception!

Travel documents such as passports and visas are the most important documents to be carried, especially when you are traveling abroad. These documents hold proof of you being a citizen of a particular country. So, always give a second look to your documents before you touch them up inside your bags. Check to ensure that you have all the relevant documents.

Incase, you do not have a passport, we suggest that you apply in time to obtain a visa and leave for your trip on time. Each and every country has its own procedure for granting a visa. Hence, check with your Regional Passport office on the relevant procedure to be followed.

In some countries, clearing an interview is a must. For others, police verification is an important aspect. However, an application form has to be filed in all cases with the relevant supporting documents. You can hire the services of a passport agent for such purposes. Some countries also provide online application forms which could be submitted on the internet.

Ensure that your passport is valid for atleast six months before you travel abroad. You would not fancy being forcefully deported by the government of that particular country. With passport, comes the eligibility for a visa. A visa can be termed as a permit to enter and reside in a country on a temporary basis (depending on the type of visa). If you intend to travel to a country as a tourist, you would be granted a temporary resident visa.

Important points to be remembered while you travel are:

• Check for the vaccines certified by the government of the specific country. Get vaccinated incase you are not. Carry the relevant documents certifying that you have been vaccinated for those specific diseases.
• Always carry a separate photo id as well.
• Inform the nearest consulate of the country incase your passport is lost or stolen.
• It is better to keep your passport and other important documents safe in the hotel locker.

Above all, it is always best to seek the services and advice of a passport, visa or an immigration specialist or a consultant who is an expert in the matters of the above.