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

As an Immigration expert, I have faced various queries related with damaged documents such as passport and other important papers, during my ongoing experience of more than fifteen years till now.

I will share a recent query with my readers. An Indian working as an engineer in Canada recently visited India with his friends. During the visit, his Canadian passport got damaged. While he was on his way back to Canada, he was refused departure at the airport as his passport was damaged.

Here is the answer to this question: Until and unless the applicant does not produce a proper passport, he or she is not allowed to leave the country. Documents (http://blog.abhinav.com/importance-of-documentation-in-immigration-process/) related to travel; health and identity proof, to name a few should be handled with utmost care. Damaged documents are strictly prohibited in any application process in Immigration.

A duly filled application form, along with the necessary documents form the most critical facets of making your application process a success. The list of the documents required may vary in conformity with the type of visa applied for! In the above case, the applicant is advised to get a duplicate passport from the Canadian High Commission as soon as possible. It would be a wise decision to have the guidance of an expert Immigration and Visa specialist by your side, to ensure that the procedure is carried out perfectly.

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.

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!

Denmark immigration opens a wide range of opportunities for you, in case your nominated occupation appears on the positive list of occupations. If you are proficient in the English language and your professional and educational qualification suits the occupation you have nominated for, that is listed on the Denmark’s positive list of occupations, you can almost pack your bags for Denmark.

However, passing the minimum pass mark set for Denmark’s points based system along with the submission of necessary documents are a few other things that would together pave your way to a successful Denmark immigration.

It would be a good idea to assess the points that you are likely to get according to the current Points based system of Denmark. This can be done with the assistance of an able immigration specialist. It makes sense to make an investment of time and money in the Denmark Green Card application, only if you have chances of clearing the minimum pass mark. A Denmark Green Card allows you to stay in Denmark for three years, with the residence permit.

Apart from seeking assistance from an immigration expert, you must also be mindful of a few tips to ensure a successful Denmark Green card application. This would help you save a lot of time and also avert inconvenience that you might have to face for the Green card approval for Denmark immigration.

Cracking an IELTS test can be difficult for some, while easy for others. But it’s not just clearing the IELTS test that is important. The issue that needs to be dealt with is, how to score higher in IELTS, as this is what will decide the immigration destination you qualify for. You may say that you wish to immigrate to Australia to work there. If you are a teacher then you will need to qualify IELTS test with a band score of 7 in every testing module in the academic training test.

So, it is not just about qualifying the test but also scoring higher. Everyone is thereby recommended to take coaching for the IELTS test and prepare with all their heart and soul. For update in IELTS test format or scoring pattern, an immigration consultant can be of great help. However, you need not bother, if you fail to obtain the desired pass marks, as there are several other factors that can help you compensate your IELTS score, such as relatives sponsorship, job offer from your desired immigration destination et al. Talk to your immigration specialist to calculate these points for you. Reappearing for the test is another way out.

Academic and general training patterns are the two primary IELTS modules. Candidates are free to choose the module of their preference, based on their occupation and immigration destination. For more information on IELTS modules, their duration and test patterns, kindly read this article: Everything you need to know about IELTS modules.

To know about the IELTS band score levels, IELTS score pattern – Time to decide your immigration destination is the article that can provide you useful information. The results are normally out on the 13th day of the test. IELTS test score is usually valid for a maximum of 2 years.

Now, do not waste your time anymore, meet your immigration expert today and start preparing for your IELTS test without any delay.

Immigration to Australia can surely get you your dream job, if you have the desired skills and qualification of your nominated profession. But what if you fulfill all these requirements and still do not get a job in Australia? Of course, this can be a heart-rending situation. Language barrier can often be a problem for new immigrants. Don’t worry! To make sure that you do not have to face any such situation, Australian Department of Immigration and citizenship require applicants seeking immigration under the general skilled migration category to pass the IELTS test. This test evaluates the English language skills of the applicant in four main components – speaking, reading, listening and writing.

Applicants who obtain a minimum pass mark are given certain points benefit in the GSM points test. The more you score, the better will be your skill level and thereby the point benefits enjoyed by you. While the highest skill level, PROFICIENT ENGLISH, will contribute 25 points to your GSM points test, the lowest skill level, NO ENGLISH, will not add any points. So, it is a good idea to take some classes for the preparation of your IELTS test before you actually appear for it. If you wish to know about skill levels of the IELTS test in detail, simply go through this article: English language (IELTS) requirements for Australia General Skilled Migration Visas

However, there are a few applicants who enjoy the privilege of being exempted from the IELTS test and fly to Australia. For instance, applicants who have English as their primary language need not appear for the test. To find out more about these options, kindly see this article: Are you the lucky one to enjoy the exemption from IELTS test?

An Australian immigration specialist can help you file for an IELTS test and get all your necessary documents in place to make the process of immigration a hassle-free task for you. So, do not delay anymore and get started today!

Federal skilled worker class- Listed occupations

Applications filed – after February 27th 2008, under federal skilled workers class can apply under three options, and most popular being where they are assessed for eligibility according to a point based system. Such applications are assessed based against six selection factors in the skilled worker point’s grid. The six selection factors are: Education; abilities in English and/or French, Canada’s two official languages; work experience; age; whether the applicant has an arranged employment in Canada, and finally adaptability.

Most critical requirement to apply under this option is that the skilled worker who has at least one year of experience in one or more of the following occupations. Do read my simplified review of these listed and get a better understanding of who or who may not qualify to apply for permanent resident visa under the federal skilled worker class.

0111: Financial Managers
0213: Computer and Information Systems Managers
0311: Managers in Health Care
0631: Restaurant and Food Service Managers
0632: Accommodation Service Managers
0711: Construction Managers
1111: Financial Auditors and Accountants
2113: Geologists, Geochemists and Geophysicists
2143: Mining Engineers
2144: Geological Engineers
2145: Petroleum Engineers
3111: Specialist Physicians
3112: General Practitioners and Family Physicians
3141: Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists
3143: Occupational Therapists
3142: Physiotherapists
3151: Head Nurses and Supervisors
3152: Registered Nurses
3215: Medical Radiation Technologists
3233: Licensed Practical Nurses
4121: University Professors
4131: College and Other Vocational Instructors
6241: Chefs
6242: Cooks
7213: Contractors and Supervisors, Pipefitting Trades
7215: Contractors and Supervisors, Carpentry Trades
7217: Contractors and Supervisors, Heavy Construction Equipment Crews
7241: Electricians (Except Industrial and Power System)
7242: Industrial Electricians
7251: Plumbers
7252: Steamfitters, Pipe fitters and Sprinkler System Installers
7265: Welders and Related Machine Operators
7312: Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics
7371: Crane Operators
7372: Drillers and Blasters – Surface Mining, Quarrying and Construction
8221: Supervisors, Mining and Quarrying
8222: Supervisors, Oil and Gas Drilling and Service
9212: Supervisors, Petroleum, Gas and Chemical Processing and Utilities

The four digit codes mentioned prior to Occupation is the applicable code as per the Canadian National Occupational Classification list.

My simplified review of listed occupations

A first glance review of the list is very encouraging. Following broad categories of listed and permitted occupations immediately come to mind:

• Computer and Information technology Engineers and professionals
• Financial auditors, accountants and managers; mostly they will means Chartered accountants, cost accountants. Company secretaries, financial and investment analyst
• Health occupations and professions
• Managerial occupations in Hospitality sector like accommodations and Restaurant managers
• Trades occupations in Hospitality sector like Cooks and chefs
• Engineering and Supervisory trade occupations in mining, oil, Gas and petroleum
• Engineering and  supervisory trade occupations in construction and civil
• University professors and college and vocational teachers

Conclusions from above summary of broad categories of listed occupations:

• Majority of identified occupations has many sub-occupation mentions and many applicants may actually be qualifying though their occupation does not appear to be figuring on the face of mentioned occupations. A clear and comprehensive understanding of NOC and its related aspects is critically and very important.
• Almost all general skilled occupations like Sales, marketing, administration, teachers, human resources, bookkeeping etc do not appear in this list and hence are not likely to succeed  for immigration under point based system announced for federal general skills program.
• It is highly unlikely that they will be able to get an arranged employment offer from a Canadian employer as enough human resources under the general skills occupations are available locally and within Canada.
• It will be best that they look for filing immigration applications to another country like Australia, UK, New Zealand, Denmark etc
• Applicants who are high net worth individual and with business experience should consider filing their applications under one of the business and investor visas options.

Canada Federal skilled worker Immigration- Importance of Canadian National Occupational Classifications (NOC)

Canadian immigration programs for federal skilled workers and professionals require the applicant to have experience in one or more of the occupational categories identified in the Ministerial Instructions. These occupations are listed in National Occupational Classifications (NOC).

Canadian National occupational classification (NOC) provides occupation specific information to policymakers, job-seekers, employers and Immigration and Visa officers. This information relates to occupational job titles, their duties and responsibilities and finally the educational, professional and trades qualifications that persons holding respective job titles are expected to perform.

The applicant is required to identify an occupation in which he is qualified to apply his application under the federal skilled worker class. The applicant must have has at least one year of experience – during the last ten years- in one or more occupations that appears on the prescribed list of occupations.

Over the years, NOC has become a major assessment tool in the hands of Citizenship and Immigration, Canada.

Prospective migrants not having at least one year experience in one of the prescribed occupations are not eligible to apply under the federal skilled worker category.

The applicant may however, may apply in two other categories.

But even while applying in either of the other two categories; he must still identify the NOC under which his immigration application can be processed.

Thus importance of NOC for the citizenship and Immigration Canada- as an assessment tool for applicants under federal skilled workers- is paramount and critical. In short, one cannot file an application under this category unless he identifies the right NOC category.

The official website of National Occupation classification can be visited at http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2006/Welcome.aspx.

The applicant should visit this site and identify the closest occupation – listed in NOC- whose requirements he meets. It is required that he performs or has performed majority of duties and responsibilities that are listed in the claimed NOC. The applicant might have many years of experience and hence would have worked on more than one positions and occupations. In such a case, he can also claim qualification in more the one NOC occupations. He however, ought to have worked for at least one year to claim assessment in any occupation.

As a critical step toward ensuring success of the immigration application under federal skilled worker program, it will help the applicants cause to prepare a resume that is specific to Canadian work environment. Such a resume can identify the NOC identified occupations that you qualify in and the relevant duties and responsibilities that you perform.

Been associated with the industry since 1994, I (To know more about me click here) feels that identification of correct NOC requires careful review and study of applicant’s credentials and qualifications. This means years of practice and knowledge of past precedents, especially in cases where the applicant qualifies in more than one occupation.

Dear Readers,

My journey in Immigration and visa consulting industry started in the year 1994. I started accepting the mandate(s) for Immigration Visa consulting services to general skilled and professionals and for advisory areas related to global relocation and job search, post landing settlement in destined countries. I continue to be an immigration and visa specialist even today. I run my company in the name of ABHINAV (www.abhinav.com).

It has indeed been an interesting journey and the most important learning is that bureaucrats are same across the world – go by book and use the book to hide their failings, have no accountability for their actions and in most cases non-actions.

Bureaucrats and officers dealing with Immigration and visas matters are unique since they have extreme discretionary powers. And in majority of the time they are misused. They take refusal decisions that are unfair and mostly unexplained and then leave it to the applicant to fight it out with the department – with senior officers and ministers or with the court. The department is not much helping either as they have standard responses for appeals. And the court procedure is so expensive for ordinary applicant to follow that – in most cases- is ruled out.

So if the situation so dismal all around! Not really, as many countries seem to have learned from failings of systems of countries that started early. In my opinion and going by experience, leading the pack of countries with most mismanaged immigration system will be - without doubt – Canada followed by USA, Hong Kong, Thailand. Talking of Canada, Quebec Immigrant investor program is an exception but then that accounts for a small number of the actual number of large immigrants and how many applicants have a net worth of close to CAD 800,000/-?

Among the most applicant, efficient, accountable and user friendly system I have experienced is Singapore, followed by Australia and New Zealand. Denmark has recently started the green card process and the initial feel factor is comfortable.

In this blog I will share

• My experiences from past and how they affected applicants?
• How past can be used to as a learning tool by future applicants, governmental bodies and agencies?
• Latest happenings and changes and what these changes will mean to candidates whose applications are pending or who intend to apply?
• Proposed changes in future and if introduced what these changes will mean to candidates whose applications are pending or who intend to apply?

Visitors to the blog can

• Share their experiences and ask the queries related to Immigration issues and visa matters
• Can comment on the articles in the blog
• Can respond to queries
• Can submit articles

Welcome to my Blog… To know more about my self you can check About Me or you can also visit my website: www.abhinav.com. If you like the blog then please subscribe to our feed at http://www.immigrationvisaonline.com/feed/