Canada Immigration:

Canada has been the most immigrant friendly country in the world among the developed nations for the last four years. With Liberal party’s victory in recent national election, the country is certainly going to remain as such for the next four years too. This is the high time to apply for Canada immigration.

Besides “Express Entry” – the most appealing one, there are plenty other programs such as Family sponsorship, Provincial nominees, Quebec-selected skilled workers, Atlantic Immigration Pilot etc. as the pathway to migrate in the planet’s most culturally diversified country.

Immigration Programs of Canada:

 

Express Entry

The two very basic requirement for Express Entry visa is having at least two years of work experience after graduation and an IELTS score of 6 in each band.  However, some other factors such as age, education field, spouse’s qualification may also play crucial role in finally being nominated for the program.

The five steps process of express entry is as follows:

Step 1: Eligibility Check

The eligibility is determined by your current profile you have. You give us details about your nationality, age, language ability, family members (spouse and children), education, and work experience, we will provide you a primary evaluation.

If you find you as a prospective candidate we will ask you to prepare required documents.

Step 2: Preparing Documents

If a candidate is eligible to apply, they need to prepare the following documents. Not all of them are needed to be uploaded in the system, but information of all the documents are essential. Here is the list of the documents:

• passport or travel document
• language test results
• education credential assessment report
• provincial nomination (not mandatory)
• written job offer from an employer in Canada (not mandatory)
• police certificates
• medical exams
• proof of funds

Preparing the documents is the most arduous job in the whole application process. However, we have a reliable team working full-time, totally dedicated in smoothly operating the process.

Step 3: Profile Submission

Once the documents are ready, submission of the profile is just few clicks away. It is all about filling out the Express Entry form accurately. By submitting your profile to the Express Entry pool, you are actually allowing the Canadian Immigration authority to rank your profile. If you’re one of the top candidates, you will be invited to be a permanent resident of Canada.

 

Step 3: Accepting the Invitation and Applying for Permanent Residence

After getting the invitation, a candidate will have 60 days to submit his/her application for permanent residence. So, it is suggested that applicants start filling out the online form right away so that they can get all the information and documents needed before your invitation expires. We do know how to make it faster. However, a successful application may require up to 6 months to process.

 

Provincial Nominee Program

This program is for workers who:

• have the skills, education and work experience to contribute to the economy of a specific province or territory
• want to live in that province, and
• want to become permanent residents of Canada

Each province and territoryFootnote* has its own “streams” (immigration programs that target certain groups) and requirements. For example, in a program stream, provinces and territories may target:

• students
• business people
• skilled workers
• semi-skilled workers

Quebec Immigration Program:

This is the application process for skilled workers who want to become permanent residents of Canada and live in Quebec. Quebec has a special agreement on immigration with the Government of Canada. The province has its own rules for choosing immigrants who will adapt well to living there.

To immigrate to Canada as a Quebec-selected skilled worker, you must apply in the following 2 stages:

1. Apply to the Government of Quebec for a Quebec Selection Certificate (Certificat de sélection du Québec [CSQ]).

• The Province of Quebec will assess you, using its own rules.
• The certificate shows that the Province of Quebec has accepted you as an immigrant.

2. If the Province of Quebec chooses you and gives you a CSQ, you must apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for permanent residence.

 

Atlantic Immigration Pilot:

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program has 3 programs for hiring candidates. Each has its own requirements.

1. Atlantic International Graduate Program

The job must:

• last at least 1 year
• be a management, professional (usually needing a university degree), or technical/skilled (usually needing a college diploma or training as an apprentice) job
• be full-time
• be non-seasonal

2. Atlantic High-Skilled Program

The job must:

• last at least 1 year
• be a management, professional (usually needing a university degree), or technical/skilled (usually needing a college diploma or training as an apprentice) job
• be full-time
• be non-seasonal

3. Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program

The job must:

• be permanent
• be a management, professional (usually needing a university degree), technical/skilled (usually needing a college diploma or training as an apprentice) or intermediate (usually needing high school and/or job-specific training) job
• be full-time
• be non-seasonal

4. Start-up Visa:

Canada’s Start-up Visa Program targets immigrant entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to build businesses in Canada that:

• are innovative
• can create jobs for Canadians
• can compete on a global scale

To be eligible for the Start-up Visa Program, you must:

• have a qualifying business
• get a letter of support from a designated organization
• meet the language requirements
• bring enough money to settle

USA Immigration:

U.S. immigration law is complex, and there is much confusion as to how it works. Immigration law in the United States has been built upon the following principles: the reunification of families, admitting immigrants with skills that are valuable to the U.S. economy, protecting refugees, and promoting diversity. This fact sheet provides basic information about how the U.S. legal immigration system is designed and functions.

Once a person obtains an immigrant visa and comes to the United States, they become a lawful permanent resident (LPR). In some circumstances, non-citizens already inside the United States can obtain LPR status through a process known as “adjustment of status.” Lawful permanent residents are foreign nationals who are permitted to work and live lawfully and permanently in the United States. LPRs are eligible to apply for nearly all jobs (i.e., jobs not legitimately restricted to U.S. citizens) and can remain in the country permanently, even if they are unemployed. After residing in the United States for five years (or three years in some circumstances), LPRs are eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship. It is impossible to apply for citizenship through the normal process without first becoming an LPR.

The two major types of immigration process are Employment-Based Immigration and Family-Based Immigration.

Employment-Based Immigration:

The United States provides various ways for immigrants with valuable skills to come to the country on either a permanent or a temporary basis.

1. Temporary Visa Classifications

Temporary employment-based visa classifications permit employers to hire and petition for foreign nationals for specific jobs for limited periods. Most temporary workers must work for the employer that petitioned for them and have limited ability to change jobs.  There are more than 20 types of visas for temporary non-immigrant workers.

2. Permanent Immigration

The overall numerical limit for permanent employment-based immigrants is 140,000 per year.  This number includes the immigrants plus their eligible spouses and minor unmarried children, meaning the actual number of employment-based immigrants is less than 140,000 each year. The 140,000 visas are divided into five preference categories.

 

Preference Category	Eligibility	Yearly Numerical Limit
1	“Persons of extraordinary ability” in the arts, science, education, business, or athletics; outstanding professors and researchers, multinational executives and managers.	40,000*
2	Members of the professions holding advanced degrees, or persons of exceptional abilities in the arts, science, or business.	40,040**
3	Skilled workers with at least two years of training or experience, professionals with college degrees, or “other” workers for unskilled labor that is not temporary or seasonal.	40,040***   “Other” unskilled laborers restricted to 5,000
4	Certain “special immigrants” including religious workers, employees of U.S. foreign service posts, former U.S. government employees and other classes of aliens.	9,940
5	Persons who will invest $500,000 to $1 million in a job-creating enterprise that employs at least 10 full time U.S. workers. For petitions filed on  or after 11/21/2019 the investment amounts increase to $900,000 to $1.8 million, with future increases  at specified intervals.	9,940
*Plus any unused visas from the 4th and 5th preferences. **Plus any unused visas from the 1st preference. ***Plus any unused visas from the 1st and 2nd preference.

Family-Based Immigration:

Family unification is an important principle governing immigration policy. The family-based immigration category allows U.S. citizens and LPRs to bring certain family members to the United States.

Prospective immigrants under the immediate relatives’ category must meet standard eligibility criteria, and petitioners must meet certain age and financial requirements. Immediate relatives are:

• spouses of U.S. citizens;
• unmarried minor children of U.S. citizens (under 21-years-old); and
• parents of U.S. citizens (petitioner must be at least 21-years-old to petition for a parent).

A limited number of visas are available every year under the family preference system, but prospective immigrants must meet standard eligibility criteria, and petitioners must meet certain age and financial requirements.

The family-based immigration system is summarized in the next table.

 

Category	U.S. Sponsor	Relationship	Numerical Limit
Immediate Relatives	U.S. Citizen adults	Spouses, unmarried minor children, and parents	Unlimited
Preference allocation
1	U.S. citizen	Unmarried adult children	23,400*
2A	LPR	Spouses and minor children	87,900
2B	LPR	Unmarried adult children	26,300
3	U.S. citizen	Married adult children	23,400**
4	U.S. citizen	Brothers and Sisters	65,000***

Australia Immigration:

The General Skilled Migration (GSM) Program is the only path for skilled workers to immigrate to Australia. Candidates must meet the Basic Requirements for GSM and pass the Australian immigration Points Test to qualify for a visa to move to Australia. There are eight categories under which Australian Department of Home Affairs issues visa to the applicants.

 

1. SKILLED – INDEPENDENT VISA

The Skilled – Nominated Visa (subclass 190) is a category for skilled applicants looking to immigrate to Australia who are sponsored by an Australian State or Territory. One must score at least 65 points (the pass mark) on the Points Test to be eligible for this visa.

To be able to lodge a valid application for this visa you need to obtain a positive skills assessment, before then submitting an Expression of Interest through Skill Select. You can do this in or outside Australia.

To apply for this visa you must:

• be invited to apply;
• be younger than 45 years of age when you are invited to apply;
• nominate an occupation that matches your skills and qualifications and is on the relevant Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) OR the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL);
• have your skills assessed by the relevant assessing authority as suitable for your nominated occupation;
• have at least competent English;
• score at least 65 on the Points Test; AND
• meet the health and character requirements.

 

2. SKILLED – NOMINATED VISA

The Australian Skilled – Nominated Visa (subclass 190) This Australian state sponsored visa is for skilled workers who are nominated by a state or territory. A visa holder can live and work permanently in Australia. You must score at least 65 points (the pass mark) on the Points Test to be eligible for this visa.

To apply for this visa you must:

• be invited to apply;
• be younger than 45 years of age when you are invited to apply;
• nominate an occupation that matches your skills and qualifications and is on the relevant Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) OR the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL);
• have your skills assessed by the relevant assessing authority as suitable for your nominated occupation;
• have at least competent English;
• score at least 65 on the Points Test; AND
• meet the health and character requirements.

 

3. SKILLED – NOMINATED (PROVISIONAL) VISA

The Skilled – Nominated (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) is an Australian state sponsored visa for skilled people wishing to live and work in a regional or low population growth area in Australia.

You must score at least 65 points (the pass mark) on the Points Test to be eligible for this visa.

To apply for this visa you must:

• be invited to apply;
• be younger than 45 years of age when you are invited to apply;
• nominate an occupation that matches your skills and qualifications and is on the relevant Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) OR the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL);
• have your skills assessed by the relevant assessing authority as suitable for your nominated occupation;
• have at least competent English;
• score at least 65 on the Points Test; AND
• meet the health and character requirements.

The following States/Territories participate in the Skilled – Nominated (Provisional) visa sponsorship scheme:

• New South Wales
• Northern Territory
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Victoria
• Western Australia

 

4. SKILLED – SPONSORED (PROVISIONAL) VISA

The Skilled – Sponsored (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) is an Australian family sponsored visa for skilled people wishing to live and work in a regional or low population growth area in Australia. If you secure sponsorship from an eligible relative and meet the basic requirements for this visa, you will then receive an Invitation to Apply.You must score at least 65 points (the pass mark) on the Points Test to be eligible for this visa.

To apply for this visa you must:

• be invited to apply;
• be younger than 45 years of age when you are invited to apply;
• nominate an occupation that matches your skills and qualifications and is on the relevant Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL);
• have your skills assessed by the relevant assessing authority as suitable for your nominated occupation;
• have at least competent English;
• score at least 65 on the Points Test; AND
• meet the health and character requirements.

If you were successful in applying under this category, you would have to undertake the following obligations:

• Live in the nominating State/Territory for at least two years;
• Keep immigration authorities informed of changes to your address; and
• Take part in surveys as required.

 

5. SKILLED – REGIONAL VISA

The Skilled – Sponsored (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) is an Australian family sponsored visa for skilled people wishing to live and work in a regional or low population growth area in Australia. You must score at least 65 points (the pass mark) on the Points Test to be eligible for this visa.

If you secure sponsorship from an eligible relative and meet the basic requirements for this visa, you will then receive an Invitation To Apply.

To apply for this visa you must:

• be invited to apply;
• be younger than 45 years of age when you are invited to apply;
• nominate an occupation that matches your skills and qualifications and is on the relevant Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL);
• have your skills assessed by the relevant assessing authority as suitable for your nominated occupation;
• have at least competent English;
• score at least 65 on the Points Test; AND
• meet the health and character requirements.

 

6. EMPLOYER NOMINATION SCHEME (ENS)

The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) enables Australian employers to nominate highly skilled overseas workers to fill positions that cannot be filled from within the Australian labor market or through the employer’s own training programs.

Positions must correspond to an occupation on the ENS List of Occupations, must pay at least the minimum salary specified for the occupation in a government Gazette Notice, and must be full-time and available for a period of at least 3 years. Positions must also be in accordance with the standards for working conditions provided for in relevant Australian workplace legislation.

ENS consists of 2 distinct stages:

• Stage 1 – Nomination by an employer; and
• Stage 2 – Nominee’s application for a visa.

The ENS List of Occupations is a list of skilled occupations, detailed on a government Gazette Notice, in which Australian employers may nominate overseas workers for permanent residence in Australia.

 

The major occupational groups in this range are:

• Managers and Administrators;
• Professionals;
• Associate Professionals; and
• Tradespersons and related workers.

The Government Gazette Notice which specified the ENS List of Occupations also specifies a minimum salary level for specific occupations.

 

7. REGIONAL SKILLED MIGRATION SCHEME (RSMS)

The Regional Skilled Migration Scheme (RSMS) allows employers in regional or low population growth areas of Australia to fill skilled positions they are unable to fill from the local labour market.

An employer can take part in the scheme if their business is in any area except Brisbane, Gold Coast, Newcastle, Sydney, Wollongong, Melbourne and Perth.

The RSMS process consists of 3 stages:

1. Certification of the Nomination or Vacancy (by a certifying body)
2. Employer Nomination Assessment
3. Visa Nominee Requirements

 

8. LABOUR AGREEMENTS

Labour Agreements are work visas that enable employers in Australia to recruit a specified number of overseas workers in response to identified or emerging labour market (or skill) shortages in Australia. They provide an avenue for both permanent and temporary entry to Australia.

Visa applicants under a Labour Agreement must be nominated by an employer who is a party to an approved agreement and before the visa can be granted that nomination must be approved.

In addition, the visa application will be assessed against the following:

• That the applicant has the qualifications, skills (including English language skills) and experience specified in the Agreement;
• That the applicant is able to satisfy any mandatory licensing, registration or professional membership requirements under the Labour Agreement;
• That the applicant is less than 45 years of age; and
• That the applicant and all family unit members meet mandatory health and character requirements.

After the Agreement has been negotiated, the process consists of 2 stages:

• Stage 1: Nomination by the employer.
• Stage 2: Nominee’s application for a visa.

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Business Visa

BREXIT has brought new fortunes for skilled workers, talented graduates, entrepreneurs and investor. Now people from all around the world can come build their future in the United Kingdom. The UK policy makers have mentioned it explicitly that by leaving EU they are actually trying to be more diversified by welcoming worthy immigrants from different countries which was mostly allocated for European previously.

Presently, UK Immigration offers a number of visa options, and knowing which visa to apply for should be the first step taken when making plans to travel to UK.

If you already have a job offer from a company in the UK you may be able to apply for a UK Work Permit.

If you already live in the UK, you may be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. After a few years, you may even be able to apply for Naturalization. You will have to pass the Life in the UK Test to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain or UK Citizenship.

• UK Immigration Visas, for permanent migration to the UK.
• UK Family Visas, for immigrating to the UK based on your relationship to an eligible UK citizen.
• Other UK Immigration Pathways, for other UK immigration pathways.