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Adv Jaspal Singh

Posts for Visa Updates Category

US education & Study Visa will bounce back in 2022

Jaspal Singh - 13 June 2021

USA Study Visa

Updated on September 7th, 2024

In June this year, the US embassy announced the opening of bulk student appointment slots from June 14. So it was obviously hoped a noticeable rise in US study visa applications for this dream destination in the coming future. This was big news for all students planning to join US higher education and degrees in US colleges and universities. Don Heflin, who is in charge of visa operations at the embassy and the four consulates in India, said that time, ‘We will open tens of thousands of visa appointment slots on Monday, June 14, during the morning business hours.’

Department announces to open appointments in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. Students can book appointments at their nearest center and avoid travel. He further clarified that the embassy would interview as many students as in 2019, the last normal year.

US Universities are welcoming Indian students

The US always remained a most sought-after destination for higher studies. A wide range of scholarship options, the cost of education, and entirely an international space are among the important reasons. This makes the USA a diverse society to live in. Over 150 Universities in the USA are among the world’s top universities according to QS rankings 2020. That alone speaks for itself for US education.

Source: Keystone Report

After the election of Biden as President, students see the US as a more favorable destination for their studies. A survey report released by Keystone Academic Solutions, based upon 5851 website visitors, shows that 83% of students from different nations are likely to study in the US since the election of Biden. As per these reports, 48% were interested in master’s programs, 21% in bachelor’s, 13% in doctoral, and 12% in certificate or diploma programs. Similarly, an IDP survey of 800 prospective students earlier this year suggested that 76% of prospective students said the election of Biden improved their perception of the US as a study destination.

Difficulty in getting appointments

There is a deluge to get an F-1 visa, whereas the slot is minimal. The US government has kept most non-immigrant international travel from India suspended since April 30. And now, because of the rush, students are finding it difficult to get appointment slots for their visas. Institutes across the US are ready to allow international students entry into physical campus programs from the Fall session onwards.

Department spokesperson encouraged students to apply early for visas, adding that the department prioritizes interview appointments for students and expedites appointments on a case-by-case basis.

Bhawana
Bhawana Salaria

Bhawana Salaria, an education consultant based in Jalandhar, & Director of CAAN World Consultants, said that students prefer to apply for US study visas because it has so many reasons behind it, including best and ranking Universities & better career opportunities. When other countries like Australia, New Zealand are still planning to open borders for International Students. The USA has opened visas for Indian students, and this step will certainly be beneficial to Indian students.

Update in September 2021

Media reports say over 55000 Indian students and exchange visitors to the United States have been given students visa in 2021. This is the highest number ever, a US Mission statement said. In June 2021, as soon as conditions allowed, additional slots of appointments were opened. Ultimately, these efforts paid off. A good number of students received visas to study in the United States, the statement further read.

This announcement of over 55,000 students and exchange visitor’s visas came when on the other side, countries like Australia and New Zealand have not opened borders for international students. So many European countries have not been clear about vaccination requirements for Indian students.

On a very positive note, Ambassador Atul Keshap said, ‘Indian students also enrich US society, and achieve a high level of academic success. This also deepens the bonds of friendship between our countries.’

…expecting more visas in the coming days

In light of these observations, it seems very clear that in the coming years, or at least in 2022, US education will be in the limelight, attracting more international students worldwide and in India.

Besides the quality of education, the cost of study, career opportunities, working, and welcoming immigration will be among a few important reasons behind this growing trend. As a professional working in the international education industry, I hope this will be a great opportunity for aspiring students.

Planning to study in the USA, Call our expert team +91-9216 310 310
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MALTA: A Beautiful destination for higher studies

Jaspal Singh - 22 May 2021

Updated on September 7th, 2024

I am in the profession of consultancy of students for international education for over two decades. During this span of time, I have been to different destinations, including various parts of Europe. In Europe, there are so many destinations that are popular among students choosing higher education abroad. Malta is one of those destinations that we will explore in this article. Malta is a small island about 80 km south of Italy and 280km east of Tunisia. It is home to a population of roughly 440,000 people. The capital city of Malta is Valletta. It has 11,500 students, including over 600 international students from 71 different countries. Studying in Malta is most suited for international students. It is an English-speaking country, and they base the education system in Malta on the British model offering rich and diverse programs for higher studies.

Private & Public Colleges in Malta

Even though small, Malta has different public and private institutions that offer programs at different levels to overseas students. Most of these institutes are in Valetta, the capital city. Institutes offer graduate programs in various disciplines and specialist courses in tourism, arts, technology, etc. It houses hundreds of international students, many of whom are there to improve their proficiency in the English language.

We also call Malta the ‘hidden gem of the Mediterranean’ because interesting geographical locations such as Sicily and Alexandria surrounded it. Malta is a relatively peaceful country surrounded by beauty. And there is a wide variety of career choices students may choose to focus on.

This country offers an excellent standard of education, an affordable living style and plenty of exciting career opportunities. I regularly attend conferences and education fairs in different parts of Europe, including Poland, Hungary, and Switzerland.

A great place to improve your English
Student Life in MALTA
Student Life in MALTA

Malta is a great place to learn the lingua franca of the global business economy — English. Around 75,000 international students enroll in English language courses every year. A large proportion of the students come from Italy. Also, it attracts many French and German learners. Most international students arrive in July, combining a summer vacation with a chance to improve their English. General English is the most popular course. It focuses on four key language skills–reading, writing, listening, and speaking–with additional vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. Courses are between 15-30 hours a week, which includes a significant amount of one-to-one tutoring. Other course options include intensive English, English for work, business or academic English, and 50+ programs tailored to mature students.

Top courses in MALTA

MBA: A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a graduate degree. A master of business administration (MBA) is a graduate degree that provides theoretical and practical business or investment management training. An MBA helps graduates gain a better understanding of general business management functions. 

Master of Engineering Studies in Geotechnical Engineering: Completing the Master of Engineering Studies in Geotechnical Engineering will enhance your ability to practice in the geotechnical engineering field by extending your education in your area of specialization and upgrading your current skills and training.

Hotel Management: The Bachelor’s Degree in International Hotel Management prepares students to enter the world of hospitality as leaders and managers with a strategic approach to business. It combines management theory with hands-on hospitality courses, professional internships, and a business specialization.

Professional Cooking: This course involves inculcating advanced cookery skills and administrative management skills. It involves indulging in techniques such as specialization in patisserie and gastronomy. It would also involve planning and implementing a live dinner service (including menu development and management skills).

Tourism and Hospitality: Tourism and leisure refer to the management of products and services related to such activities as traveling for pleasure, personal recreation, and various social events.

Stay back Options in Malta

Some students decide to take up permanent residence in Malta once they complete their educational requirements. English environment and free health care, and other factors attract many to make Malta their permanent home. Malta has a lot to offer; whether you are a student or staying permanently, you will not soon forget. After graduating, you have all the support you need to start a career or even build your own business.

Life & Other Activities in Malta

Malta is a country where you can get a great education, and enjoy a high standard of living. There you meet lots of interesting people from all over the world. If ancient history is not your thing, you can spend your weekends at bars, coffee shops, and restaurants. Like many of its Mediterranean neighbors, Malta is famous for its rustic national cuisine, delicious seafood, and warm hospitality. Plus, if you avoid the tourist traps, you will find plenty of places to eat out on a student budget.

Malta Study Visa

Whilst offering great opportunities for overseas students, life in Malta still keeps its traditional flavor. The locals are friendly. The island is very safe, and it is one of the cheapest places to study in Europe. These reasons contribute to the rising popularity of Malta among international students.

Visa and other requirements in Malta:

EU citizens can study and work in Malta without a visa. But they need to gain a residence document post 90 days of stay. Those from outside the EU would need to get a student visa from the Maltese consulates in their home country. Every University in Malta has an international office that assists with the Visa and application requirements. Students may also need to take up an English language test, depending on which country they are applying to. My company represents various colleges & Universities. All have different criteria for admission, which our counselors can check. We can also check visa requirements from the official websites of different consulates.

If you are looking to study in Malta, work, Visit, migrate, or invest in Malta, talk to CAAN World Consultants, the BEST Immigration & Visa Company having offices in Jalandhar, India & Melbourne, Australia.

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more about different Australian Visas

Jaspal Singh - 3 May 2021

Australia Visa

Updated on September 7th, 2024

Australia is one of the popular destinations to migrate to, whether you are going as a student, visitor, worker, or finally settling there. As an education & migration consultant for over two decades, I see many people apply for Australian visas every year. Each year, Australia grants a good number of different visas. In 2015, the number of migrants who got permanent residency in Australia was about 1,90 000. The reason behind this migration can be any, but it also helps the country’s economy grow and fill its workforce requirements and overall development. Most of the people going to Australia, about 70%, are skilled migrants, and about 30% are joining their relatives.

There are different visas for Australia, and the primary purpose of this blog is to discuss a few of them. Normally, we deal with student visas, visitor visas, or permanent residency visas. But in this blog, we will discuss a few other visas. If you are planning to travel to Australia for any purpose or are not sure which visa you should apply for, then this article can be helpful to you. This article discusses the different titles of visas.

Student Guardian Visa subclass 590

This Visa is for a guardian to come to Australia to provide care and support for a student visa holder under 18 years of age. The duration of this visa depends upon the length of the visa of the student. The applicant for this visa must be a student’s parent, custodian, or relative with a minimum age of 21. Applicant should have sufficient financial to support himself and the student during their stay in Australia.

While granting this visa, the visa officer considers the welfare of any member of the family who is not coming with you to Australia. You are personally liable for all your healthcare costs while you are in Australia. Medical insurance helps limit your financial liability. You must maintain adequate health cover for the whole of your stay if they granted you this visa. Your insurance should cover you for medically necessary treatment, including transport.

Student Guardian Visa

Under this visa, the applicant will not get any working rights. Normally, this visa is given when students go on a schooling visa. The genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) clause is significant while granting the visa; the applicant’s personal circumstances in the home country and potential circumstances in Australia are considered. In this Visa applicant’s immigration history is also significant while granting this visa. So, while applying for this visa, you must take expert advice. Consult for schooling & Guardian Visa here.

Prospective Marriage Visa subclass 300

If you are planning to marry an Australian citizen or permanent resident, this visa can be for you. Within a period of 9 months of reaching Australia, the applicant has to marry another partner. During this period, you will have full working rights without restrictions from the visa perspective. After marrying your partner, you can then apply for an onshore partner visa 820/801. After getting married, you can also apply to enroll in Medicare.

The visa allows multiple entries throughout the visa validity period. If we check the eligibility criteria to apply for this visa, the applicant should be at least 18 years old. Another partner whom they are going to marry must sponsor them. They both must have met in person since they turned 18 years old. Considering the GTE clause, both applicants must have genuine intentions to marry each other and live together as spouses.

Relationship Statement in Partner Visa
Partner Visa Australia

While applying for this visa, the relationship statement is an essential document. How the relationship started, developed, and finally, they decided to marry and live together. It must clearly mention all with no mistakes. It’s important, to be honest when writing the statement to prove that your relationship is genuine and continuing.

Mentioning exact dates is also very important. It would help if you mentioned all things that drive both of you closer, like common interests, and values. We can also mention significant events and activities while preparing this statement.

In such cases, it is common that applicants live separately, and during that period, how you maintained a relationship is very important. Finally, you may conclude the statement by elaborating on your plans once you are in Australia together with your partner. These plans usually are family and financial plans. The statement of your partner should be consistent with your claims. You may support your claim with evidence such as photographs, joint financial statements, and travel tickets.

Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa subclass 188

This enables you to possess as well as manage a business across Australia, conduct a legible and approved business and investment activity across Australia, or undertake an authentic entrepreneurial activity anywhere in Australia. If you have a successful business in your home country, are you willing to move to Australia with your family and establish a business, either a new one or an already running one, then this visa is for you. For this visa, you need to be nominated by the state government. Each state may have preferences for different requirements for different businesses. The duration of this visa is 2 years, which can be extended to another two years. And within this period, you need to have a requirement to invest a minimum amount of AUD 1.5 million in one state or territory of Australia.

Business Inn

Under subclass 188, there are different categories; here, we will discuss Business Innovation Stream Visa and Investor Stream Visa in this article. Eligibility and other criteria for these both categories are as under.

Business Innovation Stream

You need to provide proof of business success. It will assess the turnover of your present business. You and your partner or only you should have the personal asset and a total net business of AUD 800,000 while applying for the Business Innovation visa. You must score at least 65 on the points test. The main applicant must be able to have a Functional English level.

Investor Stream:
You must be a holder of an asset or an investment whose net value should be at least AUD 2.25 Million. You must score a minimum of 65 on the point board to get the Visa Subclass 188. Applicant must have invested AUD 1.5 Million in the country’s territory. The requirement of English level is also there.

Other common requirements
You must be below 55 years when you are applying for it. An applicant who is above 55 years is eligible to apply for it if his business is of exceptional economic benefit.

You must qualify for the health and character requirements stated by the nation before applying for it. Your extended family members who are not traveling with you might also need to meet the requirements; in that case, the respective person needs to do so.

Someone can file all these visas directly, taking no professional advice. Still, it is not suggested because there are so many technicalities where you certainly need professional advice to save your time & money. There can be many minute reasons that can be the reason for the refusal of your visa application. You must consult a professional to avoid rejection of visa due to wrong documentation and other errors. If you need more details on any of the visas, Visit www.caanworld.net

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Australia Partner Visa, few insights you must know

Jaspal Singh - 16 January 2021

Updated on September 30th, 2021

If you plan to join your partner in Australia or have already applied for a Partner Visa, this blog can give you few insights into this visa category. I am not a registered migration agent but working in a related profession for over two decades, having offices in India and Australia. I regularly interact with different registered migration agents, talk to colleagues, and read other professional blogs, so I based the information shared here on my own experiences and research. This blog unpacks the partner visa clauses and few common mistakes you should avoid when applying for a partner visa.

Partner Visa, when lodged Onshore:

The Partners Visa subclass 820 & 801 is lodged, while you are inside Australia. This Visa allows the individual to live in Australia, the spouse or a de facto partner of an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident. The temporary Partner Visa subclass 820 is granted initially. It lets you stay in Australia. Whereas the permanent Partner visa subclass 801, once granted, you can live in Australia as a permanent resident and further work to get your citizenship. There are other requirements on age, health, and character ground for this visa to be granted.

Partner Visa, when lodged Offshore:

Other clauses for Partner Visa are subclass 309 & 100. We can apply for these visas while the applicant is out of Australia. Partner Visa (Provisional) under subclass 100 is a temporary visa that allows the partner or spouse of an Australian citizen or permanent resident to stay in Australia. This Visa is the first step towards permanent Partner Visa subclass 100.

There is another Visa that later can lead to Partner Visa. This Visa is Prospective Marriage Visa subclass 300. This Visa is for those who want to enter before marriage. To apply for this visa, your fiancé must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. This Visa has a duration of 9 months, within which visa holders need to marry. They can apply to convert their visa to Partner Visa once they get married.

How do Partner Visas work ?

As discussed above, the partner of an Australian citizen or permanent resident can apply for a partner visa either onshore or offshore. When applied onshore, the applicant gets the bridging visa to remain in Australia during the processing time. The applicant is not entitled to a bridging visa when it applied offshore. The applicant has to remain in their home country during the processing time or visit Australia as a tourist for a short time. On tourist visas, they get no working or study rights like other applicants who apply onshore. The Visa fee in both cases remains the same. Presently it is $7715. As per Migration law, those who lodge an offshore application must also be outside Australia when their visa is granted.

Few mistakes that people normally do

Now I will share few mistakes that people usually make while lodging this visa. I have seen so many small and big reasons behind refusals of Partner Visa applications. This Visa is the most expensive, so everyone wants to get it right the first time.

It is not mandatory to lodge this visa with the help of a migration agent. You can file it yourself, but I suggest taking the help of professionals. Otherwise, you need to invest a lot of time in researching various details of partner visas. Because of a lack of professional advice, they refuse many applications. Department refused 47% of Partner Visa applications without migration agents in the financial year 2015-16. It was 53% in 2016-2107. So keeping in mind such a big rate of refusals, I suggest we take professional advice for better outcomes of visa applications.

Importance of Information stated in form 888s

Form 888 is an essential part of Partner Visa or Prospective Marriage visa applications. Your family, friends, or colleagues made this statutory declaration witnessing your relationship. It would help if you took care that the information mentioned in this form should not contradict what you had stated in your application. This declaration considers the social aspect of relationships. If you do not write statements, sometimes the information given does not match with the application. So we need a proper check while lodging a visa application.

Lack of sufficient evidence is one reason

Lack of enough information and evidence can be another reason for the refusal of a partner visa. There is no parameter to say what evidence is acceptable. But you will need to provide evidence to prove your claims in your application. Proving the genuineness of your relationship is an essential part of a successful visa application. Visa Officer, while deciding the application, may look into various facets of your lifestyle. This includes but is not limited to financial interdependence, mixing of finances, financial planning, social conduct, sharing social life, shared properties, home duties, travels, how the relationship was maintained when the couple was separated, and how others view the relationship, etc. We need to provide evidence of all facts to help the case officer to access your application.

Dates are very important in any visa application

All dates related to your relationship mentioned in your visa application must be consistent with each other. Forgetting dates can give visa officers a chance to question the integrity of your relationship. While filling the forms, you must take proper care of all dates. I have seen so many applications where a minor mistake about dates was the reason for visa rejection. You and your partner must know the fact that proper timeline and dates of relationship history.

There is no last list of such mistakes. Here, I just tried to recall a few of them. I suggest proper research on your visa application to be aware of each detail. Otherwise, I recommended the professional services of experts. In case of the department contacts you, you must provide such information within a timeframe. Make sure that you keep checking your Immi account and emails regularly.

If planning to file Partner Visa or any other Visa, drop a call at +91-9216 310 310
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International students are choosing Ukraine studies: A New Trend

Jaspal Singh - 18 December 2020

Updated on August 8th, 2021

I thought to write this blog on Ukraine studies as it is becoming a popular destination among international students, especially Indian students. I am in student visa consultancy, working for over two decades, dealing with various study destinations. Ukraine is now one of them as well. While major players in the global market of higher education set ambitious goals of attracting more international students, they do not consider a country like Ukraine a serious competitor. But changing trends in the past few years reflect the enrollment of international students has flourished significantly. 

During the last five years, there have been changes in mobility patterns. While in the past post-Soviet states were primarily sending countries accounting for almost half of incoming students in Ukraine, their share decreased. New sending countries diversified international enrollment with greater numbers of students coming from India, the Middle East, North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. 

International Students in Ukraine
The number of international students in Ukraine (2011 – 2020)

Ukraine is a beautiful country in Eastern Europe. You will certainly have a wonderful experience if you choose Ukraine studies. This is one of the newly developing study destinations for higher studies after Canada, Australia, the UK, and other parts of Schengen Europe. It is among the top five countries in the world, with the highest number of international students.

Geographically, Ukraine is the second-largest country in Europe, having land of agricultural plains. The country shares its borders with Russia in the east, Belarus in the north, Poland in the northwest, Slovakia and Hungary to the west, Romania to the southwest and south, and Moldova in between.

Indian students choosing different studies

International students, especially from India, choose medicine, healthcare, dentistry and pharmacy; they account for almost half of international enrollment. Other popular options include management, computer sciences, oil and gas engineering, secondary education. Most students are enrolled in bachelor and master programs with fewer than 1% studying in doctoral programs. Because of many years of development passionate work of scientists, Ukraine has built a great national education system and offers the following degrees:

Bachelor Program: The preparation for obtaining the Bachelor’s degree is carried out based on complete general secondary education. Bachelor’s degree is normally 4 years duration, whereas a medical degree, MBBS, has 6 years. Other medical degrees like Pediatrics, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Public Health, and Nursing have different durations.

Master Program: getting a Master’s degree is possible based on a Bachelor’s degree. The period of the course is 2 years.

PhD. A Doctor of Philosophy (or PhD) is a scientific degree received upon completing the Master’s course. Duration is 3-4 years.

MBBS & other Medical courses in Ukraine:

They ranked Ukraine at the fourth position in Europe for having the largest number of postgraduates in the medical field. The world’s major organizations like WHO and UNESCO recognize all the medical universities and the Medical Councils of many countries, including India. The admission process at a medical university in Ukraine is straightforward. They required no entrance examination to get admission to MBBS in Ukraine. The complete duration of an MBBS program in Ukraine is six years.

MBBS in Ukraine
MBBS in Ukraine

Eligibility Criteria for MBBS in Ukraine

The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine controls the management of all. The ministry has been keen on the development of the education system in the medical colleges in Ukraine.

Eligibility criteria for getting admission to MBBS in Ukraine differ from institution to institution. There is no entrance exam on a national level for entrance into a medical institution. If you are an Indian student, qualifying for the NEET entrance gives you an immense advantage for admission in Ukraine. Before studying in Ukraine, qualifying for the NEET entrance exam is mandatory for students who want to practice in India post completion of their degree.

Business, Hospitality, Management & other courses:

Students choose Ukraine for medical studies, but it does not mean that other streams are not there. A good number of students go to Ukraine for other courses as well. There are different programs available in Ukrainian Institutes. These courses include Bachelors & Masters in International Business, Business Analytics, International Economic Relation, Human Resource Management, Marketing. Tourism, Hotel and Tourism Management, Hotel and restaurant management, Agricultural science and food, Agricultural engineering (Agronomy), Agricultural Management, Software engineering, Computer sciences, System analysis, Computer engineering, Cybersecurity, AND many more.

Admission & Visa Process

When you decide to have your further education from Ukraine, no matter what subject, medical or other streams, the first step is to choose the right course and the right institute. This you can do with the help of internet search or consulting some expert dealing with Ukraine studies. The next step is to check the admission criteria, which can be different for different institutes. Here, our focus is on Indian students. For them, there is no English language test required for most programs. Students with an academic percentage above 55% in the senior secondary are eligible for Bachelor’s programs. Same way, students having 55% marks in Bachelors are eligible for different master’s degrees. They may enrol students in language courses before joining the actual course. Upon successful completion of the language program, students can major studies.

Visa & Immigration requirement

All international applicants coming to Ukraine with the purpose of studying shall get an “Invitation to study” from the university they are applying to. The invitation shall be in the same form established by the Ministry of Education. After this, students apply for a visa normally termed ‘D Visa’, allowing students to stay in Ukraine for longer than 90 days. To get a type D visa, a prospective student shall submit a list of documents to the consulate of Ukraine in the respective country, according to the list of documents showed on the Embassy’s website. When you have your date of arrival to Ukraine fixed, it is critically important to send a timely notification to your University about the date, time, and point (airport) of your arrival and flight number.

While clearing borders, you must know all details of your purpose for coming to Ukraine. Financially support for your stay must be assured from documents. We advise you to be ready for such an interview–make sure you know your university, its location, your place of residence during your studies, and the major of your studies. A notification letter from your university would be of utmost importance here. If you fail this interview, they can deny you access to enter Ukraine. This blog aims to make students aware of all details while they are planning to study in Ukraine.

If you are planning for Ukraine studies, just drop a call at +91-9216 310 310 and a team of experts will take care of your planning and dream to study in a beautiful country.

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Hope the Australian borders reopen soon for international students?

Jaspal Singh - 5 September 2020

Updated on August 23rd, 2021

After months of speculations, since March 2020, when the Australian borders are closed because of a health crisis caused by COVID-19 to everyone except citizens and permanent residents, everyone is regularly asking a question. When will borders reopen for international students? Undoubtedly this question is also costing 40 billion dollars to the country’s economy. Uncertainty is everywhere, although government officials, students, Universities, agencies, and other bodies estimate it differently. Given figures suggest that over 100, 000 international students are waiting outside Australia, including India. And they are wandering every day to fly back to Australia and join their studies.

South Australia’s plan

On 16th August 2020, the Australian government announced a pilot program under which the government is planning to reopen borders for approximately 300 international students who will arrive in South Australia. The federal government also gave a green signal to plan. Under this plan, these students will be from South East Asian countries like Singapore, Japan, China, and Hong Kong. After reaching Adelaide, they will remain in 14 days quarantine period. Universities will pay for the cost of quarantine.

Simon Birmingham
Federal Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham

Another plan of South Australia

Now we are at the end of July 2021 and under a newly approved student arrival plan for South Australia, a dedicated quarantine hub in Adelaide will host up to 160 students. South Australia approved the new “quarantine hub” and they expected it to become operational in the second half of 2021. 

On similar lines, another quarantine hub proposal for New South Wales is in the last stages of review. If it happens, it will be a significant step for students. Two in five (38%) international students who come to Australia choose to study in NSW.

Conditions are safe for quarantine

Education Minister Alan Tudge said the South Australia hub, which is to be based at Parafield Airport, met all standards. And “won’t take any quarantine places from Australians returning home”; returning students will be outside of overall “caps” on returning travellers for the state.

Institutions and students will be responsible for the costs of flights and quarantine. Incoming students will quarantine for 14 days and take daily COVID-19 tests.

South Australia’s Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier, who first approved the plan in May, said the quarantine facility is “ideal”:

It is single ground floor units, there’re no corridors basically, so it’s very well ventilated. It’s ideally set up for a student cohort because that’s actually what we normally use the facility for.

There are so many other factors on which the actual answer depends. The Australian government is trying to control the situation. Any further outbreak of COVID in any part of the country can create risk and all planning may get further delay.

As mentioned earlier, this question is costing 40 billion to the country, the government should come with a more effective way out to revive the economy. Students will travel and undergo medical tests and also quarantine. Delay in the opening will cause further loss to the economy. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, while talking to the media, mentioned that Australian borders would not reopen at least the end of the year but on the other side. Universities have taken applications, and similarly, immigration has also started accepting visa applications.

Hope that students can resume studies

In this scenario, if someone planning to study in Australia, he has to start the process, taking English tests like IELTS or PTE, collecting relevant documents. As a prospective international student, you can predict to join studies in the first intake in 2021. But this is again an estimate as there is no official announcement yet.

Let’s hope for the early reopening of borders for students and other travellers.

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Australian Study & Visitor Visa: Steps to follow

Jaspal Singh - 13 June 2020

Updated on September 7th, 2024

We need a visa to travel from one country to another for any specific reason or purpose. It is like an endorsement on a passport that allows the visa holder to enter, leave, or stay in any country in a particular period. Here we will discuss a few steps to get an Australian Visa. Reasons can be various like business, travel, study, work, or any, so requirements will also be different depending nature of the Visa. The visa application process differs from country to country, as every country has a unique set of rules that apply to get the visa approved.

This write-up is about Study & Visitor visas only. First, we are taking the heading of Study Visa.

# Study Visa subclass 500

When anyone wishes to study in Australia, he would need to get a study permit. The guidelines for study visa keep on changing from time to time. A Simplified Visa Framework (SSVF), which started on July 1, 2016, applies. As per this set of rules, now every visa for the study is filed under subclass 500.

It has ranked Australia as one of the best destinations for international students. Indian students are opting for Australia for its world-class education and excellent quality of living. Australia is one of the most welcoming and diverse countries. It has almost half of its population either born overseas or has at least one parent born overseas.

What you need for enrollment in the course

When you choose Australia for your studies, you will need to get a student visa. And to apply for a study visa, the very first thing you need is full-time enrollment with a recognized institution. While applying for registration in any course, you need to provide various information on your eligibility to enter that course of study. Your level of English is one of the essential requirements for entry into your course. Besides this, you also need to provide information about your living and welfare arrangements, including your health insurance.

Applying for your Study Visa:

When you get a letter of offer from any recognized institution, you need to apply for your visa. As discussed earlier, you need to apply for your visa under subclass 500. There is a list of documents required to apply for a study visa. These days we apply for it online. And here, we are giving a checklist of documents, but this list is not inclusive. There can be a few more requirements depending on case to case. If you are below 18, you may need your parental consent. I suggest you consult your expert’s advice for the last list of documents while applying for your visa. Choosing the right course for the right career is very important. The reason is that you will invest a lot of money and precious time. The following video can guide you on this point.

Checklist of documents to apply for Study Visa

Application Form
A Valid Passport
Proof of Enrollment (COE)
Academic and Work Experience documents
Evidence of your English proficiency skills
Details of your Health Insurance Policy
Evidence of Financial ability
Your Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement
Passport-sized photographs

# Visitor Visa subclass 600

Australia is one of the popular destinations for tourists from all over the world. Its beautiful beaches, mountains, mind-blowing landscapes, and many other things can allure anybody who feels a love for nature. Its awe-inspiring beautiful spots all-time attract tourists & visitors.

If you wish to visit Australia for tourists, business visitors, or visit family, you need to process your application under subclass 600. These days, the entire application process is online, and you do not need to physically visit any embassy of VFS. You need to fill out the application form, load relevant documents and pay the visa fee with your card. Although the entire process is straightforward, you need to take the correct steps for a successful application. A small and silly mistake can be the reason for the rejection of your visa application. You can complete the entire process yourself. But I advise you to consult some professionals to avoid any mistakes in your application.

When we read subclass 600, it suggests different applicants. This visa lets you visit Australia as a tourist, see family and friends, or for a few other purposes, including medical treatment. You may also have brief visits as business visitors. Under this visa, you can’t work or sell goods or services. Visa conditions can let you single entry or multiple entries while the visa is valid. To ensure that you get a successful visa, I suggested you consult a visa consultant.

What you need for a Visitor Visa Application

Requirements for Visitor Visa

In visitor visa applications, there are few general requirements. Every application may need a few more specific things to satisfy the Visa Officer for the Visa grant. Here the fundamental thing is your purpose of the visit, and that should be very clear. The visa officer may ask for any document for his satisfaction. The applicant needs to prove that he has sufficient financials to support his visit. It must clearly mention his reason to return. Here is a list of documents that are needed while applying for this visa.

Documents brief Checklist

The letter mentions details of applicants, passport details, travel details
Visa Application Form
2 Photos: 35 X 45mm, white background, matt finish 80% face size
The letter mentioning details of applicants, passport details, travel details
Pan Card or Adhar Card Copy
Financial statements (bank details)
Employment (Job or Business) Proof and Pay Slips
Income Tax Returns­
Hotel bookings or accommodation covering the entire duration of the intended stay
Flight reservation of return or round ticket
Marriage Certificate if married
Visa Application Fee

To avoid the extra length of the article, we will discuss different Australian Visas separately. This article is a general view of the Study & Visitor Visa for Indians. Also, read about other Visas.

If you are applying for any visa, you must consult an official source of information, or you may consult at Adv.Jaspal@gmail.com or WhatsApp +91-9888481965

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Let’s hope for the revival of the International student Industry.

Jaspal Singh - 8 May 2020

International Students

Updated on September 7th, 2024

The health crisis COVID completely halted the education industry dealing with International students. Social distancing and other orders by the authorities resulted in the complete closure of offices of consultants dealing with overseas education. If we talk about the coming intake of July and even September has a minimal possibility of students joining their classes. So many students have started the process of their admissions. They got admission offer letters but waiting for further process of their visa. Few even got visas but cannot fly as borders are closed. They cancelled flights for the time being.

In this scenario, there is complete uncertainty with no clue of any possibility shortly. However, there are some online activities by few consultants and few educational institutions as well. Online webinars, meetings, counselling sessions create some positivity. Students are preparing for their eligibility tests like IELTS, PTE, and TOEFL, etc. Media reports about pandemics suggest it can stretch this crisis a few months more. Authorities are not ready to take any risk.

The industry faces many issues related to expenditures, staff salaries, rents, and so many others. Survival is a big concern for many consultants. Without the operation, things are getting tougher day by day. There are few positive signals as well. Few governments have announced help packages to international students.

How Canada is helping international students

International students are enormous support for the Canadian economy. They contribute almost $22 billion to their economy every year. Recognizing this, the government has announced some measures to help international students already in the country and those who would like to come to Canada shortly. Normally, students may work for 20 hours a week. They lifted time restrictions for the time being. Now students can work over 20 hours till August 31, but this permission is for some limited sectors.

Besides relaxing during working hours, the government has opened Canada Emergency Benefit, under which they gave students cash help of $2000 per month. They took this initiative as the pandemic affects students’ ability to continue their studies and pay their bills, rents, and other expenses. They made a few more plans to support international students. Such help packages will certainly boost the morale of international students in this situation of crisis.

Australia is planning to reopen step wise

Like other destinations, Australia is also facing issues related to international students. Right now, borders are closed. So many students are waiting to travel. Media reports show Australia is planning to open borders by July if things remain in control. They have planned a three-step framework to allow international students to travel by July.

Prime minister Scott Morrison, while tweeting, revealed the Roadmap to Covid safe Australia. Australia can’t ignore students, as they are an important part of the economy and workforce.

Like Canada, Australia has also announced extra working hours to international students working in major supermarkets, including Woolworths and Coles. In the coming days, this plan may extend to other sectors as well. They announced these changes are short term and regularly reviewed to ensure they are working and still required.

Australia also planned for short-term homestays for needy international students. Program launched under the name International Student Support Network will provide accommodation, meals, and a safe home environment at a discounted price to international students affected by the global crisis.

Analyzing all these developments, we hope the industry related to students will be on track soon.

New Zealand also planning to reopen

A recent report in NzHerald says that New Zealand is also considering reopening the country for the $5 billion student industry. Announcing this, Education Minister Chris Hipkins says the government plans to enable international students to return to New Zealand. International students are a $5 billion industry.

All these developments in three major countries show other destinations will eventually start thinking of opening borders for international students. Squeezing economy can be one reason behind it, but there are other more reasons. Students contribute to every country in so many ways.

Being part of this industry, I feel that no doubt we are passing through an adamant time, but we must keep ourselves full of enthusiasm. When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry, show life that you have a thousand reasons to smile. #StayHome #StaySafe

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Start here Succeed Everywhere: UFV India

Jaspal Singh - 3 May 2020

Updated on September 7th, 2024

Nowadays, everyone wants to have an international degree, and it’s a golden chance if students who want to experience the international study environment before travelling overseas for further studies. Foreign colleges & Universities are setting their campuses worldwide. The University of Fraser Valley has set up its campus in Chandigarh’s beautiful city, and it is successfully delivering some courses in the business and IT sector. Students can start their studies here in Chandigarh (UFV India) and choose to transfer to CANADA after completing one or two years.

I visited this campus in Chandigarh a few years back. I was so impressed by this concept that I decided on it for my son. He got enrolled on an undergraduate degree in Computer Sciences. He has completed two years in Chandigarh and the other two years in the Canada campus.

Why should you start here in India?

The very first point someone can ask that what are the benefits of studying that pathway program? Being in the business of education consultancy, I normally face queries of students and their parents where they ask why should they study here in India when they are planning to go overseas for higher studies later. Here we can list few benefits of this pathway program.

With this pathway program, you will learn Canadian applied educational expectations and balance new academic demands. Students will be more ready for Canadian educational standards before travelling to Canada. This way, students will get ready for their future studies in Canada. Parents who will spend a huge amount of money on their child’s education evaluate their ward’s progress before actually sending them abroad. If students complete a two-year program here in India, they will get a Canadian diploma before travelling to Canada. That diploma will be beneficial for them to get better work opportunities while further studies in Canada. Another benefit is monetary as well. Students can get one or two years of studies at almost 60% less tuition fee, ultimately cost-cutting in your studies plan.

What programs are available in India

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA): It is a 4 year-long course and is the first step to become relevant to the global business milieu and prepare students to play a role in the international marketplace. Then, choose to seamlessly transfer to UFV’s Abbotsford campus in British Columbia, Canada, after the first, second, or third year.

Bachelor of Computer Information Systems (BCIS): A UFV Bachelor of Computer Information Systems (BCIS) can help students gain the analytical, problem-solving, and technical skills required to become a part of the global IT workforce or an IT entrepreneur. Maximize the chance of success in Canada by beginning your degree at UFV’s Chandigarh location.

Management Post-Degree Certificate (MPDC): This is a 1-year Certificate course making students eligible for graduate degree programs across North America.

Master of Management (MoM): It is a Master’s degree of 16 months. It can be completed at UFV (India) or the University of Windsor. For students who want to opt for this course must complete MPDC from UFV (India).

Admission Requirements:

To apply for any of the degree programs, students should get at least 65% in grade 12. And for the Certificate course, the minimum requirement is at least 50% in an undergraduate degree.

Students need to have an IELTS score of at least 6.5, with no band score less than 6.0 (for degree & certificate course) or a TOEFL score of at least 100. However, for a Master’s, they should have at least a 7.0 IELTS score. Note: IELTS is not required at the time of admission in India.

Intake: September, December, January and April

If you are planning to have a Canadian degree in India, do contact any right consultant.

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All you need to know while applying for 476 Visa for Australia

Jaspal Singh - 30 April 2020

Updated on September 7th, 2021

If you ever had a dream to work & settle in Australia and you have recently graduated in engineering, then 476 Visa is for you. This opportunity can be a turning point in your engineering career and few right efforts can land you in your dream country. Every year Australia’s top engineering and construction companies look for talented and ambitious graduates to join their teams, so check with your eligibilities to apply for this visa. Continue Reading

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