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Adv Jaspal Singh

Posts for Visa Updates Category

Denmark, a beautiful country to study and explore career options

Jaspal Singh - 29 April 2022

Study in Denmark

Updated on July 24th, 2023

Denmark is a small and beautiful place to explore career options and go for higher studies. The smallest of the Scandinavian nations, Denmark, serves as a bridge between Western and Northern Europe. With its beautiful cities, highly developed institutions, and exceptionally high-quality study programs, it is no wonder that Denmark is one of the top destinations for international students. Denmark is also home to one of the most developed and unique educational systems in the world, ranking in the top 5 in student satisfaction. High academic standards and innovative learning make education quality and globally accepted. International students can also find a range of opportunities, as Danish universities and higher education institutions offer many programs in English. There are plenty of courses available in English, which is obviously a big factor for students who wish to study in a foreign country.

Beautiful Country with a relaxed lifestyle

It is a beautiful country surrounded by beaches, GARDENS, and lakes. Denmark’s location makes it a gateway to other Scandinavian countries and the rest of Europe. Berlin is just an hour’s flight away. We can reach London and Paris in less than two hours. And Barcelona, Rome, Vienna, and Prague are all just a few hours’ flight away.

Happy People in Denmark
Group of happy people enjoying the day in Copenhagen Denmark

As a student or traveler, when you arrive in Denmark you will probably see the relaxed atmosphere everywhere, many people on bikes, a few playing music, hanging out by the seaside or the harbor, lounging, and barbecuing. In summer, people like to engage in sunbathing, swimming, and picnics, whereas, in winter, they like hot chocolates and indoor social gatherings.

Beer in Denmark
Beer in the visitor’s hand in the street food market of Copenhagen, Denmark.

Study Options in Denmark

Denmark is attracting thousands of foreign students each year. Universities in Denmark offer over 500 programs that are taught in English having international recognition. Most people choose to study in Denmark to enjoy its high standard of living, diverse cultural environment, and low crime rates.

Denmark has several internationally recognized universities offering a wide range of programs taught in English. Examples include the University of Copenhagen, Aarhus University, and the Technical University of Denmark. International students can pursue undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in various fields such as engineering, business, social sciences, and humanities. Denmark also offers competitive doctoral programs for those interested in research and academia.

What are the best programs in Denmark?

As an international student in Denmark, you can study for a Ph.D., master’s, bachelor’s, or academy profession degree. Bachelor’s degrees in Denmark last either three or four years and you can study for one in a vast range of subjects.

If you want to study a master’s degree program, it will last for two years. A doctorate or Ph.D. will take three years to complete. There’s a variety of universities and institutions international students can apply to in Denmark, including specialist business schools, medical universities, and engineering universities.

Indian students also choose Denmark for higher studies

Indian students also choose this Scandinavian country for their higher studies. There are a good number of Universities and institutes which offer so many programs at the Bachelor’s, Masters’s, and Ph.D. levels. Indian students will be required to pay tuition fees at Danish universities, as India belongs outside the EU/EEA. Denmark has several scholarships for Indian students.

Cost of studying in Denmark

If you’re from the EU/EEA or Switzerland, you can study at a University in Denmark for free. If you’re an international student from outside the EU, tuition fees range between $8,000 and $21,000, although this will depend on the program and university you apply for. Check actual costs from University websites or consult any Education Consultant in your city. Similarly, you must check the cost of living in Denmark, which is slightly high.

Denmark study visa for Indian students

If you are an Indian student and have planned further education in Denmark, you need to apply for a study visa. This visa is straightforward and can be obtained with proof of ID and an acceptance letter from a Danish university. A student visa will last the length of the academic year. While applying for a study visa, you must keep points in mind to avoid any complications. Here I am discussing a few important points. 

  • First, select the right course and University according to your eligibility. 
  • You will need a valid passport and a passport photo.
  • Prove your English language proficiency to stay in Denmark. There can be different criteria for checking English language proficiency. Normally Universities accept IELTS as a test. 
  • You will need to prove that you can support yourself financially during your study in Denmark.
  • You may have to give your biometrics during the process of visa application.
  • There will be a visa interview during the application process.

If you want to continue your stay in Denmark even after the completion of your study program, you will be required to apply for a new visa or a visa renewal with the help of the immigration office.

Stay back & working options after graduation

Here is what you need to know if you will stay back and work after your graduation in Denmark. It offers a variety of opportunities for working after the completion of studies. Different rules apply to different nationalities. If you are NON-EU/EEA, as we Indians are, we have to apply for a residence permit to work in Denmark. After graduation in Denmark, your residence permit remains valid for an additional six months. During this 6 months period, you also may work only 20 hours per week. If you have received a residence permit under the establishment card scheme, you can legally stay and work in Denmark. Another option to study in Europe is Finland: a beautiful study destination in Northern Europe.

If you feel this article as useful information, and you are also planning to study in DENMARK, drop query at Adv.Jaspal@gmail.com or WhatsApp +91-9888481965

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Study and Working Options in Germany

Jaspal Singh - 6 January 2022

Study in Germany

Updated on May 13th, 2023

Germany is one of the preferred study destinations for higher studies. I am into consultancy for overseas education for the last 22 years and I face the very basic question, meeting every new student. Choosing a country and relevant college or university is an important task that every student faces. Whether it is cars or education, people recognize ‘Made in Germany’ as an icon of quality. Employers around the world highly respect a German university degree. After completing a degree in Germany, you can stay back in the country for up to 18 months to look for a job related to your qualification and look for further career options. Here in this article, we will discuss steps while applying to study in Germany.

Explore Europe while studying in Germany

Germany is located almost in the Centre of Schengen Europe. While studying in Germany, you will get opportunities to travel to different destinations in Europe with no restrictions. Schengen is a zone of 26 countries closely connected. Anyone can travel by road, train or plane and reach other beautiful countries in a couple of hours and enjoy their weekends. Weekend trips are easy to plan and really affordable.

Studies in Germany
Students enjoying life in Germany

Steps to follow when you plan your studies

Now coming to the topic, here we will discuss important steps that one has to take care of. The very first and basic thing is to decide what you want to study in Germany. There are several options available in terms of institutes and courses. While deciding, you must do proper research to make the right decision for your further studies. You may also choose an experienced consultant to choose the right course that would better fit your academic goal.

Checking the admission requirements

Once you have decided what programs you are planning to pursue in Germany, the next important step is to check the admission requirements for that program. University or college websites can be helpful in this, otherwise, again you can check some consultants who can guide you in a better way. If still, you are not clear about the requirements, never hesitate to reach University by email. There can be some basic requirements like academic percentage, English requirements, or some other text like Skype interview. There may be different entry requirements for different universities, depending on the chosen program.

Admission to Bachelor / Master Programs

While applying for admission in degree programs, whether at Bachelor or Master level, they may ask you to submit your academics, Proof of Language Proficiency, ID or Valid Passport Copies, Letter of Motivation (Optional), Important References, Work Experiences (Optional). When you have collected all the required documents, submit a completed application to the admission department along with the application fee, if there are any.

When you get a University Admission/ Offer letter

After applying for admission, wait for a few weeks to get your offer letter; it may take some longer time, and Germany Universities get many international applications. Meanwhile, University may ask you for some additional documents to process your application, so you must keep patience.

Indian students in Germany are the third largest group of international students. According to official statistics, in 2017/18 there were 17,570 Indian students studying in Germany.

Applying student visa to the embassy

To study in Germany, you need a valid student visa. When you get your offer letter and also complete other requirements like paying the University fee as required by University, submit a visa application in the embassy. There can be so many documents required while submitting your visa application. A very important for Indian students is the German Block Account in a designated bank which transfers one year’s living cost into the account. We can check the checklist of other documents from the VFS site and from any other sources.

Working in Germany during & After Graduation

When someone chooses any destination for higher studies, working opportunity during and after studies is an important factor. Students need to work to support their studies or at least live in that country. Germany has opportunities to work during and after studies. Students can work part time during their studies. After completion of their studies, they can stay in the country and find employment. Graduates who come from non-EU/EEA countries of origin can work in Germany after they finish their studies by extending their residence permit for up to 18 months after graduation. During these 18 months, you can do whatever job you get to support yourself until you get a proper job.

Stay back and working options in Germany

Stay back after completion of studies plays a very important role while deciding country for higher studies. Every student wants to explore career options after getting a degree from the university. This adds the opportunity to have practical experience in the job market. Germany offers 18 months of job search after completion of studies. During this period, students may work at another job while they are searching for a permanent position. After graduation, prepare yourself to enter the world of work. Have all of your certificates available, as well as any other paperwork you may need, such as your residence permit. When you secure a job with a minimum of a one-year contract, you can apply for a settlement permit and EU Blue Card, which allows you to live and work in Germany.

In order to be eligible for the Blue Card, the applicant must meet certain prerequisites, such as having a university degree and an employment contract with a company in Germany that pays at least €56,800 per year. In other occupations, where there is a shortage of skilled workers, the salary threshold is lower, approximately €44,304 per year. After 33 months of residence in Germany, those who have an EU Blue Card can apply for a settlement permit, which allows them to permanently settle in Germany. After spending 8 years in Germany on a settlement permit, you can require naturalization (meaning you can become a German citizen).

You may ask for any further details at Adv.Jaspal@gmail.com

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CANADA is still a popular destination among Indian

Jaspal Singh - 14 December 2021

Canada Migration

Updated on July 9th, 2023

Canada is a dream country, especially for Punjabi students and other immigrants. I have seen this craze among every second person, whether he is studying in school or graduating, or even working in any sector on good profiles. Whenever I go to any sector in my routine work like banking, colleges, insurance, or in my friend circles, I always find people anxious about migrating abroad, especially Canada. There are other destinations as well, but Canada is always a popular destination. Studying in Canada, working there, and finally settling in a dream destination have so many steps that one has to follow. Over 200,000 people have moved to Canada in 2020-2021.

In north India, especially in Punjab, this trend is growing day by day for the last few years. In the coming few years, it will affect the socioeconomic fabric of society. It is being reported that a good number of students are moving abroad, especially to Canada, to study and then to find employment. Strength in Colleges has dropped, making them worried. No doubt this aspect is of serious concern for the Government. A better system with more opportunities here can only stop moving people. Some factors such as personal connections, educational goals, career aspirations, and familiarity with specific provinces or cities within Canada may also influence the decision-making process.

Canada a popular destination
CANADA: a DREAM Destination

There are so many reasons behind this trend. If we see at the Canadian system, Canada takes care of its people and has a robust economy, providing free health care and education until grade 12. People move to Canada from all over the world, making it multicultural. International students also focus on work opportunities after the completion of their studies. Present education and immigration law allows them to work for 2-3 years after their studies. In short, we can say, Canada is an immigration-friendly nation, and the government primarily supports aspiring immigrants by offering over 80 economic immigration programs.

Different Pathways to Move Canada

There are many pathways through which you can migrate to Canada from India. To name a few, there is Express Entry Program, PNP, Study & Work permit, family sponsorship, and more.

Express Entry System

They introduced an express entry system in 2015 to enable skilled individuals and their families to move to Canada as residents in as little as six months. So many immigrants migrate every year and the number is increasing every year. It is a point-based system and the highest-ranking candidates are issued invitations to apply for permanent residency in Canada.

Provincial Nominee Program

The provincial Nominee Program is the second most popular Canadian immigration pathway after Express Entry. All the top Canadian provinces like Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, and more have their immigration program for immigrants. Each PNP has different eligibility criteria and invites and nominates candidates as per local labor market needs.

Study Permit for students

This is the most popular program among overseas students. A good number of Indian students chose Canada every year. Upon graduating from a Canadian institution (DLI), you can work temporarily by obtaining a work permit. This way, you can gain relevant work experience, which would eventually prove helpful for you to qualify for a PR visa through Express Entry Program. If we see the data of students applying for study in Canada, we can easily say that Canada is a popular destination among Indian students.

Working in Canada

In Canada, you can also work in any Canadian organization. There are two types of work permits. One is an employer-specific work permit, and the other is an open work permit. After fulfilling specific conditions, you may also qualify for permanent residency. Read more details on working in Canada.

There are so many other options to move to Canada, which you may check from the Official site of the immigration

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Student Dependent Visa for Australia

Jaspal Singh - 30 September 2021

Dependent Visa

Updated on May 26th, 2023

When you wish to apply study visa for any destination of your choice and have a partner or child dependent on you, you need to check the visa provisions of that country. If the country is Australia, you need not worry, and no need to leave them behind. You can apply for a student-dependent visa along with your visa application.

On the other side if you are applying for your visa or you are already on a study visa in Australia, still you have the option to apply for a visa as a subsequent entrant. Subclass 500 prescribes some requirements that must be satisfied for approval of their visa applications. In all cases, the duration of their visa will depend upon the visa of the main applicant.

Eligibility to apply for a visa under this category

Who is eligible to apply under this category or who can apply for a student-dependent visa? Family members include your partner and you and your partner’s dependent children. In other simple words, dependents that can apply for a visa under this visa clause include your spouse or de facto partner. De facto partner means when you are not married, but you live like married and have a relationship. A person under this clause can apply if the relationship is at least 12 months old. And the relationship is genuine and exclusive. Similarly, a dependent child to apply under this category should depend on you or your partner and has not turned 18.

We must declare all existing members timely

It is mandatory under subclass 500 that you declare all your relationships at the time of your first application. Whether you are married or single should be clearly mentioned in the application. It is not relevant if the dependent is accompanying you or not. If you cannot mention it at the time of the first application, it would be difficult to add them later or at the time of the subsequent application.

Student Dependent Visa
Student Dependent Visa

A member of the family member failing to declare will not be eligible to enter Australia as the student’s family unit member, apart from a person who becomes a member after the student’s application was decided. Such negligence can also make doubtful the genuineness of the applicant. Genuineness (GTE) is a significant factor considered when deciding on any visa application in Australia. So being on the safe side, all family members, including married or de facto partners and dependent children, should be declared at the time of first application.

Subsequent entrant visa application

In case the main applicant gets married after the lodgment of his initial visa application. Still, before the visa is granted, he must notify the Department of Home Affairs as soon as possible. This update will help you add your dependent later in the subsequent visa application. Subsequent entrant applications can be lodged when the marriage is done after granting the main application’s visa. Proof of marriage and continued relationship must be provided along with a visa application. The Visa officer may ask for any related document to ascertain the genuineness of the relationship.

It should be obvious that the visa officer is always concerned with the present situation of the relationship. The continuity of the relationship needs to be proved to get visa approval. Along with relationship proof, there are also financial requirements for a successful visa application. Such requirements keep on changing, so readers are advised to check with official sources before applying for your visa application.

Financial requirements for family members

As mentioned above, there are also financial requirements. Dependents need to show that they have sufficient funds to cover living costs during their stay in Australia. Applicant needs to show living costs for 12 months. And if the application is combined, then the student needs to show 12-month tuition and living cost. The cost of dependent children also needs to be calculated. Financial requirements are an essential part of a visa application, so I advised it to check properly while applying for your application.

Checklist of documents required

If you are already in Australia and you are fulfilling your all visa conditions and want to invite your dependents. In that case, your dependents need to file a visa application along with the following documents. This checklist is not final; the visa officer may ask for additional documents for his satisfaction.

# Form 919 Nomination of student defendants
# Form 157A Application for a student visa
# An Original letter from the education provider stating the course you are studying, the duration of the course, your expected completion date, and satisfying course requirements.
# Proof that you have sufficient money to support your dependents in Australia
# Proof of your relationship with your dependents as birth and marriage certificates
# Proof of school enrollment for your school-aged dependents
# Proof of health insurance for each dependent. Family members of the main applicant or visa holder must provide evidence of having adequate health insurance for the grant of their visa for the period of their intended stay in Australia. Documentation includes evidence of payment of the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).

You may ask for any further details at Adv.Jaspal@gmail.com

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Australia for International Students: A Current Scenario

Bhawana - 26 September 2021

Australia Study Visa

Updated on May 26th, 2022

Australia has always been one of the preferred destinations for higher studies among international students. In 2018, the number of international students enrolled in different Australian education providers was approx. 8, 69,709 (rising 8.8% higher than it was in 2017). In 2019, there was a slight holdup in this number (approx. 7, 58,000) and in the subsequent years, because of the covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns, the student concentration all across Australia reached approx. 529,580, meaning a decrease of 17% from that of 2017.

In spite of this, Australia has retained its accomplishment as being the topmost International student education destination and being in the highest demand in terms of quality education and personality growth among international students. Studying abroad may feel slightly daunting for students but compared with the impeccable benefits of the Australian education system, the students will surely fall in love with the country and experience everything it offers.

So many reasons why students choose Australia

According to different studies, Australian Universities/colleges are placed in the top 100 in QS World University Rankings. Australia is known for higher living standards and for providing higher wage rates to students. International students here also enjoy the incredible nature and diverse terrain, along with experiencing the most diverse wildlife on earth and a multitude of unique experiences.

Students experience new and diverse cultures along with exploring wonderful culinary offerings, public international celebrations, and the chance to learn a different language; these in a much more secure and safe environment, which makes them feel a sense of belonging in the multicultural setting. International students also get the best opportunities to gain practical and professional experience in diverse fields as they are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week while studying and receive higher wages as compared to some other countries.

Indian Students in Australia
The number of Indian students choosing Australia has consistently increased over the years

Australia is globally renowned for its contribution to the research and development sector, especially for IVF, cervical cancer vaccination, penicillin, ultrasound, the Bionic Ear, Black Box Flight Recorders, and many more; which forms great opportunities for students who are especially interested in technologies and engineering. Studying in Australia helps not only the students to develop their academic background and national career along with developing their overall personality, but the student government also considered international students as an important asset. It can be verified that the higher education bend in the country has steadily reached up to 54% while in the VET sector, the bend is over 37%.

How is Australia in the Current Scenario?

As for the current scenario, many students have already applied or are going to apply to different Australian education providers to experience and explore the outstanding education, the unique culture, and best of everything the country offers but because of lockdowns and border restrictions, traveling has become challenging.

The good news is that according to the news by Karen Andrews, the travel ban on Australian borders are to be lifted by November 2021 (as the report stated that once 80% of people are vaccinated in Australia, the borders will be opened and till now 40% of the target vaccinations has been achieved. And it is believed that the remaining 40% will be easily achieved by Nov 2021). This means the long wait of almost 18 months by the international students is finally going to be over and they will be all set to experience quality education in Australia and achieve their goals.

AAERI Event in New Delhi
Author participating in AAERI event in New Delhi
High Commissioner Australia
Auther with High Commissioner Australia

According to PM Scott Morrison, Universities and colleges of Australia are waiting for the international students as they form an important asset for the Government and an important revenue-generating factor. International students are the backbone of the Australian economy and once the borders are open, the country is ready to provide the best of education and services to the international students in order to prove its resilience and dedication towards the students and retaining its glory of being the dream destination for international students.

In a nutshell, I can say that once Australian borders are open, the applications for traveling to Australia will skyrocket as Australia has proven to be the country providing the best quality and standard-based educational and economic facilities to all the immigrants and its citizens while striving to maintain peace and security even during the pandemic. Students can easily associate positive personal and professional growth parameters with Australia and they will never be disappointed for sure.

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Dreaming CANADA, move on Work Visa

Jaspal Singh - 18 September 2021

Truck Drivers in CANADA

Updated on September 21st, 2021

Living and working overseas can be a dream for anyone for so many reasons. The fascination of foreign land attracts all of us. Today, going abroad for further study, working and finally for settlement is a popular trend among Indian youth. Everyone wants to have this unique and wonderful experience. The ones who wish to get exposed to a different culture altogether must go overseas to study or working. This way you will get to learn a new language, meet new people and, gets to learn a new perspective on the world. Here we will discuss the concept of Canada work visa

Here we must accept working overseas is not a cup of tea for everyone. The entire process involves a lot of technicalities and professional skills that getting a dream come into reality is not very easy. Starting with job offers, visa formalities, language barriers & finally cost involved, there are a lot of things that have to be managed. What kind of job will suit your profile and where to look for such jobs are few things that need to be answered before finally deciding on the goal.

Job & Company is more important than Place:

Although our major topic is working in Canada, still we note that while planning to work abroad, our focus must be on the job profile and the company offering the job. Where and which country should be the next thing, otherwise things may get more tough for us. We must do proper research to fix our right choice of lifestyle, climate, culture and comfort of language. We must keep in mind that working in a country or city is not the same as spending few days on a vacation. Beautiful places may attract you, but don’t choose them at the cost of your career.

Now coming to our main topic of working in Canada, we will discuss few aspects that one should know properly. Canada is the paradise of skilled workers with multiple job options, diversified culture, a high standard of living, and a stable political system.

How to get Work Visa in CANADA

Search for Job / LMIA

When you had made your mind to move to your dreamland country, the very first step is to find a suitable employer who can offer you the right job. Your work visa application will require a job offer letter and a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment document, normally called LIMA, which can be obtained with the help of a placement company or other professionals. A positive LMIA shows that a Canadian employer could not fill the particular job directly from Canada and he needs to hire a foreign worker. I would like to add here that there are categories where LMIA is not mandatory. Open Work Permits do not require the applicant to have either an offer of employment or a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

There are two types of work permits. An open work permit allows you to work for almost any employer. And an employer-specific work permit, which is given on the condition you remain with that employer. Many open work permits are for a year or two and are only available to certain countries.

Open Work Permit Canada

An open work permit differs from a regular work permit because it does not specify a particular job or employer. The job and employer are both shown on Canadian Work Permits, restricting the holder to those circumstances while in Canada. An Open Work Permit allows its holder to work for any Canadian employer, in almost any capacity.

Apply for Work Visa

After getting a job offer or LMIA, the next step is to apply for a work permit on that basis. Work permits are employer-specific unless a worker has an open work permit. If a worker wants to change employers, they must obtain a new Work Permit before performing another job in Canada. Canadian work permits are also limited in duration. Applying for a work visa is something more than simply filling the forms. It’s always advisable to consult an experienced professional to avoid delays in the process and unwanted refusals.

Bhawana Salaria
Bhawana

Canada is “The beautiful and safe place” to be for young immigrants from India, says a Jalandhar based consultant Bhawana Salaria, who has a record of guiding 100’s of clients to different destinations. She further said “With an ageing population, it needs many young people to fill up various job openings in Canada and Indian clients can be able to take their share,”

English Proficiency

Language proficiency is very much essential to interact with people while at your work. Before moving to a new place, we must know a need for language skills. Most jobs in Canada require you to speak and read English at an advanced level, even for unskilled positions. It is still possible to find jobs without speaking English or with minimal knowledge of the language.

JOBS in demand in CANADA

With an increase in the number of immigrants to Canada annually, a question arises, what are the most popular jobs in Canada? Few jobs are consistently in demand for the past many years. Everyone moving to Canada wishes to make a career in those jobs to be highly paid. There are so many skilled jobs, managerial jobs, administrative jobs, general labourers, project managers, account managers, farming jobs, and ever truck drivers.

Truck Drivers in demand

Canada has a high demand for truck drivers. With over 3,000 jobs in Canada currently listed on websites such as indeed, Job Bank, and eJobbo, and that truck drivers are listed on almost every Canadian province and the territory’s in-demand jobs list, so there is no better time than the present to start your Canadian visa application as a truck driver. Labour market report June 2021 also reflects the same facts.      

Registered Nursing Jobs

Nursing jobs are one of the highly in-demand jobs in Canada. If we take a closer look at the Labour Market report, we see this demand is expected to persist into 2019-2028. New job openings are expected to total 191,100 in all these years.

Nursing in canada
The country has a vast scope for nursing for both nursing students and aspiring nursing professionals. Also, the ever-increasing demand for healthcare professionals makes nursing a highly valued career option on the list of leading career options in Canada.

Other jobs in demand in Canada

  • Web Developer
  • Human Resources (HR) Managers
  • Electrical Engineers
  • Financial Advisors
  • Pharmacist
  • Welder
  • General Labourer
  • Administrative Assistant
  • Project Managers
  • Account Managers
  • Business development Managers
  • Software Engineers
  • Cyber security Specialist

With all these occupations, there is a NOC code number. If you are having any of these professions, you must check other requirements for educational qualification and experience required before applying for a working visa in Canada. You may ask some professionals for other requirements for this visa.

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When can Indian students travel to Australia & join their studies?

Jaspal Singh - 21 July 2021

Updated on May 27th, 2023

Indian students planning to travel to Australia have a question in mind that we all are trying to get an answer, but still wandering to fix it. Question is, when can Indian students travel to their dreamland to join their studies? Several international students, including thousands from India, enrolled in Australian universities remain offshore because of the strict border closure. Parents, students & education consultants are estimating the timeline for student return. Australia’s economy is on track, although affected by Covid-19 to some extent. Credits for this go to the country’s stable financial system. But whereas it completely affected the education sector.

Overseas students cannot travel to Australia to join their classes. Universities and other institutes are struggling hard for their survival. It scattered their economic structure so much that they cannot pay salaries to their staff, denying them regular jobs. Figures show that Universities shed at least 17,300 jobs in 2020.

Indian students are waiting for opening of borders

International education is the country’s fourth-biggest export, with A$40.3 billion in 2019. Closure of borders for International Students cost a loss of 9 billion. These figures are from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABC). The country’s borders have been effectively closed to international students for well over a year and there is still no clear-cut sign of when they will reopen. Over 110,000 international students currently enrolled in higher education courses in Australia are studying remotely because of the border closures, according to federal government figures.

According to data released by the Department of Education, Skills and Employment in May, the number of Indian students enrolled in Australian universities dropped by 13 percent between January and May this year as compared to a similar period last year. 

An initiative by South Australia

International Students waiting to travel

South Australia had previously announced its pilot plan to let international students travel to Australia and quarantine at Parafield Airport last few weeks giving few indications of the early opening of borders for international students. Under the plan, 160 students would be quarantined at Parafield Airport and be required to have daily COVID-19 tests. Parafield Airport is on the edge of the residential suburb of Parafield. It’s in South Australia, 18 km north of the Adelaide city center. It is Adelaide’s second airport and the third busiest airport in Australia by aircraft movements. After China, India is among the biggest source of international students for SA. Outside of China, India is the next biggest source of overseas students for South Australia.

Sydney lockdown & its effects

Similarly, NSW announced its plan to bring back international students in June, which was under review by the federal government. They did not include though India in this pilot plan. This plan of the NSW government was about to happen, but the outbreak of the virus in Sydney delayed it. They extended lockdowns many times. NSW has paused plans to fly in international students to help kick-start the struggling education sector. Premier Ms. Berejiklian said recently we had put the pilot program on hold. Adding the government would not compromise its ability to exit the lockdown as quickly as possible.

Federal Education Minister Alan Tudge further endorsed the statement saying ‘the NSW government had made the right call in pausing the pilot’. Sydney is currently battling a spike in the highly contagious Delta variant infections, which has prompted New South Wales (NSW) Premier Gladys Berejiklian to pause its student pilot plan while the state remains in lockdown. 

Over the past year, South Australia and Australian Capital Territory had also announced similar student return plans, but not implemented them. Other states also followed the same, but there’s no concrete answer. When international students can travel to Australia, which has kept students on edge since the country shut its borders in March 2020. 

Changing the mindset of students

There is increasing frustration in students planning to study in Australia. whereas other countries are relaxing restrictions and openly managing and facilitating the safe return of students, Australia seems more conscious of it. Students are changing their choice to other destinations like UK & USA. It is very clear the fate of the international education sector rests on Australia’s border policy. The most important factor in the sector’s recovery is the rate at which both new and returning international students can enter the country. Experts claim global competitors are gaining because of Australia’s tight border policy.

In concluding lines, we can still keep hoping for the early opening of borders for Indian students. We all are expecting it sooner. The country needs a national proactive strategy to bring back existing students on priority. Although Prime Minister announced the opening of borders from November 1 for a few categories but has not yet communicated a specific timeline for their student return.

…recent updates (Nov. 2021)

As per media reports, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on ( 12th Nov 2021) in Melbourne that international travelers and students from India could soon enter the country. He further clarified that the government had already expanded the definition of the immediate family. This will allow the parents of permanent residents and citizens to be allowed for entering Australia.

Media report on Australia Travel
Media report
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London retains a Top ranking attractive destination for Indian Students till 2023

Jaspal Singh - 10 July 2021

UK Study Visa

Updated on July 28th, 2023

UK education is always one of the best choices for international studies. It opens doors for you where ever you go. With its innovative teaching approach and leading minds, the UK has the best Universities that deliver world-recognized education. There is no doubt if we say one in four world leaders has studied in the UK. So if you are dreaming big things, you must choose the UK as your further education option. Here we will discuss different statics on changing trends among Indian Students choosing the UK & especially London as their study destination.

UK Education is once again in focus

Recent statistics from the Home Office show the changing trend in favor of UK education. Till earlier this month, there was a 6391 increase in the number of study visa grants to Indian students in the year ending March 2021, making a 13 percent hike over the previous year.

According to the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) data, British universities received 9,930 applications from Indians this year — a 30% increase from the 7,640 applications received last year. 

To attract more international students, immigration rules have been amended. Post Study Work is a major change that will be beneficial for students to stay more in the UK after completing their degree.

The Graduate Route & recent changes

The department has launched the Graduate Route, commonly known as PSW. Under this plan, international students who have completed an undergraduate or master’s degree will avail of two years of work experience. Students who complete their Ph.D. will stay for three years.

If you have been studying online in your home country because of Covid-19, you can still apply for the Graduate Route, provided you meet the other requirements of the route. Last year UK Home Secretary Priti Patel announced 21 June as the deadline to be in the UK to qualify for a graduate Route Visa. They have extended the deadline to 27th September 2021. This change will benefit Indian students who have been waiting to travel to the UK to qualify for PSW.

A new trend in choosing a location: London is in focus

Another changing trend shows that the UK capital city is the most preferred one when choosing a University location. Statistics on this show an astonishing growth for London as a preferred location. Indian students coming to study at UK universities are enrolling in London Universities. Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) statistics suggest that 13,435 Indian students have been enrolled at London Universities. This is an 87 percent hike from the previous year’s 7,185 students. There can be many reasons behind this trend including quality & world ranking of Universities.

Introducing a two-year post-study visa is one of the major reasons for students choosing UK education overall. Let’s hope students will get more opportunities in one of the best countries for higher education.

Key Ranking Factors:

The ranking methodology considers six equally weighted factors, each accounting for 16.67% of the overall score:

1. QS World University Rankings: Evaluates the collective performance of a city’s universities in the QS World University Rankings.

2. Student Mix: Assesses the diversity of the student population, including international students, on campus.

3. Desirability: Uses various datasets to gauge the overall appeal of a destination, considering factors like safety and pollution.

4. Employer Activity: Considers factors from the QS Graduate Employability Rankings to identify cities most sought-after by graduates for employment opportunities.

5. Affordability: Measures the cost-effectiveness of a city for prospective students and their families, encompassing tuition fees and cost of living.

6. Student Voice: Integrates feedback from the yearly QS International Student Survey, reflecting students’ experiences studying abroad.

If you need more professional advice, drop an email at Adv.Jaspal@gmail.com

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Europe is opening Borders gradually for Travelers

Jaspal Singh - 19 June 2021

Updated on August 23rd, 2021

After complete closure because of the Covid-19 situation for several months, now Indians will be eligible to visit European countries even for tourism. Different visa application centres in India have resumed their work for different visa categories. Recently Switzerland, Belgium, Denmark, Croatia, Austria, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, Estonia few more, has announced that its visa application centres working in different cities of India, which temporarily suspended their services because of the Coronavirus, have resumed their work. Europe is opening borders in steps.

Students and visitors who are planning to travel to different European countries will travel in the coming days. For the last few days, if not months, Europe is gradually opening borders to more countries. Hopefully, India will be on the list soon. Many Indian students, travellers, are hoping to travel to different destinations. All are also cautious on fluctuating situations affected by Covid. Vaccination and other safety measures will contribute a lot to free travelling in the coming months.

Germany has permitted entry to third-country travellers. This permission is for non-essential purposes like tourism, visiting family and friends. They must be vaccinated before the last 14 days. Permission will be in effect from June 25, 2021. European countries announced such guidelines in the past few days.

Given all this, aspiring students and other travellers must start their planning by taking all precautions. As embassies in Delhi & other cities are open now, you must start your applications for admission and visa permits. Countries like Malta, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland are among popular destinations for higher studies. It would help if you started well in time to excel in your future dreams.

Indians now don’t require Airport Transit Visa in France

Another good news for Indians, they don’t need AirPort Transit Visa (ATV) for France. From 23rd July onward, every Indian passport holder may go through the International zone of any airport in France without ATV. Mr Alexander Ziegler, Ambassador of France in India, announced this through a tweet.

Austria Lifts Quarantine Requirement

Austria lifted the requirement of quarantine for travellers from the UK, India, Russia, Nepal, South Africa and Zambia. Authorities have taken this decision after the countries are out of the virus variant area list, which became effective on 15 August 2021.

“The following countries are no longer considered virus variant areas but “other countries”: Botswana, India, Nepal, Russia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Zambia. Fully vaccinated travellers from these countries do not need to self-isolate anymore,” the statement of Austria’s Official Travel Portal reads.

We always keep on updating our articles, so keep visiting again.

Visit for more details at www.caanworld.net.

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US education & Study Visa will bounce back in 2022

Jaspal Singh - 13 June 2021

USA Study Visa

Updated on May 26th, 2023

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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