Before gaining entry into most countries, officials will require you to produce documents proving you possess significant amounts of money. This can be for a number of reasons, but mainly, they want to know if you can afford the standard of living in their country, even if you’re staying just for a vacation. In some countries, the amount is based on how long you will be staying in the country, but if you are immigrating, they will definitely require that you prove you have enough funds to be able to support yourself, without becoming a burden on the country.
Canada is one of the countries that pursue that line of inquiry before you can expect to gain residency status. Although you may still enter the country, unless you have a sponsor or an employer, gaining a job in Canada is just as hard as anywhere else in the world. While waiting to find a job, without an employer or sponsor, you should ensure you have enough funds to go on living in the country.
Funds that the immigration authorities will want check normally focus on your own assets, which cannot be borrowed from someone else. Bringing your dependents with you is another point of interest. Since they literally do depend on you, you will need to have a greater sum of money available, specifically funds you have generated your home country. All the necessary documents and proof are required if you are to be successful in obtaining a Canadian immigrant visa.
The H1B visa is a non-immigrant US visa, governed by the Immigration & Nationality Act, section 101(a) (15) (H). This type of visa allows US employers to hire contractual foreign workers in specialty occupations. H-1B holders can work only for the petitioning US employer and must not engage in activities that are not indicated in the original petition. However, sponsoring employers may allow H1B holders to work with a different employer, provided that certain legal requirements are met.
H1B or specialty occupation visas are available to skilled workers who have attained the equivalent of a US college or university education or relevant training. Emigrants or those educated outside the USA are required to have a relevant or partly relevant degree, plus three or more years of work experience in the target position. For anyone seeking to practice their profession, such as medicine, law or accountancy, a relevant state or federal licence is required.
The dependents of aliens holding a US work visa are prohibited from working in the USA unless they qualify for a work visa in their own right and have a US employer that will sponsor them. Nevertheless, dependents of the US visa holder may study in the country. They must obtain their derivative visas at the same time as the principal US visa holder.
H1B visa holders can remain in the USA for three years, though the duration of stay can be extended to six. Despite this limit, H1B visa holders are not required to stay for a specific period in the job, which they originally sought when they applied for visa.
This article focuses on two of the top companies, BHP Billiton and SAB Miller, that are regularly looking to employ both local and immigrant workers in South Africa.
Because South Africa is endowed with massive natural resources, mining and extraction is a good industry to consider when looking for employment. The health of the South African economy relies heavily on mining and extraction, from diamonds to petroleum. One of the largest companies in the industry is BHP Billiton. This is a multi-national that employs approximately 37,000 people worldwide and had a turnover of US$31.8 billion, in 2005. South Africa is one of the world leaders in aluminium extraction, in Richards Bay and coal mining in Mpumalanga. It is also a leading player in the field of heavy metals. There are many job opportunities in BHP Billiton, which offers its employees an extensive range of training and award programmes.
SAB Miller is heavily involved in the consumer and manufacturing sector of South Africa, being the second largest brewery in the world. The company was formed in 2002, following a merger involving South African breweries and Miller Brewing. Even though the base of operations and headquarters is in London, the South African branch has a major presence in the country. It has seven breweries, including two in Johannesburg and others in Cape Town, Pretoria, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Pietersburg. It had a turnover of US $2,522 million and manufactures a large number of globally recognised lager beers, in addition to a number of soft drinks. Benefits and salaries are generous and the company insists that their employees work on a flexible schedule and have a balanced and healthy lifestyle. The company also provides competitive training, which is designed to help employees achieve their full potential.
“The land down under” as it is affectionately called Australia is both a land of excitement and opportunity. Immigration Australia has adopted policies that may seem complicated, but it provides several avenues for the potential immigrant to move to the country and enjoy the opportunities it has to offer. Does swimming on the Great Barrier Reef or surfing on Bondi Beach sound like fun or how about seeing the great monolith of Ayer’s Rock change colour in the most mystical fashion? Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane are among the world’s most bustling cities, filled with culture and energy. So what are you waiting for? The Australian visa is within your reach.
You begin the Australian immigration process by applying offshore, which is to say in your current country of residence and it is only completed successfully when you have moved to Australia. Skilled workers are needed to support the dynamic workforce and industry and in order to be able to work in Australia involves obtaining a skilled class of visa. These include the Skilled Independent Regional Visa, Skilled Independent Visa, Skilled Sponsored Visa and the Employer Nomination Scheme.
Family-based visas are also available, such as the Contributory Parent visa or the Last Remaining Relative Visa. Your spouse or unmarried partner can join you in the country by obtaining a Spouse Visa, De Facto Visa or Prospective Marriage Visa.
Australia is divided into several states or territories and State/Territory Nominated Independent Visas are available for anyone with business or investment concerns. Other business-related visas include the Investor Visa, Business Owner Visa, Business Talent Visa and Senior Executive Visa.
There are several types of Indian visa for short-term relocation to the country, including Indian tourist visas, Indian business visas, Indian work permits, Indian student visas and medical visas.
Indian Tourist visas are granted for a maximum of six months, but holders are not allowed to work during their stay in the country.
Indian business visas can be granted as a single or multiple entry type. For the granting of this visa, a letter from the sponsoring Indian firm must be submitted, together with an introductory letter from the employer in the country of residence of the applicant.
Indian work permits or Indian employment visas are normally employer led and are granted to skilled workers or applicants who are providing specialised services.
Indian student visas can be issued for a maximum of five years or for the duration of the applicant’s course. An unconditional offer from an acknowledged educational institute in India is also required.
Medical visas are given to anyone who intends visiting the country for medical treatment. “M” visas are initially granted for a maximum of one year and can be extended as necessary, as long as an applicant can provide medical evidence showing a need for continued treatment.
For permanent residency visas, India grants Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) cards and Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards.
The PIO cards, which are granted for 15 years, allow their holders to travel in and out of India. OCI cards, however, are granted for life and offer numerous other benefits.
Foreign nationals can work in the USA by obtaining either a non-immigrant visa or a green card. The difference between the two is that non-immigrant visas, such as H1B and L, only allow temporary employment, whereas a green card allows foreign nationals to work in the country throughout their lifetime.
The H1B or Specialty Occupation Visa is aimed at skilled workers. It grants a minimum of three years of residency, which can be extended twice, up to a maximum of three more years. To qualify for the H1B visa, you need to be a graduate of a job-relevant course and have at least three years of relevant work experience. If the educational qualification is not relevant to the target job, at least twelve years of related work experience will suffice.
L1 or Intra-Company Transfer Visas are intended for foreign nationals who must work in the USA on the instructions of their employer. This type of visa is designed for those who are relocating to the US subsidiary or branch of their employer.
E Treaty Trader or Treaty Investor Visas are intended for the employees of accredited Treaty Traders or Treaty Investors. E visas are valid for only two years, but can be renewed indefinitely.
Employment-based green cards come in three types. EB1 is for managers and experts in the fields of science, arts, business, education and sports. EB2 is given to foreign nationals who have earned notable achievements in their respective fields. EB3 is for professionals who are sponsored by US employers to work in the country. This type of visa imposes a minimum level of work experience and educational qualification, as does the work visa.
Large numbers of people from many countries are applying for immigration visas to Canada. As a matter of fact, the United Nations Human Development Index has recognised the country as having one of the highest standards of living in the world. It is a land teeming with amazing opportunities and has a rich and diverse culture. As a result, Canada offers a wide range of visas for a number of purposes.
There is a diverse set of options to choose from for anyone wishing to permanently work and settle in Canada. After satisfactorily complying with the three-year residency requirement, the Immigration service or Citizenship and Immigration in Canada (CIC), will review your eligibility for permanent status in the country.
One very effective way of obtaining a Canadian visa is by applying for a Federal Skilled Worker Class Visa.
This is how the country entices foreigners who have the relevant business acumen and technical skills to help make Canada a more progressive and technologically advanced country. This type of work visa is issued based on a points system and many factors are involved before a person can be qualified to apply for one, including age, work experience, educational background, English competency and even the coping mechanism of the individual to settle in a foreign country.
Once a Skilled Worker Visa, has been obtained the holder will be issued with permanent resident status. In this way, the candidate will enjoy equal rights to those of a Canadian citizen. The only difference is that they will not be allowed to vote. However, it will give them the freedom to choose where in the country to work.
Another option for prospective immigrants is the Immigrant Investor Programme. A minimum investment of $400,000 (CDN) is mandatory and investors must show that they have successfully managed an enterprise and have accumulated a substantial level of assets, not less than $800,000 (CDN).
Existing permanent Canadian residents or citizens can sponsor their foreign relatives, using the Canadian Family Visa. They need to confirm that they agree to support their benefactors for a specified period of time, usually between three and ten years, until such time that their relatives are able to support themselves financially. This is an easy way for foreigners to obtain permanent residency in Canada, because they will not have to go through the points system.
Canadian Student Visas are given to anyone intending to pursue their education in the country. Applicants must show proof that an approved Canadian educational institution will accept them. In this way, students can work part-time and their visas will be renewed if they wish to further their studies. However, if they will be in the country for less than six months, then a Canadian Study Visa is not necessary.
Holders of Tourist Visas can only stay in Canada for a maximum of six months and it is strictly forbidden for them to seek employment in the country.
The Embassy of the United States of America has been one of the most visited of almost any country in the world. Everyday, more people want to go to the United States for various purposes and if asked, most of them would probably say they would prefer to live there permanently.
Before anyone can enter and live in the United States, a USA visa must be obtained. Depending on the reason for travelling to the United States, processing a USA visa will require various documents. Living and working in the United States will require the applicant to prove that he or she will be working in the country upon entry.
Work permits are granted to people who qualify for a certain job after thorough evaluation of their skills and qualifications. Another option, if you want to live in the United States, would be to show the immigration office that you have a spouse, family member or relatives already resident in the country.
There are certain agencies that can do the processing for you, for a fee, of course. Either talk to them or send them an enquiry; most agencies have websites that explain what you need to do and they will process your application for you.
Remember, a USA visa will not be processed overnight. If you need to go to the country at a specific time, it is best to start processing your USA visa months before your expected arrival date.
For people who wish to relocate to South Africa, they may be able to do so through either one of the short-term Visa South Africa services or permanent residence permits.
A South African work permit must be obtained if a foreign individual is to live and working in the country for just a limited time. This kind of visa is known as an employer-led temporary residence permit. However, in order to be able to apply for permanent residency in the country, a foreign national in possession of a working permit must remain in South Africa for at least five years.
If an individual has a spouse who is already a permanent resident of South Africa or if he or she is already a citizen of the country, they can migrate to the country through sponsorship on either a temporary or permanent basis.
A South African retirement visa is given to people who wish to retire to the country. This visa allows an individual to live in the country on a seasonal basis and has a validity of four years. It can be renewed any number of times for a similar period.
If a foreign individual wishes to visit family or friends or just tour the country, a South African visitor visa or tourist visa must be obtained. This category of visa has a validity of up to three months and does not allow the holder to work in the country. However, a short course of study is allowed.
Indian immigration law operates in a similar legal framework as that of most democratic countries. Anyone planning to move to India or visit for a short period of time will need to apply for an Indian visa.
There are several types of visas that match the need of each prospective applicant for immigration or permanent residency.
There is the Persons of Indian Origin (PIO Card) that applies to people of Indian origin, through birth, residency or ancestry. PIO cards are granted for fifteen years and allow holders to travel in and out of the country at will.
Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) gives individuals with Indian origin, but who have taken citizenship with other countries to have long-term leave, which allows them to remain in India. These cards are granted for life.
In India, visas differ both in terms of fees and the processing time. The terms of issue are subject to change and will vary, depending on the type of entry sought by an applicant.
For anyone wishing to stay for a shorter period of time, several visas are also available. There is the Indian Tourist Visa, which is usually granted for a period of up to six months. Holders of this card may not work during their stay in India.
The Indian Business Visa can be granted to single or multiple entries and allows the holder to travel to the country for business related purposes.
Indian Work Permits and Indian Student Visas both offer the applicant a specific period of time to stay and study in India.