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Studying Abroad No More A Dream

In this age of globalization, distances are coming closer. The world is shrinking with modern communications and in reaction to this trend; organizations are seeking employees who can interact on a global scale. Studying abroad helps in development of what is known as ‘transnational competence’. Studying abroad also helps in developing cross-cultural communication skills, the ability to analyze local customs and cultures, flexibility, maturity, independence and adaptability. Hence, studying abroad compels you to deal with cultural differences which you would have never faced otherwise.

Students

Many students don’t give a serious thought to their career choices while choosing a study abroad program. One of the major challenges faced by many of them is that they are not sure of the direction in which they want to go. In such a case, one should talk to his or her study adviser or career adviser to get help through some of these issues. Here’s a breakdown of procedures of visa application in few prominent destinations for students across the world.

US Student F-1 Visa

Applying for a US Student Visa in America can offer myriad opportunities to those interested in immigration to the United States. There are three types of student visas, each with own different set of requirements. Students attending an accredited U.S college, university or English language institute will need an F-1 visa or J-1 visa. Students involved in non-academic pursuits at either trade or vocational institutions will need an M-1 visa.

Cameron works on his Pamoja homework (Boston, USA)

An applicant applying for an F-1 student visa is only eligible must be accepted into a course of study at a recognized US educational institution. It is also necessary to provide an affidavit of financial support along with a valid passport and a photograph. Applicants should also have adequate English language ability. This kind of visa is granted for the period of the course of the study but candidates may remain in the country for up to 60 days after the course is completed.

UK Tier 4 Visa
The Tier 4(General) category is for adult students who want to pursue their education after the age of 16 years. The eligibility for an applicant is calculated on the basis of a points based system. To be eligible for this visa you must receive a confirmation of acceptance for studies from a university approved by the UK Border Agency (UKBA). The universities in which the applicant applies must have given or applied for Highly Trusted Status (HTS) on the UKBA Tier 4 Sponsor list.
The applicant should also provide proof of funding to pay for both your course tuition fees and your monthly living costs.

Student Visa Australia
To be granted a student visa in Australia you must satisfy the visa requirements and meet with a number of visa conditions for attendance and academic performance. An applicant should be able to provide an ‘admission offer letter’ from his or her Australian education provider. You should also have a health insurance acceptable through the overseas health cover (OSHC) along with a valid passport. Enough funds to support yourself during your stay at Australia for first year is also required to be eligible for the student visa in Australia. It is advisable that any applicant must start prior 4-6 months preparation to file their cases for student visas.

Immigrate To Australia With Your Spouse

Australia is known as a land of stunning landscapes, natural wonders and sights to behold that will take your breath away. From the sunrise at Outback’s Ayers Rock to sunsets in the beautiful beaches of Gold Coast, there is so much to take in. Apart from its rich and scenic natural beauty, Australia is world’s third largest economy.

English: Three Australian Pelicans in Tasmania...
English: Three Australian Pelicans in Tasmania, Australia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you are married to an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, or have been in a De-facto relationship for at least 12 months, you may be eligible for immigration by obtaining a Spouse Visa to Australia. You can apply for permanent residence if the relationship is still genuine and continuing.
If you would like to immigrate to Australia under the spouse visa category, you must first be married to an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen.

Eligibility to apply for a Spouse Visa:
In order to be eligible for a spouse visa to Australia, you must fulfill the following requirements:

  1. You and your spouse should have a commitment to a shared life as husband and life, whether or not you are legally married.
  2. Your relationship should be genuine and continuing.
  3. Both the individuals should live together and should not live separately on a permanent basis.
  4. Unless you are legally married, you must have been in a spousal relationship for the last 12 months.
  5. You both need to be aged 18 or over.

partner visa:
Spouse Visa applicants must be able to demonstrate that they are either married to an Australian in a marriage valid under Australian law or in a de-facto relationship with an Australian for at least 12 months prior to making application.

There is a 2 stage(temporary and permanent) application process for the spouse visa. An applicant should apply for both visas simultaneously using a single application form and paying one application fee.

The Spouse Visa may be applied from inside or outside Australia. If you are applying while you are in Australia, you must also hold a valid substantive visa which has no condition attached preventing you from applying in Australia.

Prospective Spouse (Fiance) Visa 

A 2 stage visa application applies to prospective marriage partners of Australian citizens or

Marriage of the Virgin

permanent residents. Applicants can apply for the prospective marriage visa which if granted, will be valid for 9 months. The applicant must enter Australia, marry their sponsor and apply for a spouse visa during this period. If successful, a temporary visa is granted valid for two (2) years from date of application. At the end of this period the relationship is assessed and if it is found genuine and ongoing, the applicant is granted a spouse permanent residency visa.

To be eligible to apply for a Prospective Marriage (fiance) visa applicants must be able to provide evidence that they have personally met their Australian partner/sponsor and that they are engaged to be married to the Australian sponsor in Australia. Applicants must also demonstrate that after marriage they intend to live together in a genuine spousal relationship and will apply for the spouse visa in Australia within the visa period.

UK Spouse Visa No More A Hassle

The United Kingdom also known as the Great Britain is full of myriad hues of rich cultural heritage. You will find a wide variety of landscapes and diverse culture to explore in every direction of this royal land. England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are all unique countries with their distinct culture, customs and traditions. With its rich cultural heritage, the United Kingdom is one of the favorite destinations among the professionals all across the world.

Flag of the United Kingdom, Union Flag (also r...
Flag of the United Kingdom, Union Flag  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you have a partner, spouse or fiance (e) living in the UK, or about to move to the UK, you may qualify to settle or live there as their dependent. A UK spouse visa enables one’s husband, wife, fiancé or civil partner to apply for permanent residency in the UK. You may apply for this visa if you are married to a British citizen, or a person who has permanent settlement or right of abode in the UK.

Duration of a UK Spouse VISA
This visa is initially issued for a 2-year probationary period and allows you to work without restriction and to exit and re-enter UK multiple times. At the end of this period, you may be eligible to apply for ILR(Indefinite leave to Remain) in Britain.

Benefits of a UK Spouse VISA

English: First Spouse Program bronze medal for...

Once settled status in the UK is granted, the person will be able to bring the spouse or to join them in the country. They will be able to seek and take up employment in the United Kingdom as soon as document is granted without the need to arrange a UK work permit. With a Spouse Visa there are no restrictions upon the kind of work that can be undertaken.

UK Spouse VISA Eligibility

Relationships :- The applicants must fulfill the following requirements before a Spouse Visa can be issued:

• Individuals must be lawfully married to each other.
• Should intend to live together permanently as man and wife.
• Should be able to support themselves entirely without recourse to public funds.

Age:-
Candidates must be of at least 21 years of age or over before a spouse visa can be granted. The spouse with settled status in Britain must be 21 years of age or over.

Dependents:
Entry to the UK as dependents will be granted for children of the married couple who are under 18 years of age. They should apply at the same time as the main applicant. UK citizenship can be granted after three years in the country if the residency requirements have been met.

Unmarried Partner Visa
The UK De Facto Visa also known as UK Unmarried Partner visa applies to applicants who are in a long-term relationship with a British citizen or a person who has permanent settlement status in the UK. The applicant and his or her partner must be able to provide evidence that they’ve have been living together in a relationship akin to a marriage for 2 years or more.

It differs from a UK fiancé visa application which would require your partner to join you for the express purpose of marrying, not allowing your partner to work. A successful UK unmarried partner visa application for the UK allows your partner to enter and work in the country without needing a UK work permit.

Getting Student VISA for USA

As the home of nearly one in every five universities across the world, the United States remains the world’s leading destination for studies. Of course, it is not just grand educational opportunities that draw students in. It is world’s largest economy with the GDP of $15.1 million approximately and the per capita income of the country is world’s seventh-highest. Whether you’re drawn to the bright lights and fast pace of big cities or sun-kissed beaches and lush forests of sub-urban areas, you will be able to make an appropriate choice in the sheer volume and variety of educational establishments present in this huge and massively diverse country.

USA Wavy Flag
USA Wavy Flag (Photo credit: Vectorportal)

VISA Descriptions and Qualifications

The United States welcomes students from all across the world who come to the US (United States) to study. Before applying for a student VISA in USA, all student applicants are required to be accepted and approved by their school or program. The two kinds of student visa required by each applicant are as follows:

F-1 VISA

This is the most common type of student visa. If a student wishes to engage in academic studies in United States at an approved school, such as an accredited US college or university, you will need an F-1 visa. An F-1 visa is also required if the course of study is more than 18 hours a week.

M-1 VISA
A student wishing to pursue a course of study which is not principally academic in nature at an established vocational or other recognized non-academic institution such as a post-secondary vocational or business school requires an M-1 visa.

Entry & Length of Stay  
In order to get a student visa, the applicant must be enrolled in a full-time academic educational program. The course or degree the applicant is interested in should be approved by USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services). It is possible in certain limited circumstances for the holder of an F1 visa to obtain permission to work in the United States. Holders of M1 visas may only engage in employment if it is a required part of their practical training.

The holder of a student F1 or M1 visa may enter the United States up to 30 days before the designated registration date on the I-20A-B or I-20M. The 30-day limitation does not apply to students returning to resume studies. Such students may enter in United States at any time.

The holder of an F-1 visa may remain in the United States for up to 60 days following the completion of the course or practical training while the holder of an M-1 visa may remain in the United States for the period of time he will take to complete the course of study or for one year, whichever is less.

Advantages to Spouses, Children and Partners

The Partners Statue in Central Plaza
The Partners Statue in Central Plaza (Photo credit: Loren Javier)

Spouses and/or children under the age of 21 who wish to accompany or join the principal visa holder in the United States during his/her stay require derivative of F-2 or M-2 visa. Spouses and/or children who do not intend to reside in the United States with the principal visa holder, but might visit for vacations, may be eligible to apply for visitor (B-2) visas.

 

No assurances regarding the issuance of visas are given in advance. Therefore, final travel plans or the purchase of non-refundable tickets should not be made until a visa has been issued.

USA Family Visas

USA is one of the best countries to live in. It has the best medical facilities, great standard of living, good educational facilities, higher life expectancy, and good future for children. No wonder then people look to migrate to USA with their families. After all, who doesn’t want a secure future for their loved ones. Many individual also seek the green card or the permanent residency as it provides the holder the same rights and privileges as enjoyed by a United States citizen.
We shall now discuss the various US family visa:

Young family playing in swimming pool
Young family playing in swimming pool (Photo credits: Hot Tub Barn)

US Family Visas

1) Fiancé Visa K-1 Visa: This family visa is a single entry, non-immigrant visa that allows a foreign national to enter the United States to marry a U.S. citizen. The visa is good for 90 days only and cannot be extended or renewed. Once you marry a K1 visa holder, you can then apply for an adjustment of status as well as work and travel permits for them. Later on, a green card can also be arranged to allow your spouse to live in the U.S. permanently.

2) US Spouse Visa K-3 Visa: To get this family visa the individuals should be married, should satisfy the age criteria (both of the individuals should be above the age of 18), should have all the legal documents. Where marriages have been in existence for less than two years, a conditional USA Green Card will be issued for duration of two years. If after this initial grant the marriage is still in place, the parties involved can apply for a Green card for lawful permanent residency.

3) US visas for dependent children K-4 : As dependent children of a K3 spouse visa holder will be issued with a K4 visa allowing them to study in the USA and to pursue work authorization.

4) US visas for parents and siblings of US citizen: Parents and siblings of US citizens (please note that US permanent residents are not eligible) can apply for Green Card. This has many benefits they can work in US and avail benefits. You will need a US citizen to take the legal responsibility for it.

Study Abroad : Make it an Experience To Cherish

What are the problems that are faced by a student who is going abroad for higher studies? Well to be honest enough, there are some issues but none that can’t be resolved and will bother you for a long time. These are teething problems and you are bound to face them, according to a survey conducted by Visas Simply, the most common problems that students face are finding an accommodation, adjusting to an alien environment, food, culture, making new friends, visa and believe it or not homesickness. These problems are very generic and it is not necessary that every individual will face them. In this blog we shall discuss how to cope up with these problems and also we shall discuss some tips that will be helpful in the longer run. Study For Net Of Being (2)

Getting Started

The first thing you should do is get enrolled in a college/university, do an extensive research about the college/university you are taking admission into, validate the college’s authenticity and affiliations, do a cross check with the relevant authorities, in case you are hiring an agent, make sure that the agent is registered with the college/university and is authorised to take admission on its behalf. Once you get your enrolment is done, make sure you apply for a visa. You should have all the relevant documents and funds ready before you apply for the student visa. This will make the visa process hassle free.

Getting There

Once your visa is issued and your flight tickets are ready, you are good to go. You just need to keep few things in mind before you leave, do a thorough research about the country’s weather conditions and choose your wardrobe accordingly, always keep your important documents like passport, educational certificates ready and keep them safely, it is always advisable to keep plastic money instead of cash.

Once you have reached to your destination the biggest problem you are going to face is that of accommodation, it is advisable to stay in the college hostel initially, but if you are not willing to stay in a hostel or you couldn’t get a hostel seat you can always stay in a hotel/motel till you get your accommodation. It is advisable to book the hotel/motel beforehand. You can rent a flat before you arrive and can move directly in it on your arrival, you can also look on the internet there are hundreds of websites which provide accommodation and if you are lucky enough you can also find a flatmate. Once you are in college and your circle grows and you know the place better you can always look for better places to stay.

Adjusting to the new environment is another issues faced by migrant students, though it is tough initially the more you explore the place more comfortable you will get with it. Try to interact with the local students and residents, try to make some new friends and before you know it you will be a part of them. You should be exploring the city as much as possible during the initial period, try to learn about their culture and respect it. Learn new this about the place, every place has so many interesting stories to tell, cherish them. Food nowadays is no longer a problem with the migrants as more often than not they find all kind of food everywhere, try also to enjoy the local cuisines, develop your taste buds. You should try and learn the local language, read the local news and keep yourself abreast with situation around you. The idea here is not to be lonely or bored, cultivate the habit of reading or try to learn how to play a musical instrument.

You should also participate a lot in the extracurricular activities in your college/university, this will help you to make new friends and also will help you develop your skills.

Enjoy Your Stay
You are in a foreign country, realizing your dream of studying abroad, trying for a better future. All this might take a toll on you mentally, you should always keep in mind that working hard is good but you should also have your share of fun, try to find a balance in between and try to make the most of the opportunity you have.

Here are few guidelines regarding some of the in demand student visas:

1) Australia Student Visa: Australia is among the most favored nation for education. The different type of student visas in Australia are:

from the Open Clip Art website.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

Australia Student Visa 570

Australia Student Visa 571

Australia Student Visa 572

Australia Student Visa 573

Australia Student Visa 574

Australia Student Visa 575

 

2) Canada Student Visa: If you want to apply apply for Canadian student visa, you should be enrolled in any of the recognized universities/colleges or institute in Canada.You should have sufficient funds, you you should be of good health and character.

3) UK Student Visa: United Kingdom’s student visa is known as Tier 4 visa, which is further divided into :

Tier 4 (Child Students – 4 to 17 years of age)

Tier 4 (General Students)

4) USA student Visa: The USA student visa is also known as

F 1 visa – This visa is for full time students.

M 1 visa – This visa is for students in vocational and non academic program, other than language training.