Make Your USCIS Marriage Interview a Runaway Victory - 6 Easy Tips

According to recent estimates, as many as 450,000 US citizens get married to foreign national every year. Interestingly, a significant percentage of these marriages are merely done for immigration purposes. It is because of this that the USCIS authorities make the marriage interview so difficult. However, you need not worry. The entire process of obtaining a marriage-based immigrant visa can become a child's play for you provided you follow the following tips and guidelines. These 6 easy tips can help you make your USCIS marriage interview a runaway victory:

1) Do not learn anything by heart for this interview. Be as honest and natural as possible. Unlike the common notion, there are no specific exam-like questions asked. For instance, on being asked the date you last arrived in the USA, if you fail to answer, you are allowed to refer to your I-485 Form to give the answer. It is as simple as that.

2) Usually, the individuals are asked to reflect on the history of their relationships and provide a ground for the same. Do not hesitate to highlight your journey from dating to marriage. It is just an inspection and not a spine-chilling police interrogation. Make sure both of you have the same answers to give them during your interviews. Any difference in your answers, if interviewed separately, can make them doubt the authenticity of your marriage.

3) Do your homework and be prepared for answering questions about each other. In many cases, each spouse is asked a series of questions about another, and the answers are then compared. A good preparation for this can be done by quizzing each other on your respective personal information just before the interview.

4) Be comfortable. Any gesture or expression that seems unnatural or forced, for instance too much of affection or disparity, can land you in big trouble.

5) Make sure you are ready with a set of all the required original documents and their respective duplicate copies. These documents should be enough to prove the validity of your marriage. Usually, you are expected to carry documents, such as wedding invitations, wedding photographs, birth certificates of any children you may have together, property leases with both names featured, photographs of special occasions spent together, joint bank account statements, and other joint financial documents.

6) Last, but not the least, consult an expert immigration attorney to help you easily steer through the whole process. Going by an old adage, "...if you fail to prepare, then be prepared to fail", it would be right to say that the guidance of an expert immigration attorney backing you at every step of the proceeding can certainly make the difference between residence granted and residence denied.

Preparing Tips for USCIS Interview

Also, Find Expert Local Immigration Attorneys to seek legal advice or dealing with your complicated case.

Canada Immigration - Knowing About a Beach Paradise in Canada

British Columbia, on the west coast of Canada is rapidly becoming one of the best ever growing tourism hotspots in North America. The cause, like several other tourism places, is scenery. In BC you will discover high desert, mountains, long sandy beaches, lush tropical forest, vast glaciers and everything in the middle of.

You have almost certainly heard of British Colombia, but there is a fine chance that you have not listen about the province's fastest growing tourism destination Tofino. Located on the west shore of "Canada's Big Island", Tofino is home to lengthy sandy beaches, superlative hotels, restaurants, and some attractive good surfing as well.

Tofino achieved recognition in the early 90's when sorting in the region's old-growth forests turned many of the locals into action-taking ecologist. All of this media concentration brought visitors here - lots of visitors. These days more than one million tourists go through Tofino in a year. All of this community is crowded into a town with a constant population of about 1700.

These people are all coming here to experience the region's wonderful scenery and the long, sandy beaches. These visitors are typically the type of traveler that takes benefit of the amazing natural resources that flourish in the Clayoquot Sound region. Sea kayaking is very famous, as is surfing, walking the extended sandy beaches, and fishing for the giant salmon that abound in the near-shore waters.

Of all the places in BC to become a favorite tourism destination, it has to be one of the most likely. Located at the end of a distant peninsula, it is approximately comical that so many persons meet here on a yearly basis. But once you have arrived here and experienced the landscape, oceans cape and the comfortable coastal way of life, you'll almost certainly be planning your next trip back before you leave.

Think for Canadian Immigration now for you and your next generation.

The author of this article is fighting against the fake immigration consultants of Canada and have a Canada Immigration Blog for those who want to Immigrate to Canada.

How to Get Your Spouse to the US

For people who are already a citizen in the United States, for them there are primarily 2 ways to get their spouses to the United States to live with them.

The first one would be to file an immigrant petition filing for an alien relative. This is done using the immigration petition form I-130. The next step up on the receipt of the approval on the petition filed, you would be required to visit the United States consulate in your home country and get the physical immigrant visa. The third step would be to file for your Employment Authorization Card (EAD). The fourth step would be to file for your SSN or the social security number; this is done at the social security office. This concludes the required step for the first option.

The other option would be using the Non immigrant visa for your spouse. This visa is also known as the K3 visa. This K3 visa is sort of a temporary provision for the spouses to come over to the United States and stay together on a temporary basis. While the formalities for the formal spouse immigration is still pending. There are some specifications that needs to be taken care of for the K3 visa.

The application for the K3 visa needs to be filed in the country where the actual marriage took place. It is important that the said K3 visa has to be issued from the same country where the marriage had actually taken place. Once this visa issuance is complete then the spouse can travel to the United States and wait for the time period that would be required for the, actual immigration visa paperwork to be complete.

The filing for the said visa can be done in the nearest US consulate and in case there are children staying with the spouse, as a result of the marriage such children may apply for a K4 visa. Point to be noted here is that such children should essentially be below the age of 21.

Once the spouse has traveled to the United States on such a visa, then in the States they would have to file for the Adjustment of Status (AOS) this is done by filing the form I-485.

The next most important thing would be getting the eligibility for a job thus the next logical step would be filing for the employment authorization card or the EAD.

Once that is done then is the turn for the SSN. The spouse would be required to visit the social security office, and file for the social security number there.

Tushar Mathur writes regularly about Green cards and visas at http://GreenCardandVisaNews.com

He also writes about Personal Finance at http://www.everythingfinanceblog.com

New Australian General Skilled Migration (GSM) Priority Processing Arrangements

On 23 September 2009, The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, set new priority processing arrangements for Skilled Migration visas. The new processing times apply to applications lodged that have not been finalized, and to applications lodged with the DIAC, on or after 23 September 2009.

The following processing priorities (with highest priority listed first) apply:

1. ENS and the RSMS applications;
2. CSL occupations - State/Territory nominated;
3. CSL occupations - Family sponsored;
4. CSL occupations - not sponsored/nominated;
5. State/Territory nominated - occupation not on the CSL;
6. MODL occupations and family sponsored - occupation not on the CSL;
7. All other applications to be processed in the order in which they are received.

Applications for Subclass 485 (Skilled - Graduate) visas are now subject to priority processing. The following processing priorities (with highest priority listed first) apply:

1. PHD's completed at an Australian institution;
2. Occupations on the CSL;
3. Bachelor and Masters Degrees completed at an Australian institution;
4. Bachelor or Honours degrees completed at an Australian institution;
5. Bachelor or Masters Degrees completed at an Australian institution;
6. All other valid applications to be processed in the order in which they are received.

The only visa subclasses exempt from priority processing are:

• Skilled - Recognised Graduate Subclass 476
• Skilled - Designated Area - Sponsored (Residence) Subclass 883
• Skilled - Regional Subclass 887
• Applications remitted to DIAC from the MRT

These new processing arrangements have made CSL occupations more important than state nominated applications which seems to be the implication of huge amounts of applicants being state sponsored since the previous priorities were introduced. Another major change is that family sponsored applications have now been given higher priority than in the past (same level as MODL) and now 485 applications are subject to priority arrangements when they were previously exempt.

Unfortunately, for those who have already lodged applications with DIAC, these new priorities mean a longer wait even if the application is in the final stages of processing. Applications in lower priority groups cannot be processed further until those in higher priority groups are finalized.

If you have applied for an onshore or offshore GSM visa and your nominated occupation is on the CSL, it is estimated that your application will be finalized within 12 months from your lodgement date.

If your nominated occupation is not on the CSL and you have applied for an offshore GSM visa or intend to apply for an offshore GSM before the end of 2009, it is unlikely that your visa will be finalised before the end of 2012.

If your nominated occupation is not on the CSL and you applied for an onshore GSM visa or intend to apply for an onshore GSM before the end of 2009, it is unlikely that your visa will be finalized before the end of 2011.

Sarah Kabbara is a Solicitor and Case Manager with Acacia Immigration Australia. She has a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Western Sydney as well as a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the University of Western Sydney. She was admitted as a lawyer of the Supreme Court of NSW in July 2009 and holds a current NSW practicing certificate.

Sarah has extensive experience in ENS and 457 visas, general skilled migration visas and family sponsored visas. She has handled over 100 successful cases since starting at Acacia Immigration in October 2007. Read the original article here

Doing a Visa Run in Thailand

When entering Thailand from most countries no visa is required. You are given 30 days upon arrival. At the end of the 30 days those who wish to remain in Thailand for a longer period of time have a choice of applying for an extension or leaving Thailand and then returning. In the past many farang were bypassing Thailand's laws about long term stays by leaving Thailand and immediately returning, often only minutes after leaving. It became a revolving door and many were living in Thailand by this method.

Thailand has since cracked down on this and now restricts the number of days per year and the number of times per year the authorities will accept these types of entries from those who do not hold a long term visa.

In any case, when it becomes necessary to leave Thailand in order to reenter for an additional 30 days or in order to obtain a new tourist or non-immigrant visa, you are now making a visa run. You can simply leave Thailand on your own and return later, after obtaining your new visa, or you can also employ the services of professional visa run services.

When leaving Thailand on your own in order to obtain a new visa, be careful about where you are going. Different Thai consulates and embassies have their own policies about granting new visas. Some are quite easy to deal with and others are very difficult. At present the Thai consulate in Penang, Malaysia seems to be the most difficult.

You also have the option of using visa run services. You cannot, repeat cannot, give your passport to another party to get a new visa for you. Don't let any visa services talk you into it. That is totally illegal and can easily result in your arrest and deportation. You must personally go on a visa run.

Visa run services are usually very good and quite reliable. In most instances a passenger van is used. You and others also going on a visa run are either met at your accommodation or given instructions about where to go and what time to be there. The visa run vans leave early in the morning and return the same day.

Many who do these visa runs enjoy them. They make new friends in the van, get to see the countryside, make stops for lunch, and are in the hands of people who know what they're doing and can help you through any unforeseen problems that might occur. Often, upon entry into the country where you will obtain the new visa, the company representative will collect the passports and applications and handle the formalities himself. He does it all and you do not have to be personally involved unless a problem comes up. You do, however, have to physically be there.

One of the most popular visa runs are the runs that go from Thailand to Cambodia. You arrive at the Cambodian border within a few hours. While the company representative is handling the formalities you have time to look around, do some shopping, or whatever you choose to do. There will be groups of children and beggars trying to get you to give money to them. Be wary of that and be wary of pickpockets.

When deciding upon which visa run company to use it is a good idea to shop around. Different companies charge different prices. The more luxurious the transportation and the more competent and cooperative the company representative, the more expensive the visa run will be. Many people who do multiple visa runs stick with the same company once they find a company that truly satisfies them.

How do you find visa run companies? Travel agents. One of the easiest things to find in Thailand are travel agents. There are great numbers of them and they all can arrange visa runs for you. Some companies advertise. Word of mouth is a good way when you are hearing from people who are familiar with the various companies.

Posting on http://www.thailandvisa.com, and/or other Thailand message boards will yield plenty of recommendations.

For all the information you need to know about Thailand Visa and Immigration issues and about living and working in Thailand, go to http://www.thailandvisa.com The Thailand Visa website is a free resource for expats living in Thailand and for travelers who want to visit the country. Michael A. Allen lives abroad and loves travel and adventure.

Immigration Law & Naturalization

Are you, your spouse, child or fiance eligible for naturalization?

To be eligible for naturalization, a person must first be a Lawful Permanent Resident. He or she must be at least 18 years old at the time of filing for citizenship. There are special rules on naturalization for minor children. Please contact Indianapolis immigration attorney Tiffany Vivo for details on waivers and exceptions for minors.

A person seeking naturalization must also reside in the United States for a continuous period prior to the filing of the naturalization application. If the person is not married to an American citizen, he or she must live in the U.S. for a continuous period of five years after lawful admission to the U.S. as a permanent resident. If an individual is married to a U.S. citizen, he or she must live in the United States for a continuous period of three years following lawful admission to the U.S. as a permanent resident. And, the person married to a U.S. citizen must reside with his/her spouse for three years before the applicant's exam date. The U.S. citizen spouse must have been a U.S. citizen during that entire time.

Residency is required for three months immediately preceding the filing of the naturalization application. Continuous residence in the United States is also required from the date of filing until actual admission to citizenship.

The person must also be able to read, write and speak ordinary English, which is determined through oral and written tests administered by an immigration examiner during the naturalization interview. There are some exemptions to the language requirement.

The applicant must have both knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of U.S. history and government, which is determined by taking a multiple choice test. Generally, applicants who are exempt from English requirement must still meet this requirement. An application must have good moral character and attachment to the principles of the U.S. Constitution.

To become a U.S. citizen, call Indianapolis immigration attorney, Tiffany Vivo, at her law offices.

Tiffany U. Vivo is an Indianapolis immigration lawyer. She also practices family law. Ms. Vivo appears before the Immigration Court (EOIR), the United States Citizenship & Immigration Service (USCIS), the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) and state and federal courts in Indiana and Illinois. She is a member of the Indiana State Bar, the Indianapolis Bar Association, and the national and local chapters of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).

http://www.my-immigration-lawyer.com

The Malaysia My Second Home Programme

Do you want to set up your own business in Kuala Lumpur or do you have any plans to live permanently in Malaysia?

Then the "Malaysia My Second Home Programme (MM2H)" can help you settle down in this beautiful country. This program is supported by the Malaysian Government as an international residency scheme and allows foreigners and expatriates to live in Malaysia on a long-stay visa of up to 10 years. It is a great chance for people who wish to spend a long time in this country, let it either be for business reasons or for a retirement.

Malaysia is appreciated for its beautiful countryside and developed infrastructure, the low cost of living, friendly Malaysians and its overall quality of life.

Furthermore the country has a very good healthcare system with qualified doctors and nurses as well as modern hospitals. Besides that high education standards are available with international universities and schools spread across the country. No matter if you want to settle down on your own or bring the whole family, Malaysia offers you everything that you need concerning healthcare, education, infrastructure, leisure and travel.

In order to be eligible for a long-term visa, applicants must fulfill certain financial and medical criteria. If you are successful you have the chance to enter and leave the country on a largely unrestricted basis while benefiting from other incentives to make you feel home as soon as possible. Whether you want to bring your own car or you want to buy your own property the program helps you to apply for the different processes giving you the highest level of comfort.

Learn more about Malaysia My Second Home Programme today and what documents are needed to apply for it.

Green Card Interview Questions - Lacking Confidence About Green Card Interview Questions?

Most people think the Green Card Interview questions that they will be asked won't be too hard to answer. Unfortunately INS officers are becoming much more persistent with the questions they are asking to make sure that the marriage is a legitimate one.

Quite often though, by answering a question in the wrong way, genuine couples are starting to be put under a lot more suspicion than before.

Because of the economic outlook, the US government is trying to ensure that who ever they permit to stay in the US will make a contribution to its future wealth. Understandably, because of the current high state of security they will always be extremely suspicious.

It is vital to consider that this interview is far from a gimme and if you don't undertake proper preparation it could have grave repercussions for you and your partner. Obviously, you'll feel under pressure during the interview but remain calm and answer all questions with brief but pertinent answers. Don't over talk too much because you are nervous. When the INS officer needs more information he will be sure to ask you.

INS officers are trained to look at your body language and assess it. It is more difficult to hide this from an experienced interviewer and officers are well trained to look for suspicious behavior not only during the interview but also by looking at the video recording of it before making a decision.

Good luck with your interview and just remember to stay calm, do your research into what type of Green card interview questions you will be asked and you should be fine.

If you want to feel more confident and assured about the green card interview questions you will be asked on your interview day you need to visit http://www.green-card-interview-questions.com for tips, techniques and the do's and don'ts.

American Visa Applications

Obtaining an American visa for a foreign loved one can be a somewhat cumbersome process, particularly where the American Citizen spouse or fiance is in the United States and unable to deal with the day-to-day demands involved with obtaining a US visa. Therefore, some explanation is helpful to those interested in the US Immigration process and unaccustomed to its complexities.

When it comes time to process a visa application through the United States Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand it is necessary to compile a relatively large assortment of forms. This requirement is confusing in some cases because many people in the USA mistakenly believe that the initial application submission is the only time that forms must be filed for the acquisition of a United States visa. In reality, the United States Embassy requires a great many forms of its own.

A possible explanation for what would seem to be a superfluous system is the fact that the US Consular posts are supervised by the Department of State while USCIS is under the authority of the Department of Homeland Security. These two bureaucracies handle different aspects of the Immigration process. With regard to Embassy processing, the Consular Section first receives the case from the National Visa Center (NVC). Upon receiving the petition, the Consular staff will notify the prospective beneficiary that the visa application process can begin within the notification will be an explanation of the forms necessary to get the visa application approved.

For the K1 fiance visa, these forms generally include forms like the DS-156 and 157 Although this is not an exhaustive list and many Embassies have different protocol for processing visas so extensive research may be required. The "DS" in front of the numbers denotes that the forms are issued by the Department of State, Immigration forms can be discerned by their use of the initial "I" before the specified number.

After compiling all of the necessary forms the applicant must send in the fully compiled appointment request packet, commonly referred to as packet 3. After receipt of this packet and the completed forms, the Embassy will set the interview appointment and the applicant will need to arrive prepared to demonstrate the bona fide nature of the relationship upon which the visa is being issued. If approved, the applicant generally must return to the Embassy within a few days to pick up their passport with the visa in it. The visa conferee must enter the USA on the visa within a 6 month period or else the visa will expire.

Benjamin Hart is a licensed American attorney and member of AILA. He resides in Thailand as Managing Director of Integrity Legal (Thailand) Co. Ltd. Contact Integrity Legal at 1-877-231-7533 or via email at info@integrity-legal.com. See more on the internet at k1 visa or cr1 visa Thailand

Sweeping Changes to Australian 457 Temporary Workers Program From 14 September 2009

The Australian Department of Immigration has introduced a number of changes to the sponsorship regime for temporary workers in Australia on subclass 457 visas. These changes come into effect on 14 September 2009 and involve the following:

• New criteria for approval as a business sponsor, including a training benchmark
• Complete revision of the sponsorship obligations of employers using the 457 program as well as sanctions for breach of obligations
• New list of approved occupations for 457 visas, along with new legislation for approval of nomination
• Introduction of market rate salary levels for 457 visas
• Removal of employers' obligation to pay health costs for new 457 visas, and requiring 457 holders to have private health insurance
• Changes to the 8107 work restriction on 457 visas and allowing 457 holders to "transfer" to a new sponsor without applying for a new 457 visa

Sponsorship Approval

The Department of Immigration is seeking to streamline the approval process for employers seeking to sponsor employees under the 457 program. As a result, the requirements for approval as a business sponsor have been completely re-written.

Training Benchmark

Businesses have two options in meeting the training benchmark:

1. Payment to an industry training fund of at least 2% of payroll; or
2. Expenditure of at least 1% of payroll on training of employees.

It was previously possible for a business to show that they were introducing or utilizing in Australia new technology as an alternative to demonstrating training, but this no longer appears to be possible.

Benefit to Australia

The "benefit to Australia" requirement which previously applied to sponsorship approvals is no longer required. Employers previously needed to show that employment of a person on a 457 contributed to employment of Australians, trade in goods & services, competitiveness of an Australian business sector or links with international markets.

Employment of Local Labor and Non-Discriminatory Employment Practices

Employers are now required to provide an attestation that they have a strong record or demonstrated commitment to employing local labor and non-discriminatory employment practices. This presumably means that it may be more difficult for employers who have a large number of 457 holders to sponsor further applications. The emphasis on non-discriminatory employment practices might result in issues for employers preferentially hiring overseas nationals or paying lower salaries to overseas workers.

Nomination Requirements

The legislation for approval of 457 nominations has also been completely revised.

The occupation the employee is to work in must in general be on the list of approved occupations for 457 visas. The employer must now certify that the duties of the position match the ASCO definition of the occupation and that the qualifications and experience of the applicant meet the skill level specified in the definition.

A revised 457 occupations list has been produced on 11 September 2009. A number of "not elsewhere classified" occupations have been eliminated. These are occupations where the tasks and duties are not specified by ASCO, and are considered "catch all" occupations. An attempt has been made to narrow the "not elsewhere classified" occupations still on the list by including definitions and a list of allowed specializations. This has also been done for butchers and project/program administrators.

Another category targeted for elimination are occupations in the meat industry - an area where employment of 457 visa holders has been of concern to unions for some time.

Farmers and farm overseers have been added to the approved list of 457 occupations.

Another interesting addition is that the legislation has a provision to require employers to seek the support of certain organizations for a nomination to be approved in certain occupations. Presumably, this would include occupations where labour unions had concerns about presence of overseas workers in Australia.

The only way to nominate employees who are not the approved list is to negotiate a "labor agreement" with the Department of Immigration and the Department of Employment and Workplace relations. This process can take many months and the agreement can be quite restrictive in terms of which occupations can be nominated, salary level and training undertakings. Previously, it was possible for employers operating in regional areas to nominate occupations outside the usual list, but this concession has now been eliminated.

Market Rate Salaries

From 14 September 2009, new 457 visa applicants must be paid at the "market rate". The market rate will depend on the occupation and location of the employee. Evidence must be provided by the employer as to what the market rate is for the occupation, unless the base salary is over $180,000. This replaces the previous system which allowed for grant of a 457 visa providing the salary level was above a clearly specified minimum for the occupation.

For existing 457 visa holders, employers have until 1 January 2010 to ensure that they are being paid the market rate. This will require an extensive audit process for larger users of the 457 program.

The intention of the change is to ensure that 457 visa holders are paid in accordance with Australian standards. The stated intention is to avoid exploitation of overseas workers. In reality, the change seems to be in response to concerns that workers on 457 visas put downward pressure on Australian wages and salaries.

Health Costs and Insurance for 457 Holders

Employers who have employees on 457 visas which were granted prior to 14 September 2009 are expected to cover costs of public hospital treatment of the 457 visa holders.

The health obligation is no longer part of the sponsorship obligations for 457 visas granted after 14 September 2009. Instead, employees must show that they have adequate medical insurance to be granted their 457 visa, and must maintain this insurance during their stay in Australia on their 457 visa.

Employers previously had significant exposure to potentially very high health costs under the previous sponsorship obligation regime. Requiring the employee to hold suitable insurance is a more sensible way to offset the risk.

However, requirement that the insurance be already in place prior to visa grant could be rather troublesome. Many applicants would need to pay for health insurance without being sure that their 457 visa will be granted.

Sponsorship Obligations

A new regime of sponsorship obligations has been introduced. The most significant changes include:

• Elimination of health obligation for 457 visas granted after 14 September 2009
• Changes to the events which must be notified to the Department of Immigration, as well as the time-frame (10 business days) and method of notification
• Clarification of the obligation to return 457 holders and family members to their home country
• Requiring the employer to maintain certain records for a period of 2 years
• Forbidding employers from recovering the cost of obtaining sponsorship approval and recruitment fees from the sponsored employee

Work Restriction 8107 and Changing Employers for 457 holders

457 holders are now able to change employers without needing to apply for a new 457 visa. The process of doing this is for the new employer to lodge a nomination and once this is approved, the 457 holder can work for the new employer. The work restriction on 457 visas, condition 8107, has been rewritten to reflect this change. 457 holders can only work for the employer who most recently nominated them. If a 457 holder ceases employment, they must start working again within 28 days otherwise they will be in breach of their visa conditions.

Conclusion

Probably the most significant of the changes is the requirement to pay 457 employees at the market rate. In most cases, the market rate will be much higher than the Minimum Salary Level which applied prior to 14 September.
Whilst some guidance has been provided on determining market rate, this requirement is very subjective and is likely to result in signifcant delays for employers using the 457 program going forward.

Changes to the sponsorship obligations are mostly quite sensible and make the requirements more easy to determine.

The training benchmark will be very difficult for employers to meet if they rely mainly on "on the job" training.
Employers must now in general show payments to external training providers or that they have hired a training officer to meet the training requirement. High-tech companies which would have previously relied on the introduction or utilization in Australia of new technology will be disadvantaged.

Changes to the work conditions on 457 visas are very much in favor of 457 holders, as they make it easier to transfer to a new employer without applying for a new 457 visa.

Mark Webster is the director and founder of Acacia Immigration and a member of the Migration Institute of Australia's NSW Executive. In this capacity Mark has liaised with the Department of Immigration on key policy issues. He was a major contributor to the MIA's submissions on Skills Assessment and Review of the General Skilled Program.

A recognized expert in the field, Mr. Webster has been quoted in print numerous times, including in Phillipe Legrain's 2007 book, Immigrants: Your Country Needs Them (Princeton University Press). Mark is a contributing author of the current edition of the Immigration Kit (Federation Press), the definitive text on migration law. He wrote the chapters on General Skilled Migration and Temporary Workers.

Acacia Immigration Australia's website contains information on the main Australian visa types. View the original article here: http://www.acacia-au.com/457_changes_September_14_2009.php

ACT Reopens Sponsorship For Australian Skilled Migration

The ACT reopened nomination under the skilled sponsored program on 31 August. The skilled sponsored program results in a permanent visa for applicants, and is currently processed at the highest level of priority of any general skilled visa. Applicants must have an occupation on the lists of occupations in demand, and apply to the state or territory for nomination.

The ACT has not accepted applications for nomination under this program since July 2009, and so the announcement is a significant boon to people who are wishing to migrate under the general skilled program.

There are some significant changes:

• Most occupations now require a higher level of English for sponsorship - most require at least 7 in IELTS, except for trades where a minimum of 6 applies with 6.5 in speaking
• There are now two lists of occupations in demand - a "SDL Baseline" list and a "SDL Quota" list. To apply under the Quota list, the application must first be cleared with ACT and numbers are strictly limited. For the Baseline list, the number of nominations possible is unlimited
• Higher requirements for international students - most will need at least 3 months of work experience in the ACT, and students completing studies outside the ACT will require 6 months of work experience

There are a large number of occupations nominated in the ACT lists - however many of these are subject to a quota and these will fill quickly. Some of the more interesting ones are:

• A wide range of scientists, in both life and physical sciences
• Accountants
• Engineers
• Sales, marketing and PR
• Personnel and HR professionals
• Teachers - pre-primary, secondary and vocational
• Social workers, Welfare workers and community workers
• Psychologists and counsellors
• Designers & illustrators
• Journalists and copywriters
• Financial investment advisors
• Office managers and program/project administrators
• Hotel managers
• Residential care officers
• A wide range of trades

If you have already lodged a General Skilled application or are able to do so you should begin the process as soon as possible to ensure your application is received before the quota closes.

About the Author:
Mark Webster is the director and founder of Acacia Immigration and a member of the Migration Institute of Australia's NSW Executive. In this capacity Mark has liaised with the Department of Immigration on key policy issues. He was a major contributor to the MIA's submissions on Skills Assessment and Review of the General Skilled Program.

A recognised expert in the field, Mr. Webster has been quoted in print numerous times, including in Phillipe Legrain's 2007 book, Immigrants: Your Country Needs Them (Princeton University Press).

Mark is a contributing author of the current edition of the Immigration Kit (Federation Press), the definitive text on migration law. He wrote the chapters on General Skilled Migration and Temporary Workers.

Acacia Immigration Australia's website (http://www.acacia-au.com/) contains information on the main Australian visa types and updates on Australian Immigration Law. Read the original article at: http://www.acacia-au.com/act_sponsorship_11092009.php.

Canada Immigration

Canada's immigration process is a topic that many people looking to immigrate are concerned about. The guidelines that need to be followed are strict and overseen by the government, which gives many residents of other countries reason to doubt their eligibility when deciding whether to immigrate or not. There are so many forms that must be correctly filled out, as well as documentation that must be provided, that many immigrants are overwhelmed by the process before they even start. While the red tape involved in immigration is tedious and often tremendous, people who choose to leave their home country for a life elsewhere have no other options when attempting to pursue their dreams.

The authorities who preside over Canada immigration decline more and more applications every day, sometimes simply based on technicalities. It is these technicalities that make the process more difficult and time consuming than it actually has to be. In order to receive permission to relocate to Canada, there are agencies that can assist immigrants in obtaining and filling out the proper paperwork and therefore provide the best application possible to the authorities. There are many reasons a person might choose to leave the country of their birth and knowing the facts and how they apply to each situation ensures a successful and timely migration.

The laws concerning Canada immigration change quite often, and knowing which laws apply to you and your situation is extremely important. Not everyone is aware of these changes, which makes it harder and harder to correctly fill out the required documents to ensure your immigration status. This is another reason why it is a good idea to seek assistance with an application for immigration. Whether you choose to immigrate for work or personal reasons, there is a correct way to make the move legally and safely. Ensure that your documentation and your application are filled out correctly, meet all of your application deadlines, and have a strict plan and guidelines that you intend to follow throughout the process.

If you are in the early stages of looking to immigrate to Canada, do some research. There are a number of websites providing great quality information on your destination country and how to get there. The more you prepare yourself the more at ease you will feel with your decision and the process itself.

Make your decisions wisely, Canada immigration laws have to be followed precisely and accurately. By doing so, you will enable yourself to move on to the next phase in your life; in a new country, with new opportunities, making a new start, you will be able to follow your heart in making the right decision for yourself.

Migration Bureau - making emigration easier. The Migration Bureau is one of the world's largest full service, officially-recognised immigration and job search agencies, with 6 offices worldwide.

Whether you are seeking professional assistance with residence visa processing, official qualification and trades recognition, business migration, job search, or re-settlement services, the Migration Bureau can manage the entire application process for you.

Their consultants and advisors are recognised by by professional industry bodies such as the Migration Agents Registration Authority of Australia (MARA), Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) - New Zealand and the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC). Their prime objective is to improve your chances of success in obtaining your visa and to avoid lengthy and costly delays.

Contact the Migration Bureau for New Zealand, Australia, UK, USA or Canada immigration.

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EU Citizenship For Bulgaria

In our days, Immigration Programs for residency and citizenship are very popular. Many people take the benefit to change their origin citizenship, searching for better life, security for their families, or quality education for their children. One such a program is the Bulgarian Immigrant Investor Program, in short called BG IIP.

Let me give you brief information about the program itself.

Bulgarian Immigrant Investor Program, in short BG IIP, is a comparatively new program; the law was voted and accepted by the Bulgarian parliament at the end of April 2009. The program is based on the Canadian Investor Immigrant model, with the unique difference that the investors through BG IIP are not obligated to live in the country during the permanent residency period, as it is with the other similar programs. The end purpose of BG IIP is to obtain Bulgarian, respectively European Union Citizenship, after 5-years permanent residency period.

It takes between 4 to 6 months the applicant to receive his/her Bulgarian Permanent Residency Permit, much faster comparing with some other programs. There are no nationalities or religion restrictions to apply for BG IIP. There are no requirements pretending to management and work experience, education, or age limit to apply for BG IIP.

The investment through BG IIP is made into Bulgarian Governmental Bonds and is fully guaranteed and secured by the Bulgarian Government. You can choose between two options:

Full Investment Option - you will deposit the full investment of BGN 1,000,000 (? 511,292) for 5 years without interest, at the end of the 5th year the amount is refunded to the investor.

Financed Investment Option - you will deposit a reduced amount of ? 160,000. This amount is used to finance a 1,000,000 BGN (? 511.292) closed five-year term loan from a chartered Bulgarian bank. The amount of ? 160,000 is not refunded to the investor at the end of the 5th year.

On base of this investment, Bulgarian state grants you with Permanent Residential status for 5 years. After the 5th year, you can apply for Bulgarian, by extend EU Citizenship, which gives you numerous advantages such as visa free traveling, low cost of doing business, quality education, accessible health care, and quality life style.

Dear reader, for additional information about Bulgaria and the Bulgarian Immigrant Investment Program, and how to obtain EU Citizenship for Bulgaria, please visit http://www.bulgarianjourney.com

US K1 Fiancee Visa - When Can My Thai Fiancee Travel to the USA?

This article is designed to inform readers about the issues surrounding issuance of a K1 visa for a Thai fiancee. Throughout the internet, there are many articles and websites which purport to have expertise in matters related to United States Immigration from Thailand. The intention of this piece is to simply provide information and insight.

The process of acquiring a K1 visa is somewhat time consuming and can cause frustration for the the American Petitioner and Thai Beneficiary. In many cases, a couple will wait five or six months before being granted preliminary approval from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service. Upon approval, the application must be sent to the National Visa Center and then finally, in the case of Thai fiancee visa applications, to the file will be sent to the United States Embassy in Bangkok. For many, this process can be aggravating. In many cases, the wait ultimately results in the issuance of a valid K1 fiancee visa.

Once the visa is issued, some American Citizen fiances become concerned about the information and dates noted on the visa itself. Of great concern is the notation on the visa which states: "K-1 Petition Expires on MM DD, YYYY." Many American Citizens mistakenly believe that this is the end of the visa's validity. As a practical matter, the visa is valid for travel to the USA until the expiration date expressly recorded on the visa. As a general rule, K1 fiance visas are distributed with a validity of six months. Although, they could be issued with more or less validity as it is technically at the discretion of the Consular Officer adjudicating the case at the United States Embassy in Bangkok.

The visa's actual date of expiration can be the catalyst for perplexity also. The K1 visa is valid for six months after issuance. That being said, upon arriving in the United States and being admitted at the port of entry the K1 visa holder is only entitled to 90 days presence in the United States (it should be noted that if the visa holder does, in fact, marry the American and apply for adjustment of status, then she would be entitled to remain indefinitely provided the adjustment of status is approved and any conditions are lifted). Many people, after receiving the K1 visa, are confused by these differing dates. The important thing to bear in mind about the K1 visa is that it can be utilized within 6 months of its issuance and it provides 90 days of lawful status to the bearer upon entry. If the couple does not marry within 90 days, then the Thai fiancee will need to depart the USA before the visa's expiration.

Ben Hart is an attorney from the United States. He is a Member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. He currently works in the area of US Immigration from Thailand, Cambodia, Loas, and Myanmar. To learn more contact 1-877-231-7533 or email info@integrity-legal.com. Relevant information can also be found at us visa or k3 visa.

How to Replace a Lost Green Card

If you are a foreigner with a Permanent Resident Card from the United States government which you have waited for so many years to claim, the worst thing that could happen to you is to wake up one day with three dreaded words: lost green card!

First, do not panic. Gather your wits and be smart enough to report the theft, lost or missing case of your card to the Police. This way, the Police and you will be alerted should there be attempts to misuse this important document. When all search efforts proved futile, face the reality that you really need to undergo to replacement procedure.

So, how to replace lost green card, you may ask? You are right in thinking that it can't be as hard as applying for a the first time, or renewing one that is due to expire. Yet still, it is a meticulous process that entails ample time and careful preparation on your end.

The primary document in applying for a green card replacement is the USCIS Form I90, which can be downloaded from the USCIS website. Application submissions could be the traditional drop-off to any USCIS district branch or through online (e-filing). The procedure works in much the same way as the standard renewal of a green card.

Not all cases of "lost" Green cards are subject to replacement applications. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has laid down parameters on who can avail of the lost green card replacement procedure to protect against wanton replacement requests and instill the value of according proper care and safekeeping on a very important document like the Green card.

With the convenience of the Internet, replacement online is the preferred mode of renewal or replacement for most alien residents in the United States, whether they lost their card or really need to replace it with a new and updated Permanent Resident card.

If you are a holder of a Green card and you lost it while outside the United States, the nearest US Embassy or Consulate can help you in obtaining a replacement card by assisting you in your Form I90 filing appropriate to your situation.

Not only lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated is subject for replacement. The following cases are also eligible to apply for replacement:

A Green card with incorrect data printed on it; there are some important details like your name, status and other biographic data need to be changed legally if you got married and similar events; or a previously approved was not sent in the address you specified in the first application form.

Replacement is also called for if you need to replace your old Form AR-3, AR-103 or I-151. These forms may no longer support your current case and simply put, no longer valid. You need to use the appropriate form for Green card application matching your current status or situation.

To get help with your lost green card visit http://www.ImmigrationDirect.com.

The Two Immigration Myths

The first thing I'd like to tackle today are the two most common "immigration myths". I used to spend a lot of time in various immigration forums, and the same questions would always pop up.

"Somebody (such as a lawyer) can help me speed up the process".

To go through the Canadian immigration process, you normally do not need to hire an immigration lawyer or an immigration consultant (both known as immigration representatives). Although the process appears complex at first, if you spend a little bit of time trying to understand it, you can perfectly fill up all the forms by yourself.

Knowing that, many immigration representatives advertise that they can improve your chances of obtaining the permanent residence in Canada. Some even claim that your application will be processed faster if you use their services.

Can they really improve your chance of receiving the permanent residence? Well, I'd say that is a bit exaggerated. Sure, they probably know how to fill up the paperwork. But if you are eligible, you are eligible, if you are not... well, an immigration lawyer or consultant can't change that!

One thing is for sure, hiring an immigration lawyers will not speed up you claim with Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Nobody has this power... application are treated on a first come first serve basis, with some possible exception due to status (refugee for example).You will not have better chance to be accepted if you go with an immigration representative.

Bottom line: immigrating to Canada is not cheap. Between the application fees, the right of permanent residence fees, the medical exams etc. you already have a lot to pay. Hiring a representative can easily double your budget. That said, if your case is very complicated, you may benefit from professional advice. In this case, choose your representative carefully.

Citizenship & Immigration states that "the only representatives who may charge a fee to represent or advise you on immigration and refugee matters with the Government of Canada are [...] lawyers members [...] of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society, immigration consultants who are members [...] of the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants, and notaries who are members [...] of the Chambre des notaires du Qu?c. The Government of Canada will not deal with non-authorized representatives who charge a fee for their service."

"I need to be married to a Canadian citizen to immigrate to Canada". Variant: "It's much easier to immigrate to Canada when you are married to a Canadian citizen."

Sign up on any immigration forum, add in your profile that you are "in Canada" and you will soon receive dozens of private emails: "you are so pretty, I love you, let's get married!", or "u r sexy pls IM me I want come Canada".

I have no doubt that you are indeed very sexy, but there is another explanation to your sudden sex-appeal. Indeed, a lot of people think that if you marry a Canadian citizen, you automatically are accepted to immigrate to Canada (some even think you automatically get Canadian citizenship!).

Let me get that straight: it is absolutely not true.

If you are married to a Canadian citizen, you have no special rights. Same thing if you are the common-law partner of a Canadian citizen by the way. Yes, you heard me: no special rights. I think in the U.S.A, you can get a "fiance visa"... well, not in Canada.

Now, if you want to live with your spouse in Canada, you will have to go through the immigration process like everybody else. You will probably apply in the sponsorship category (more on that in a couple of weeks), and it will take a few months (even sometimes a few years) to obtain the permanent residence. Besides, be aware that Citizenship & Immigration agents are trained to detect "marriage of convenience" and take marriage fraud very seriously...

Now, I'm not telling you to not marry a Canadian (they are very nice, I have one at home!) but it's by no mean a guaranteed way to immigrate to Canada. You have been warned!

Juliette Giannesini is a French woman, living in English Canada. She went through the immigration process to settle in Canada and eventually became a Canadian citizen in 2009. She is the author of the blog Correr Es Mi Destino, featuring articles on life in Canada, immigration and travels.

Canada Immigration - Recent Trends in Numbers and Policy

Many countries nowadays are taking fewer immigrants due to the receding economy but for Canada, immigration has remained steady. The projected figures for 2009 are between 240,000 and 265,000 new permanent residents. This is about the highest the country has seen in the past 15 years. Canada remains committed to its immigration program that balances the types of immigrants between economic, humanitarian, and family reunification. Most immigrants come in the economic category at a projection of 156,000 for 2009, whilst the family category is expected at 71,000, and 37,400 in the humanitarian category.

2008 also had a high number of Canada immigrants, at 247,202 permanent residents. This was 70,000 more than a decade ago. Many more immigrants came in the form of students or temporary workers, bringing the total to 519,722. With the labour market having a high demand for temporary foreign workers, this number met the employers' needs. However, many believe that Canada should reduce such figures. Those in the Ministry say that they will not follow that advice. They are maintaining previous goals and believe that by limiting Canada immigration, this would decrease supply in the labour market and limit multiculturalism.

However, Canada has somewhat tightened its immigration policy due to the recession. These restrictions are to try to increase immigrants in certain industries, but with only so many available positions, this limits those who do not meet the requirements. The Action Plan for Faster Immigration outlines 38 high demand occupations such as health, skilled trades, and finance. If an immigrant doesn't fall into that category, have an offer arranged with an employer, or is not already living in Canada, immigration will be limited. The list of 38 was developed from consultations with province and territory officials as well as with business owners. These new regulations bring Canada closer to its main competition for skilled labour; New Zealand and Australia, who have both recently managed to eliminate backlogs of unqualified immigrants.

The creation of a new Experience Class of immigrants also opened up to workers and students who wish for Canada immigration. This is a new way for temporary foreign workers and graduates with advanced degrees to enter the country, or remain there after completing their education or duration of work, for permanent residence. It allows an applicant's time in Canada to be a key deciding factor in their immigration application process. The hope is to remain competitive in attracting and retaining skilled individuals.

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Use Your Immigration Investor Visa to Improve a Northeastern City

If you are interested in obtaining an immigration investor visa, otherwise known as the eb5 visa, you are in luck. Rather than investing the typical $1 million, there are many areas of the United States that only request $500,000. They are called targeted employment areas because they have high unemployment rates, and often have regional centers that may help you get an eb5 visa by allowing you to invest in an ongoing project. One company in particular oversees regional centers in several cities.

CanAm Enterprises owns regional centers in major areas like Los Angeles, Hawaii, and Philadelphia. If the latter interests you, the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation, or PDIC, could be the perfect place for your investment. It is a nonprofit center dedicated to growing the local economy while ensuring that investors like you get an eb5 visa as soon as possible. This regional center has existed since 2003.

Like other similar centers, the PDIC pools money from investors together to create a large project capable of having a real impact on the surrounding community. Such a project can also help ensure that your immigration investor visa actually has a chance of making a profit for you. Projects that this center engages in include professional firms, restaurants, colleges, hospitals, manufacturers, real estate developers, and more. Projects involving these types of companies can have a direct impact on the local economy. Furthermore, rather than rely on indirectly creating jobs like many regional centers do, the PDIC offers the creation of several full-time jobs. Of course, other jobs are also indirectly developed from the center's projects, in addition to the full-time positions.

One advantage of regional centers as a whole is that you can live anywhere you want while the program goes on. This also applies to the PDIC, so if you select this center to use your immigration investor visa but prefer not to live in Pennsylvania, you do not have to. Conversely, if you want to see the effects of this regional center on the local community up close, you may choose to live in the area. Either way, this center will keep all investors updated on the project until it is over, whether you choose to be involved with daily operations or not.

Though the scope of the projects of PDIC is wide, there are some specific target industries. They are developed based on the likelihood of long-term success in the area, as well as what current businesses need help. They include trade, tourism, transportation, higher education, and technology, to name the majority. Additionally, a former U.S. Naval Base called The Navy Yard is being updated by the PDIC to make it business park that can be used by myriad companies that serve the area. Clearly, such projects are likely to have a large impact on Philadelphia's economy.

If you want to be involved in projects that improve the Philadelphia area while using an immigration investor visa to stay in the United States, contact the PDIC. This center can make a difference to both the area and you. You should also get ahold of a lawyer well versed in immigration law.

For more information on the EB5 visa visit http://eb-5investorgreencard.com website for information on obtaining an EB-5 visa.

3 Eligibility Requirements For the Green Card by Investment

If you are considering getting to the United States using the green card by investment, you will probably be glad to know that the requirements are no secret. There are no hidden eligibility rules, as they are quite straightforward. If you want the best chance of receiving an eb5 visa, be sure that you know the top three requirements that must be met to ensure that you get a green card by investment as soon as possible.

1). An investment of at least $500,000 is required. Typically, if you want to create a business in any area of the United States through the green card by investment program, you will have to show that you have at least $1 million to spend. However, if you have $500,000, you do have the option of setting up a business in a targeted employment area. This type of area has experienced about one and a half times the amount of unemployment as other cities, so it needs help in getting its residents jobs and stimulating the local economy. No matter which path you choose, you will need to show that you got the money through legal means.

2). You will need to either make a new business or help an existing company. You might have your own original business plan to create a unique company and hire at least ten full-time U.S. residents. On the other hand, if you do not want a brand new venture, you can instead revive a current company. You could restructure or reorganize the business into a new one with different goals. You may also choose to keep the same objectives of an existing company, but help it increase sales by 140 percent. Another way to help an existing business is to save the current jobs in a company that has lost 20 percent of its revenue over the past one to two years. The choice is yours.

3). The main point of saving an old business or starting a new one is to stimulate the local economy. One way of doing so is to hire at least ten full-time employees. In fact, that is the minimum you must hire in order to keep your green card by investment. If you decide to invest $500,000 in a targeted employment area, the regional center at that location will likely help you with hiring the employees. In fact, many do it for you, whether you are present or not. However, if you invest $1 million in a regular area, you will likely have to hire employees yourself. If you intend to keep an older business running, you will have to keep all existing jobs as you increase the company's net worth.

Using the green card by investment pathway is not necessarily easy. However, it is typically faster than other ways of getting a green card. You can usually get an eb5 visa within a year, and you can take your family, including children up to age 21, with you to your new home in the United States. To find out more this program, you should simply speak to an immigration attorney.

For more information on the EB5 visa visit http://eb-5investorgreencard.com website for information on obtaining an EB-5 visa.

Background Check on Immigrants

An immigration background check is normally done to verify the history and records of a person who have just moved from another country. This type of background check is performed even on people who already posses a visa or green card, as this procedure is already a S.O.P.

A person who wants to move to another country must be prepared for an immigration background check, especially if he or she has criminal history (including less serious offenses). The person must be prepared for proper documentation to avoid being interrogated or worse, seized in a holding facility or denied entry. A person who has criminal history also has to bear in mind that it may not be easy for him or her to settle in another country.

Several people from around the world dream of moving to the United States. What most of them do not know however, is that they have to undergo thorough background check aside from all the other requirements of migrating to the U.S. Since the 9-11 incident, there has been a considerable increase in the number of immigration background check performed by the government. For people applying for work in the U.S. or are waiting for their green card, immigration background check can really be a hassle, especially because the processing time can extend up to a year because of it. Although most applicants pass the background check with no problems, there are still some who get denied or who wait longer because the check done on them did not have positive results.

Nowadays, there are already websites that offer quick immigration background check. These sites will allow you to have an idea (more or less) of what the authorities will see when they conduct a background check on you. As such, if there are any discrepancies or error on your record, you can immediately have them corrected even before a formal check is done on you. The fee on these websites is often easy on the pocket and results can be obtained in as fast as five minutes. It would be wise for someone wanting to migrate to a different country to do an online immigration background check on themselves before they leave their country.

How to Conduct a Simple Background Check

A background check should not only be done by big companies or businesses. Employers of small-scale businesses and even parents who are looking to employ a babysitter can truly benefit from this type of service.

By doing a background check on the person who wants to be a member of your company or a part of your household, you can avoid hiring someone who can bring damage to your company or family. As the saying goes "Prevention is better than cure"; if you know the real story behind the person you want to hire, you will know if he or she is worthy of your trust and money.

The following paragraphs will give an idea on how you can do a basic background check on your own.

Ask the person for valid references. If the person you want to hire has some sort of recommendation from a previous employer, teacher, or colleague, it is somewhat a good sign for you. However, you have to make sure that the person's references as well as the recommendation they have given, are real, credible, and unbiased. For example, if they chose their relative to be their character reference, the comments of that reference cannot be a basis for your decision because he or she will most probably just mention the good things about their relative.

Inform the person of the background check. In order for you to avoid being legally liable, make sure that the person you want to hire knows that you will be doing a background check on him or her. This will also make you see whether that person may be hiding something. If he or she is absolutely willing to be investigated, that person probably has a good history and is an honest individual. On the contrary, if he or she shows even a bit of hesitation in the idea of being investigated, you should start thinking twice about hiring that person because there is a possibility that he or she may be hiding some dirty laundry.

Have the applicant fill out an application form. This will allow you to get all the details you want from the applicant. As we all know, the resume of one person to another differs not just in terms of presentation, but also in the information they contain. As such, you can get all the information you think would be relevant to you and the company by having the applicant fill out an application form that you created yourself.

Double check the information given by the applicant. Verify the information on the applicant's resume and application form. Check whether all the details he or she has provided are genuine. By doing this, you will know early on if the person is honest or not.

Crimcheck.com is a leading provider of background checks for large corporations, small businesses, and consumers alike.

Immigration Ain't Going Away

Immigration is inevitable in light of our innate desire to look for new worlds beyond our own. Whether it is the rigours of our native climate, conflict and famine or just our sense of 'what if?', people have been crossing oceans and borders for pretty much all of human history.

Perhaps inevitably, people don't just have to overcome the elements and the geography, but anyone who happens to have already claimed a stake to the land. Clashes between natives and newcomers can probably dated to when homo sapiens (people just like you) ran into the the hairy brows of the Neandethals around the ice age.

The first 'modern' humans didn't just like different foods and worship different gods, but by most accounts 'ethnically cleansed' Europe of its natives. By our standards of successful integration, this would not be held up as a beacon of achievement, and those who grumble about today's immigrants should probably put that historical case-study to the back of their mind.

Putting quips to one side for a second, problems inevitably rise when it comes to our instinctive nationalism. Much is made of of our national character and what values it holds. No surprise that we often view interlopers from the outside with a beady eye of resentment. They look different. They cook different foods. They sound different.

At one time, immigration could be easy as climbing aboard a ship, stepping off in another country and finding some means of employment. But as the modern idea of the 'nation' grew from the 17th century onwards, this free-spirited world was over-run by one of control. The ideas of gloomy prognosticators like Mathus, who believed that the world was running out of resources and that therefore overpopulation would lead to death, governments began to impose controls on those who entered their country.

While we are still affected by millennial panics, Malthus' day is over. We know that we can generate ever more return from resources we once thought were finite. We also understand that sometimes people are not motivated purely by finanical reasons to uproot themselves for new horizons.

Despite these understandings, governments around the world continue to tighten their immigration laws. Perhaps more obviously, the system of visa applications has become almost crazily complex. Each new requirement brings new opportunities that the canny can use to their advantage. With better, more freer travel and communications, our notions of "borders" suddenly seems a bit quaint.

Perhaps its time we cut immigrants a little more slack.

Erroll found his spiritual home in the USA (burgers, gridiron and Twinkie bars!) after having had a 3 year battle to get his US visa application granted. It was worth it in the end as his ever-expanding waistline will attest!

What is a State Sponsored Business Visa?

The holder of an Australian State sponsored business visa is entitled to remain in Australia as a permanent resident for a period of up to 5 years for the purpose of owning a new or existing business. This visa was designed to allow immigrants to set up businesses in Australia, thereby contributing to its economic development. Although this could in some degree be compared to the Australian Skilled Migrant Work Visa, the State sponsored business visa has a lot more view towards the permanency of the holders stay in Australia.

If an immigrants business is generating revenue and they are successful, it is of benefit to the country as a whole, and the State sponsored business visa is a method for the Australian government to both allow these companies to stay and also to ensure that the business owners who have set up in Australia are running an economically viable operation.

Immigrants who have entered the country on a lesser Australian work visa may eventually be able to apply for the State sponsored business visa if they have spent their time building and running their own business.

It is not possible to enter Australia for the first time on a State sponsored business visa as there are several conditions which have to be met and several applications which need to be made prior to this visa being granted.

How Would I Get One?
Say you enter Australia on an Australian work visa such as an Australian Skilled Migrant Work Visa, end up starting your own business and then realize the terms of your visa are up. This is the point at which you can evaluate whether or not you would be eligible to upgrade your Australian Skilled Migrant Work Visa to a State sponsored business visa.

Indeed, the visa on which you are in Australia at the time of your application is very important to your chances of obtaining a State sponsored business visa - only holders of certain kinds of provisional work visas are eligible to apply. As mentioned before, several applications are necessary for this visa - you will need to apply to the state authority in order to apply for their sponsorship before you can even begin applying for the visa, and it is also necessary to obtain police clearances and medical checks for the visa itself.

The net worth and performance of your business will also be judged as part of your visa application, your annual turnover scrutinized.

For further information on obtaining a State sponsored business visa, it is recommended that you visit the Australian governments website on this subject, as an exact list of the factors which may govern your application are available here.

What Are The Benefits Of This Visa?
Should your State sponsored visa application be granted, your old Australian work visa will be upgraded. On a State sponsored business visa, you will be allowed to live in Australia as a permanent resident for up to 5 years. You can include your family on your application, or even sponsor them to join you afterwards and have them join you in Australia, where they will have full rights to work or study. Although you and your family will have access to the Australian national healthcare system, you will not be eligible for either social security or family assistance benefits.

Once you have lived in Australia as a permanent resident for a period of 3 years, you become eligible to apply for permanent residency - you will be able to become an Australian citizen and obtain an Australian passport, as well as register for the social security and family assistance benefits as mentioned earlier.

AVE are the only team of migration agents with over 40 years of combined experience. Their expertise lies in australia immigration services, skilled migrant visa and the popular immigrate to Australia. Find out more about how to migrate to Australia, voted one of the most livable countries in the world.

Immigration Law Since 9-11

The U.S. government reacted to the terrorist attacks of 9/11 with several policy and law changes. Those changes have had an enormous and direct impact upon U.S. citizenship and immigration.

The most sweeping change after 9/11 was the U.S. Patriot Act, signed into law on September 26, 2001. While this Act was designed to protect against terrorism, it also has had a negative impact on immigrants. The Act allows law enforcement agencies more power to search telephone communications, e-mails, medical, financial, and other records. The Act limits restrictions on foreign intelligence gathering within the United States, and it gave more discretion to law enforcement and immigration authorities in detaining and deporting immigrants suspected of terrorism-related acts. The Act called for Special Registrations, deportations, fingerprinting and questioning of certain non-citizens, particularly males in certain age groups. The Act was was reauthorized by Congress in 2005.

The U.S. Patriot Act contains immigration provisions that allow for the indefinite detention of any alien whom the Attorney General believes may cause a terrorist act. The Act has been challenged on several legal grounds but remains largely intact.

The U.S. government continues to fight terrorism by tightening its policies on foreigners in our country. Obtaining visas and green cards now involve a complicated process, with more detailed background checks being required. For example, the U.S. government will quickly deport individuals for visa or green card violations.

The Patriot Act and other post 9/11 policies still have a negative impact on the immigrant population. Since 9/11, immigration laws have become more complicated. Obtaining a fiance visa, for example, has become harder, simply due to increased regulation and tighter immigration requirements. Thus, the need for an experienced immigration attorney is greater now than ever.

If you or someone you know needs an immigration attorney, contact the Law Offices of Tiffany Vivo.

Tiffany U. Vivo is an Indianapolis immigration and family law attorney. She practices exclusively in immigration and family law, and lectures and writes frequently on immigration law for businesses, employees and families. Follow her at her blog site- http://www.my-immigration-lawyer.com.

Diversity Immigration Visa Program - Criteria and an Effective Way to Participate

Every Year the US Government makes about 50,000 immigrant visas available to people around the world through Diversity Immigration Visa Program. As it is directed by the US Government, this program is completely reliable. Lots of people in fact have made it possible to get United States permanent residency permits i.e. Green Cards by participating in United States Diversity Immigration Visa Lottery.

The most interesting thing about this lottery program is that it is open to everyone. One just needs to fulfill the criteria set by Diversity Immigration Visa Lottery Council. ?There are two criteria. First, one must be the citizen of the country that appears in the list of qualifying countries for Diversity Immigration Visa Program. If it is not so, one can apply on the basis of his or her parent's country, provided that should appear in the list of qualifying countries. Even if it does not solve the purpose, country of spouse can be taken into consideration; however, condition remains the same.

The second criteria is that the applicant must have a high school diploma or the equivalent, defined as successful completion of 12-years course of secondary or elementary education in United States. Otherwise, two years work experience within last five years in an occupation, requiring at least two years of training or relevant experience will work.

In order to take part in Diversity Visa Lottery Program, it is very important to fill the application correctly i.e. with most updated information and all mandatory documents attached. Even a small mistake that violates the Green Card Lottery Council rules and regulation, leads one's application to the state of disqualification.

Now, people who have experience in filling the application form for Diversity Lottery Program (people who have already took part in lottery program but couldn't qualify), can make it easily to fill an error free application form. However, newbie face problems in completing this basic requirement. Those are really minute mistakes that stop one's application from getting qualified and processing further in Diversity Visa Lottery Program.

Therefore, for newbies there are Green Card Lottery Consulting companies which expertise in making the application process safe and easy. As far as assistance is concerned, they are there at each and every step to provide right guidance. By registering with them, one gets a surety for acceptance of his or her application for DV Lottery Program; however, they don't say that their clients would get United States Green Card for sure.

Green Card Lottery Consultants specialize in providing excellent green card lottery consulting services. The support and services that they provide to their clients is really commendable, based on which people from all over the world dare to participate in Diversity Visa Lottery Program.

Diversity Immigration Visa Program is the easiest way to get a United Sates permanent residency permit. People are aware of the benefits that a US Green Card holder is authorized to get and it is a dream of almost everyone to be a part of US. Diversity Immigration Visa Program works in this direction rally well and helps people to make their dream true.

Green Card Lottery Online Application Services. Enter US Green Card Lottery program online to win a US visa with USAFIS. For more information please visit us at: https://www.usafis.org.

Immigration & Visa Requirements to Travel to India

Immigration check is done for all the passengers, foreigners as well as Indians at the time of arrival and departure. The passport of the passengers are duly stamped on arrival and departure and the passengers must be careful and cross-check the stamp before leaving the counter. Citizens of all countries except Nepal and Bhutan require valid passport, relevant travel documents and visa to enter India. The citizens of Nepal and Bhutan don't need passport or visa but they have to carry valid documents for identification when proceeding from their countries. All the passengers, foreigners as well as Indians who are entering/exiting India are required to fill the Disembarkation Card and the Embarkation Card on arrival and departure, respectively.

There is no provision of "On Arrival Visa" in India but there is Temporary Landing Permit which allows the foreigners to enter India in case of emergency situations. The Temporary landing Permit facility is not allowed to the nationals of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Iran, Nigeria, Somalia, Ethiopia and Algeria. Transit Visa can be issued to foreigners who have their return journey tickets confirmed within 72 hours.

Restrictions:
Different restrictions are applicable to different kinds of visas. Let's take a look at the different kinds of Visas:

1. Tourist
2. Student
3. Business
4. Employment
5. Transit
6. Missionaries
7. Journalist
8. Conference
9. Research
10. Entry
11.Collective

Visa Requirements:
The requirements for Visa can vary from country to country. However, the following are the basic documents that are required to obtain Indian visa:

? Original passport valid for at least 6 months
? Visa fee
? Two passport size photographs
? Supporting documents, where necessary
? Duly completed application form

For Persons of Indian Origin (POI) and Non Residents of India (NRI) who obtain Overseas Indian Citizenship (OCI) or PIO Card don't need Indian Visa. The OCI and PIO card gives them the freedom to visit India at time without visa.

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