Importance of IELTS Test

What is the importance of IELTS Test? Ask them who failed to qualify for the same – their expressions would give you an insight on the importance of the IELTS Test!

Everybody interested in overseas study or immigration and in some cases while applying for international jobs, may be required to undergo an IELTS test. The IELTS score is required to get admission into many renowned universities across the world and a majority of immigration destinations demand their applicants to take IELTS test in order to qualify for the eligibility criteria. In fact, in certain immigration programs, such as Australia General Skilled Migration program, both the principal applicant and their spouse are required to appear for the IELTS test.

IELTS

The IELTS test serves as a perfect medium to evaluate your language benchmark and in many cases; help the applicants find adept employment opportunities for themselves. Ace English language skills have always been one of the major selection criteria as far as the eligibility factor under the point based system is concerned. IELTS score of an immigrant applicant offers an opportunity for the immigration officers to judge the applicants for their English language skills. History says that earlier the immigration officers used to take a face-to-face interview with the applicants and come to a final judgment. But the system had many loopholes and the outcome usually resulted into prejudiced situations. This test, further allows the immigration officer to judge the candidate on the basis of all the required four skill such as understanding power, reading abilities, speaking skills and listening capabilities. This was not possible with the earlier concept of “one-on-one interview”. Keeping all these things in mind, the concept of IELTS Test was introduced.

IELTS test holds an international acceptability, so its importance is automatically highlighted. An IELTS test is an integral part and one of the most critical aspects of almost all the immigration processes such as Study Visa, General Skilled Migration program amongst others. In addition, this test gives the applicants (applying for Study Visa) a polished opportunity to check on their language skill levels and apply for a particular course in accordance with their rankings. This also means that if the applicant manages to achieve the target score, it will provide ample confidence to the applicant and his college about his brilliant eligibility level.

If you are not too comfortable with your language skills, you can always enroll yourself in a renowned Language Development Course in order to enhance your proficiency in the English language. Above mentioned is just a finer glimpse of the importance of IELTS test. Practically seen, the importance is as deep as an ocean! Always consult an immigration and visa expert to gain proper advice on your IELTS preparation and application process For the visa Process and more info u May Visit Future Concern 

Australian Student Visa : Who is this visa for?

About this Visa

International students studying in Australia on a student visa may require a guardian if they are under 18 years of age. There may also be exceptional circumstances where a student over 18 years of age may need a guardian for religious or cultural reasons.

The Student Guardian visa is for foreign nationals applying to stay in Australia as the guardian of a student who is studying in Australia.

You will need to read this information if you are:

• applying for your first student guardian visa to Australia
• already in Australia on a student guardian visa and want a subsequent visa.

In most circumstances, if you have a child under six, you will not be eligible for the grant of a Student Guardian visa.

In very limited circumstances, where you have a child under 6 who holds a passport of a country that is subject to Assessment Level 1 or 2 under the Schools Sector (subclass 571) student visa and you present compelling and compassionate circumstances as to why you should be granted a Student Guardian visa and you meet all other requirements, you may be eligible for a Student Guardian visa. further more click here

What does the visa let me do?

If you are granted this visa, you can:

• live in Australia for the same length of time as the student for whom you are guardian, or until the student turns 18 years of age
• bring dependent children with you to Australia, but only if they are under six years of age and meet specific eligibility requirements
• study in Australia for up to three months. If you lodged your application on or after 24 March 2012, you have unlimited part-time study rights for English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) study only, (this means that you may study any ELICOS courses less than 20 hours per week for the duration of your visa).

For more information please visit : Future Concern

UK Immigration Rules

As of 9 July 2012, a number of changes to the UK Immigration Rules came into effect. These changes affect all non-European Economic Area (non-EEA) nationals applying to enter or remain in the UK under the family migration route.

The changes include:

- Introducing a new minimum income threshold of £18,600 for sponsoring settlement in the UK of a non-EEA spouse or partner, fiancé(e) or proposed ci

vil partner. If you wish to sponsor a child you will have to meet the higher threshold of £22,400 instead of £18,600. Each additional child will cost £2,400 to sponsor.

- Publishing a list of factors associated with genuine and non-genuine relationships, to help UK Border Agency officers make accurate decisions.

- Extending the minimum probationary period for settlement for non-EEA spouses and partners from two years to five years, to test the genuineness of the relationship.

- Abolishing immediate settlement for migrant spouses and partners where a couple have been living together overseas for at least four years.

- Allowing adult and elderly dependants to settle in the UK only where they can demonstrate that, as a result of age, illness or disability, they require a level of long-term personal care that can only be provided by a relative in the UK. Also requiring them to apply from overseas rather than switch in the UK from another category.

- Restricting family visit visa appeals, initially by narrowing the current definitions of family and sponsor for appeal purposes, and then, subject to the passage of the Crime and Courts Bill, removing the full right of appeal against refusal of a family visit visa.

- Please note, if you already have leave to enter or remain in the UK, on the basis of being the spouse or partner of a settled person, you will need to meet the rules which were in force before 9 July 2012 if you apply for settlement. The requirements before 9 July 2012 are much more straightforward and you only need to wait two years to gain indefinite leave to remain in the UK as a spouse or partner.

On 11 June 2012, The UK Government announced these changes as part of their plans to reform the UK's immigration rules. The changes are the government's response to recommendations made by the Migration Advisory Committee.

Guy Taylor, of the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI), claims the changes are highly discriminatory. JCWI is currently lobbying parliament to have the laws relaxed.

"Young people, women, disabled and older people are going to be disproportionately affected by this rule," Taylor said, citing the fact that adult and elderly dependants can settle in the UK only where they can demonstrate that, as a result of age, illness or disability, they require a level of long term personal care that can only be provided by a relative in the UK.

Also, from October 2013, the UKBA will require all applicants for settlement to pass the Life in the UK Test and an intermediate level English language test at B1 level or above, unless they are exempt. Previously only those applying for citizenship had to meet these requirements.

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Selecting a Country for Studying Abroad

While planning which country to study in is an amazing experience. It is easy for images of living in a foreign country, visiting famous landmarks and studying in historic or exotic locals to overshadow more practical considerations such as the cost of living, quality of education and visa requirements. Most students will probably have an idea of what countries they would like to study abroad in but may not have thought through all the issues that should be considered at when making this decision. This article discusses topics that students should consider when choosing a country in which to study abroad.

Visa Requirements

In some places, obtaining a visa can be arduous and time-consuming.

Most countries require that international students obtain a visa which is usually specific to students and typically defines a maximum amount of time the student may stay. Some countries have a separate visa for short-term students and for those studying in the country for more than a year. Visa requirements vary by country and in some places, the process can be arduous and time-consuming. Some typical requirements are discussed below:

 Fluency of language – Some countries including Australia, Canada UK require students prove English fluency by obtaining a minimum score on a English language test. Some schools set language requirements as an admissions requirement. Most students can take foreign language exams in their home country to prove language proficiency.

Medical Insurance – Required almost all countries in the world to have proof of medical insurance and proof that the insurance is valid in that country. Some countries offer students the option of buying health insurance within the country.

Financial Resources - proof of student has the financial resources required to study and live in that country. Documents required may include a bank financial statement etc

Residency requirements – Residency requirements for students who want to enroll as a full-degree student are rare but in some countries, students who want to study as a full-degree undergraduate student need to reside in the country for several years before they can enroll. In other countries, international students are limited to short-term studies.

  

Cultural Differences

Someone who finds it difficult to acclimate should choose a similar culture to their own.

Individuals assimilate to other cultures with differing amounts of ease – some are very flexible while others find it very stressful. Being cognizant of one's own level of comfort in new situations will help students choose a country that suits their personality. For instance, someone who finds it difficult to acclimate should choose a culture similar to their own while someone else may get the most out of their experience by choosing a country where the culture is completely opposite from their own. 

For further information about higher education in individual countries, visit Future Concern Associates (Pvt) Ltd 

Overview of World Regions for Studying Abroad

A very simple thing that Pakistani students have to consider when deciding where to study abroad. With locations in America, Europe, Canada, Australia becoming more open to international students, the options are more varied than ever. Understanding higher education in various regions of the world will help Pakistani students narrow down their choices. This effort may be most helpful for Pakistani students considering direct admissions to higher education institutions in the regions that are the most commonly chosen by study abroad students. 

Europe

With its well-respected history of higher education, Western Europe has remained the most popular region.

A bonus for EU students is that the Bologna Agreement of 1999 standardized degrees so that all degrees are comparable among the signatory countries, making it easier to attend graduate school and find jobs after graduation.

Home to centuries-old universities and a long, well-respected history of higher education, Europe has remained the most popular region for students to pursue international studies. Well over a million students from around the world leave home to study in a European country each year. Many of these students are European Union residents who can now enroll in any other EU country's university and pay local tuition rates.

Each country has its own admissions policies and within each country, institutions often have their own admissions policies as well. Students typically need to prove their fluency in the foreign language that classes are taught in and are typically required to possess health insurance.

Admission to the highest ranking universities in Western Europe can be very intense as they are some of the best in the world. In some cases, students will need to have completed some higher education before being admitted. Quotas that limit the number of non-EU international students that can study in a country exist in a number of countries.

America & CANADA

America is a very popular region for study-abroad students given its reputation for high quality universities and colleges. The United States hosts over 500,000 foreign students a year while Canada hosts over 100,000 students annually. Admissions to American universities are run by each institution individually but they almost universally require submission of results from some tests. Fluency in English is required except in some Canadian schools where fluency in French is needed instead.

Tuition in the United States is among the highest in the world so international students who study independently in the US need to take this into consideration.

Australasia

Australia and New Zealand offer high-quality education and a familiar culture.

Australia and New Zealand are appealing locations for English speakers to study abroad, offering high-quality education and a familiar culture for United States  and United Kingdom students. In recent years, about more than 18 percent of higher education students in Australia were from abroad - the highest percentage in the world. Since these countries are in the Southern Hemisphere, their school year runs from late January through early December. Students from the Northern Hemisphere need to plan carefully when scheduling a short-term study abroad experience into their regular school schedule. Tuition for international students is only slightly lower than what they may pay at a school in the US. 

For further information about higher education in individual countries, visit Future Concern Associates (Pvt) Ltd