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No need to panic, says Indian FM as rupee sinks near 15 vs Dh1

Written by lisa on May 17, 2012 · Leave a Comment

Industry head says remittances from NRIs need to be mobilised like never before

At 3.10am UAE time on May 16, 2012, the Indian rupee touched an all-time low of Rs14.83 against the UAE dirham (Rs54.50 vs. $1), giving in to constant pressure from oil importers, a weak economic forecast, and an uncertain investment climate.

With the Reserve Bank of India all but giving up efforts to contain the decline in the currency, India’s Finance Minister yesterday said that the country will soon unveil austerity measures to aid the fiscal consolidation process.

However, instead of addressing the policy stalemate that has made foreign investors flee the country, the honourable minister blamed the situation on a ‘foreign’ hand.

While speaking in the Upper House of Parliament, Pranab Mukherjee said that the country’s growth story was intact and that it was the eurozone crisis that was affecting the Asian markets.

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Categories: Economy - Tags: , , ,

Immigration permit auction touted as reform that would aid economy

Written by lisa on May 16, 2012 · Leave a Comment

America’s decades-old immigration system should be replaced with an auction of work permits, says a UC Davis economist who is attracting attention on Capitol Hill.

His market-based reform, which was unveiled Tuesday, would have U.S. companies compete in a quarterly electronic auction to buy permits to hire foreign workers.

In essence, U.S. firms’ willingness to pay for work-based visas would become more important than family connections and fixed quotas in determining who gets to move to the United States.

“This would be quite a new system,” said Giovanni Peri, a professor who studies labor economics, explaining how it would replace today’s first-come, first-served waiting list and random lottery that dictate who gets work visas.

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Categories: Immigration Policy - Tags: , , , , ,

Passport to new age skills

Written by lisa on May 15, 2012 · Leave a Comment

The 21st Century requires global perspectives with ability to work seamlessly with people from diverse backgrounds. International education is an effective way to acquire skills that are essential if one wants to be a part of global teams. Universities in every corner of the globe welcome Indian students as they add a different perspective to a class.

In a new trend, students are opting for unconventional programmes like fashion styling, film-making, script writing, acting, music production, adventure sports, production design, environmental sciences, sustainable energy, culinary arts and games development, among others.

Netherlands, for instance, is offering several courses in water management, while France offers an array of luxury brand management programmes. Universities in Germany are making waves with their research initiatives in modern transport engineering, bio-sciences and energy solutions. Caribbean and Russian colleges, on the other hand, are emerging as destinations for medical studies. Sports and allied fields, including sports psychology, sports physiotherapy and sports nutrition, are niche areas in Australian colleges, while marine engineering and marine sciences are on offer at coastal universities (Florida, California, Hawaii, Philippines, Southampton and Gold Coast).

If you have suddenly woken up to find out that application deadlines are over, do not panic. There are many universities in the US, Canada, Australia, Singapore and New Zealand who have ‘rolling admissions,’ which means they will continue to accept applications till they have seats, right up to the end of June for the session starting in Fall 2012. In fact, a large number of universities in each country have multiple intakes throughout the year – in January, May and September – making it convenient for students to apply.

UK’s common application process, UCAS, is open for international students till June 30, for entry to most degree programmes in September 2012.

Also, several universities are using technology to conduct online courses, which carry full credit for students who decide to skip a semester. Even a year’s credits may be earned through these various online courses and Advanced Placement programme, making it possible for students to join universities a little later in the academic cycle.

Despite high costs of an American education, with an average tuition fee of $30,000 (approx) per year, US still remains a popular choice with Indian students. One of the reasons is the flexibility the universities offer in terms of creating your own programme at the UG level. In the US, you can apply for a major called ‘undecided’ and after two years of taking classes in various streams, you can declare a specific major. The earliest intake that students can try for is January 2013. For admissions, students will need SAT and TOEFL scores. The popular courses at the UG-level include computer science, engineering, business management and liberal arts. You can consider applying for a course in medicine, dentistry or even marketing in the UK. For automobile engineering, Germany offers several options. And for design and luxury brand management, take a look at colleges in Italy and France.

For admissions, you are likely to need TOEFL or IELTS. The degrees are generally of three years’ duration (medical/health-related courses are of longer duration with additional entrance criteria) and your fee will be around £15,000 per-annum. For hotel management, Australia is a good option with the main intake in February. There is an option overseas for every requirement.

Karan Gupta

14 May 2012

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/news/Passport-to-new-age-skills/articleshow/13131619.cms

Categories: Skilled Workers - Tags: , , , ,

Obama Announces New Initiatives to Boost Tourism in US

Written by lisa on May 12, 2012 · Leave a Comment

Tourist view the Grand Canyon in this file photo

The Obama administration on Thursday announced a new plan to boost domestic and international tourism to the United States, highlighting the economic and job benefits to Americans.

“Tens of millions of tourists from all over the world come and visit America every year. They stay in our hotels, they eat at our restaurants, they visit our attractions, and they help create jobs,” President Barack Obama said. “At a time when too many Americans are still looking for work, we need to make it easier for more people to visit this country and keep our economy growing.”

Around $1.2 trillion was generated from domestic and international travel in the United States last year, the U.S. Commerce Department reports. Tourism and related industries supported 7.6 million jobs.

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Categories: Tourism - Tags: , ,

Cox & Kings Global Services to receive Thai Visa applications in Western India

Written by lisa on May 11, 2012 · Leave a Comment

Cox & Kings Global Services (CKGS) will operate Thai Visa Application and Processing Centres in Western India. Having been appointed by the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Mumbai, CKGS will provide Thai visa application services across 5 major cities in Western India, namely, Mumbai and Pune (Maharashtra), Ahmedabad (Gujarat), Panaji (Goa) & Indore (Madhya Pradesh).

The CKGS-Thai Visa Application and Processing Centre in Mumbai will be the first centre to open its door to the public on 11th May 2012 with its office at G-3, Ground floor, Maker Chambers V, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400 021, and will be accepting visa applications during 8 am to 12 pm, Monday – Friday.

His Excellency Mr. Tomwit Jarnson, Consul General of Thailand in Mumbai said, “We are very pleased to appoint CKGS as our partner in operating Thailand Visa Application and Processing Centres across Western India. The number of Indian tourists arriving in Thailand leaped to almost 910,000 in 2011 and is expected to reach more than one million mark by the end of 2012. I am highly confident that this service will make acquiring a Thai visa easier through the assistance offered by CKGS.”

CKGS will provide services such as disseminating visa related information provided and approved by the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Mumbai as well as pre-scrutiny of documents and acceptance of visa applications and passports from the general public and travel agents.

According to Mr. Sanjay Bhaduri, CEO – CKGS, “We are delighted to launch Thailand Visa Application and Processing Centres for Indian citizens. As a specialist outsourcing company, we consistently strive to provide assistance and convenience to travellers and the Thailand Visa Application and Processing Centres will definitely provide greater convenience to the general public.”

CKGS will also participate in tourism promotional activities of the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Mumbai, and other Thai agencies in Mumbai namely, Office of Tourism Authority of Thailand, Office of Thai Trade, Thai Airways International and Bangkok Airways.

The roll-out of the Visa Application Centres in Pune, Ahmedabad, Panaji & Indore is expected to be complete by 8th June 2012. The Royal Thai Consulate-General in Mumbai still maintains the right to issue visa according to its discretion and will also accept Diplomatic and Official Passports directly. For more information, please log on to website www.th.ckgs.in

10 May 2012

http://www.equitybulls.com/admin/news2006/news_det.asp?id=104735

Categories: Visa Application - Tags: , ,

Floating entrepreneur startup ship won’t require US visa

Written by lisa on May 11, 2012 · Leave a Comment

The next two years should see the launch of the world’s first floating business startup community off the coast of the US.

The company responsible for the project, Blueseed, wants to provide office space and accommodation for entrepreneurs aboard the vessel which will be anchored less than 30 minutes off the coast of Silicon Valley. They hope to have the ship open for business before 2014. They already have nearly 150 technology startups from more than 40 nations that have expressed interest in starting their businesses on the ships.

The idea behind Blueseed is to provide a visa-free location where foreign entrepreneurs can create technology companies while also having quick and easy access to Silicon Valley without having to deal with the sometimes difficult process of obtaining a US work visa.

“The world’s best entrepreneurs should be able to gather and collaborate in one place, and not be limited by antiquated work visa restrictions,” Blueseed’s site says.

The ship will be located approximately 12 miles off the coast of California in international waters, therefore a US visa will not be required. Workers can legally earn an income working on their startup while on the ship regardless of their nationality, but they can’t legally earn money while visiting the mainland, unless they have a US work visa or are a US resident.

Workers travelling to the US can apply for a B1/B2 business or tourist visas which will generally allow them to be in the US for up to 6 months at a time. Nationals from countries part of the US Visa Waiver program do not need a visa for visits to the US of up to 90 days. Countries that are part of the Visa Waiver Program include the UK, France, Germany, Japan, and Australia.

However, citizens of countries under the visa waiver program are required to apply for the online Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) application. ESTA is an automated system that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to the US under the Visa Waiver Program. You will need to submit the ESTA if:

  • You are a citizen or eligible national of a Visa Waiver Program country.
  • You are currently not in possession of a visitor’s visa.
  • Your travel is for 90 days or less.
  • You plan to travel to the US for business or pleasure.

10 May 2012

http://www.workpermit.com/news/2012-05-10/us/floating-entrepreneur-startup-ship-wont-require-us-visa.htm

Categories: Entrepreneurs, Visas - Tags: , , ,

US: Support visas to qualified Indians

Written by lisa on May 11, 2012 · Leave a Comment

WASHINGTON: As India announced plans to take the issue of “discriminatory” increase in US visa fees to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Washington assured it continued to fully support the admission of qualified Indians.

The US and India “did have a good and thorough discussion” on the visa issues in the context of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s recent visit to India, State department spokesperson Victoria Nuland told reporters Wednesday.

As Clinton said it publicly “Indians are the greatest beneficiaries in the world of both our L-1 visa programme and our H-1B visa programme,” she said when asked about India’s reported move.

“We understand that the demand is even greater. We are working through those issues. But we continue to fully support the admission of qualified Indians under these programmes,” Nuland said.

Under its Emergency Border Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2010, US sharply hiked the fee for H-1B and L-1 visas used by Indian and American companies to bring qualified professionals from abroad and for intra-company transfers respectively.

Indian Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jyotiraditya M Scindia told Parliament Wednesday that New Delhi “proposes to seek consultations with the US under the Dispute Settlement Understanding of the WTO.”

Asked if the visa fees hike issue was discussed during the Clinton visit, Nuland said: “No.”

10 May 2012

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/careers/job-trends/US-Support-visas-to-qualified-Indians/articleshow/13077141.cms

Categories: Visa Fees - Tags: , , , , ,

US relaxes visa norms

Written by lisa on May 10, 2012 · Leave a Comment

With the idea to increase travel and tourism to the United States of America, the Department of State has initiated a pilot project wherein a certain number of qualified individuals will be exempted from the personal interview by a US consular officer for a visa. The initiative was announced by the US President Barack Obama in January this year.

Eligibility

According to the proposal, applicants who intend to renew their visas that are still valid or for those whose visas have expired within the past 48 months and who fall under the categories of business or tourism (B1 and or B2 visa), dependents of exchange visitor visa holders whose sponsor continues to participate in the same programme as that annotated on the previous visa (J2), transit (C) visa and crew member (D) visa are eligible for the programme.

“This scheme is applicable only for renewable and not for fresh visas under the mentioned categories. Moreover, if the previous visa is annotated with the words ‘clearance received’ this scheme will not be applicable,” said the Vice –Consul from the Hyderabad US Consulate Matthew Stannard. He also said that though the interview is exempted, the individuals still need to make an appearance with prior appointment for the biometric (fingerprint) collection, and all applicants must submit all the required fees and the DS-160 application form. Answering a query on student visas and what they need to do to avoid being lured by fictitious institutes and colleges, Mr. Matthew said, “We advise every student to do some research on the colleges and the programmes before taking a decision. In the US, every student spends some time in research before embarking on a programme. Moreover, we suggest that every student should visit the USIEF (United States-India Educational Foundation) and the Education USA websites for more information before taking a decision. The information is available free of cost in both the websites and the USIEF site also has a toll free number to answer any queries.” According to him there are about 4,000 colleges with multiple options in the US and it is advisable to start the search and research at least a year ago, to get the best of it. “Do not rush – is the catch phrase,” he said.

In 2011, the consular officers in India have processed more than 6.7 lakh non-immigrant visa applications, an increase of more than 11 per cent over the previous year. “In the last six years we have increased the consulate staff by 60 per cent, invested more than 100 million USD to update and expand facilities, started a Consulate in Hyderabad and moved into a new state-of-the-art consulate in Mumbai, just to meet the increased demand in India,” said Mr. Matthew.

9 May 2012

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/article3399988.ece

Categories: Visas - Tags: ,

Changes announced for US J-1 Summer Work and Travel Program

Written by lisa on May 9, 2012 · Leave a Comment

The US State Department has announced significant changes to the J-1 Summer Work and Travel Program following an investigation that found widespread abuses in the program.

The J-1 Summer Work and Travel Program is a cultural-exchange program that brings more than 100,000 foreign college students to the US each year. It allows foreign college students to spend up to four months living and working in the US.
While some of the rules are effective immediately, others won’t take effect until November 2012, including one of the most significant changes, which would prohibit visa-holders from working in “goods-producing” industries, such as manufacturing, construction and agriculture. The new rules also ban visa-holders from working in jobs in which the primary hours are between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The changes following a recent investigation that found that some participants were working and living in unsafe conditions. Last year, foreign students issued numerous complaints about work conditions to the department. The rules were changed in order to ensure that participants are treated properly and receive cultural experience while in the US.

“In recent years, the work component has too often overshadowed the core cultural component necessary for the Summer Work Travel Program to be consistent with the intent of the Fulbright-Hays Act,” the State Department said. “Also, the Department learned that criminal organizations were involving participants in incidents relating to the illegal transfer of cash, the creation of fraudulent businesses, and violations of immigration law.”

“The new reforms for the Summer Work Travel program focus on strengthening protections for the health, safety and welfare of the participants, and on bringing the program back to its primary purpose, which is to provide a cultural experience for international students,” said Robin Lerner, a deputy assistant secretary for the State Department.

Participation in the visa program has increased from about 20,000 students in 1996 to more than 150,000 in 2008. Roughly 1 million foreign students have taken part in the past decade. The students come from around the world, with some of the top participating countries being Russia, Brazil, Ukraine, Thailand, Ireland, Bulgaria, Peru, Moldova and Poland.

In November, the State Department announced they had temporarily stopped accepting any new sponsors. Only State Department approved sponsors can issue the Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status, which is the main document needed to support an application for a J-1 Visa. The State Department said that sponsors who can show their participants are being exposed to US culture outside of work will be approved to issue the Certificate of Eligibility to participants for a period of two years.

In order to be eligible for the program, applicants must be:

  • Sufficiently proficient in English to successfully interact in an English speaking environment;
  • Post-secondary school students enrolled in and actively pursuing a degree or other full-time course of study at an accredited post-secondary educational institution outside the US;
  • Have successfully completed at least one semester or equivalent of post-secondary academic study; and

J-1 Visas issued in the Summer Work/ Travel category are valid for a stay of four months with no extensions allowed.

8 May 2012

http://www.workpermit.com/news/2012-05-08/us/changes-announced-for-us-j-1-summer-work-and-travel-program.htm

Categories: J-1 visas - Tags: ,

Visa approval times for travellers to the United States have decreased

Written by lisa on May 9, 2012 · Leave a Comment

The U.S. State Department has cut the wait times for visas to that country in an effort to increase tourism.

If you’re Chinese or Brazilian, the wait for your U.S. visa may be over. OK, not completely over, but perhaps not as long as it once was.

Against the backdrop of Disney World in Orlando, Fla., U.S. President Obama acknowledged on Jan. 19 the importance of tourism to the American. economy and promised that the waits for visas, which published reports said often took three months, would improve.

“We will always protect our borders and shores and our tourist destinations from people who want to do us harm,” Obama said. “But we also want to get more international tourists coming to America. And there’s no reason we can’t do both.”

So the State Department added workers in key locations and reallocated resources to other consular offices.

The result, said David T. Donahue, deputy assistant secretary with the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, is a marked improvement in processing times.

In some cases, wait times in China are as little as two days, Donahue said, and in Brazil, waits can be as little as a week. Tourism from these countries has increased significantly, which warranted improved handling.

In these days of plentiful information and instant everything, the question may be this: Why do countries require a visa at all, never mind one that’s tough to get?

It’s a matter of security, Donahue said, to ensure that people won’t misuse the visa (overstaying their allotted time here, for example) or enter the country intending to commit crimes or carry out terrorist attacks.

So consulates use a combination of interviews, biographies and biometrics on “each applicant to ensure they don’t pose a threat,” he said.

Visitors from 36 countries do not need a visa to enter the U.S. Some of those countries won’t surprise you – Canada, Great Britain, Switzerland and Spain, for instance – but a couple of them might: Brunei and Singapore, for example.

South Korea is the newest member of the exclusive club, whose members you can see at www.lat.ms/ISwoua.

These visa waiver countries achieve this status because they generally have a visa rejection rate of less than 3 percent, Donahue said, and they participate in information sharing with the United States.

Everybody else will need the ticket to ride.

Catharine Hamm

7 May 2012

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/travel/travel/6577833/story.html

Categories: Visa Process - Tags: ,

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