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News Update
Fresh Talent Initiative (FTI) is the Scotlands Scheme introduced in June 2005 to facilitate the International students to work in Scotland for 2 years without a work permit after finishng their studies in Scotland. The Relocation Advisory Services (RAS) is the delivery arm of the FTI. Out of the 20,000 international students studying in Scotland from over 100 countries, 2000 are from India. Out of the total 4000 FSI visas 1200 are issued to Indian. Although this scheme is only meant for those who want to work in Scotland, they can use the work experience gained in these 2 years for claiming points for UK experience under UK's HSMP scheme meant for migration to UK. Doing online course through distance education from Scotland universities will not be eligible under this FTI scheme. However, one nedd not stay in Scotland for the full period of study, but atleast 3 months for a 1 year course, 6 months for a 2 year course and 1 year for a 3 year course should be spend in Scotland in order to be eligible under this scheme. (top)
Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has online services to assess if you are eligible for Singapore permanent residency or citizenship. The free online self-assessment service is called "naturalisation eligibility tool" and is availabale at www.iea.gov.sg
United Kingdom (top)
United Kingdom: Tourism industry employs over 200 million people worldwide. London will host Olympics in 2012. Tourism industry in UK employ's 7% of Briton's workforce and there is a shortage of trained labour. By 2010 the tourist revenue in UK will increase to 100 billion pounds. Students of tourism can find jobs in airlines, railways, shippers, hotel, food, beverages, event management, tour operators. The Organisation for Tourism and Hospitality Management (OHTM) is the trade body promoting this sector. A masters or PG student can get 30,000 to 35,000 pounds per annum.
United States of America (top)
US will issue 8,00,000 visas for both business and pleasure visits this year from 5,00,000 visas issued last year from India. US issues the largest number of visas after neighbour Mexico. One can get a US visa appointment in 6 days at the click of a mouse at www.vfs-usa.co.in. The H1B quota finished by 9th August in 2004, 25th May in 2005, 20th May in 2006 and this year i.e.2007, the H1B quota is expected to finish by April 15. (top)
Doctors to USA: India produces 30,000 MBBS graduates every year but less than 50% of these get an MD seat. Now there is reservation for Super-specialisation (Doctor of Medicine) DM as well. Even without reservation, it is tough to get a seat in DM as ratio of MD to DM seats is 1:40. Those who have done their MBBS from Rassia, China or Eastern Europe also look for options abroad since to become a qualified practitioner in India, such doctors have to pass a few more exams conducted by MCI. Doctor who goto US get an average annual stipend of $40,000 to $50,000 during residency. On completion of the progamme, they are ensured of good pay packeks if they opt for private service. US government is now encouraging more doctors to come to USA. But, they need to write USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examinations). It is a 3-stage process. Step1 and 2-CK (Clinical Knowledge) exams can be taken in India while step 2- CS (Clinical Skills) has to be taken in the US. Most doctors initially go on a J1 (exchange visitor) visa. Under this category, doctors have to abide by a 2 year foreign residency (in this case, the home country ie., India) rule after completing their MD and fellowship programme. They can avoid foreign residency by opting for a waiver job ie., working in an under-privileged district in the US for 2 years. After that, doctors must find universities or hospitals who are willing to sponsor them under a H1-B category. Only a lucky few manage to bag a H1-B sponsor offer after clearing step 3 of the USMLE. (top)
In the final session of the 109th US congress, legislators extended authorisation of the J-1 visa waiver programme, better known as Conrad-30, which allows international medical graduates trained in the US medical colleges to stay back in the US after training. The programme has been extended by 2 years till June 30, 2008. Under the J-1 visa regime for foreign doctors, they must return to their home countries for a minimum of 2 years, after completing their studies, before reapplying for another visa of permanent residence in the US. In 1994, the congress allowed a waiver for this requirement for medical practioners who were willing to practice for a minimum of 3 years in underserved areas. Incidently,some of the major metropoliton cities like Los Angeles and Las Vegas also come under this underserved category. If one is lucky, he/she can get posted in these areas.
Incidetly, the H-1C programme, which allows 500 foreign nurses-25 in each state-to work in underserved areas in the US has also been reauthorised for another 3 years.
Canada (top)
Canada is facing acute labour shortage and to meet that shortage, Canadian government has eased the Temporary Foreign Workers Programme as well as the Line-in Caregivers. Now, foreign workers need not leave Canada after a 12- month period and then wait for 4 months to reapply. They can now stay for 2 years before requesting an extenion. This is applicable to C and D category of semi-skilled and low-skilled workers like agriculture workers, truck drivers, construction workers, processing & manufacturing workers, transport, sales, service, healthcare, bartenders, kitchen help, clerical workers etc. Alberta is the place where the maximum boom in construction activity is taking place, British Columbia and Ontario are other provinces where the need for labour is prominent. nannies, baby sitters and parent helpers who are covered under the Live-in caregiver programmes can stay upto 3 years and 3 months without the need for renewal every year. India is part of the top 10 foreign workers source country for Canada and the number has increased by 6% from 2005 to 2006 totalling to about 1800 Indian workers there.
Japan (top)
Increasing opportunities, declining population, less work force are making Indians to attract to Japan. Traditionally Japan depends on China & now turns to India. Nurses, chefs, management experts, english teachers, pharmacy graduates are in more demand. Although settling & migration is not easy, but getting contract work is easy if you know conversational Japanese.
Saudi Arabia (top)
Business visa can be obtained in 24 hours directly from Saudi embassy in India. They need not get Saudi sponsor to get visas. They only need a letter from the federation of chambers in India. Hyderabad is going to become the Consultate hub in India. Iran Consultate has already office in Hyderabad. USA is going to start its operations by 2008. UK is thinking to setup its consulate office in Hyderabad. Now Saudi Arabia is making arrangements for the same as 7,000 Haj pilgrimage, 10,000 Umra visitors (visit to Mecca and Madina during the non-Haj period extending over 9 months every year) are going to Saudi every year and over 4 lakh people from Andhra Pradesh are living in Saudi Arabia. All these people are going to Mumbai for their visa needs and if Hyderabad gets its office, then it will be very convenient.
