Fast Pathway to Canada,2015.

The Canadian government have commenced the new immigration system, Express Entry Immigration System for Federal Skilled Immigrants starting from January 1, 2015.

The Federal Skilled Workers cut across 347 eligible National Occupational Classification (NOC) occupations (Level 0, A and B). Most completed applications would be processed within 6 months.

This new system will accommodate 3 categories of Programs:

The Federal Skilled Worker Program
The Federal Skilled Trades Program
The Canadian Experience Class

The New Express System Has 2 Steps:

STEP 1. EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (PROFILE)
People will first fill out an online Express Entry Profile. This includes their language test scores, their Educational Credential Assessment (if they need one) and outlines their work experience. There is no cost to complete and submit an Express Entry profile. After completing this, you are entered into the pool of potential immigrants.

Then you will fill out an Express Entry profile to say something about your:
Identity, Contact Information, Education in more detail, Work experience in more detail, Language, Family who would come with you to Canada (dependents)

Things you will need:

Your passport or travel document

NOC job title and code
Language test results (either IELTS, CELPIP or TEF)
Educational Credential Assessment result
A copy of your written job offer from an employer in Canada (if you have one)
A copy of your provincial nomination (if you have one) and
Your personal reference code from the Canadian government website where you log in (It looks like this: JM1234567890)

Note: Completing an online Express Entry profile or entering the pool does not guarantee that you will get an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence.

STEP 2. APPLICATION:
Based on their profiles, candidates will be ranked against others in a pool. On a regular basis, CIC will issue invites to top candidates from the pool to apply for permanent residence. Top candidates will be invited to apply and will then be able to apply online for permanent residence. Only those who get an Invitation to Apply from CIC will be able to apply


TO KNOW IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY? - ELIGIBILITY

1. Your English or French language test results (English: CELPIP and IELTS, French:TEF)               Click here for more:
2. Your NOC skill type or level (0, A or B) Find your occupation Here
3. Your Education Credential Assessment (ECA)


DESIGNATED ORGANIZATIONS FOR ECA (Educational Credential Assessment)

1. Comparative Education Service – University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies,
2. International Credential Assessment Service of Canada
3. World Education Services
4. Medical Council of Canada (this must be used by doctors)
5. Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (this must be used by Pharmacists)
    More details on ECA here



Applicant must have at least one year continuous full time/part-time paid employment experience within the previous 10 years in one of the 347 eligible occupations listed under the applicable National Occupation Classification

The work experience must be classified within Skill Type 0 (Managerial Occupations), Skill Level A (Professional Occupations), or Skill Level B (Technical Occupations and Skilled Trades) within the National Occupational Classification system

Score at least 67 points in the skilled worker point grid which constitutes six selection determinants

Have a suitable settlement fund and

Undergo a successful security background and medical examination.

Canada Calls! Good Luck!

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Read more here http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/assessment.asp



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Opportunities in US Embassy apart from Visa Application

I have seen that a lot of people visit the US Embassy in their respective countries only in matters related to visa applications . However, there are a lot more to offer at the US Embassy beyond just visa applications.
There are different self-development and exchange programs available, spanning various categories, particularly in the Department of Foreign Affairs, Some of these include: career counseling, guide for studying in US, professional sponsorship programs e.g. sponsoring experience teachers to USA for short course, enlightening students on how to get scholarship to study in USA and a whole lot more.

New UK Visa Application Rules for Children Under 5 years

With effect from 7th July 2014, parents will also need to book an appointment at the UK Visa Application Centre for any children under the age of 5 when applying for a UK visa. 

This is for the purpose of biometric capturing.

A facial image (photograph) will be taken of child applicants as part of the submission process. Children under 5 are however not required to provide fingerprints.

How to Apply for UK Visitors' Visa:

UK VISITORS' VISA            

Interested individual can travel to the United Kingdom (UK) for the specific purpose of visiting friends and family who live in the UK .

UK family members can sponsor the applicant by providing an invitation letter to confirm the relationship, purpose of the visit, and also the support they will be providing in terms of financial assistance and/or accommodation.                                      

Applicants in this category must prove to the UK Immigration Authorities that they can financially maintain and accommodate themselves in the UK with or without assistance from family member(s) living in the UK but without resource to public funding or employment.

Firstly, an individual that intend to apply for a UK Visitors Visa must have an intention to return his or her your home country, choose a specific date of travel, duration of stay and reasons for traveling
                                                 
Below are documents  you would need for a fruitful application:

Sponsor's Documents: this refers to document from someone in UK, that wishes to host you for a visit. This person could be your relatives or friends.

1) 6 months Bank statements
2) 6 months pay slips
3) Address proof : Utility Bill such as Telephone bills, Electric Bill or Council tax notice)
4) Rental Agreement
5) Owner's no objection letter
6) Sponsor's High commission certified letter (e.g. Nigeria High commission in UK)
7) Applicants's passport copy ( Visa page and stamping page)
8) Sponsor's work permit copy
9) Employer's letter for employement proof
10) Letter from Sponsor requesting British High commission for granting visa to visitors.

Recommended but not mandatory Documents  (if sponsor is employed in UK):

11) P60 form
12) NI number letter
13) NHS maternity letter or prescription exemption card
14) Proof of relations/friendship

Visitor's Documents: this implies your own required documents to apply for a visa. This includes;

15) International Passport photo copy (all pages)
16) Proof of address( provide a utility bills of where you live )

Applicant's Financial Documents:

17) Bank statements (all bank accounts that you may hold, higher the account balance, higher the chances of your application being successful.)
18) Any Insurance Premium receipts and Insurance Policy
19) Stocks & Shares in hand proof ( statement from your broker or depository)
20) Credit Card statement.

Reasons for returning to home country:
You will have to clearly state your reasons or bound in your country to affirm that you will return to your home country.
If your reason is having children back home or asset attach these two documents as proof:
21) Children's proofs (passports)
22) Any other investment or asset proof (land / property)

STEPS TO APPLY
To apply for a UK visa in Nigeria you need to:

1. apply online
2. pay your fee
3. book your appointment
4. go to your appointment

A visitor visa usually takes no more than one to 4 weeks. The application is to be made in person, so as to provide biometric. Children below 5 years are not needed to apply in person and can be represented by parents or guardian, whom they would be traveling with.

This visa entitles holders to visit the UK for up to a maximum of six (6) months, opportunities to experience the life and culture in the UK . It may also be allowed for multiple entries into UK during the six (6) month duration.

Visa application centers in Nigeria:
Abuja - Nigeria
VF Global Services Nigeria Ltd.
No 38, Lobito Crescent, Wuse II
Abuja - Nigeria
Information for disabled customers

Lagos - (Lekki)
Block - 94, Plot No. 23,
Providence Street,
Lekki EPE Express Way,
Lekki Schemen 1, Lagos.

Lagos - (Ikeja)
Ground and 1 Floor, 16, Billingsway
Oregun Industrial Area, Ikeja.

Once your Visa is granted you can then book a flight to UK. A return ticket is advisable for visitors.
Hence, on arrival, in UK, get a clearance from the immigration desk at the airport. All you need is just a prove to show that you are a genuine 'visitor' with valid documents.

Note: If your visa is of more than 6 months, you will be asked to get a medical clearnce as well before the immigration clearnce is given. Usually just a latest chest X-ray is all that you need to carry along with you and must be handy once you reach the immigration desk at the airport.

Finally, dear readers please note that  the information above may change from time to time, please use the link below for updated documents;      

The UK Border Agency www.ukvisas.gov.uk

Latest News on Immigration to Australia

Latest news on immigration to Australia.

Australia and Portugal sign a new Work and Holiday visa arrangement

​On 25 September 2014, Australia and Portugal announced that a new Work and Holiday arrangement for youth mobility was signed, establishing a reciprocal Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) arrangement between our two countries.

Latest News on Immigration to USA

Deferred Enforced Departure Extended for Eligible Liberians in U.S.

Dear readers, share latest news, I think it is useful.                                                                                                 

USCIS Automatically Extends Validity of Employment Authorization Documents

WASHINGTON - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced it will automatically extend Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for Liberian nationals covered under Deferred Enforced Departure (DED).

Australia Citizenship

I'm glad to move forward in explaining another related topic on Australia.                                        Australia has always been my dream land and I wish you could see reasons for my dream.                                         
Don't forget I have discussed how to migrate to Australia and how to be qualified for an Australian Citizenship.                                

Today, my focus is 'Australian Citizenship'.  Once you have migrated to Australia, you may consider becoming an Australian citizen. Australian citizenship formalises your membership of the Australian community.
                                                     
To become a citizen in Australia, you are required to

Easy path to Queensland, Australia

Australia has 10 Territories and 6 States; New South Wales (NSW), Queensland (Qld), South, Australia (SA), Tasmania (Tas.), Victoria (Vic.) and Western Australia (WA).

It is actually possible to follow an immigration program without specifying an actual State but to make it easy, I will like to take the migration process state by state.

Easy Path to Australia 2

This will throw more light on how you can get yourself to Australia

AUSTRALIA SKILLED IMMIGRATION                                                             
The General Skilled Migration (GSM) Program is a path for skilled workers to emigrate to Australia. Candidates must meet the Basic requirements for GSM and pass the Australian immigration Points Test to qualify for a visa to move to Australia
                                                                                         
Requirements for an Australia Skilled visa:                                               

International Travel Tips

My great concerns about travelers around the globe motivates writing of this new topic. I believe you will find one or two points useful for your trip.  Here are important tips you need in preparing for a safe trip to anywhere outside your home Country.

Opportunities for Commonwealth Nations

What is Commonwealth?               
A commonwealth refers to any group of people organized under a single government, particularly a republic. where all people involved have a say, or a loose formation of nations with a shared loyalty.  The Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary association of independent nations and dependent territories linked by historical ties (as parts of the former British Empire) and cooperating on matters of mutual concern, especially regarding economics and trade.                 

Benefits for Commonwealth Citizens

7 Easy Ways of Identifying Scam Job Offers

Scammers increase as modern technology develops. They imitate all methods used by legitimate employers in attracting workers such as formulated document and contract letters, creation of fake websites and email addresses, making advert online, in newspapers, and even on TV and radio.                                               

Here are 7 ways to identify whether a job offer is a scam.                                   

1. Job offers without applying to the company; they usually indicate that your resume was found online or formulate something related. Such job is likely to be a scam. Good and legitimate jobs don't come easily.
2. Recruiters asking for your personal informotion and documents on phone or mails. They can mail you a biodata form and tell you to attach photocopies or scanned copy of your international passport, school certificates and the likes. Please, never hand over personal information via email. Many scammers buy fake job ads with stolen credit cards and these while gotten through personal info collected from people. Don't fall victim.
3.  Any job that requires supplying your credit card or bank account information is a scam. Don't give out your credit card or bank account information over the phone or mail to a company unless you're familiar with them and have agreed to pay for something. Note!  Anyone who has your account information can use it.
4. Mandatory Visa on your behalf: they will tell you that as an overseas employee, you can not take the employment document to the country's embass in your State, that their company has an agent responsible for applying for Visa on your behalf and you will pay to such agent.  Such job offer is likely to be a scam, if the work is real and the company is a registered company you should be able to go to nearer embassy of such country and apply for a Visa with the documents supplied to you from the company.
5. 
   Frequency of their mails: you will notice constant mails from the employer emphasizing urgency in signing of contract document or put short time bound.  A legitimate company will give you time to read the contract and decide, not pressure you into signing then and there.                                              
6. If you read the mails and the contract documents sent to you from such company carefully, you will discover some grammatical errors.
7. Checking such job link in the ad and it takes you somewhere else:  Sometimes job ads are simply meant to drive you to another website and you're clicking on information for a job you're interested in, you might be taken to another job board (that wants you to pay to subscribe) or other website. 
8. Their mail address and website always have unusual ending letters, for instance www.bimtom.org.au.in  (Notice the "in" at the end) And also, using personal mail addresses for company transactions.

Always guard your personal info and research a company before applying, especially if you have your suspicions about the ad. See what other people say about the company in a popular forum online.

                                     

Migrate safe!

Hope this is useful. Do not forget to drop your comment or like our facebook page: www.facebook.com/travelarmy

Why Traveling?

Traveling is undeniably, a great thing to do, especially now. Summer is a good time of the year to start a new adventure or to see new parts of the world.

Most people travel as part of their daily routine, not only because it is enjoyable but also because it has a lot to offer.

There are lots of places to explore in the world. Your travel doesn’t have to be limited to where you live or what you read in a book, there are lots of exciting places to experience in the world. Traveling is worth every penny you will spend because memories last forever.

There are many advantages to traveling around the world. Here are a few to think about:

                                             

Traveling gives us the opportunity to disconnect from our regular life. You get to forget your problems/issues for a few days or weeks, it can also help you figure things out that you would not have understood without a distant travel. We all have busy schedules, work and a family to take care of, going away alone, with family or with some friends can give you some space to clear your head and perhaps even make you realize how important these people are to you. “Sometimes, we never know what we have until we lose it”.

Another great benefit is the relaxation you get to accomplish. It’s nice to live life to its fullest and enjoy a stress free time with yourself. Going on vacation lets us recharge our “brains" by disconnecting us from our regular life. When we come back we feel invigorated and we are happy to be back in our day to day routine. It’s a very good stress buster.

Traveling increases our knowledge and widens our perspective. To view new customs and different ways of living is fantastic for the mind. You learn to understand and appreciate other cultures. It gives us a new perspective about life and especially our life, it can help us change some of our habits or even create new ones. Discovering different values and ways to get by in life is really interesting. Visit new places and discover what this wonderful world has to offer.

New experiences increase our resourcefulness by living situations you would never encounter at home, this is great experience for you when you come back to your routine.          I have noticed that people who traveled a lot in life were ready to embrace change and have a natural ability of overcoming problems that others would frown upon.

Traveling with friends or family creates memories for a lifetime. These memories will create a bond in the relationship and cement it forever. It also gives nice stories to tell people afterwards, you can create photo albums about your trips.

The internet and all the new technology can assist you in planning your trip exactly the way you want it. Make your budget, the duration of the trip and what you want to do.

If you have some time off I suggest you take that trip you’ve always wanted (I assure you it won’t kill you and the world won’t stop!). Just do it now and experience what more life has to offer. Don’t wait or tell yourself there will be a better time to go. Take the risk, the opportunity and buy your flight ticket (or bus ticket) right now and leave.

                                             

Meanwhile, it is interesting to know that, as Nigerians there are a few places you can go without obtaining a VISA. These are some of the visa-free countries for Nigerian passport holders:

Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape-Verde, Cameroon, Chad, Côted'Ivoire, Ghana, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Togo, Grenada, Haiti, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Turks and Caicos Islands, Maldives, Cook Islands, Fiji, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

The period you stay varies from country to country and then you would have to obtain a visa for staying longer than the stipulated period while other countries issues visas on arrival.  Get more facts from their websites or the embassies.

Hope this is useful. Do not forget to drop your comment or like our facebook page: www.facebook.com/travelarmy

Introducing Travel Army

It is my pleasure to take you through a journey to your destination. Travelling is a pleasant experience especially here on earth (I don’t know about space travel!)

I am particularly interested in sharing with Nigerians the vast travel opportunities that abound out there, how to go about it, and provide in-depth information as much as possible, to make your transition smooth.