International English Language Testing System (IELTS):

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the world's most popular English language proficiency test for higher education and global migration. IELTS is designed to assess the language ability of candidates who need to study or work where English is the language of communication. 

The Test is recognized by universities and employers in many countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the USA. It is also recognized by professional bodies, immigration authorities and other government agencies. It is jointly managed by the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL), British Council and IDP: IELTS Australia. IELTS is an international standard language assessment Platform.

IELTS has two modules to choose from – Academic and General Training.

IELTS Academic is for test takers wishing to study at undergraduate or postgraduate levels, and for those seeking professional registration.

IELTS General Training is for test takers wishing to migrate to an English-speaking country (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK), and for those wishing to train or study at below degree level. 

Every organization usually sets their own entry requirements.

The test examine all four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking, unless you have an exemption due to a disability. Everyone takes the same Listening and Speaking tests.

There are different Reading and Writing tests for IELTS Academic and General Training. The Listening, Reading and Writing tests must be completed on the same day. There are no breaks between these three tests. The Speaking test may be taken up to seven days before or after the other three tests.

How to interpret your score:

You will be given a score from 1 to 9 for each part of the test – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The average produces your overall band score. You can score whole (e.g., 5.0, 6.0, 7.0) or half (e.g., 5.5., 6.5, 7.5) bands in each part of the test.

The score shows proficiency levels as listed below

Band Score          English Language Skill Level            

Band 9                  Expert user        

Band 8                  Very good user

Band 7                  Good user          

Band 6                  Competent user              

Band 5                  Modest user     

Band 4                  Limited user      

Band 3                  Extremely limited user 

Band 2                  Intermittent use

Band 1                  Non-user            

Band 0                 Did not attempt the test

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For more information check here.

Meet Nollywood actress, who have lived in 14 different countries

In our tradition of bringing you success stories, from the United State of America, Travel Army presents a Nollywood Actress, Singer and Entrepreneur. To get to where she is today, her story is one of sheer determination, hard-work, endurance and a long journey that took her across 14 different countries. She has been featured on BusinessWorld, ThePunch and many other magazines

Travel Army; Please, can we meet you?
Guest: My names are Monica Omorodion Swaida and I am a Nigerian living in the United States of America. I am a Nollywood actress, musician and an executive producer of music and movies. I also own an Insurance Company in Massachusetts.

Travel Army: Why do people migrate?                              
Mrs. Monica Swaida: Most people migrate to better their lives and future of family members and kids. Others migrate for religious reasons, political or for work.

Travel Army: And what do you think are common mistakes migrants make?
Mrs. Monica Swaida: Some of the common mistakes people make is that sometimes they leave their own countries for countries worse off than theirs. It's very important to do research before going to a particular country.

It is also very important to know the rules and regulations of countries one is going to, in order not to get stuck. Also it is important to learn about the languages, political stability, the economy and so many other factors.

Some people think that there are greener pastures everywhere else than where they live. Sometimes, it's not always the pictures that is presented that tells the full story of a country. Spend time doing researches before venturing out.

Travel Army: What are your advise to aspiring emigrants?
Mrs. Monica Swaida: My advise for aspiring immigrants is to make sure you do research on the country you plan on going to. Are you going for work? school? etc. If it is for school, find out if the country allows free education, scholarships etc. Look out at the rate of people getting citizenship. What are their rules etc.

If it is for work, look at the statistic of employment and unemployment, do research on the income per head of a family as compared to countries like England,Germany and America etc. What language do they speak? How do they treat immigrants? Read up on real life stories!

One last advise is make sure you have some money with you. Money enough to go back home if needed or money enough to stay in a hotel or student hostel until you are able to find yourself. Don't travel without money. Some airports will turn you back for not having enough travel money. I have lived in 14 different countries. Every country is different. Do your research!

Travel Army: Thank you very much. In fact experience is the universal mother of sciences. It is a great privilege to have you on the blog today. We sincerely, appreciate your advise and guides.

Mrs. Monica Swaida: You are welcome.
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Feel free to know more about her and what she does here Monica Insurance Agency (one of the foremost insurance agency in Lowell, Massachusetts) and here Monicazation (her facebook page)
Click here to see her hit-track My Baby is Gone on iTunes
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Information is pretty thin stuff unless mixed with experience (Clarence Day, The Crow's Nest) 

I really enjoyed interacting with Mrs Monica Omoridion Swaida, the Executive Director of Monica Insurance Agency, a President and C.E.O of Monicazation Production (Music and Movies) and a Senior Director of Mary Kay Cosmetics. She is a woman of wisdom and have a very good human relationship. More grease to your elbow.                                                                                            
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Migrate Safe!

Millennium Development Scholarship for International Students in UK 2015

The University of the West of England, Bristol offers the Millennium Development Scholarship which is targeted to international students who wish to attain Millennium Development goals within their country.

The recipient of this scholarship will be required to undertake an internship working within the International Development Office and other departments. The recipient will also be required to undertake ambassadorial activity for the University throughout the duration of the course.

**Please note: in order to apply for any UWE scholarships, you must have received an offer to study at UWE Bristol**

**The information below lists the scholarships and discounts available for the January 2015 courses intake**

Areas of Interest:

Any one year Master’s Degree Programme offered at the University of West England, UK.

Scholarship Value/Inclusions:
100% of fees

Eligible Countries:
All International

Eligibility:
Eligible students must:

• have achieved the equivalent of a British first class honours in their undergraduate degree
• have an unconditional offer by 15th November, 2015 of a place to study a one year postgraduate programme at UWE which they have firmly accepted
• be a new student and be classed as overseas for fees purposes
• not be a sponsored student or in receipt of another scholarship/award.

Note: the scholarship is mainly for international students for a year masters programme and every applicant will need to provide information on how the scholarship will help them to attain the Millennium Development goals within their country.

For information on how to apply click here: How To Apply

                                                     

Ebola: Australia Suspends Visa to Affected Nations

Australia will temporarily suspend immigration from West African countries hit by the outbreak.

Immigration minister Scott Morrison said the Australia parliament will no longer process humanitarian and immigration visa applications from the affected countries in an attempt to stop the disease reaching the country. 

However, permanent visa holders who have not yet arrived in Australia will be required to submit to a 21-day quarantine period before arriving.

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) president said the announcement came as a surprise. According to him, the chance of the disease entering the country through a migrant from the region was very low.
He added that "It's not necessarily a very well-focused decision and the government had sought the advice of "very few people,"

Sources: Aljazeera, CNN

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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).

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:                                               

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

Migration for Employment in Saudi Arabia

The kingdom operates a closed community with an efficient and organized system but with rules and protocols. While it favors the recruitment of a large number of foreign workers,getting a very good job as a foreigner is however not that easy as the majority of the recruitments have been channeled through certified agents who possess licensed approval to do this.

The ministry of interior and the ministry of health do regular recruitment exercises through these certified legal agents in difference countries: in Europe, Australia, America, Canada , South-Africa, Nigeria, India, Pakistan, Egypt, Syria and so on.


It comes as little surprise that preferences are commonly given to workers from Europe, America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. This is because applicants from these regions often possess the professional expertise the Kingdom is seeking.

As we have often emphasized on this blog, for prospective international job applicants, it is more honorable and more deserving to leave your country for a job that is worthy. The new country you are migrating to will respect you, you'll have assess to privileges, you wont be looking over your shoulders all the time and you would be proud to tell people where you are/what you're doing.

Thus, for qualified Doctors, Midwives, and Nurses in Nigeria you can contact these two agents: onyvaconcepts.com and meedconsultants.com


Other professionals can search for job through these other sites such as bayt.com www.alshaya.com, www.akhtaboot.com, www.aramco.jobs. Expatriate sites also have useful information from expatriates already working in the kingdom. Don't forget to check www.expatriates.com.

Pls Note: These job listings are only for qualified applicants, NO SHORTCUTS and we are not promoting any of these sites for personal gains. We have only listed them here because we know and have seen people that got jobs through them. People are fond of removing the ladder after climbing up, we want to change all that by showing the world the ladder. Also, we are not a recruitment agent, don't send your personal details to us. We only provide you with authentic information that we know and have ascertained to be true.
Visit this blog for more updates. Good luck, don't give up in your search/dreams and remember, MIGRATE SAFE!

"The only failures in life are those who never tried"...Anonymous.

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How To Become A Canadian Citizen

If you want to bear the Canadian Passport, you must meet 6 conditions. This is according to:

1. Age
2. Permanent resident status
3. Time you have lived in Canada
4. Language skills
5. Criminal history (prohibitions)
6. How well you know Canada

As a result of 2014 changes to the Citizenship Act, if you have served in or with the Canadian Armed Forces, you might be able to apply through a fast-track process. They look at how long you have served the country, instead of how long you lived in the Canada. Foreign military members do not need to be a permanent resident of Canada.

1. Age
You must be at least 18 years old to apply. For a child under 18,  the child’s parent, adoptive parent or legal guardian must do this or the child must be a permanent resident or one parent must be a Canadian citizen or apply to become a citizen at the same time (this also applies to adoptive parents)

2. Permanent Resident Status 
You must have permanent resident (PR) status in Canada. Your PR status must not be in question. That means you must not be: • Under review for immigration or fraud reasons, or • Under a removal order (an order from Canadian officials to leave Canada). • You do not need to have a PR card to apply for citizenship. If you have a PR card, but it is expired, you can still apply for citizenship.

3. Time you have lived in Canada
You must have resided in Canada for at least three years (1,095 days) in the past four years before you apply. This does not apply to children under 18. You may be able to count time you spent in Canada before you became a permanent resident if it was during the past four years.

4. Language abilities
Canada has two official languages—English and French. To become a citizen, you must show that you have adequate knowledge of one of these languages. In general, this means you can: • take part in short, everyday conversations about common topics; • understand simple instructions, questions and directions; • use basic grammar, including simple structures and tenses; and • Show that you know enough common words and phrases to answer questions and express yourself. • If you are between 18 and 54, you must send documents with your citizenship application that prove you can speak and listen in English or French at this level. This is done by taking the IELTS.

5. Criminal history (prohibitions)
You cannot become a citizen if you: • have been convicted of an indictable (criminal) offense or an offense under the Citizenship Act in the three years before you apply, • are currently charged with an offense under the Citizenship Act, • are in prison, on parole or on probation, • are under a removal order (Canadian officials have ordered you to leave Canada), • are being investigated for, are charged with, or have been convicted of a war crime or a crime against humanity, or • Have had your Canadian citizenship taken away in the past five years.

6. How well you know Canada
Its history, culture and places. This can be achieved by reading more about Canada.

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Read More http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/citizenship/become-eligibility.asp

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!

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A TRIP TO JUBAIL

 

Jubail is a city in the Eastern province on the Persian Gulf Coast of Saudi Arabia. It is the largest industrial city in the Middle East. It is also home to the Middle East's largest and world's fourth largest petrochemical company. It has the world's largest IWPP (Independent Water and Power Project) producing 2743.6 MW of electricity and 800,000 m3 of water daily. The Jubail Industrial City is the largest civil engineering project in the world today. Because of this, Jubail has numerous job opportunities for foreigners.

Migrating to Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is a beautiful Islamic country that allows foreigners with great value to work and live in the Kingdom. Although it is an Islamic environment, it however allows people of other faiths to live and work freely without fear.

How to migrate to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: 

Wonderful Australia

Australia is a dream land for the wise and I'm delighted to write about this beautiful country today. Australia is a very big country and the world’s largest Island. It is the only continent governed as a single country. With the Capital Territory (ACT) located in Canberra, Australia is also a member state of the Commonwealth Nations.

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.