South Africa is a country blessed with an enchanting landscape, magnificent scenery and vast coastline with soft sandy beaches lined with palm trees and crystal clear ocean. The country experiences sunshine all year round and has a rich collection of flora and fauna.

The country also boasts of cosmopolitan cities like Johannesburg and Pretoria as well as a rich, diversified culture. The over 43 million inhabitants speak over 11 languages.

Immigration to South Africa is well suited for tourist, students, entrepreneurs and people with certain skill sets as well as professionals. These groups of people have different routes through which they immigrate into South Africa.

The avenues which allow immigration to South Africa are designed to protect the interests of the South African citizens. This is well illustrated by the immigration of skilled man-power to South Africa. For an immigrant to be considered for a work permit using this route, sufficient proof must be provided by the prospective employer to show that the job cannot be done by a South African citizen.

For businesses wishing to invest in South Africa, the business must be able to hire a minimum of 5 local citizens and contribute positively towards the country’s economy.

The simplest route for immigration to South Africa is through a job offering. South Africa’s system of admitting skilled man-power is not point based, making it easier to immigrate to South Africa and engage in business or employment.

Another way of immigrating to South Africa is by making use of family relations who are South African citizens. One is a South African citizen by descent, marriage or through naturalization.

The Federal Skilled Worker Visa Programme is a one of the popular ways of emigrating to Canada. The processing time, as compared to the provincial nominations programme, is very much increased. It offers skilled workers the opportunity to obtain permanent residence in Canada without an offer of employment.

To be categorised as a skilled worker one needs to have work experience, sufficient funds to sustain oneself in Canada and should have a score of 67 in the points assessment. One will also be assessed according to education, language, age, work experience, arranged employment and adaptability. Also good communication skills in English or French are needed. These six aspects are intended to specify which candidates are likely to become financially sound upon emigrating to Canada. Each Canada Federal Skilled Worker Visa is awarded the highest number of points and candidates must at least attain sixty seven points to qualify for a Canada Immigration Visa.

In education the skilled workers are given a maximum of twenty five points; in language skills candidates are given up to twenty four points; in experience candidates are given up to twenty one points; in age candidates are given up to ten points; in arranged employment candidates are given up to ten points and in adaptability candidates are given up to ten points. All of these total up to one hundred points. So applicants are supposed to attain above 67% of the whole assessment.

The Canadian Immigration Visa Officers have the right to accept or refuse an application. Even with the pass mark of 67 points, applicants must also prove that they have enough money to sustain themselves and their families after arriving in Canada. Also they must take a medical assessment and have security approvals as part of the Canadian immigration application procedure.

If you are travelling to Australia for business or holiday and will be staying in the country less than 3 months, you need only present a valid passport for entry into the country.  Most people must also complete a passenger card or IPC upon entering Australia.  The IPC is a way to keep track of people entering and leaving the country. It also serves to declare the health status of an individual.  When you are interested in staying in Australia for longer than three months, or if you intend to work while there, you will need to get an Australian visa.  There are several types of Australian visas depending on your needs.  A person may be sponsored by a company meaning that they have a specific offer of employment pending.  Another type of Australian visa is designed for skilled people who have an extensive work or educational background.

Students or transients may also get a special type of Australian visa so that they can work in Australia temporarily.  If you are intending to move permanently to Australia you’ll want to get a “Professional and Skilled Migrant” visa, also known as “General Skilled Migration Programme”.  This type of visa allows individuals to immigrate to Australia for an extended period of time.  Applicants must meet certain guidelines in order to be eligible.  They must be at least 18 years old but under the age of 45 and must have good English skills.  The proper substantiation documentation must be provided before an applicant will be considered.

A working holiday visa is a special type of travel visa that is designed to support people who travel to another country and wish to get temporary employment. This type of visa was created specifically for young adults who may want to experience the culture of another country, yet have the need to add to their funds by working while there. The visa does carry some restrictions. Specifically, it is restricted for ages 18 through 30 and there are some limits to the type of work that can be undertaken while in the country, along with the length of time the job can last. Anyone seeking a working holiday visa is also expected to possess enough money to cover living expenses while they search for a job. Other restrictions apply by country and most issue such visas for periods of up to 12months. 

Many countries participate in the working holiday visa programme and they tend to operate reciprocal arrangements, as a way of providing young people with an opportunity to see and experience different cultures and ways of life. There are currently around 25 countries that participate in the working holiday visa programme and they include the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Cyprus, Italy, Estonia, Belgium, France, Ireland, Malta, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong SAR, Taiwan, Turkey, Argentina, Chile and the United States. In order to visit the country you must agree to adhere to the rules, regulations and health codes in place for that country. 

Students from all over the world who have gained acceptance to any US learning institution need to acquire a visa before they can embark on their quest for knowledge. There are various visas tailored for such purposes. There are three student visas which can be awarded to such students. These are US F-1 student visa, the M1 visa and the J1.

All the visas mentioned above are meant for students entering the United States for educational reasons.  The visas are defined as non-immigrant and are usually time bonded.

Although the F-1 visa, the M1 and the J1 visa are all meant for students, they differ greatly in terms of their specifics. The US F-1academic student visa is issued to those students joining well-recognised colleges and universities in the United States on a full time basis.

What this means is that one cannot engage in employment while holding a US F-1 academic student visa. The M1 visa is issued to those attending vocational training institutions while the J1 visa is issued to student on academic exchange programmes.

It is possible to convert from a US F-1 academic student visa to a H1-B visa. The conversion makes it possible for the student to be able to engage in employment. To convert to a H1-B visa status you need a sponsor in the form of an employer. If the conversion process is successful, then you can work for the sponsoring employer.

Although the US F-1 academic student visa is for students, the screening process for obtaining the visa is just as rigorous and thorough as any other type of visa application process. Regardless of whether one has been invited to the learning institution by virtue of a scholarship, several provisions need to be met before a US F-1 academic student visa can be awarded.

Australia is one of the major countries people go to in order to start a new life. Since the country’s economy is strong, immigration to Australia is most suitable for skilled people. There are more than one hundred thousand jobs available in Australia. The Australian immigration programme attracts people from a variety of backgrounds, ages and qualifications, but it emphasises on bringing in people who can offer substantial positive change in the economy. Some of the qualifications that a person should have are that they should not be above 45 years; they should speak good English and be qualified in at least one profession.

Skilled people considering emigrating to Australia are assessed in certain areas such as work experience, qualifications and language proficiency. Those who are willing to live there permanently can do so if they live in a particular region of Australia. Australia also accepts migrants who want to live with their relatives and this is done through the Family Stream Migration programme. Australia also welcomes refugees through the Humanitarian Programme.

However, immigration to Australia is not as easy as one would think, since the Australian Immigration Service usually places strict controls on the number of people emigrating to Australia. Actually, last year saw over 150,000 people being turned down. There are a number of visas to Australia offered that are available in the global market, such as the family visas that are applied based on family ties, spouse visas if one is willing for their spouse or unmarried partner to join them in the country and many more.

The Tier Visa is a UK immigration system for migrants with desirable professional skills, skilled workers with a job offer, temporary or low skilled workers, students and youth mobility schemes / temporary workers. Tier Visas are categorized from 1 to 5.

It is advisable for any applicant to know exactly what he or she wants to do in the UK and understands the requirements clearly before applying for any Tier Visa. By way of example, for any person who wants to apply for Tier 2 Visa, they must prove beyond doubt to the UK authority that there is nobody in the European Union who cannot do the kind of job is he or she is applying for instead, if the visa applicant is not from the European Union themselves. By knowing the type of Tier Visa to apply for will help the applicant avoid disappointment.

Tier Visa holders should bear in mind that just being a Tier Visa holder does not automatically guarantee British citizenship, when applying you will need to have been living in the UK for some time to prove to the UK government that you are person of integrity and good character. This is because if they find out that the Tier Visa holder is ‘misbehaving’ in their country the person is liable to deportation to his or her country of origin.

The Tier Visa was introduced recently to make the process of application for any category of the visa easier and also to reduce chances of cheating especially by illegal immigrants, who enter UK without permission.

The South Africa Retirement Visa facilitates the migration into South Africa for those who have retired and want to spend their golden years in that country.

Year after year, South Africa receives thousands of individuals who have decided to retire in that country. The retirees come to take advantage of the excellent facilities for healthcare, cultural diversity, low-cost and comfortable living, moderate climate, luxurious and affordable housing, and the exclusive tourist attractions.

A South Africa Retirement Visa can allow an applicant entry for four years and is given to a retiree who has a monthly income or pension of more than R20,000 or a net worth (combination of assets) amounting to R20,000 every month. The South Africa Retirement Visa can be given for the duration of more than three months to a foreign applicant who is intending to make his or her retirement in South Africa. For the foreigner to successfully acquire this, the proof of right to an annuity, pension, or a serviced retirement account from his or her country of origin has to be presented. The payments or account has to be available for the rest of the applicant’s life.

South Africa immigration is very popular for those visiting for periods of six or more months. It is not obligatory for successful applicants of the South Africa Retirement Visa to request permanent residency. A temporary visa can, however, be indefinitely renewed as long as all requirements for the extension are met.

On the flip side, a permanent visa carries with it additional advantages to the holder. However, a permanent South Africa Retirement Visa holder is not entitled to vote whilst in that country.

The Canadian Skilled Worker programme lets capable migrants be permanent residents and it is a popular visa choice for migrants looking to set themselves up in Canada and gain permanent residence. Canada is searching for experienced and trained migrants in different working fields who are proficient in French and/or English and are looking to start a new life in Canada. The Canadian Skilled Worker programme lets migrants with at least a year’s work experience apply. They must also meet some requirements including a point-based evaluation.

For one to be eligible for the Temporary Work Permit one must have a valid work visa to work in Canada and this can be acquired by having a job offer in Canada that is confirmed by Service Canada. Also, one must meet the requirements for temporary residence and the requirements for issuance of the Work Visa itself. With the work permit in hand, the migrant is allowed to live and work in Canada for a specified period of time, usually six months to two years.  Also the Work Visa may enable you to claim additional points for an application for permanent residence. Also one will have gained Canadian work experience which will also benefit one’s application for permanent residence.

The Partner Work Visa was created in an effort to retain the best and brightest students and foreign workers in Canada. It was created to allow spouses or partners to be employed during the Visa holder’s intended stay in Canada. It allows the accompanying partners and spouses to take advantage of the many employment opportunities present for foreign workers. To be eligible for the Partner Work visa, one’s spouse or partner must be in Canada and must have a valid work permit in an occupation or have a valid study permit from an eligible post-secondary institution. Once with the Partner Work visa in hand one is allowed to live and work in Canada for the validity period of their spouse or partner’s visa. One is allowed to work in any occupation and may change employment at any time. This visa is not renewable beyond the validity period of one’s spouse’s or partner’s visa in Canada. It is only renewable when one’s spouse or partner extends their study or work visa in Canada.

Holiday Visa

This New Zealand Visa is also the Tourist Visa. One needs a tourist visa if they are visiting New Zealand to see relatives and friends, studying for a course that lasts up to three months, participating in sports, performing cultural events in a voluntary capacity, undertaking business trips, or receiving medical treatment. The requirements to acquire a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa include having a passport that is valid for a minimum of three months after the date that one leaves New Zealand, be a true tourist, and show proof of the date of the intended departure and also proof that one has sufficient funds to support oneself during the period of stay.

Skilled Visa

Eligibility for this New Zealand Visa includes that one be 56 years or younger, be able to meet the character requirements, qualify for the English language and health requirements, and meet the target of 100 points in the set Points System in order to apply and register. If one is successful, then they are given a New Zealand Visa known as a Residence Visa that allows the holder to enter the country and must be utilised within the period of twelve months upon issue. Further, Resident Permits or Work Permits are issued on arrival to the country.

Family Visa

This New Zealand Visa is granted for the purpose of reuniting families. A Residence Visa is given to the member of the family of a New Zealand resident and/or citizen. To quality, one must have a blood relationship with the New Zealander. One must either be a spouse, parent, dependant child, adult child, brother, or sister.