Student Visa Policy 2013 Requirements in Australia

Filipino students who are aiming to study in Australia need to know the different policies that the Australian government has set. Students need to be aware of the different types of visas that they can apply for that will fit best for their needs. For student visa policy and information in Australia, below is helpful information that students need to take note of.

• Candidates can choose from different student visas that they can apply for - Independent ELICOS (Subclass 570), Schools (Subclass 571), Vocational Education and Training (Subclass 572),
• Higher Education (Subclass 573), Postgraduate Research (Subclass 574), Non-award (Subclass 575), AusAID or Defence (Subclass 576), Visitor Visa (Subclasses 601, 602, 651), and Student Guardian (Subclass 580). 
• An English language requirement is needed for the application. Most of the time, an IELTS or the International English Language Testing System examination score is needed. Candidates have to remember that the IELTS score set by the institution could be different from the required score on the student visa. Students can check on the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
• Another requirement is the academic requirements of the applicant. To be qualified to an Australian undergraduate course you will need to have an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (Year 12), or the overseas equivalent. Some undergraduate courses may require having some prerequisite subjects as well.
• Other visa requirements include an issued electronic Confirmation of Enrolment from the school you are applying for. Candidates need to meet the Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement, sufficient funds for airfares, course fees and living, English competency examination like the International English Language Testing System examination (IELTS test), meet health and character requirements and an acceptable Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
• The SVP or the streamlined visa process. Stream line Visa Processing requires a thorough assessment of students qualifying for studies in Australia. Every parameter of student visa requirement will be monitored much more closely by the student advisor or agent for the Australian Universities and the Australian universities itself. The advantages are that visa processing is faster and fund proof not required by the Australian High Commission.

If there are any new policies for student visas, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection of the Australian Government posts it in their website http://www.immi.gov.au/. Applicants must check on the policies posted in their website to be sure on the requirements that they need to acquire. Read more posts online and prepare a checklist on the policies and requirements for a smooth lodging of your applications.

The Impact of the Recent US Government Budget Cuts on Filipinos

As Filipinos, will there be a huge impact on our country once the US economy experiences financial crisis?
It has been known to many that the Philippines have been one of the many countries who are being aided by the United States of America. Hence, any financial crisis experienced by the US has somehow an impact in the Philippines and to Filipinos who are living in the US as well.

With the recent news of the US federal budget being cut, some have seen this rather on a positive side. It has been reported that due to budget cut, illegal immigrants who have been detained have been released in jail. This has happened as the budget for maintaining these detention facilities has been reduced; hence, the solution was to release the illegal immigrants. However, residents have been apprehensive with this decision arising debates. Whilst some see this as good news for their loved ones have been freed.

On the downside, Filipinos living in the United States are greatly affected with this financial crisis. First of all, there will be job losses. Companies downsize eliminating those workers that are redundant and somehow irreplaceable in the company. Some may have still their jobs but some businesses have reduced the number of hours so that employers can cut also on the expenses not only on the salaries but also with the fees on utilities and maintenance. Another move business owners make is making their employees take furloughs. By doing this, they do not have to pay for the number of hours worked by their hires and can also result for reduced usage of utilities in the offices.

For Filipinos who are planning to migrate or find job in the US, the budget cut can also pose a dilemma. Processing of applications can be delayed. Moreover, the number of opportunities could be put on halt as businesses are still on their strategies to keep their business going. Even thought the demand is still there, acquiring it can be pretty difficult as some employers might consider hiring locals than importing manpower from other countries.

Hence, though this could possibly happen, Filipinos still continue to pursue their applications as the rise on IELTS or International English Language Test System exam test takers is still happening. Filipinos still take this English competency examination to fulfill the requirements of the companies overseas.

Indeed, the financial situation in the US can cause a great impact on the Filipinos – whether those living there or those planning to work there. Hence, Filipinos still push through their plans on finding better employment and opportunities abroad.