HOW AN INDIAN CAN IMMIGRATE TO OTHER COUNTRIES

The International movement of people into a country of which they are not natives and do not possess citizenship is called Immigration.

In this blog I shall discuss the process of how an Indian can immigrate to other countries.

INTRODUCTION

After globalization, large number of people started migrating to other countries for better economic, political and social stability. Basically, immigration means movement of people from one country to another for long term settlement. Nevertheless, the main challenge for the migrants is to take on citizenship of the host country and to acquire the fundamental rights of that particular country.

In case you are thinking of moving to a different country, you must consider the following:

• What it means to live abroad
• The best and easiest countries to immigrate to
• General procedures and guidelines for moving abroad
• Common consideration and restrictions for prospective immigrants
• Pros and Cons of living abroad for long term or permanent basis.

ENTRY/RESIDENT VISAS

A Visa is basically a government issued document that permits the foreign national bearer to remain in the issuing country for a particular purpose and for a particular period. Visas has different purpose such as leisure tourism, medical travel, medical/journalism, cultural exchange, entrepreneurship/investment, employment and many more. The type of Visa required shows the bearer’s purpose. Likewise a student studying abroad needs a student visa or a person seeking employment needs a worker visa. Similarly the expiration period of a Visa depends on its purpose. Tourism visas typically expires after a month whereas a student Visa remains in force for several months and workers visa can last for several years.

PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS

Permanent resident status is typically denoted by a particular identification card and is given to individuals who are authorized to live and work indefinitely within the issuing country. For qualifying for permanent residency an individual needs to have a clean criminal record; continuous residence record for a year at least. Moreover, some of the immigrant classes can sometimes ignore this requirement or a demonstrated means of support. You might also go through language or culture exam.

Though permanent resident cards have fixed expiration dates, it is not automatically lost at expiration. In case you leave and later re-enter the country as a permanent resident, you need to acquire special re- entry documents.

Permanent residents are not considered as citizens and thus they do not receive passports and cannot frequently vote or hold public offices and can also be barred from certain public sector jobs which require high security clearances.

CITIZENSHIP

After you have been residing as a permanent resident for several years you get an option to apply for citizenship. Citizenship enables you to get most or all of the benefits and rights which are given to natural born citizens. They also get entitled to passports that allow them to enter and exit the country at will.

It generally include the followings:

• Passing a language exam
• Passing a test of political, historical, and cultural knowledge
• Holding a valid visa or residency permit at the time of application
• Having a clean criminal record
• Taking an oath of citizenship
• Renouncing prior citizenship, unless your adopted country recognizes dual citizenship for naturalized citizenship.

POLITICALLY STABLE COUNTRIES- IMMIGRATION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

National immigration policies are subject to frequent changes and are highly complex and thus vary widely from country to country. However, there are number of countries which are politically stable and have developed reputation for consistently liberal and straightforward immigration policies.

Following countries with all rituals and traditions welcome immigrants in large numbers, defines clear and straightforward rules and expectations for immigrants who wants to live and work there on a long term or permanent basis, and thus makes it easy and possible for non-native-born individuals to become a citizen.

1.    Canada

2.    Australia

3.    New Zealand

4.    Singapore

5.    Brazil

6.    Germany

REQUIREMENTS AND CONSIDERATIONS FOR PROSPECTIVE IMMIGRANTS

1.    Predominant/Official Language

In immigrant friendly countries like Canada and Australia, English is considered to be the official or dominant language. In countries like that of Singapore, English is spoken widely enough and thus it is not necessary to become fluent in other local languages. But for countries like Brazil and Argentina where many locals cannot communicate in English it is necessary to learn the local language.

2.    Local Politics and Policy

Politics and policy vary widely in every country whether in democratic or economically liberal countries. These factors adversely affects the cost and availability of critical services like healthcare, state benefits and education. These factors are specifically important for members of particular classes or groups whose unions are not legally identified in their adopted countries.

3.    Religion

Not every country protects its own religious expression in expansive fashion forbid the government from preferring one religion over another. In case you are a religious person and you have planned to move to a country where your religion in not in practice then in that case do some research to find out whether you will be allowed for citizenship or permanent residence. Alternatively, be prepared for the life changes that you might find unacceptable.

4.    Customs and Laws

It is necessary to review and familiarize oneself with the laws of any country to which you have made up your mind to move in. You need to pay special attention to legal practices and spend time in learning local customs.

5.    Crime and Safety

Despite you follow the laws of the adopted country, you cannot rely on your fellow compatriots to do the same. Thus the local crime rate is an important consideration. You need to pay special attention to violent crimes and property crime.

6.    Cost of living

This is one of the most important consideration before moving to another country and especially when you plan to live on a tight personal budget.

GENERAL PROCEDURES AND COSTS FOR MOVING TO ANOTHER COUNTRY 

1)    RESEARCH POTENTIAL DESTINATIONS

The foremost thing before moving to any other country is going through serious research by using credible resources to find out a handful of possible destinations. You need to make yourself familiar with every destination’s culture, economy, history and politics. If possible do visit the places shortlisted for a week or as long as you can afford. Try staying in a residential neighborhood instead of tourist area to get a sense of the place’s day to day rhythms.

2)    TALK TO AMERICAN INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS ABROAD

It is advised to get in contact with the American expats who are currently residing in your preferred destination to get a hint of what life is like outside. In case you do not have personal network who have lived outside to your preferred destination, you can go for expats online.

3)    LOOK FOR A JOB OR OTHER OCCUPATION

You need to start looking for work, or building out your business plan or applying to universities as early as possible. Provided that your present employer is not willing to sponsor you, then in that case you can contact an International recruiter. There are many international recruiters who do not charge job seekers for placement but rely on fees paid by client employers.

4)    ADDRESS KEY LOGISTICAL ISSUES

After selecting your destination country, you need to start addressing major logistical issues related to the move:

·      Exiting U.S. Housing- You need to settle into new accommodation with minimal disruption

·      Finding Foreign Housing- There are various options and thus you need to spend time researching rental options or month to month lease options prior to your move.

·      Moving Possessions- It is not at all easy to move bulky items overseas and thus can be a costly hassle. Therefore, it is advised to sell most of the items and save only those items which have some sentimental value. Nevertheless, you can purchase replacements after you arrive at your destination.

5)    APPLY FOR THE APPROPRIATE ENTRY CREDENTIAL

As discussed earlier, you need to apply for visa which permits you to stay on a temporary basis depending on the type of visa you have. Also, you need to pay attention to any special requirements which can affect your eligibility for a specific visa.

6)    REMAIN IN COMPLIANCE WITH ENTRY CREDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS AND LOCAL/U.S. LAWS

If you want to live in your adopted country on a long term or permanent basis, then for that you need to renew your visa or apply for a new one at multiple junctures. Many times it may happen that you will have to leave your adopted country and return after securing approval. To get rid of these you can apply for permanent resident status as soon as you get permission to do so. And thus you need to remain in compliance with the adopted country’s laws as its failure can lead to risk of deportation.

7)    APPLY FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCY

After living for a year or two, when you finally decide to make your permanent home there, then in that case you can apply for permanent residency. Well, applying for permanent residency is comparatively much costlier.

8)    APPLY FOR CITIZENSHIP

You can apply for citizenship in your adopted country after you finally decide to reside there permanently and want to enjoy the natural born rights in your adopted country. The cost of applying for citizenship varies from country to country.

ADVANTAGES OF IMMIGRATION

• Ample opportunities to learn and grow.
• Easy access to New, Different and Exotic Attractions
• Lots of Business and Employment Opportunities
• Opportunities to meet new friends and colleagues
• Possibility of better healthcare and education

DISADVANTAGES OF IMMIGRATION

• Possibility of losing touch with old friends and family
• Problems in finding and creating productive employment
• Cultural barriers to assimilation
• High real estate costs and restrictions on ownership
• Major lifestyle and routine change

CONCLUSION

Well moving to a new country is not an easy task as life does not always work out as we plan. You can accommodate for time being but it is not compulsory that every individual moving abroad will find comfort or prosperity. Nevertheless, you can always hope for something better and big and look forward for getting bigger opportunities and platforms. Different countries have different norms. Thus it is advised to go through serious research before moving to any new country.