Latest news with #SurbhiGloriaSingh
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Business Standard
17 hours ago
- General
- Business Standard
Canada visa lottery: 17860 parents, grandparents of migrants invited for PR
Canada has reopened its Parents and Grandparents Program for 2025, with IRCC sending 17,860 invitations by lottery. Selected applicants must apply by October 9 Surbhi Gloria Singh New Delhi If you're looking forward to bringing your loved ones from India to Canada, the federal government on July 28 reopened the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) for 2025. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has started issuing invitations to apply (ITAs) to permanent residents and Canadian citizens wishing to sponsor their parents or grandparents. The deadline to submit a complete application is 11:59 pm ET, October 9, 2025. What is the Parents and Grandparents Program? The PGP offers a pathway to permanent residency for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or registered Indians. Here's how the process works: • You must have submitted an interest-to-sponsor form in 2020 • Applicants are selected through a random draw • Only those invited in the draw can submit a sponsorship application • The sponsor must meet income and eligibility criteria laid out by IRCC 'Over the next two weeks, IRCC will issue 17,860 invitations to apply from the 2020 pool,' the department said on its website. 'We're working toward accepting up to 10,000 complete applications this year.' Those selected are contacted via email and must submit their applications online using the Permanent Residence Portal. Two-step application process Sponsors and their parents or grandparents must each complete a separate application: Sponsorship application: Submitted by the sponsor Permanent residence application: Completed by the parent or grandparent being sponsored IRCC requires that both applications be submitted together online. If more than one person is being sponsored, a separate permanent residence application must be completed for each. Some exceptions may be granted for those unable to apply digitally. Which forms are required? Sponsors must complete and upload the following: IMM 1344 (sponsorship agreement) IMM 5771 (document checklist) IMM 5768 (financial evaluation) Parents and grandparents being sponsored must submit: IMM 0008 (generic application) IMM 5669 (background/declaration) IMM 5406 (additional family information) Detailed guidance is available in IRCC's instruction manual, Guide IMM 5772. How much does it cost? For a single applicant, the total government fee comes to CAD 1,205 (about ₹76,000). This includes: Sponsorship fee: CAD 85 Processing fee (for the principal applicant): CAD 545 Right of permanent residence fee: CAD 575 If a spouse, partner, or dependent child is included, additional fees apply. Medical exams, police certificates, and biometrics may incur extra costs and are handled separately by authorised third parties. After submission: What to expect According to IRCC, applicants must include a copy of their invitation when applying. Any application missing key documents may be returned unless the missing pieces are submitted within 30 days. Once the application is submitted: • Applicants must undergo medical examinations • Police certificates (valid for one year) must be uploaded • Biometrics (fingerprints and photo) are mandatory for all applicants aged 14 to 79 IRCC recommends keeping copies of all submitted documents and regularly checking the status of the application online. Failure to follow instructions or meet deadlines could lead to a refusal or delay in processing.
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Business Standard
22-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
India YPS ballot open: Apply to live, study, work in UK for 2 years
Indians aged 18-30 can now apply for the UK's Young Professionals Scheme; ballot open till 1:30 pm IST on July 24, 2025 Surbhi Gloria Singh New Delhi Here's an opportunity for young Indians who wish to study or work in the United Kingdom. The latest India Young Professionals Scheme (YPS) ballot is now open and will close at 1:30 pm India Standard Time on July 24, 2025. This visa scheme allows Indian citizens aged between 18 and 30 to live and work in the United Kingdom for up to two years. In addition to employment, it also permits short-term study during the stay. Who can apply • Hold a recognised bachelor's degree or higher • Have at least £2,530 (around ₹3 lakh) in savings held for 28 consecutive days • Not have children under 18 who live with them or for whom they're financially responsible • Not have previously held a Youth Mobility or India YPS visa There are 3,000 visa places available in 2025. Most were allocated in February. The remaining slots are being released in this second and final ballot for the year. How to enter the ballot To enter, visit the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website during the application window and submit: • Full name and date of birth • Passport details along with a scanned copy or photo • Phone number and email address Only one entry per person is allowed. Multiple entries will be discarded. It's free to apply for the ballot. If you are selected If selected, you'll receive an email inviting you to apply. From that date, you'll have 90 days to: • Submit your online visa application • Pay the visa fee of £319 • Pay the immigration health surcharge of £1,552 • Provide biometric details via the UK Immigration ID Check app or a visa centre You must travel to the UK within six months of your visa being issued, according to the UK government. What the visa lets you do Those granted a visa under the scheme can: • Live and work in the UK for up to 24 months • Study short-term courses • Travel in and out of the country freely • Be self-employed, provided the business has no staff, equipment costs are below £5,000, and premises are not owned What to keep handy while applying To avoid last-minute stress, keep the following ready: • Scanned copy of your passport • Degree certificate • Recent bank statement showing the required funds • Biometric centre information, in case in-person appointment is required Checklist before you apply • Confirm you meet the age, nationality, degree, and financial requirements • Prepare all required documents • Mark the ballot window: July 22 to July 24, 1:30 pm IST • Submit only one ballot entry • Check your email for the result within two weeks of ballot closure • If invited, apply online within the 90-day deadline If you don't get selected this round, you can try again in the next ballot, expected in early 2026.
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Business Standard
08-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Australia sees 450,000 Indian tourists: How easy visa, flights fuel boom
India has climbed to become Australia's fifth-largest tourism market, up from seventh, with around 450,000 Indian travellers visiting annually. In a virtual interview with Business Standard's Surbhi Gloria Singh, Nishant Kashikar, Country Manager – India & Gulf, Tourism Australia, said that easier visa access, expanding flight connectivity, and diverse travel offerings are driving Australia's rising popularity among Indian tourists. Edited excerpts from the interview: India has become Australia's fifth largest source of tourists. What's driving this growth? The rise is due to a mix of post-Covid travel recovery, improved air connectivity, and a streamlined visa process. Currently, there are around 55 flights a week between India and Australia—nearly back to pre-pandemic levels. That, combined with efficient visa processing, is making it easier for Indian travellers to visit. What makes Australia's visa process stand out compared to the US, UK, or Schengen countries? India is a late booking market, so ease and speed matter. Australia's visa system is 100 per cent online—no in-person interviews, no biometrics, no embassy visits. You don't need to submit your passport physically or show confirmed bookings. Applications can be lodged up to six months in advance. Tourist visas are generally valid for up to three years, and business visas for up to five. High-quality applications are usually processed in about two weeks. Yes. Arrivals from India touched nearly 450,000 in the 12 months ending March 2025, up 9.4 per cent. Indian tourists spent AUD 2.7 billion during this period, a 14.3 per cent jump. Nights stayed rose 21.4 per cent to 29 million, and per capita spend increased to AUD 6,266. For holiday-only visitors, that figure went above AUD 7,000. Beyond visa facilitation, what else is Australia doing to attract Indian visitors? Direct flight capacity has grown significantly—from 8 flights a week pre-Covid to 27 now, thanks to Qantas and Air India. One-stop carriers like Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines also support growth. Plus, the rising Indian diaspora in Australia—now nearing 1 million—and over 100,000 Indian students contribute to recurring tourism through family visits. What is the typical profile of Indian travellers visiting Australia now? We focus on high-yield travellers—families with kids, honeymooners, HNIs, and corporate incentive groups. But we're also seeing a rise in solo and young explorers who travel for events, sports, or adventure. Are new destinations catching Indian interest beyond Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast? Yes. We're promoting a set of "Signature Experiences of Australia" including luxury lodges, cultural and wildlife journeys, and great walks. Places like Tasmania, Kangaroo Island, Canberra, South Australia, and the Northern Territory are gaining traction. How does Australia appeal to budget-conscious Indian travellers? Contrary to perception, the Australian dollar has remained stable—about Rs 55 to 56 — unlike the US dollar. While we don't target budget travellers specifically, we do partner with OTAs like MakeMyTrip and run tactical campaigns offering deals and fares for value-seeking segments. Is there a peak travel season for Indians visiting Australia? Australia is a year-round destination, but two peaks stand out: April-June (summer holidays in India) and October-December (Diwali, weddings, Christmas-New Year travel). Is there a crossover between tourism and education for Indian travellers? Yes. Parents visiting students account for a growing segment. Anecdotally, every Indian student contributes to four tourist arrivals, with families often combining university visits with leisure travel across the country. Start with Queensland (Great Barrier Reef, Daintree, Gold Coast), New South Wales (Sydney icons), and Victoria (Melbourne, Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island, Mount Buller). With a multi-entry visa, they can explore destinations like Kangaroo Island, Tasmania, and Canberra on future trips. That's a matter for Home Affairs. But from a tourism standpoint, Australia already offers one of the most seamless and competitive visa processes available.
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Business Standard
04-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Canada study visa: Indian students must show Rs 14 lakh for living expenses
Canada will raise the minimum funds international students must show for living expenses to ₹14 lakh from September 1, 2025, affecting new study permit applicants Surbhi Gloria Singh New Delhi Indian students planning to study in Canada will soon need to show more money in their bank accounts. Starting September 1, 2025, those applying for a Canadian study permit must demonstrate access to at least CAN $22,895 (₹14 lakh) for living expenses, up from the current CAN $20,635. The new rule was announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on June 2, 2025, and will apply to all international students heading to provinces and territories outside Quebec. The amount is in addition to the first year's tuition fee and travel expenses. The revised amount reflects an annual update in line with the cost of living. Students bringing family members with them will also need to show increased funds. 1 person: CAN $22,895 2 people: CAN $28,502 3 people: CAN $35,040 4 people: CAN $42,543 5 people: CAN $48,252 6 people: CAN $54,420 7 people: CAN $60,589 Each additional family member: CAN $6,170 This requirement applies only to study permit applications submitted on or after September 1, 2025. The current amount—CAN $20,635—will remain in effect for all applications submitted before that date. What counts as proof of funds? IRCC accepts a variety of financial documents to demonstrate that a student can support themselves in Canada. These include: • A Canadian bank account in the student's name (if funds have already been transferred) • A Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution • Proof of a student or education loan from a recognised bank • Bank statements for the past four months • A bank draft convertible to Canadian dollars • A letter from the person or school funding the student • Proof of funding from within Canada (such as a scholarship or paid educational programme) These documents help assess whether a student can afford the cost of living while studying in Canada. For those applying with dependents (like spouses or children) the total proof of funds must include their living costs as well.
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Business Standard
01-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Bank holidays in July 2025: Here's the national and state-wise list
Banks will be closed for 13 days in July 2025 across India. Check the full state-wise holiday list and plan your in-branch visits accordingly Surbhi Gloria Singh New Delhi Bank holidays in July 2025: Planning to visit your bank in July? You might want to double-check the dates. According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), banks across India will remain shut for 13 days this month due to a mix of weekend closures and state-specific public holidays. As per RBI's classification, bank holidays fall under three categories: those under the Negotiable Instruments Act, banks' closing of accounts, and Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) holidays. While branches may shut on select days, digital banking channels remain unaffected. Bank holidays in July 2025 July's 13-day closure includes Sundays, the second and fourth Saturdays, and public holidays in certain cities. Here's a state-wise breakdown: July 3 (Thursday): Kharchi Puja – Agartala July 6 (Sunday): Weekly off – Nationwide July 12 (Saturday): Second Saturday – Nationwide July 13 (Sunday): Weekly off – Nationwide July 14 (Monday): Beh Deinkhlam – Shillong July 16 (Wednesday): Harela – Dehradun July 17 (Thursday): Death Anniversary of U Tirot Singh – Shillong July 19 (Saturday): Ker Puja – Agartala July 20 (Sunday): Weekly off – Nationwide July 26 (Saturday): Fourth Saturday – Nationwide July 27 (Sunday): Weekly off – Nationwide July 28 (Monday): Drukpa Tshe-zi – Gangtok What will continue to work While physical bank counters may be closed on these days, most essential services are still accessible online. Customers can continue to use: • Internet and mobile banking for balance checks, bill payments and fund transfers • ATM withdrawals and card-based transactions • NEFT and RTGS transfers (based on availability windows) • Online service requests such as cheque books and demand drafts 'For those planning in-branch transactions, it's best to schedule around the holiday calendar and rely on online channels when needed,' said a senior public sector bank official. RBI's holiday classification The RBI groups holidays for banks into the following categories: RTGS holiday: RTGS transfers are available 24x7 all year round. Funds are credited in real time, and the service remains active even on weekends and public holidays. Closing of accounts holiday: These apply to the second and fourth Saturdays, all Sundays, and select holidays when branches close for administrative reasons. Holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act: These are notified public holidays applicable to banks, insurance companies, and financial institutions, often based on state-level events. Though the list may appear long, for most customers, the availability of digital banking means they can carry out routine transactions without disruption.
