Explore working abroad ..

DESTINATION ABROAD

What are the countries that students should opt for, if they want a work permit after studying? It is clear that for those with suitable qualifications, the entire world is at their doorstep. In fact the world is their oyster.

In an era when the Western economies have a higher aging population and a shortage of young people, India’s population has actually become its strength because we have one of the youngest population groups between the age group of 25-35. Hence, Indian professionals have a huge opportunity to be able to fill these skill shortage areas across the globe, particularly for those students who have a talent for Science, Technology, Health Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Almost all countries need professionals in these areas and are making exceptions for migration for these people.While one should always opt for a career one is passionate about, he or she  can certainly develop other essential skills such as: communication, team building, presentation, public speaking, leadership and language skills. 

It is said that people change employment every five to seven years. Take the example of someone who is a teacher and subsequently becomes a researcher, and then a consultant, followed by being a patent developer, and then an entrepreneur. His or her professional life has changed  from that of a teacher to an entrepreneur in a span of 25-30 years.  The following sectors are some of the noted ones that are always going to be in demand irrespective of country, or economic conditions. These include: Health, Biotechnology, Pharmacy, Medicine, Bio Medical, Nursing, Health Technicians.

Energy and Environment: Natural resources are dwindling the world over. People who are able to manage and tap natural resources will be in great demand, both in the corporate and the government sector. Computer Science and IT: This area, including networking and network security, is all pervasive in our lives.Engineering and Technology: Manufacturing, modification, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques and crafts are required to solve any problem.

Teaching and Research: There is a shortage of teachers and researchers across all countries.Management: Management has many spheres, but if one has the skill to manage people well, there are many openings.

Canada Professions in Demand: Medical, IT, Petroleum, Banking, Hospitality, Pharmacy, Teaching, Construction.To work in Canada students must apply for a work permit under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP), after they graduate.
Canadian work experience gained through the PGWPP helps graduates qualify for a permanent residence in Canada through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
A work permit under the PGWPP may be issued for the length of the study programme, up to a maximum of three years.

A post-graduation work permit cannot be valid for longer than the student’s study programme, and the study programme must be a minimum of eight months in length. For example, if you graduate from a four-year degree programme, you could be eligible for a three-year work permit if you meet the criteria.
You could be eligible for a three-year work permit if you meet the criteria and apply to stay in Canada permanently under the CEC.

Singapore

Professions in Demand: IT, Banking, Finance Hospitality, Logistics and Supply Chain.
More than 7000 MNCs along with 100,000 small and medium companies have set up their base in Singapore. Thus Singapore offers limitless careers and networking possibilities to  students studying there. Singapore enjoys a very high employment rate.
Work permits are generally issued for a period of 2 to 3 years.

USA

Professions in Demand: IT, Engineering (all streams), MBA if done from top institutions, research related courses (Bioscience, medical), Fashion, Law, Nursing.
Students studying on an F1 visa are eligible to work in the USA under the OPT visa programme, which helps the student to apply theoretical knowledge obtained in an academic programme to practical work experience. A common course for students is to change their status to an H1B (work permit) upon finding a sponsoring employer (converting from F1 to OPT and then to H1B visa status).

Australia

Professions in Demand: Accounting, Engineering, Hospitality, Nursing, Teaching.
To be eligible for the post-study work visa, students must have completed their studies in Australia while on a student visa. A student who has completed his graduation or a 2-year Masters by coursework is entitled to a 2-year post study work.
Those who have completed a Masters  or a doctorate are entitled to a three to four-year post study work visa.

New Zealand

Professions in demand: IT and Engineering, teachers, health professionals.
You may be eligible to work in New Zealand once you have completed your studies. If you do not yet have a job offer, you may apply for a visa under the graduate job search work instructions. Visas granted under these instructions are valid for up to 12 months and allow you to work in a temporary job while you look for a job in your field. Once an employer is willing to sponsor you, you can qualify for a work permit for a minimum period of two years and further possibly qualify for permanent residence. To be eligible the requirement is generally 140 points based upon qualification, age, experience etc.

Germany

Germany is a global leader in innovation, design and manufacturing and is well known for its machinery and cars. They have an immense requirement for engineers in all specialisations. Health professionals and IT specialists are also in great demand.
On May 11, 2012, the German Bundesrat passed the Federal Government’s draft bill for the implementation of guidelines for highly qualified professionals.  This law introduces the “Blue Card EU” as a new residence permit, given to those foreign nationals who hold a university degree or comparable qualifications.

A foreign national is eligible for a Blue Card EU if he/she holds a German university degree, a foreign but recognised university diploma, or a foreign degree comparable to a German degree, and receives an annual gross pay of €44 800, or €34 944 in case of so-called shortage occupations (scientists, mathematicians, engineers, doctors, and IT specialists).

The Blue Card EU is limited to a maximum period of four years. Blue card holders can receive permanent residency after 33 months; if German language skills according to level B1 can be proven, this period is shortened to 21 months.

Ireland

Professions in demand:  Computer Science and IT, (Cloud Computing) Pharmacy and BiotechnologyStudents can stay back for one year and post one year as long as they are earning €30,000. If one finds a job then one can apply for a Green Card, which gives an extension of another three years. After completing five years one can apply for citizenship.

There are two categories of occupations under which the Green Card scheme can be applied for: The annual salary is €60,000 a year or more (excluding bonuses). In this case, the Green Card Permit is available for all occupations, other than those that are contrary to the public interest.

The annual salary is €30,000 - €59,999 (excluding bonuses). In this case, the Green Card Permit is only valid for a restricted number of strategically important occupations.

France

Professions in demand: Accounting, IT, Engineering.
Students with a Master’s degree or equivalent may apply for a one-time (nonrenewable) temporary residency authorisation (APS, autorisation provisoire de séjour) valid for six months beyond the date of expiry of the student’s residency permit. The authorisation enables the student to work at any job up to a limit of 60 per cent of the official work week (that is, just over half-time employment).

Students who obtain a job related to their academic programme at a rate of compensation equal to at least 1.5 times the national minimum wage may enter full-time employment by filing a request for change of status (from student to employee) at their prefecture.

(The writer is Managing Director of The Chopras.)