STUDY GRANTS FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2012/2013 OFFERED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF ITALY TO FOREIGN CITIZENS.

STUDY GRANTS FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2010/2011 OFFERED BY THE 

GOVERNMENT OF ITALY TO FOREIGN CITIZENS. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs offers study grants for 72 monthlies amounting Euro 700 to students 

and graduate citizens of Pakistan for the academic year 2012/2013. 

Required requisites: 

• knowledge of Italian language; 

• academic qualification: The candidates should be in possession of academic qualification for the  enrolment  required by  the pre-selected institution/university (see rules and regulations announced by MIUR for the triennium 2008/2011 available at  Link: http://www.miur.it/0002Univer/0023Studen/0059Studen/index_cf2.htm

• Age limit: between 18 and 35 years of age (such age limit is not applicable to the candidates who are teachers of Italian language. 

The applications can be made until 11 June 2012 by filling in the appropriate form on the site: 

http://borseonline.esteri.it/borseonline/it/index.asp

The form includes the identity document digitally loaded by the candidates. 

If necessary, the applicants can ask for assistance from the Italian Embassy in Islamabad: 

 * E-mail address:  ambisla.mail@esteri.it

 * Telephon numbers: 0092-51-2833183 –188  

* Fax: 0092/51/2833179 

For further information you can consult press release on study grants 2012/2013 

Free Study in Italy for Master Program (2013)

Admission Open for January 2013

Admission Deadline: from 16 April till 7 September 2012

* Agriculture
* Exercise and Sports Sciences
* Arts and Humanities
* Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences
* Pharmacy
* Medicine
* Social and Political Sciences
* Veterinary Medicine

If you need any information required please contact with us.

Regards
Brightspark Education Consultants
Email: fawad@brightspark.com.pk
Web: www.brightspark.com.pk

Minister Shatter announces extension of Irish Short-stay Visa Waiver Programme

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Mr. Alan Shatter, T.D., today announced Government agreement for the extension of the Irish Short-stay Visa Waiver Programme for a further period of four years. This initiative, introduced for the first time last year, was welcomed as a very positive step in encouraging visitors to Ireland. The programme had originally been due to last until the end of October this year but on consideration of a review of the Programme, the Government agreed to extend its duration.

The Minister also announced the following changes to the Programme;

 Bosnia and Herzegovina will be added to the existing list of 16 countries already covered by the Programme;

 As a further measure to encourage tourism, the fee for visas will be waived for long-term residents from the countries covered by the Programme who live in the Schengen area. This will be reviewed after six months. Read the Minister's Press Release.

Shatter announces two new initiatives: Immigrant Investor Programme and Start-up Entrepreneur Scheme

The Minister for Justice, Equality & Defence, Mr. Alan Shatter, TD, today announced Government approval for the introduction of two major new immigration initiatives aimed at facilitating (non EEA) migrant entrepreneurs and investors who, in return for permission to reside in the State, are prepared to invest here for the purpose of saving or creating jobs. The new initiatives will be known as The Immigrant Investor Programme and The Start-up Entrepreneur Programme. Read the Minister's Press Release.

Ireland-UK agreement to further secure the Common Travel Area

Minister Shatter has signed an agreement with the UK Minister for Immigration reinforcing Ireland and the UK's commitment to preserving the Common Travel Area and to take joint action to tackle immigration abuses. This will include the exchange of information such as fingerprints and biographical details on visa applicants, particularly from high risk countries. Read the Minister's Press Statement. Read the Joint Agreement.

Business Skills Program Reforms – 1 July 2012

On 25 May 2012, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, the Hon Chris Bowen MP announced changes to the Business Skills visa program - now named the Business Innovation and Investment program. These changes will be implemented from 1 July 2012.

The changes are the result of a comprehensive review which was conducted during 2011.

See:

Reforms to the Business Skills Program ( 69KB PDF file) 

Frequently Asked Questions Reforms to the Business Skills Program ( 73KB PDF file)

Diagram of Changes for the Business Skills Program (115KB PDF file) 

Innovation Points Test ( 72KB PDF file)

Significant Investor ( 61KB PDF file)

Summer 2011 interns exempt from Tier 2 cooling off period

Students who worked as interns in the UK last summer and want to return to a graduate job with the same company are now temporarily exempt from cooling off rules.

Cooling off rules, introduced to Tier 2 (General) in February this year, mean those who have left Tier 2 need to wait a year from the end of their last application before they can apply again through that route. This is similar to the arrangements we put in place for intra-company transfers last year.

To qualify for the temporary exemption, which is available until 31 October, you must:

• be sponsored by the same company where you worked as an intern in the summer of 2011;
• have previously been granted permission under Tier 2 (General) with that company for a temporary job lasting no more than 4 months as an intern or a summer associate;
• have completed a degree course within 18 months of your application;be returning to the UK on a graduate trainee scheme; and
• be making a Tier 2 (General) application with a start date on the certificate of sponsorship of 31 October 2012 or before.

Tier 5 is the most appropriate route for internships and a number of Tier 5 (Government authorised exchange) schemes are available. Employers should use these in future if they are concerned about the impact of the cooling off period on their interns.

The Tier 2 policy guidance and sponsor guidance will be updated by 14 June. As this exemption is temporary, it will not be included in the Immigration Rules.