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New Delhi: India and Australia on Wednesday signed a migration partnership agreement aimed at making it easier for students, academics and professionals to live, study and work in each other’s countries. The deal was signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ongoing visit to the country. “Prime Minister and I are pleased to have just witnessed the exchange of the Australia-India migration and mobility partnership agreement. This arrangement will promote the exchange of students, graduates, researchers and businesspeople, expand our people to people ties and enhance cooperation in preventing people smuggling," Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday at a joint press briefing after the two leaders concluded a bilateral meeting in Sydney. This was the sixth meeting between the two leaders since Albanese took office in May last year. Albanese also welcomed India’s decision to open a consulate in Brisbane. This adds to India’s existing consulates in Perth, Melb...

The amount of settlement funds required for Canada Express Entry immigration has been increased. Candidates must prove they have the required funds in order to qualify for permanent residence programs. The amounts are used for some Express Entry-linked programs, plus many other programs, including the Start-Up Visa. Although Express Entry manages three immigration programs, only skilled workers under the Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades programs must show they have enough money to settle in Canada. Applicants under FSW and FST that are currently working in Canada AND have a valid job offer do not have to show proof of funds. Applicants under the Canadian Experience Class do not need to show proof of funds. How Much Settlement Funds Are Required? The amount required depends on the size of the applicant’s family. This includes the applicant, the spouse or common-law partner (if applicable), and any dependent children. A spouse or dependent children are counted in the fam...