Latest available reports suggest that the minister of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (CIC) Australia is presently on a state visit to India and Sri Lanka. His visit is for the purpose of engaging his Indian and Sri Lankan counterparts in fruitful discussions on the key issues of border and immigration exercises. The minister will also reply to questions involving the recent and future changes to be made to the skilled migration category of Down Under, i.e., Australia.

Talking about the move, Chris Bowen, the minister, reportedly said that he is keen to boost the relationship of his nation with both the Asian countries, via useful and productive discussions on certain issues of value for both the involved nations.

The Australian minister--who, reportedly, will be present in the national capital, New Delhi, till May 2--will discuss migration arrangements of Australia even while he will also reiterate the value Canberra puts on its old and much-cherished mutual association with New Delhi.

In this connection, he was quoted as saying that India happens to be one of the biggest and growing sources of students and general qualified migrants for Down Under. He continued that this visit is particularly opportune, in view of the fact that India happens to be the second biggest source of global students in the Kangaroo Land.

Bowen will also visit the Island Nation of Sri Lanka to participate in discussions on the key issue of unlawful migrants and migration overhauls with his counterparts from the Island Nation. Talking about the proposed move, he reportedly said that Canberra will continue to work seriously with Colombo on the key but disturbing issue of people trafficking. He continued that his country much values the enduring co-operation made by the island nation in the said field.

While we are on the subject, it is pertinent to mention that come July 1, 2012--and prior to presenting their applications—all trained candidates will have to present an Expression of Interest (EOI), for the purpose of immigration to Australia -"The Kangaroo Land". They will have to do this via the Skill Select program of the nation even while this may imply comparatively lesser number of people making the cut for skilled immigration, besides an extended processing time.

All aspirants--keen to come under the present skilled immigration programme of Australia, and prior to presenting their immigration applications--would do well to apply for a skills evaluation sooner than later. They must also have successfully cleared the test meant for evaluating their English language skills.