Australia has come up with a new visa regime for Indians, the "First Work and Holiday visa". This visa lets people 18 to 30 years old (inclusive) have an extended holiday in Australia and work there to help fund their trip. Australian Assistant Minister for Immigration Matt Thistlethwaite speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal explained the benefit of it for young Indians seeking to go to Australia. He said, "It's a great opportunity for young Indians to gain some new skills to experience Australian culture at the same time." Full interview:

WION: What can you tell us about&nbsp;this new category of visa?

Matt Thistlethwaite: The new visa we're launching today for Indians is called the Working Holiday Maker visa. It will allow up to 1000 Indians per year to come to Australia between the ages of 18 and 30 to work, study or travel around Australia and experience Australian culture as part of a broader program. There are 50 nations that participate. Today, we're launching it for the opportunity for young Indians to be part of that program as well.

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WION: Why&nbsp;was it necessary to launch this visa? And you're specifically looking for Indians between 18 and 30. What's the idea behind it?

Matt Thistlethwaite: Comes about as a result of the Australia-India economic trade agreement and expanding opportunities for economic ties between our two nations, and this will provide an opportunity for young Indians to come and experience Australian culture, but at the same time, gain some new skills and get a taste for what life in Australia is all about.&nbsp;

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WION: What kind of skills are you looking at, which Indians can get from this visa regime?&nbsp;

Matt Thistlethwaite: There are no restrictions on the industries that young Indians will be able to work in. What we tend to find is that they tend to work in the hospitality industry, the agricultural sector, aged care and a number of service industries where there are skill shortages in Australia. So it's a great opportunity for young Indians to gain some new skills to experience Australian culture at the same time.&nbsp;

WION: How have Indians in Australia&nbsp;been enriching Australian society?

Matt Thistlethwaite: In our last census, there were close to a million people who claim Indian heritage in Australia. It's one of our fastest-growing populations, and Indians are beloved in Australia. We're about to celebrate Diwali. When I go home, I will celebrate Diwali. It is a great symbol of how Indians have enriched Australian society and culture with your festivals, with your food, with your arts and with your culture. And it's a great thing about living in Australia.

Australia has come up with a new visa regime for Indians, the "First Work and Holiday visa". This visa lets people 18 to 30 years old (inclusive) have an extended holiday in Australia and work there to help fund their trip.

Australia has come up with a new visa regime for Indians, the "First Work and Holiday visa". This visa lets people 18 to 30 years old (inclusive) have an extended holiday in Australia and work there to help fund their trip. Australian Assistant Minister for Immigration Matt Thistlethwaite speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal explained the benefit of it for young Indians seeking to go to Australia. He said, "It's a great opportunity for young Indians to gain some new skills to experience Australian culture at the same time." Full interview: WION: What can you tell us about this new category of visa? Matt Thistlethwaite: The new visa we're launching today for Indians is called the Working Holiday Maker visa. It will allow up to 1000 Indians per year to come to Australia between the ages of 18 and 30 to work, study or travel around Australia and experience Australian culture as part of a broader program. There are 50 nations that participate. Today, we're launching it for the opportunity for young Indians to be part of that program as well. Also read | India expels 6 Canadian diplomats, hours after recalling its high commissioner to Ottawa WION: Why was it necessary to launch this visa? And you're specifically looking for Indians between 18 and 30. What's the idea behind it? Matt Thistlethwaite: Comes about as a result of the Australia-India economic trade agreement and expanding opportunities for economic ties between our two nations, and this will provide an opportunity for young Indians to come and experience Australian culture, but at the same time, gain some new skills and get a taste for what life in Australia is all about. Also read | ‘We have no faith...’: India recalls high commissioner, top diplomats to Canada as ties hit rock-bottom WION: What kind of skills are you looking at, which Indians can get from this visa regime? Matt Thistlethwaite: There are no restrictions on the industries that young Indians will be able to work in. What we tend to find is that they tend to work in the hospitality industry, the agricultural sector, aged care and a number of service industries where there are skill shortages in Australia. So it's a great opportunity for young Indians to gain some new skills to experience Australian culture at the same time. WION: How have Indians in Australia been enriching Australian society? Matt Thistlethwaite: In our last census, there were close to a million people who claim Indian heritage in Australia. It's one of our fastest-growing populations, and Indians are beloved in Australia. We're about to celebrate Diwali. When I go home, I will celebrate Diwali. It is a great symbol of how Indians have enriched Australian society and culture with your festivals, with your food, with your arts and with your culture. And it's a great thing about living in Australia.

Australia introduces a new visa regime for young Indians

The Trump administration has relaxed some rules for H-1B visas allowing visa holders to enter the United States if they are returning to the same jobs they had prior to the proclamation of the visa ban. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/how-will-h1-b-visa-suspension-impact-indian-companies-307963">Also read: How will H1-B visa suspension impact Indian companies?</a> 
 
The US Department of State advisory said dependents (spouses and children) will also be allowed to travel along with primary visa holders.

"Travel by applicants seeking to resume ongoing employment in the United States in the same position with the same employer and visa classification," the state department advisory said. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-signs-executive-order-against-hiring-h1b-visa-holders-for-federal-contracts-318023">Also read:&nbsp;Trump signs executive order against hiring H1B visa holders for federal contracts</a>

The administration also allowed travel by technical specialists, senior-level managers, and other workers who hold H-1B visas and their travel is necessary to facilitate the immediate and continued economic recovery of the United States.

On June 22, the US President Donald Trump had signed a proclamation that till the end of the year in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The administration also allowed travel of visa holders who are working as public health or healthcare professional, or researcher to alleviate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, or to conduct ongoing medical research in an area with a substantial public health benefit.

"Travel supported by a request from a US government agency or entity to meet critical US foreign policy objectives or to satisfy treaty or contractual obligations. This would include individuals, identified by the Department of Defense or another US government agency, performing research, providing IT support/services, or engaging other similar projects essential to a US government agency," the advisory stated.

The Trump administration has relaxed some rules for H-1B visas allowing visa holders to enter the United States if they are returning to the same jobs they had prior to the proclamation of the visa ban.

The Trump administration has relaxed some rules for H-1B visas allowing visa holders to enter the United States if they are returning to the same jobs they had prior to the proclamation of the visa ban. Also read: How will H1-B visa suspension impact Indian companies? The US Department of State advisory said dependents (spouses and children) will also be allowed to travel along with primary visa holders. "Travel by applicants seeking to resume ongoing employment in the United States in the same position with the same employer and visa classification," the state department advisory said. Also read: Trump signs executive order against hiring H1B visa holders for federal contracts The administration also allowed travel by technical specialists, senior-level managers, and other workers who hold H-1B visas and their travel is necessary to facilitate the immediate and continued economic recovery of the United States. On June 22, the US President Donald Trump had signed a proclamation that till the end of the year in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The administration also allowed travel of visa holders who are working as public health or healthcare professional, or researcher to alleviate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, or to conduct ongoing medical research in an area with a substantial public health benefit. "Travel supported by a request from a US government agency or entity to meet critical US foreign policy objectives or to satisfy treaty or contractual obligations. This would include individuals, identified by the Department of Defense or another US government agency, performing research, providing IT support/services, or engaging other similar projects essential to a US government agency," the advisory stated.

America makes exception to visa ban; H-1B holders can enter US on this condition

Sri Lanka extended a free visa-on-arrival scheme for citizens of 48 countries, including India, till April 30. Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said as the country tries to gain back the tourism sector which was hit by the Easter Sunday bombings.

After the devastating bombings that killed 258 people, Sri Lanka suspended the plan to grant a visa on arrival to citizens in 39 countries. But later in July, the island nation added more countries to the list including India and China.

"We have decided to extend this facility due to requests from the stakeholders. A Cabinet paper would be submitted for this purpose," Mr Ranatunga said.

$20 visa fee for South Asian travellers and $35 fee applied to visitors from the remaining world which was waived-off after the Easter Sunday bomb attack.

Earlier the tourist arrivals received a boost in early 2019 by 10 per cent and increasing year by year. Sri Lanka (The lonely planet) was in the top tourist destination of the world. However, after the bombing attack travel industry suffered a large scale of cancellations, near about 70 per cent.

"The arrivals during 2019 were well below the 1.9 million arrivals target. The first 11 months data for 2019 had shown arrivals had been 1.67 million down by nearly 20 per cent", said tourism industry officials.

The bombing targetted three Catholic churches and three posh Colombo hotels in which they killed over 250 people, including 44 foreigners, and injured over 500, including 37 foreigners.

US, China, Britain, India, and Australia were some countries that issued travel alerts for Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka extended a free visa-on-arrival scheme for citizens of 48 countries, including India, till April 30. Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said as the country tries to gain back the tourism sector which was hit by the Easter Sunday bombings.

Sri Lanka extended a free visa-on-arrival scheme for citizens of 48 countries, including India, till April 30. Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said as the country tries to gain back the tourism sector which was hit by the Easter Sunday bombings. After the devastating bombings that killed 258 people, Sri Lanka suspended the plan to grant a visa on arrival to citizens in 39 countries. But later in July, the island nation added more countries to the list including India and China. "We have decided to extend this facility due to requests from the stakeholders. A Cabinet paper would be submitted for this purpose," Mr Ranatunga said. $20 visa fee for South Asian travellers and $35 fee applied to visitors from the remaining world which was waived-off after the Easter Sunday bomb attack. Earlier the tourist arrivals received a boost in early 2019 by 10 per cent and increasing year by year. Sri Lanka (The lonely planet) was in the top tourist destination of the world. However, after the bombing attack travel industry suffered a large scale of cancellations, near about 70 per cent. "The arrivals during 2019 were well below the 1.9 million arrivals target. The first 11 months data for 2019 had shown arrivals had been 1.67 million down by nearly 20 per cent", said tourism industry officials. The bombing targetted three Catholic churches and three posh Colombo hotels in which they killed over 250 people, including 44 foreigners, and injured over 500, including 37 foreigners. US, China, Britain, India, and Australia were some countries that issued travel alerts for Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan government notifies visa on arrival facility for 48 countries, including India

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Australia introduces a new visa regime for young Indians

America makes exception to visa ban; H-1B holders can enter US on this condition

Sri Lankan government notifies visa on arrival facility for 48 countries, including India