Going abroad for studies? You may’ve to register with govt

Indian students looking to study abroad may soon have to register with the government before they take that flight to their destination of choice for higher studies. The proposal is a part of the draft Emigration Bill 2019 which the ministry of external affairs (MEA) will introduce in Parliament once it has completed the process of feedback which it is seeking from the public. Official sources said though the bill is out in the public domain since January 9, it is not yet final and, depending upon public feedback, several changes could be made. The process of registration/intimation by students is unlikely to be cumbersome as it will be done online, said officials. “The Bill makes mandatory registration/intimation of all categories of Indian nationals proceeding for overseas employment as well as students pursuing studies abroad. Registration/intimation is proposed to be technology/digital platform driven so as to keep emigration a swift, efficient and hassle-free process,’’ says the proposed bill, adding that necessary provisions have been incorporated to exempt certain categories in this regard on a need basis. India had this year made similar registration mandatory for those seeking work in 18 countries — UAE, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Thailand, and Yemen. According to the government, mandatory registration/intimation by students and Indian nationals working abroad are aimed at assisting them in times of distress and emergency and putting in place an “effective emigration management framework”. The bill, it says, aims at optimum utilisation of existing resources and manpower than creating new elaborate structures. The bill further makes mandatory registration of recruitment and student enrolment agencies and also includes provision for their rating. “Sub-agents working with recruitment agencies have also been brought under the ambit of proposed bill,” it says. The government is looking to create with the bill an Emigration Management Authority (EMA). It proposes that the EMA be led by a secretary-level officer from MEA, the nodal ministry for all emigration related matters, and have representatives also from MHA and HRD ministries.

Source: Times of India, 6/02/2019