| 1.
Do I need a visa? How do I apply?
2. I want to type answers in the application forms –
where do I find a ‘fillable' form?
3. What if I have told DIMA something in my application
that changes during processing of my application?
4. I don’t have my ETA approval numbers to include
in the application form – what shall I do?
5. Where can I get information about testing for English
Language skill?
6. I don’t have any formal qualifications – will
I be able to get a positive skills assessment?
7. Can I get my skilled visa application priority processed?
8. My visa label is still valid but my passport has expired–
what shall I do?
9. I have been granted a Permanent Residency visa –
what happens when the 5 year validity expire?
10. My wife is pregnant and medicals have been requested
– what happens now?
11. Do I have to provide the original skills assessment
with my visa application?
12. I am sponsored by a relative for
a skilled visa - what happens if the visa is refused?
13. What shall we ship? We're thinking
of taking our car, what about our dog - we can’t leave Hound behind?
14. My case officer is telling me to be patient, but I want
to know how long it will be until my visa is granted?
1.
Do I need a visa? How do I apply?
Every non-Citizen requires a visa to enter and to remain in Australia.
Refer the Department of Immigration (DIMA)
website for detailed information on how to apply, the correct forms
to
use and current application fees and charges. If you decide you would
like or need assistance, please let us know.
2.
I want to type answers in the application forms – where do I find
a ‘fillable' form?
DIMA do not provide fillable forms at this point in time, unless it is
an internet application. Migration Agents who subscribe to DIMA’s
subscription service for migration law and policy have access to fillable
versions of the application Forms.
3.
What if I have told DMIA something in my application that changes
during
processing of my application?
You are under duty to advise DIMA of any changes to your circumstances
which results in an answer in your application no longer being correct,
or if you find you have answered a question incorrectly. If you are overseas
when the visa is granted this obligation to notify DIMA continues until
you arrive in Australia. If DIMA discover that you have not complied
with the obligation to give correct information they are entitled to
consider
cancelling the visa.
Forms are available from the DIMA
website for this purpose as follows:
-Form 1022 Notification of Changes in Circumstance.
To add a spouse also send Form 47A, and to add a child also send a full
birth certificate.
-Form 929 Change of Address and/or passport details
-Form 922 Notification Of Address Or Change Of Address For Business Skills
Visa Holders
-Form 1023 Notification of incorrect answer(s)
4.
I don’t have my ETA approval numbers to include in the application
form – what shall I do?
Many people do not retain such records not knowing they will ever be needed
again – in this case write “ETA” in the box provided
for the number, and ensure you provide details of all previous trips to
Australia in your submission. If you are a bit hazy on past travel dates,
explain that they are provided to the best of your knowledge.
5.
Where can I get information about testing for English Language skills?
Refer: http://www.ielts.org for information
about the General IELTS Test and Form
966i
6.
I don’t have any formal qualifications – will I be able to
get a positive skills assessment?
It will depend upon your occupation. Several Australian assessing authorities
will assess an applicant based on extensive work experience in lieu of
formal qualifications, that is the Australian Institute of Management,
the Australian Computer Society and Trades Recognition Australia. Without
qualifications, you must be able to show sound evidence of the development
of your skill from the time you started in your occupation until you can
demonstrate you reached the level of ‘skill’ expected of an
Australian in the same occupation. The supporting documentation is critical
and we would suggest you get professional assistance to have the best
chance of success.
7.
Will I get priority processing of my skilled visa application?
You cannot request priority processing as this is provided under the
Minister’s
priority processing direction. This currently covers applications from
those who have an occupation on the Migration Occupations in
Demand List (MODL),
or who have sponsorship by relatives in a designated area of Australia
or who have a State or Territory Nomination (STNI). Applications with
priority processing generally take approx 6 months from time of application
to a visa decision, whereas an application without priority processing
generally takes 10 to 12+ months. However, from experience these processing
times can fluctuate greatly.
8.
My passport has expired, but my visa label is still valid – what
do I do?
You are still able to use the visa by presenting your old and new passport,
as long as it hasn’t expired and has not been damaged or cancelled.
9.
I have been granted a Permanent Residency visa – what happens when
the 5 years expire?
If you are in Australia nothing happens as you have the right to remain
in Australia indefinitely after arriving on a PR visa. However, if you
want to travel overseas after the 5 years has expired you will require
a Resident Return
visa.
Generally,
a Resident Return visa will only be granted if you have been lawfully
present in Australia as a permanent resident for a total of at least two
years in the 5 years immediately before lodging the RR application (does
not have to be a period of continuous residence); or you have one or more
substantial business, cultural, employment or personal ties with Australia
which has some benefit to Australia, and - if you have been absent from
Australia for more than 5 years - you must be able to show compelling
reasons for your absence from the time the 5 year date passed to the time
of the RR application.
If
you are overseas and are unable to meet the RR criteria you will lose
your permanent residency status and be unable to re-enter Australia. You
may have to re-apply to migrate if you can meet the visa criteria again.
Consequently, it is really important to bear in mind the RR visa criteria
and safeguard your permanent residency if you travel overseas.
10.
My wife is pregnant and medicals have been requested – what happens
now?
All permanent visa applicants aged 11 or over must have a chest x-ray
as part of the health examination. Women who do not want to undertake
a chest x-ray while pregnant can notify DIMA and postpone this test
until the baby has been born, after which the visa application can be
finalised.
11.
Do I have to provide an original skills assessment with my visa application?
The Adelaide Skilled Processing Centre, DIMA can require the original
skills assessment. We suggest you have a copy of the original skills
classification
letter certified to retain for your records.
12.
I am sponsored by a relative for a skilled visa - what happens if the
visa is refused?
The Migration Review Tribunal (MRT)
has the power to conduct a merits review which means it can consider the
merits of the case using the facts, evidence and law to determine whether
the original decision was the correct or preferable decision. If the decision
relates to an offshore visa, your Australian Sponsor must appeal to the
MRT, not you. The Minister must provide reasons for the decision in specified
circumstances and include details about review rights as to who can apply,
where the application is to be made, and the strict time limit set for
applying for review.
A
word about Appeals. Australian Migration Solutions do
not currently specialise in the area of appeals, but if you are in
need of such help, if you wish,
we can point you to a specialist practitioner within Australia who we
have confidence will properly represent you according to your particular
circumstances. We do not ask for nor accept a referral fee of any kind
– we would rather know you are being well taken care of by someone
experienced in this critical area.
13.
What shall we ship? We are thinking of taking our car, and what about
our dog - we just can’t leave Hound behind?
A reputable removal company should offer a free home survey and
should be able to answer your questions to help you to decide what to
ship to Australia and what should be left behind. Organise this well in
advance of your departure date – we suggest you get quotes 2-3 months
beforehand, and find a shipping company who is a member of one or more
of the following organisations:
British Association of Removers Overseas Group
International
Federation of International Furniture Removers
Overseas Moving Network International
If your shipper does not have a physical presence in Australia, find out
which destination agent will be handling your precious consignment on
arrival and whether they are also members of one of the above organisations
and operate to the same quality standards.
Briefly, refrigerators shipped are generally too small and won’t
cope with Aussie conditions, and most Australian homes come with cooktops,
ovens, built in wardrobes. You probably won’t want to ship your
car when you understand the costs involved in import duty and special
regulations. The company can make arrangements for shipping pets and will
arrange to take care of Hound's needs for safe transportation. Ask your
shipper for advice on Australian
Customs and Quarantine.
Take
note of which company is most helpful in answering your questions as this
will assist with your decision as to which one to choose. Make sure that
the brief to each removal company and the questions that you ask are the
same so that the comparison is fair.
From
experience, make sure you have comprehensive insurance and consider coverage
for full replacement cost. By sea, expect your shipment to take approx
8-12 weeks to reach Australia but discuss your needs with the removal
company. When you arrive in Australia, contact the destination agent to
confirm delivery arrangements and ensure you are available when the shipment
is due to arrive to take delivery.
14.
My case officer is telling me to be patient, but I want to know how long
it will be until my visa is granted?
DIMA processing priorities can change without notice, and processing
times can be affected by a number of factors behind the scenes such
as
unforeseen staff shortages, fluctuating workloads, etc. Processing times
also vary according to the visa class you have applied for and where
you
have applied to. DIMA provide Australian registered migration agents
with guidelines published six monthly that give expected visa processing
times broken down according to visa category and place of application.
Although it does give some peace of mind that processing times at an
Australian
mission overseas used infrequently to lodge applications is not 'out
of the norm' it doesn't give visibility to the many other factors that
can
greatly influence processing times. Wherever the application is to be
lodged, aim to submit it as complete as possible at time of application,
but bearing in mind that for the visa classes with lengthy processing
times it is generally unwise to lodge medicals or penal clearance certificates
up front, as they have a 12 month validity and may expire before the
visa decision is made. It could be very costly for a family to have
to retake
the medicals, and although re-applying for fresh penal clearances certificates
may be inexpensive the processing times in some countries can be lengthy.
If
you would like a free assessment
of your visa eligibility we will be able to give you an indication of
current processing times for the visa class you may be eligible for.
FAQs and
links provided above are updated monthly to keep the information current.
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