Australian Immigration Questions
Moving across the world can be daunting and confusing, but it doesn’t have to be! Here at The Migration Place, we are happy to help with any Australian immigration questions that you have and we pride ourselves on finding novel visa solutions for our clients. We note that the migration rules change constantly, and the process is getting harder each year so we highlight the need to act quickly, and with assistance of a registered and experienced migration lawyer.
Many immigration questions also involve other areas of law, such as commercial, tax, insolvency and conveyancing. The Migration Place is a division of Irish Bentley Lawyers, which means that you will have access to all of our skilled lawyers, not just those specialising in migration.
Please see below a list of Immigration FAQs. If your Australian immigration questions are not answered on our website or you want to know more, please contact our team today – they would love to help you or you can search for yourself on Australian Government’s site for more information.
Awards Won
- Finance Monthly – Law Awards 2017: Migration Law Firm of the Year – Australia
- Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2016: Migration Lawyer of the Year
- AI M&A Award 2015: Most Innovative Migration Firm Australia
Why use a registered migration lawyer?
- What is the difference between a Migration Lawyer and a Migration Agent?
- The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DOHA) warned against using unregistered migration agents.
- What costs are involved in my visa application?
- How do you charge?
- What can The Migration Place do for me?
- Why should I use The Migration Place?
- Why should I use a Registered Migration Agent?
- Registered Migration Agents who are also lawyers are a rare breed!
Work Visas:
- The immigration department (DOHA) have contradicted the Prime Minister’s assertions that the 457 immigration visa system is causing Australians to lose jobs.
- Changes to the subclass 457 visa
- Non-decision ready ENS/RSMS Processing Times extend from 4 months, to 9 months!
- What are the issues associated with working in Australia without work rights?
- Optional Skills Assesment service
- Expansion of Skills Assessment services
- A new version of TradeSET
- Further news on how 457 holders can still use the living away from home allowance…
- Proposed reforms to the work visa (employer nomination) scheme
- Age limits lifted and foreign workers on work visas can now apply for PR if they (1) are under 50 years old, OR (2) earn more than $118,000 and have been here for 4 years on a 457
- DOHA Reforms to ENS and RSMS likely to be implemented on 1 July 2012.
- VETASSESS changes requirements for skills assessments for general professional occupations.
- Rumours of Changes to ENS/RSMS and Business Skills Visas
- NSW and the Australian Capital Territory are the only two States where working parents on 457 work visas pay fees to send their children to a state school.
- Once a company is allowed to employ foreign workers on 457 work visas, they need to protect that right or it will be lost.
- Is my occupation on the skilled sponsored list?
- 457 work visa holders can claim rent, food and relocation expenses as a tax deduction…..
- I am an employer – are the sponsorship undertakings a worry?
- Subclass 457 Sponsorship Accreditation
- 457 work visas now available for up to 6 years
- I am an employer, how do I find skilled workers?
- Minimum Wage For Work Visas Rising
Skilled Visas:
- From 23 November 2013 onwards companies intending to sponsor 457 workers will have to:
- Launch of new Queensland eligibility criteria and occupation list for subclass 489 and 190 visas
- State Nomination Lists for Skilled visas
- Update on SkillSelect
- The current pass mark for points-tested skilled migrants who plan to come to Australia to work will be reduced by five points from July 1 – the same date that the new SkillSelect register comes into effect.
- Optional Skills Assesment service
- Expansion of Skills Assessment services
- A new version of TradeSET
- Update – general skilled migration applications
- New SkillSelect model to come into effect on 1 July 2012
- New general skilled migration subclasses announced
- On 1 July 2012, the six Skilled lists are to be combined into one list to simplify the procedure
- Regional Skilled Migration Scheme (RSMS) will require a pre-skills assessment to be submitted at time of application from 1 July 2012.
- VETASSESS changes requirements for skills assessments for general professional occupations.
- Is my occupation on the skilled list?
- DOHA helps Engineers secure Visas to work in Queensland.
- New skills lists were released last week setting out which skilled workers the States will sponsor.
- What is the Skill Matching Database?
- How do I get my skills assessed?
- How do I know if I am eligible for State or Regional sponsorship?
- How does the Points Test work?
- 189 Visa Applicant Trips at the Finish Line
What is the difference between Permanent and Temporary residence?
- What is a Bridging Visa?
- What is Citizenship?
- What is Permanent Residence?
- What is Temporary Residence?
Partner visas:
- Update on Priority Processing for Partner Visas
- DOHA fee for Partner visas to increase by 30%
- You can apply for a defacto visa even if you have not been together for 12 months
- I have sponsored a partner before, can I do it again?
- Partner visa costs rise, processing times increase – so what does the money pay for?
Bridging Visas:
- Have you just received a bridging visa (BVA)?
Do you have a BVA and need to apply for a new visa, but can’t because more than 28 days has passed since you were granted the BVA? - What is a Bridging Visa?
General Questions:
- What is required to apply for Australian citizenship as a permanent resident?
- New Decision Ready applications introduced
- DOHA pricing changes on 1 July 2012 and 1 July 2013
- MRT/RRT correspondence policy
- Citizenship in 90 days?
- DOHA pricing changes on 1 July 2012 and 1 July 2013
- Decision Ready Applications: available for partner visas, RSMS and 457 employer nominated visas – which will fast track the entire process down to a few weeks!
- Tourism Visas relatively stable
- Understand your visa conditions, or you may jeopardise your ability to get another Australian visa.
- How long does the process of a visa application take?
- I want to migrate to Australia. What are my options?
- HELP Loans for Special Category Visa Holders
- 10 Insider Secrets to successful Australian visa applications
English, Health and Character testing:
- Health criterion
- Mike Tyson unlikely to pass character test to be able to tour Australia.
- New tough character test will make it difficult for anyone with a criminal history to secure a visa
- Health Test Threshold raised to $35,000
- The Health Test & The skilled health waiver
- Do I need to sit an English test?
Business Visas:
- Launch of new Queensland eligibility criteria and occupation list for subclass 489 and 190 visas
- New investor Visa
- New Significant Investor visa
- The new Business Innovation and Investment program
- New investor visa to be introduced
- The Migration Place can assist business migrants with everything from the visas through to networking with relevant industry contacts, company structures, asset protection and all business agreements.