Migration Centre of Australia

Temporary visa holders

  • July 25, 2020

July 2020 changes to Australian Migration

In response to the growing pandemic being faced by all of us at home and internationally, the Australian Government has set up some new changes that will affect the growth of Australian Migration as we enter the new financial year according to SBS News Australia. Changes across the country: Victoria The state government will start accepting new applications for the Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) in the financial year 2020-2021, subject to an announcement. With this said, priority will be given to occupations in sectors critical to the coronavirus response, such as medicine, infrastructure and trade. New South Wales In a significant development for visa hopefuls, NSW opened its Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – applications for which closed on June 26, 2020. The state relaxed the 12-month living and removed the working requirement paving another pathway for skilled migrants planning to work and live in the state. South Australia The state has said it will reopen its nomination application system for 190/491 in early August, subject to an announcement. Western Australia The WA government made changes to their occupation list on 16 June 2020, removing Registered Nurse (Mental Health) (254422) and adding Nuclear Medicine Technologist (251213) and Physicist (234914) – with the specialisation of Medical Physicist. Queensland Business and Skilled Migration Queensland (BSMQ) has also closed its state nomination program. The state is now awaiting advice from the Department of Home Affairs with regards to its nomination allocation for the financial year 2020-21. Northern Territory The NT program remains closed to offshore applicants at this stage. New eligibility requirements for all nominations will apply as of 1 July 2020. It is said that international students living in the territory will have a higher chance to be considered for the permanent residency visa nomination. Australian Capital Territory In Australian Capital Territory, only 81 invitations were issued for subclass 190 in the latest round on June 3, as compared 485 in the previous round. Whereas, no invitations were issued for subclass 491 owing to “sufficient applications in the queue,” as per information available on the state website. The next invitation round is due on or before 15 July, subject to an announcement. Tasmania Tasmania has allowed some flexibility for some applicants affected by COVID-19 who are trying to meet the requirements for state nomination. As of 20 March 2020, 491 applications have been temporarily restricted until further notice to occupations listed in the ‘high demand’ section of the Tasmanian Skilled Occupation List (TSOL). Processing times Unfortunately, due to the international lockdowns, visa processing times have been greatly affected leading to ‘significant’ processing delays due unavailability of key assessment services and the consequent inability of applicants to meet visa criteria. According to SBS News Australia, a spokesperson for the Department of Home Affairs earlier said: “Visas continue to be processed during the coronavirus pandemic, though some applications may take longer as international shutdowns have made it difficult to source supplementary information like health and character checks.” It looks like it will be a long road ahead for now until everything returns to normal… Our Registered Migration Agents at Migration Centre of Australia have been in the migration industry for many years and have helped thousands of clients onshore and offshore. We are trained professionals in Australian Migration Law and we are trusted providers in the industry for our services. If you want to know more about applying for an Australian visa, whether you are in Australia or overseas, or if you are currently a visa holder who has been affected by the current pandemic, contact us today on (02) 4626 1002 or send us an email at info@migrationcentreofaustralia.com.au and one of my registered migration agents will be ready to help you.
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  • July 23, 2020

Traveling on a Bridging Visa

If you are waiting for your visa application to be processed and you wish to leave Australia while you wait, you can! As you may not already know, a bridging visa is a temporary visa we might grant you in certain circumstances. Bridging visas let you stay in Australia lawfully while your immigration status is resolved. And the type of bridging visa we might grant you depends on your circumstances. While bridging visas let you remain in Australia lawfully, only a Bridging visa B (BVB) will let you leave and re-enter Australia while you wait for a decision. You might be eligible for a BVB if any of the following circumstances apply to you: you hold a BVA or BVB you are awaiting a decision on an application that is not yet finally determined or is at judicial review you have a good reason for leaving and returning to Australia while you wait for the outcome of your visa application A BVB lets you remain in Australia while we process your substantive visa application, or if you await a judicial or merits review. It will also have a defined travel period. So, you can leave Australia and re-enter on a BVB within this defined travel period. If you are in Australia when the travel period ends and you need to travel outside Australia again, you can apply for another BVB. When the Department determines the BVB travel period they will consider why you want to travel and the period of time it takes to likely make a decision on your substantive visa application If you want to apply for a BVB, you will need to: provide evidence of your reason for travel outside Australia let the Department know when you intend to travel As always, your visa grant notice will clearly define the travel period of your BVB if it is granted. Unfortunately, the Department can’t change or extend the BVB travel period after it is granted. You should consider applying for a BVB no more than 3 months and no less than 2 weeks before you want to travel. Did you know that you can hold a substantive visa and a BVB at the same time? If you still hold a substantive visa that lets you leave Australia and return, but you think it might expire before you re-enter Australia, you might still choose to apply for a BVB and wait until it is granted before you travel. As long as you return to Australia within the BVB travel period, you can stay in Australia on the BVB while you wait for our decision on your visa application. You will be notified of the specified travel period of the BVB in your visa grant notice if you are granted the visa. You can’t re-enter Australia on a BVB after the travel period ends. And, if you are outside Australia when the travel period ends, you will need to apply for and be granted another visa before you can re-enter. If you are in Australia when the travel period ends and you need to travel outside Australia again, you will need to apply for another BVB. Your BVB ends if: you are granted the substantive visa you applied for you are granted another bridging visa the Department cancels your BVB or the substantive visa you held when you were granted the BVB you are outside Australia when the travel period ends you leave Australia after the travel period ends Our Registered Migration Agents at Migration Centre of Australia have been in the migration industry for many years and have helped thousands of clients onshore and offshore. We are trained professionals in Australian Migration Law and we are trusted providers in the industry for our services. If you want to know more about traveling and applying for a Bridging Visa B (BVB), contact us today on (02) 4626 1002 or send us an email at info@migrationcentreofaustralia.com.au and one of my registered migration agents will be ready to help you.
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  • July 15, 2020

Becoming an Australian Citizen

Have you ever wondering what it takes to become an Australian Citizenship? Being an Australian citizen is a privilege not a right. While you are granted entitlements as a citizen of Australia there are important responsibilities you must accept too. As an Australian citizen, you have new responsibilities to: behave in accordance with Australia’s democratic beliefs respects the rights and liberties of Australia follow and obey the law vote in federal and state or territory elections, and in referenda defend Australia if necessary serve on jury duty if summoned You will also become eligible for the following entitlements and privileges: apply for an Australian passport leave and re-enter Australia as many times as you want ask for help from an Australian consulate if in trouble overseas vote in federal, state or territory elections vote in a Constitutional referendum or plebiscite seek election to parliament, if you are aged 18 years or over and are not dual citizen register the birth of your children in another country as an Australian citizen At your citizenship ceremony, you will make the Australian citizenship pledge. Here, you will promise to remain loyal to Australia and its people and to share and uphold Australia’s democratic beliefs, rights, liberties and laws. Australia is a democracy. And you can freely elect representatives to run the country and make laws on your behalf. Australian democratic beliefs, rights and liberties: Parliamentary democracy The people you elect as representatives are answerable to the public for their decisions. Rule of law All Australians are equal in the eyes of the law. No person or group gets preferential treatment. Living peacefully We prefer discussion, peaceful persuasion and democracy. We do not use violence to bring about change. Respect for all individuals We treat all Australians with dignity and respect. No matter their beliefs, traditions and background. Compassion We always show a spirit of ‘mateship’ We come together to help and support each other during times of need. Freedoms for citizens All Australians will have freedom of speech and freedom of expression. You are free to say what you want on any subject, without harming others. You must also respect how other Australians think or express themselves. You are also free to join any political party, trade union, religious group, cultural group or social group. And, you can refuse to join a group if you do not want to join a group. You will also be able to freely choose to follow any religion, or choose not be. Australian laws make sure no one is treated differently because of race, gender, disability or age. Most importantly, men and women are treated equally in Australia. You are free to make your own choices on personal matters. The laws protect both men and women from intimidation and violence. Both men and women: can work and go to school can become politicians can join the defence and police forces are treated fairly and equally in court Our Registered Migration Agents at Migration Centre of Australia have been in the migration industry for many years and have helped thousands of clients onshore and offshore. We are trained professionals in Australian Migration Law and we are trusted providers in the industry for our services. If you want to know more about your rights and privileges as an Australian Citizen, or you wish to apply for Australian Citizenship contact us today on (02) 4626 1002 or send us an email at info@migrationcentreofaustralia.com.au and one of my registered migration agents will be ready to help you.
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How to extend your working holiday visa during COVID-19

Currently, there are approximately 118,000 people in Australia on a Working Holiday Visa and on April 4, the acting Minister for Immigration announced the news that a great majority of those who are on Temporary Visas in Australia will have access to their superannuation during this crisis, and has acknowledged that those on Working Holiday Visas (subclass 417) play a crucial role in the health, aged care, disability, agriculture, food processing and childcare sectors of the Australian economy. To support these critical sectors in our economy, the Government has pledged to ensure that those on Working Holiday Visas will be given ongoing employment during this time. Not only this, those on this visa will be exempt from the six month work limitation with one employer, and will be given the opportunity to apply for a further visa to continue working in these sectors if their current 417 visa is about to expire anytime during the next six months. However, if you hold a 417 visa and you are unable to apply for a second or third 417 visa, and if you are stuck in the situation where you are unable to go home to your country, you will be permitted to apply for a Temporary Activity (subclass 408) Australian Government Endorsed Event (AGEE) stream visa. This temporary visa will allow you to continue to work and remain lawfully in Australia until it is deemed safe and the travel restrictions lifted for you to return to your home country. The following industries and areas have been approved as specified work for subclass 417 (Working Holiday) visa holders towards eligibility for a second or third 417 visa application: Plant and animal cultivation in regional Australia; Fishing and pearling in regional Australia; Tree farming and felling in regional Australia; Mining in regional Australia; Construction in regional Australia; and Bushfire recovery work in declared bushfire affected areas only, carried out after 31 July 2019. With the ongoing changes and the panic surrounding the coronavirus crisis, you may be wondering: What happens if I have applied for a second or third 417 visa but my current visa is about to expire? Can I extend my current visa to look for more work to meet the ‘specified work’ requirement? What happens if I am unable to extend my 417 visa? These are questions that we receive from anxious clients and being in these circumstances and not knowing what will happen can be stressful. Understanding where you stand as a 417 visa holder during this crisis is important and it can be difficult to keep up with all the migration law and policy changes that are being changed or implemented daily. At Migration Centre of Australia, we have been trusted by our clients throughout the years to help them find their way in Australia. Our Registered Migration Agents are known in the industry for their expertise and knowledge in Working Holiday Visas and are constantly monitoring legislative updates to ensure that they are always one step ahead. If you are currently on a Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417) and you need help in applying for a second or third 417 visa, or you simply require professional migration advice regarding your visa status, contact us today on 02 4626 1002 or send us an email at info@migrationcentreofaustralia.com.au and one of our migration agents will be ready to answer all of your questions.
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You can still apply for a VISA during COVID-19 Important points to consider

It has been just over a month since the coronavirus pandemic has changed the way we live in Australia, and with that many changes have been implemented to support these changes. For one,the migration industry has been hit with the biggest blow. With over 2 million temporary visa holders in Australia, there are many visa holders who have been left scratching their heads. At Migration Centre of Australia, we have sifted through the important facts that you need to know if you wish to apply for a visa during this crisis. 5 updates you should know: If you are thinking of applying for a visa, you should reconsider your need to apply for an Australian visa at this time and seek professional migration advice so we can assess your circumstances. Currently, the Department is prioritising processing visa applications for those travellers in the exempt categories to support urgent travel. The Department also encourages all visa applicants to apply online, rather than on paper, as online applications will be processed faster. More importantly, ETA online will be unavailable due to the current travel restrictions. Services related to your visa application process have been severely impacted by this pandemic. This includes overseas panel doctors, English language testing facilities, biometric collection and paper application lodgement centres. The unavailability of these services will impact visa applicants, however, the Department has given discretion to give additional time to visa applicants to complete checks and provide the requested information. If you have applied for a visa, you should be aware of disruptions to visa medical services, if you are scheduled for a health examination. The current pandemic has temporarily suspended My Health Declarations but visa processing officers are well aware of these disruptions and will take into consideration these extended timeframes. As such, the Health Requirement including the health examinations for your intended visa will be determined once your visa application has been lodged and you will not be required to contact medical offices in Australia or overseas. If you are thinking of studying in Australia, you do not need a visa if you are currently offshore as Australian education providers currently offer online study. It is important to note that Australian Education providers can now issue new Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and enrol students to study online. Our Registered Migration Agents at Migration Centre of Australia have been in the migration industry for many years and have helped thousands of clients onshore and offshore. We are trained professionals in Australian Migration Law and we are trusted providers in the industry for our services. If you wish to apply for any type of visa during this time, or you want to know more about your visa options, or you simply require professional migration advice regarding your visa status,don’t wait any longer and contact us today on (02) 4626 1002. Alternatively, you can send us an email at info@migrationcentreofaustralia.com.au and we will be ready to assist you.
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Your Quick Guide to Bridging Visas while in Australia

With the current restrictions that are affecting travel, work and study in Australia due to COVID-19, you may have been issued with a Bridging Visa. Whether it is your first time being issued one or not, a Bridging Visa is essentially a temporary visa that allows you to stay lawfully in Australia. Your Bridging Visa comes to effect after your current visa expires and you are issued with one if you have applied for another visa and your application is still currently being processed. So what does this mean? Once your current visa expires, your Bridging Visa will become active, and once your new visa application is approved, your Bridging Visa will become inactive as you will be able to use your new Visa. There are three sub classes of Bridging Visa’s that are currently being issued to temporary visa holders. These are: Bridging Visa A (subclass 010), Bridging Visa B (subclass 020) and Bridging Visa C (subclass 030). Depending on what kind of visa you have applied for, you may have been issued one of these while you wait. Here We will Highlight Some of the Key Features of Each Bridging Visa: Bridging Visa A (subclass 010) Travel outside Australia is not permitted under this visa, you will not be able to return if you do If your Bridging Visa A does not permit you to work, you can apply for another Bridging Visa that allows you to work only if you can show that you are experiencing financial hardship  Bridging Visa B (subclass 020) Travel outside Australia is permitted only during a specified travel period while your new visa application is being processed Work conditions will differ for each individual and you will be notified directly by the Department.  Bridging Visa C (subclass 030) Travel outside Australia is not permitted under this visa, you will not be able to return if you do If your Bridging Visa C does not permit you to work, you can apply for another Bridging Visa that allows you to work only if you can show that you are experiencing financial hardship If you are a Protection visa applicant or Skill Select visa applicant different work conditions apply   It is important to note that during this time, all individuals must comply with public health and safety orders, that include being in quarantine or self-isolation, and abide by the current travel restrictions being implemented by the Government. Unfortunately, if you are overseas and you have been granted a Bridging Visa, you will not be permitted to return to Australia during this time, unless of course you have been issued with a special exemption.  If you are in a situation where you are unsure about your Bridging Visa conditions or need further explanation, our registered migrations agents at Migration Centre of Australia can personally guide you through it. We currently live in anxious times and we know that everyone will be experiencing different visa situations. If your current visa is expiring, whether you are in Australia or overseas, and you have not applied for a new visa, call us today for professional migration advice to help you with your visa application or simply to plan a visa pathway. Our migration agents have been in the migration industry for many years and are known for our expertise. Call us today on (02) 4626 1002 or send us an email at info@migrationcentreofaustralia.com.au and one of our registered migration agents will be ready to help.
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