Australia, known for its stunning landscapes and vibrant culture, also offers a pathway to permanent residency for individuals in genuine relationships with Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. The Australian Partner (Permanent) visa subclass 801 is a key to unlocking this opportunity. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the intricate details of this visa, providing you with a clear understanding of the application process, eligibility criteria, and the benefits of obtaining this coveted visa 801.

Section 1: Understanding the Subclass 801 Visa

The Australian Partner (Permanent) visa subclass 801 is a testament to Australia’s commitment to keeping families together. It allows the partners or spouses of Australian citizens or permanent residents to live in Australia indefinitely. To comprehend this visa fully, let’s break down its key components.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the subclass 801 visa, applicants must meet specific criteria. This includes being in a genuine and continuing relationship with their Australian partner. The applicant should have already applied for and most of the time been granted a temporary Partner visa (subclass 820). Understanding these criteria is crucial before embarking on the application journey.

Section 2: Visa 801 Application Process

Navigating the Australian immigration system can be complex, but with the right guidance, the process becomes more manageable. Let’s delve into the step-by-step procedure of applying for the subclass 801 visa.

Navigating the Online Portal: A Step-by-Step Guide

Document Compilation: Building a Strong Case

One of the crucial aspects of a successful subclass 801 visa application is providing comprehensive and compelling evidence of the relationship. This evidence serves as the cornerstone of the application, offering the immigration authorities a glimpse into the genuine nature of the partnership. Documents may include joint financial records, shared utility bills, correspondence, travel itineraries, photographs, and affidavits from friends and family affirming the authenticity of the relationship. Each piece of evidence paints a picture of shared life, responsibilities, and experiences, reinforcing the bond between the partners.

Statutory Declarations and Affidavits: Testimonials of Love

Statutory declarations, also known as affidavits, play a significant role in the application process. These sworn statements, provided by the applicant, partner, and acquaintances, offer detailed accounts of the relationship. They encompass the story of how the partners met, their shared experiences, and future plans together. Well-crafted statutory declarations can add a deeply personal touch to the application, humanizing the relationship in the eyes of the immigration officers. Please remember as a bare minimum it is paramount to provide at least 2 statutory declarations from friends and family on form 888 and statutory declaration about the relationship from the sponsor.

Financial Documents: Demonstrating Commitment

Financial stability is a key element in proving the genuineness of a relationship. Joint bank accounts, shared loans, and evidence of financial support are vital. Applicants should provide comprehensive financial documents that clearly outline the partners’ shared economic life, showcasing their commitment to each other’s well-being and future.

Legal and Identity Documents: Establishing Legitimacy

In addition to relationship-specific evidence, applicants must include legal documents to establish their identity and legitimacy. This includes birth certificates, passports, marriage certificates (if applicable), divorce decrees (if previously married), and police clearances from all countries resided in for more than 12 months. These documents verify the applicant’s identity and help establish the legality of the relationship.

Professional Guidance: Navigating Complexities

Given the intricacies of the application process, many applicants seek the assistance of registered migration agents such as Nowak Migration. These professionals possess in-depth knowledge of immigration laws and can guide applicants through the process. From document compilation to form submission, their expertise can significantly enhance the application’s chances of success.

Section 3: Benefits of Subclass 801 Visa

Obtaining the subclass 801 visa offers a plethora of benefits, transforming the lives of the applicants and their families. Let’s explore these advantages in detail.

1. Permanent Residency: Once granted, the subclass 801 visa confers permanent residency upon the applicant. This means they can live and work in Australia indefinitely, enjoying almost the same rights and privileges as Australian citizens.
2. Access to Healthcare: Visa holders are eligible to enroll in Medicare, Australia’s national healthcare system, ensuring access to quality medical services. Actually once an applicant would apply for 820/801 they’d be eligible to enroll in Medicare.
3. Work and Study Opportunities: With permanent residency, individuals can work and study in Australia without restrictions. This opens up various career and educational avenues.
4. Pathway to Citizenship: After meeting the residency requirements, subclass 801 visa holders can apply for Australian citizenship. This grants them the right to vote and participate fully in Australian society.

Section 4: Visa 801 Challenges and Considerations

While the subclass 801 visa offers numerous advantages, applicants should also be aware of potential challenges. These might include the complexity of the application process, meeting financial requirements, and providing sufficient evidence of the relationship’s authenticity. Additionally, keeping up to date with changes in immigration policies and regulations is essential to a successful application.

Section 5: Applying for Subclass 801 Visa after the Relationship Ends

Family Violence and Children: Exceptional Circumstances

In the unfortunate scenario where a relationship with the sponsor no longer exists, applicants might still be eligible for the subclass 801 visa under exceptional circumstances. The Australian government, in recognition of the vulnerable situation of individuals, has put in place specific provisions to safeguard the rights and well-being of applicants, particularly in cases involving family violence or the presence of a child from the relationship.

Family Violence as Grounds for Visa 801

Consideration

Family violence is a grave concern and is taken very seriously by Australian immigration authorities. If an applicant has experienced family violence during the relationship, it is recognized as an exceptional circumstance. Family violence includes any form of physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological abuse. In such cases, applicants are encouraged to report the incidents to the authorities and seek support from relevant organizations. Immigration officers are trained to handle such cases with sensitivity and empathy, ensuring that victims are not penalized for the actions of their sponsors.

Children from the Relationship: A Protective Measure

The presence of a child resulting from the relationship further complicates the situation. Australian immigration policies are designed to prioritize the welfare of children. If there is a child from the relationship, the applicant’s eligibility for the subclass 801 visa is assessed with great care. The government recognizes the importance of maintaining stable environments for children and ensuring their access to proper care, education, and support.

Support and Advocacy for Vulnerable Applicants

Applicants facing family violence or dealing with the complexities of child custody are strongly encouraged to seek support from local organizations, social services, or legal professionals specializing in family law and immigration matters. These support networks can provide invaluable assistance, guiding applicants through the process, offering emotional support, and ensuring that their rights are protected throughout the visa 801 application process.

Documentation and Evidence: Building a Strong Case

In cases involving family violence or children from the relationship, providing comprehensive and well-documented evidence is crucial. Affidavits from support organizations, legal professionals, or counselors can strengthen the case. Additionally, medical records, police reports, court orders, and statements from friends or family members who are aware of the situation can serve as vital pieces of evidence. The more detailed and thorough the evidence, the stronger the case for the applicant’s eligibility for the subclass 801 visa under these exceptional circumstances. Nowak Migration has successfully handled cases involving family violence or children from relationship. If you require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us for a confidential discussion about your situation.

Note: Applicants facing family violence or dealing with child custody issues should seek professional legal advice and support from local organizations specializing in domestic violence and family law. The Australian immigration authorities prioritize the safety and well-being of vulnerable applicants, and there are support networks in place to assist individuals in these challenging situations.

Conclusion

Obtaining the Australian Partner (Permanent) visa subclass 801 is a significant milestone in the lives of couples wanting to build a future together in Australia. By understanding the eligibility criteria, navigating the application process, and being aware of the benefits and challenges, applicants can approach this journey with confidence.

This guide has provided a comprehensive overview of the subclass 801 visa, but there is much more to explore. As you embark on this journey, consider seeking professional advice to ensure a smooth and successful application process. Remember, every step taken brings you closer to the opportunity of a lifetime – the chance to call Australia your permanent home.

The post Visa 801. Understanding the Australian Partner Visa Subclass 801 appeared first on Nowak Migration.

“There’s also been, we’ve heard today, a significant fall expected in net overseas migration, which is expected to fall by about a third this year, financial year, and by 85 per cent off its peak, or off it’s previous year, in the following year in ‘21, sorry 2021, sorry ‘21/’22.”

What is Net Overseas Migration – keep reading?

Source: https://www.pm.gov.au/media/press-conference-australian-parliament-house-act-1may20

Check this video for details

What is Net Overseas Migration (NOM)?

Net Overseas Migration is based on the actual historical data. What prospective migrants seem to be panicking about is Migration Intake, which is a planned limit of Permanent Residency visa grants for a financial year. There is no direct correlation between NOM and Migration Intake as far as I am aware.

NOM is calculated by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and is based on the actual data –  number of international people coming to Australia, staying over here and leaving Australia. It was 232100 between Oct 2018 and Sep 2019.

Migration Intake is a planned level for PR visa grants for a financial year. It is set on 160000 for FY1920

Let’s get into details.

NOM is ‘based on an international travelers’ duration of stay being in or out of Australia for 12 months or more over the 16 month period (12/16 month rule), and is the difference between:

• the number of incoming international travelers who stay in Australia for 12 months or more within 16 months, who are not currently counted within the population, and are then added to the population (NOM arrivals)
• the number of outgoing international travelers (Australian residents and long-term visitors to Australia) who leave Australia for 12 months or more within 16 months, who are currently counted within the population, and are then subtracted from the population (NOM departures)

NOM is the net gain or loss of population through immigration to Australia and emigration from Australia. Migration flows impact on issues such as Australia’s labor supply; national income; housing availability; cultural diversity; and social cohesion. Variations in the volume and characteristics of travelers to and from Australia impact on policy decisions and future planning at all levels of government.

Source: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/research-and-statistics/statistics/visa-statistics/live/net-overseas-migration

Where to find information about NOM?

ABS website:

https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/3101.0Sep%202019?OpenDocument

Total NOM from Oct 2018 to Sep 2019 is 232100

Is NOM part of the permanent visa program?

Not directly.

The Migration program is designed to achieve a range of economic and social outcomes. The program is set annually, with the total places available capped at a ceiling of 160,000 for 2019-20.

Source: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/migration-program-planning-levels

Is NOM decline good for PR visa aspirants?

It may sound odd, but if you are already in Australia working towards your PR you might be actually in a better position – fewer people coming to Australia, less competition for skilled visas…

If you need to discuss your situation give us a call or book a consultation with our migration agent.

The post Expected 85% decline in Net Overseas Migration to Australia appeared first on Nowak Migration.

You read it right: There’s an Australian same sex partner visa waiting for those who are in same sex relationships.

And you know what?  You don’t have to be married to an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to be able to acquire a same sex partner visa Australia.  Further, if you prefer having a relationship with somebody of the same gender as yours, no problem, you will still enjoy the same perks and privileges as the other types of relationships in Australia.

Are you blown away by the generosity, kindness, consideration, and hospitality of the Australian government and its people?  If you are not, then we don’t know what will.

Another piece of good news for those in same-sex relationships

As if the current situation is not good enough, here’s another bit of good news for those of you who are currently in a same-sex union.  Taking its cue from the legalization of same-sex marriage in Australia, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) now considers the parties involved in a same-sex marriage as “spouses,” and no longer as de facto partners.

What does it mean to your plans to travel and stay in Australia?  It simply means that given the recent changes, if you are married to an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or qualified New Zealand passport holder, you can file for a same sex partner visa Australia application as your partner’s spouse.  That’s quite an upgrade from being a de facto partner before.  It further means that you are no different from the partners of a heterosexual union.

These changes will have an impact on all Partner visas Australia particularly subclasses 801, 820, 100 and 309.  These will even make corresponding changes to all Australian visas that involve spouses.

What’s even more?  You can qualify for a Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) if you are in a same-sex relationship and has the honest and true intention of marrying your prospective spouse in Australia.

 Truly, the land Down Under has not only become a refuge for people looking for a safe and secure place to spend the rest of their lives in.  It has also become a sanctuary for couples whose relationships are not yet acceptable in their own society.

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Applying in Australia – same sex partner visa Australia subclasses 820 and 801

So if you have already decided to join your same sex spouse or partner here in Australia, here are the types of visa that you can apply for.

Granting you are already residing in the country on the strength of another valid Australian visa, you can apply for Partner visa subclasses 820 and 801.  Subclass 820 is also called temporary Partner visa, while subclass 801 is the permanent Partner visa.

All you need to do is to switch from your current visa to temporary partner visa subclass 820.  After about two years from applying of subclass 820, you will be evaluated for the permanent type, subclass 801.

Obtaining a permanent Partner visa can be considered a two-tier procedure.  Before you become eligible for it, you need to apply for a temporary Partner visa first.  The good thing about this process is that you can apply for both visas at the same time and pay only a single payment.

Once you are granted a subclass 820 visa, you automatically earn the opportunity to be evaluated for subclass 801 after two years since you submitted the application.

Benefits of visa subclass 820 for same sex partner visa applicants

First of all, the Temporary Partner visa (subclass 820) permits you to live and work in the country while you are waiting for the decision about your permanent Partner visa application.  Aside from that, you can enroll in a school here but you are not granted access to government funding. You might also be eligible for medicare as a same sex partner visa applicant.

You can also take part in the national health care system called Medicare, and if you have dependent children, you can include them in your application.

Benefits of visa subclass 801 for same sex partner visa applicants

Like any subclasses that provide permanent residency status, permanent Partner visa (Subclass 801) offers all the benefits enjoyed by Australian permanent residents.

For one, you can live, study, and work in the country indefinitely.  Also, you might be able to sponsor your relatives for permanent residence, and you travel in and out of the country as you want.

Best of all, you have a shot at an Australian citizenship, which most of the immigrants are aiming for.

Shortcut to permanent residency

If you don’t have the patience to wait for the two-year period, there is a way to fast-track the acquisition of permanent Partner visa.  All you have to do is prove to the concerned authorities that you and your partner have been in a long-term relationship before you lodge your application.  Of course, this requires documents and proofs to support your claim.  If the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) certifies that you are indeed in a long-term relationship, the permanent Partner visa might be issued together with a provisional one.

Same sex partner visa lodged offshore subclass 100 and subclass 309

What if you are living outside Australia at the time of your visa application?  No problem — there are corresponding subclasses intended for your situation.  These are visa subclasses 100 and 309.  Subclass 100, also called permanent Partner (Migrant) visa, offers permanent residency for you while temporary Partner (Provisional) visa subclass 309 gives you temporary stay in the country while waiting for the outcome of your permanent Partner (Migrant) visa application.

Very much like subclass 820 and subclass 801, you can apply for both of them at the same time and pay a single fee.  It also has a provision where you can speed up the granting of the permanent visa if you are able to prove that you and your partner have been in a long-term relationship.

The primary issue here is the fact that you are living abroad at the time of the application.  Processing of your application will be done at the visa office of Australia responsible for the country where you are living.  The approval of subclass 309 visa will allow you to travel to Australia to live with your spouse temporarily.  You can acquire permanent residency with the granting of subclass 100 normally two years after you lodged your application.

To sum up what we have been talking about, if you are living abroad, apply for temporary Partner (Provisional) visa subclass 309 and permanent subclass 100 later.  If you are already in Australia, avail of subclass 820 and subclass 801 combo.

Requirements for same sex partner visa Australia

What are the requirements that you need to meet before you can obtain a same sex partner visa for Australia?

First and foremost, you must be in a genuine relationship with a citizen, permanent resident of Australia or a qualified New Zealand passport holder.  For that reason, you should not be lower than 18 years of age (18 being the legal marrying age); otherwise, you need parental permission.  Or if you have yet to be married, you must be in a relationship for not less than one year unless your relationship is registered in an eligible state.

In addition to the above, you need to pass the usual requirements on health, character and other related parameters.

You also need to have a sponsor and it should be your spouse or partner.

Allow Nowak Migration to help make your dream come true

Spending precious time with your spouse or partner in a prosperous and open-minded country like Australia must be a dream come true for you.  Nothing could be more memorable and meaningful than spending each day with the one you love in the land of happiness and peace.

Let our company, Nowak Migration, be a part of your journey by choosing us as your guide in the application process.  That way, you’ll free yourself from the hassles of doing the nitty-gritty of the task, which can be taxing and stressful.

It’s easy to get in touch with us.  Our hotline (07) 3668 0658 is always open for your call, and our friendly and accommodating personnel are always ready to take care of your concerns.

But if you can’t do it now, you have the option to drop us a message through email or through our social media accounts or through this website.

Should you want to receive fresh updates about Australian migration, please subscribe to our newsletter.

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Let’s start this article by stating the obvious: It is an offense against Australian immigration and labor laws to employ, refer or contract an illegal foreign worker in the country.

In some cases, the offense is not just a simple civil case; it can sometimes be criminal in nature.  As such the consequences are scary.

We know, we know.  You don’t want to be branded as an employer of unlawful foreign workers.  For one, it will have an adverse impact on your business and on your dignity as a person.  Secondly, it does not come cheap: the penalty for you as a company can go as high as 200,000 plus AUD per illegal worker.

The sadder thing is, you may still be held liable for the act regardless of whether you know the workers have work rights or not.

The option of hiring non-citizens

Employing skilled foreign citizens can sometimes be the only left for you to resort to, especially at a time when the local labor market of Australia cannot cope with the demand for workers trained and experienced to take on the jobs in your company.

It would have been easier and more convenient to hire local workforce since the requirements are fewer and the process is less cumbersome than to source out talent from overseas.  But this is not possible in a country where economic growth outruns the speed in training its people.

While at that, we are not saying the Commonwealth Government is not doing its part to address the shortage of skilled workers.  On the contrary, it is taking the bull by its horns, so to speak. One measure it is undertaking is the massive training of its citizens geared towards equipping them to assume the roles in the different industries all over the country.  This is the main reason the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) is instituted.

The downside of it, though, is it may take some more time before they could reach the point where they don’t have to rely on foreign workers to make the many businesses running.

Hence, in the meantime, the status quo stays.

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The advantages of employing foreign skilled workers

 While the country is hard pressed to supply the businesses with qualified local workers, skilled foreign nationals are aching to come to Australia to work and make a new start with their family, parents, and relatives.

They are drawn towards the country because of the benefits, privileges, and amenities that majority of them could not find in their home countries.  While here, they cannot only work, they can also enjoy the countless tourist destinations hereabout; let their children study in world-class universities, and many other perks while being in Australia – all of these while earning much more than what they could possibly earn in their own countries.

And these workers are highly skilled in their line of work, bringing with them fresh ideas on how to do things – the exact qualifications Australia is looking for.

Sometimes, scouting for them may not even take you to the countries of their birth.  Many of them are already here.  Take for instance the international students.  Certain student visas have work rights, which make their holders a valuable source of the needed labor.

Too, foreign visitors on holiday visas have certain work rights.  In fact, they are encouraged by the Australian government to find short-term or casual work in certain industries while spending their time here.  Even the refugees holding either subclass 866 or all subclass 200s are allowed to live and work in the country as permanent residents

Visas that have work rights

There are many types of Australian visas.  So, it is but imperative for you to find out which ones provide work rights for their holders.  In so doing, you won’t get into the pitfall of employing unlawful workers.

So, what are the visas whose holders are allowed to work in the country?

• 457 visa or Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa

Visa 457, which is now replaced by Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, needs no further introduction.  It occupies the top level of the totem pole when it comes to Australian work visas being availed of by foreign workers.  A good number of skilled foreign nationals now enjoying their lives in the country are in a possession of this visa.  Many of them even acquire Australian citizenship in the process.

As if the benefits and privileges of 457 visa or TSS visa are not enough, the dependents of the main applicants are also afforded full work rights in Australia.  These are the spouses or partners of the nominated worker, their children, parents, and even some relatives.

• Student visas

As we have already mentioned earlier, student visas of international enrollees in different universities all over the country have work rights.  The number of hours may be limited while the semester is ongoing, but they can work full time during semester break.  For more information on the work rights of student visa holders, please click student visa working hours.

More on the international students, once they complete their studies in the country, they have the choice to apply for a temporary subclass 485 visa.  This visa has full work rights and may be valid for up to four years depending on the course that the students have completed.

• Holidaymaker visas (Working Holiday and Work and Holiday visas)

Most foreign guests who are here on holidays usually hit two birds with one stone.  While they are here to have a blast, they are also given the right to work full time on short contracts.

• Temporary partner visas

Another precious source of qualified workers for the different industries is the holders of temporary partner visas.  They are granted full work rights.

• Bridging visas

Temporary visa holders who are in a possession of various types of bridging visas constitute another group of non-citizens from whom the local businesses can tap for the needed talent.

The abovementioned types of visa are just some of the many visas that grant work rights to their holders.  There are still many.

The role of VEVO

We know already that this and that visa has work rights while others don’t have.  The question now is this: How can you ascertain if a particular foreign employee of yours has work rights at certain times in the duration of their contract with you?

At the start of their employment with you, you know that their visas have work rights.  The problem is this: You would not have any idea if the status of the visa of your employee has changed while they are working for you.

For example, a worker in possession of a temporary partner visa that has work rights may have separated with their partner, thereby losing their work rights in the process; or a student visa holder who is no longer enrolled in an eligible university; or a dependent of a TSS visa holder whose main applicant just lost their job, and so on and so forth.

Overstaying non-citizens are another risk factor in employing foreign workers.  Some may have served you for so long that you feel confident that you are employing legal workers without knowing that they are already staying in the country unlawfully.

Passports are not the reliable source of information about the visa of a non-citizen as they don’t have the details of the visa.

The best way to verify these pieces of information is to check them through the Visa Entitlement Verification Online or VEVO.  This is a free online service of the Department of Home Affairs which is available 24/7, seven days a week.

VEVO holds the details of one’s visa including the conditions, limitations and work rights.  If you wish to know more information about VEVO, please click visa details online check.

A problem about time and work requirement

 Who would wish to employ unlawful foreign workers?  Nobody does, it seems.

Neither are you, of course.

In fact, you are willing to check the VEVO from time to time just to make sure each and every non-citizen under your jurisdiction has work rights.  Unfortunately, though, given your workload and the time required in overseeing the operations of your business, you may not be able to do it.

Nowak Migration can verify the work rights of your workers

If you really don’t want to have a brush with the law, talk to us at Nowak Migration.  We can help you check the work rights of your foreign employees regularly.

Yes, we just don’t do Australian visas.  We extend various other services for your business.  Regular verification of the work rights of your foreign workers is one of them.  There are more.

Mention your business requirement to us and we will assist you with it.  We are able to undertake other non-immigration tasks for you because we are maintaining a first-rate network of professionals and experts from other fields.  That way, you don’t have to source out the services that you need yourselves.  The moment you keep in touch with us, you’ll find answers to your business-related concerns.

We work with talents from such diverse industries as real estate, business law, accounting and auditing, insurance, transportation, education, and others.

Should you decide to avail of our services, you will no longer worry about breaking some Australian laws as to your responsibilities as an employer of non-citizens.  You will have more time then to focus on the operations of your business and other concerns.  That would be a lot of work being unloaded from your shoulders.

With Nowak Migration, you and your company/organization remain protected from the possibility that you could break immigration and labor laws by keeping unlawful foreign workers.

So, remain protected and legal – avail of our services.

We urge you then to pick up your phone now and call us for booking or consultation.  Our contact information can be found anywhere on our website.  Just choose the most convenient means through which to communicate with us.

If you want to keep abreast of the developments on Australian migration as well as on the overall business situation of the country, please subscribe to our newsletter by filling out the form below.  Don’t worry about spam; we take extra care of your privacy as you do.

Finally, if you think this article can help someone you know, please share it with them through any or all of the social media sites that we are using.  We will certainly appreciate your effort.

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Forewarned is forearmed.

There’s no better way to avoid an unfortunate incident from happening to you than to be knowledgeable about the circumstances surrounding such an incident.  The same goes true for the application of a partner visa for Australia, or for any visa for that matter.

If you are currently working on the possibility of bringing your foreign partner to the country, you need to take note of the common reasons for partner visa refusal.

Let’s dive into them then.

Two most common reasons for Australian partner visa refusal

There are a number of reasons why the immigration officers of the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) thumb down an application for an Australian partner visa.  In this article, let’s zero in on two most common ones, though.  Here they are:

1. Relationship with the partner found not genuine

The DHA will always see to it that the visa applicant and the sponsor are keeping a real and long-lasting relationship.  In this day and age when foreign nationals are aching to come to Australia by any means possible, coupled with enterprising Australian citizens who may take advantage of the current situation for their personal gains, the immigration people are raising the bar of vigilance and meticulousness in an effort to weed out the fakes from the real.

If you or your partner is one of the hopefuls to get a partner visa for Australia, don’t be surprised if the DHA will require tons of evidence to support the legitimacy or genuineness of your relationship.

2. Falsification of supporting documents and evidence

In their intense desire to enter the country of their dreams, some individuals would resort to inappropriate measures such as submitting fraudulent documents or tampered evidence just to get the coveted partner visa to Australia.

But, as we said above, the officers of the Australian immigration department are so eagle-eyed as to spot the counterfeit from the real McCoy.

The lesson here then is to abide by what is right and proper.

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Nowak Migration can guide you about what is right and proper

 Speaking of propriety and rightness, our company Nowak Migration can give you expert advice and guidance regarding your visa application, so you wouldn’t fall victim to the reasons for partner visa refusal.

Just keep in touch with us and we’ll be right there for you.

Also if you want to keep abreast of the developments on Australian migration as well as on the overall business situation of the country, please subscribe to our newsletter by filling out the form below.  Don’t worry about spam; we take extra care of your privacy as you do.

Lastly, if you think this article can help someone you know, please share it with them through any or all of the social media sites that we are using.  We will certainly appreciate your effort.

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Resettling in Australia with your child or children is certainly a welcome development for you as a family.  It presents opportunities and possibilities for them that you may not be able to find in your home country.  The standard of education here, which is not only world-class but affordable as well, is just for starters; not to mention the support of the government for its students in the form of student loans.  The health care system is the envy of the citizens of many countries.  And the list goes on.

In short, it is the dream of an immigrant to bring their whole family to the only island-continent country in the world.

But as in everything, the move comes like a double-edged sword for your children.  It has its pros and cons.  The pros are what we just mentioned above, while the cons may take the form of challenges, particularly in terms of adjustment.

If adults struggle to adjust to a new environment – new neighborhood, different climate, unfamiliar food, queer culture, etc. — how much more the little children?  It goes without saying, if there’s somebody who needs more support in the migration process, it would be the children.

Therefore, we need to prepare them very well for the eventual transfer.

Before your child will transfer to Australia

Preparing your children for a new life in Australia starts not when you are already here but rather when you are still in your home country.  First and foremost, your children need to learn about the new place you will be living in: What will the new environment or neighborhood be like?  What sorts of people are living in your new community?  In school, what would a student life be like here in Australia?  What are the behavior and fads of the youngsters their age here?

You will not have much of a problem looking for sources of information about Australia.  There are countless books written about life and living in the land Down Under.  If, however, books are not your thing, you can always turn to the ever-reliable Google for help for almost everything you want to learn about.

Aside from that, you can join various forums on the internet and gather as much information that you want from forum community members.  The tourism agency in the country is another source of helpful information and practical tips on how to undertake a smooth transition from your country of origin to here.

You’d be lucky, too, if you have friends or relatives who are already living here.  You can ask them to be your guide or coach.

Before their departure, it will greatly help if you teach your children how to say a proper goodbye from their friends, relatives, and people close to them.  If they can keep some mementos from them and vice-versa, that would be great.  It will set the right tone of their departure from your place.  After all, they will still come back for some visits to their place of birth sooner or later.

Adjustments here in Australia

As the needed adjustments here in Australia, the sooner that your children can settle in your new abode the better.  It might work against them if the adjustment period drags on.  Frustrations may set in, even depression.  In this regard, you can find avenues where they can make friends immediately both in your neighborhood and in their school.  For instance, you can organize a little party for them and their new acquaintances, invite them over for dinner.  Making friends is usually the main concern of children.

In school, you can take the initiative to orient their new teachers about their likes and dislikes as well as their other idiosyncrasies so that the teachers will not have a hard time dealing with your kids and your kids will not have a difficult time either to adjust to their teachers.

Meanwhile, keeping constant communication with their friends back home will help keep them on an even keel mentally and emotionally.  Chatting, text messaging, and video calling provided by various social media sites are a great help when it comes to this.

You may even keep some sort of family habits and traditions going while you are already here such as having a family movie viewing every Friday night or going out for dinner on a weekend, etc.

Visa options for your children

Before we keep talking about the other priorities, let’s not forget the basic requirements needed before your children can set foot on the Australian soil.  The most basic of which is the visa for your children.

If your child has not been included as a dependant when you have lodged for your own visa, don’t fear – it might not be too late to get a visa for them. There are several options for a child visa for Australia.  For our discussion here, however, let’s choose the subclasses that may be applicable to your children’s case.

One such visa is Child Permanent visa (subclass 101).  Being their parent, you will act as their sponsor for them to live in Australia as a permanent resident.  For this subclass, your children should be outside the country at the time of application.

In case one of your children is already 18 years of age or older, he or she must be single and should be a full-time student whose age ranges from 18 to 25 years old (age range depends on a vis type) and is dependent on you for financial support.

Also, if it happens that a child of yours who is of their age and who has a certain disability, they can qualify for this visa in exceptional circumstances.

Another type of visa that might be applicable to your children is Dependent Child visa (subclass 445).  They can apply for this visa when you, as their parent, are holding a temporary partner visa and they were not included in the application of the temporary visa you’re holding.

When applying for Dependent Child visa, it does not matter whether your children are inside or outside Australia at the time of application.  They must be dependent on you who hold a Partner Provisional visa (subclass 309), Partner visa (subclass 820), Interdependency visa (subclass 310), or Interdependency visa (subclass 826).

Their sponsor will be the same person who is sponsoring your stay here.

Similar to the previous visa we talked about earlier, if one of your children is already 18 years of age or older, it is required that he or she must be dependent on you financially or is unable to find a job because of certain disability.

The Dependent Child visa option is available to them if they were not included in your application for a temporary partner visa.  Once their application is approved, they should immediately apply for the same permanent partner visa that you are applying for.  They must do it before a decision is handed down on your own permanent partner visa application as failure to do this — and they are still in the country when the decision is made on your application — will render their stay here unlawful, and they might lose the chance to apply for any permanent visa option.

Nowak Migration can help make your family whole in Australia

We always feel a deep sense of satisfaction whenever we are able to help members of a family come to the country and rejoin with their parents and other siblings.  This may be because families have a special place in our hearts.  In fact, we ourselves toil day by day to be able to support our own families.  That’s why we don’t waste time in helping people who long to make their families whole again in their newfound place of abode.

You may be one of our many clients who are also looking for assistance in having their children move to Australia and thus apply for their visa.  If so, please don’t hesitate to keep in touch with anyone of us at Nowak Migration.  Our contact details can be found here from our hotline numbers to our email address to our Facebook page to our YouTube channel.  Just choose the means of communication that suits you well.

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8 useful tips from industry insider for successful Australian visa applications

More and more people from all over the world are queuing up to apply for Australian visas, more noticeably at this time of the year when people from the north scamper for a place to stay in the tropics to avoid the brutal cold of the freezing winter. We are not talking of hundreds of applicants here but hundreds of thousands.

And if you are entertaining the possibility of traveling to the country one of these days, include yourself in the ever-growing census.

Many are lucky enough to apply and secure Australian visas of their choice, but a good number also suffer the misfortune of being refused.  No, we are not talking about dubious and fraudulent applications; we are talking about simple mistakes and misunderstandings that could have been avoided given sufficient advice and assistance.

Compounding the problem is the fact that the Department of Home Affairs, the government agency tasked with the screening of visa applications, is no longer as considerate as before, especially after the 9/11 aftermath.  And the reasons are obvious: The government sees to it that what happened to the United States does not happen here.  In fact, many industry insiders say they could no longer interact with the personnel of the department the way they could do pre-9/11 era.

Indeed, times are a-changing, so goes a popular song.  What was applicable before no longer holds true today.

Against this backdrop, it is more important and urgent that you know the tips to make your application for an Australian visa successful.  Needless to say, getting your application turned down by the department is costly.  Yes, the potential amount that’s certain to go down the drain is nothing to sneeze at.  Add to that the time and effort that you put in at gathering the required documents, organizing such documents, talking to various resource persons who might be of help to you, submission of the application, responding to queries from DIBP, etc.

Complying with the required documents is just a small fraction of the process.  You need the help of someone or some organization that knows the process – what the DIBP wants and how the system operates.

We know, we know: You don’t want the mistakes of other applicants to befall you.  And who would?  It is for this reason that we are writing this article.  The pointers that will follow come straight from the horse’s mouth, so you better sit up and take notice.

Give due credence to evidence

Nowhere is the significance of proof or evidence more prominent and critical than when you apply for Australian visa.  And nowhere is it more strongly required than in the application of an Australian visa.  Like we mentioned earlier, after the occurrence of 9/11, the DIBP became more stringent in the issuance of visas.

And if you are looking at securing a family, business or work visa, be prepared for a more rigorous procedure at substantiating those evidence.  Visa types of such nature require solid proofs.

It goes without saying that your relationships with your dependents or maybe with your sponsor need to be established, your qualifications, as well as your employment records, require validation and your assets need to be demonstrated that they are truly yours.  In fact, everything you declare needs to be supported by evidence.

Not only that – your own word holds less water than the information provided by other sources, especially third-party ones.  It’s like saying some sources of proofs are more dependable and honored than others.

A few classic examples of these are your bank records, income tax returns and pay slips from your company if you are working.  And if you applied for a skilled visa and have yet to receive the required certification, you ought to provide proof that you have applied for it such as the receipts and dates of application.

Between a government-issued document and a privately issued, the former carries more significance than the latter, for obvious reasons.

If you are aiming for a business visa, you need to prove that you are wealthy.  Being wealthy here means that your money should be under your name and not in some trust.  This is where some applicants run into trouble sometimes, especially if they are maintaining complex trust setups and complicated company arrangements.  This is really worth paying attention to.

As regards partner visa, the DIBP demands proof of lasting and genuine relationship, for reasons you and us very well know.  Joint bank accounts can help establish this relationship as well as detailed and accurate accounts from friends, family, and relatives.

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In this age of social media, your posts on Facebook, Instagram, and other sites may likewise serve as an avenue to demonstrate the genuineness of your relationship with your partner.  Some industry experts go as far as recommending that you update your social media accounts often: load them with messages, photos, videos and what have you.  By so doing, you are sending a strong signal to the DIBP officer reviewing your application that you are serious about the relationship and that you care about the visa you’re applying for.

Check the consistency of your public records and social media posts

Not only do you need to load your social media accounts with updated posts, you need to see to it also that your entries in your accounts correspond with the information you have in other sources such as your records from your schools, the companies you worked for or the organizations you used to be affiliated with.  Even the information you provided in your previous visa applications is matched against other available information about you.  Please note that your case officer will go to great lengths to check on them.

Issues that usually crop in this regard involve religious beliefs, gender orientation, race, cultural background and other similar concerns.  In an attempt of the applicants not to be bashed or trolled on the web, they would hide their true identity.  For instance, they would claim to be Christians when, in reality, they are Muslims.  Instead of admitting they are gay, they would say they are straight men or women.  This may not necessarily result in the outright refusal of your application, but this can create unnecessary complications in the process, which sometimes cost you pointless expenses, most especially in legal fees.

Nail that detail

Paying attention to details may sound simplistic to you, but this is still worth mentioning here.  In fact, this constitutes one of the main reasons your visa applications either get delayed or turned down altogether.  Mistakes on dates, inconsistency on the information you provide versus those coming from other sources (as we have just mentioned a while ago), inaccuracies on your data, not following instructions, not abiding by the process, etc. all contribute to adverse outcomes.

Apart from that, Australia offers many subclasses of visa, some types are quite close to the others in terms of categorization.  Not only that — each visa type has specific rules and conditions under it.  In short, you need to make sure that you choose the right visa.  For instance, if your intention in coming here is to stay permanently, you cannot use a tourist visa.  Obviously, the last thing you need to do is to breach the conditions of your visa.  That would have dire consequences on your stay here as well as the status of your other visa applications in Australia in the future.

Indeed, if you are not careful in choosing which type of visa fits your intentions, qualifications and supporting documents, it spells trouble.  Chances are that your visa may be canceled or that you may be barred from entering the country.  Hence, we cannot emphasize better the importance of having a nose for detail.

It’s not only you who can be guilty of such infraction, so is your nominating employer or sponsor.

Honesty is the best policy

This may be cliché but nothing beats honesty especially when it comes to the application of a visa.  The advice of most – if not all — industry experts is: Be honest.  Period.  Even if some facts about your life involve criminal convictions before, you need to disclose them.

The consequences of those found to be lying can be disastrous.  Sometimes, it can mean an imposition of a ban for you from future visa applications depending on the severity of your case.

Again, in this age of rapid technological and computer advancement, it’s not wise to hide unpleasant information or personal events and incidents about yourself even if such things had occurred several years ago.  The officers at the department of immigration have a way of finding them out.  We need not tell you that you are up against the Australian government.  And who said the Australian government is an idiot?

Therefore, you cannot take chances nor take things for granted.  Remember: providing spurious documents is a sure way to earn a quick, well-deserved refusal.

Accuracy is another important policy

Another everyday rule that’s often overlooked and infringed on is accuracy.  This is related to the earlier tips on paying attention to details and on being consistent with your public records and social media entries.  But this is worth mentioning here because of the frequency that it is being disregarded.

How many applications have hit a snag because of minor and innocent mistakes?  We lose count.  It’s a shame because these could have been avoided if the applicant is careful and vigilant.  As some industry insiders love to say, you can’t just settle for 99% accuracy.  You need to make it 100%.  Yes, check each and every detail of the application. And this is a non-negotiable imperative.

So vital is the need for correctness that some immigration agencies require their clients to hand over their smartphones and personal computers to them so that their staff can assure that no inaccuracies can get through the documents they would submit to the department.

Be neat and orderly

When it comes to submission of documents, especially if there’s a ton of them, neatness and orderliness come second to none.  There’s nothing worse than submitting sets of documents in all sorts of arrangements and classifications.  Put yourself in the shoes of the department assessor who will review your application and see how you’d feel.

If there are documents that need to be arranged chronologically or certain elements in them need highlighting, or entries that require translation or digital files on your email and social media posts that need downloading or printing, by all means, do them.  Not only will your life become easier, it makes the life of your case officer easier, too.  On top of that, it helps you with record keeping and locating documents, especially in cases where you are required to resubmit certain documents.

Best of all, it helps your application move faster and easier.

One more important thing: Keep a record of the documents you submit.  This can help in monitoring all your submissions as well as in resolving disputes should they arise.

Follow schedules, deadlines, and instructions

You cannot just submit your requirements at any time you want.  Owing to the volume of work that the DIBP is processing every single day, the department can be unbending on their rules and timetable.

One classic example that comes to mind is the requirement on passing an English test.  The result of this test needs to be submitted in the first part of the application.  If you do it otherwise, you may find yourself in a tight fix.  Even if you hurdle the English test with excellent scores, your application can still be turned down for not following instructions on the order of submission.

You may not believe it but missing a deadline even by just a day can also ruin an entire application.

Hire the services of a migration agency

Do you find the task of obtaining a visa daunting?  We bet that you do.  It really is daunting!  It exacts from you much of your time, effort and resources.

Fortunately, there’s a way for you to free yourself from all of these hassles: Find a dependable migration agency and hire their services.

Migration agents provide you with expert advice as to which visa to apply for based on your needs and qualifications, assist you in the preparation of the required documents and evidence, help you in lodging your application and make the needed follow-ups at the department.  They know the ins and outs at the DIBP, so their help is quite valuable.

No less than the Department of Immigration and Border Protection acknowledges the important role of migration agents in making the whole process faster, easier and smoother.

But beware: Not all migration agencies are created equal.  First off, there are registered agents as there are unregistered ones.  The latter have been known to defraud clients like you.

Needless to say, choose the one that’s registered.  The DIBP maintains a list of registered migration agents on their site.  Hence, you can always check if an agent is officially registered online, and, should you decide to avail of their services, ask for their registration number.

DIBP requires registered migration agents to abide by a code of conduct as well as perform with competence and professionalism.

Speaking of a registered and highly regarded veteran migration agency in Australia, Nowak Migration ranks high on the list of migration agencies here.  Our company can very well provide you with whatever assistance that you may need.  In fact, we can take care of everything that you need if you don’t have time to lift a finger on your application.

If, for instance, you intend to undertake business in the country, here are some of the services that we can offer you:

• We can do research on a location of your choice for potential business and investment ventures.
• We will assist you from the submission of your expression of interest (EOI) to following up the concerned department at DIBP until the release of the invitation for visa lodgement.
• We will coordinate with the state or territory government of your choice so that you will get the coveted nomination from them.
• We liaise with migration and business lawyers if you need legal help.
• For your bookkeeping and accounting requirements, we closely work with topnotch accountants and experienced business brokers.

If you have needs that are not mentioned here, please let us know and we will provide them to you.  You’re right: If you choose Nowak Migration, there’s nothing more you could ask for.  Our company is a veritable one-stop shop for everything involving Australian visa and migration.

So what are you waiting for?  Call us now at (07) 3668 0658.  If not, send us a message through email or via our Facebook page.

You can either hire us now or book us for consultations.

Before we forget, please share with us your opinion on our topic in the comments box below.

The post Apply for Australian visa appeared first on Nowak Migration.

The brand new Year of the Dog bodes quite well for you if you are from India.

Yes, you may already be enjoying the many blessings this world could offer, but there’s one more piece of good fortune that you may find too enticing to pass up: Australia opens its doors for you.

Australia welcomes more Indian immigrants

Well, Australia has always been welcoming to people from India.  In fact, as of the latest census, Indians account for the second largest group of immigrants in Australia next to the Chinese.  Yes, your compatriots represent about 22% of net migration here.  This figure is nothing to sneeze at.

The opportunity offered to you by the only island-continent country in the world is quite providential, especially at the start of 2018.  As we all know, the year of the dog ushers in many changes, be they on the personal or social level.

And how does it relate to you?

You may be looking for some changes in your life starting this New Year – either to build on the successes of the previous year or to make up for the failures of the year gone by.  And such changes involve moving to a new country either to work, to study, to find your partner in life or to spend your retirement.

For this reason, the land Down Under looks like the perfect place for you.  It is as if the stars will align if you decide to choose Australia as your next home either temporarily or live in Australia permanently.  For one, the country has opened its arms for you, like we said at the start of this article.  Two, it has played as a gracious host to millions of your compatriots.  And, three, there are several ways for you to travel to the country.

That’s right: There’s not only one, two or three means for you to enter Australia.  There are many!  And we will discuss them in greater detail in just a bit.

So what are you waiting for?

How to migrate to Australia from India now

Yes, the next logical thing for you to do now is to check the various ways on how to get to the land of opportunities.  Of course, we need to start off with the most basic of requirements – getting an Australian visa.

Allow us to point out the fact that the Australian government offers more plenty of different categories and subclasses of Australian visa.  This is what we mean when we said earlier that the country offers you several means to come here.

But for purposes of our discussion here, let’s just focus on four common and popular ones, namely visas for skilled workers, students, partners, and parents.  If you happen to be any of the mentioned sectors, the future is bright for you in the land of opportunities.

By means of skilled visas

It’s rather easy for you to obtain one of the subclasses for skilled immigrants if you are able to undertake a skilled occupation in the state or territory that requires your skills.  Most everyone knows that Indians excel in information technology (IT).  We need not mention the fact that two of the world’s IT giants – Google and Microsoft – are headed by your countrymen: Sundar Pichai for the former and Satya Nadella for the latter.

For your part, you can very well establish your name in the IT sector in Australia because the country needs people like you for its burgeoning computer and technology industry.

There are a number of visa types for you to choose from in the area of skilled work.  The more popular one is called Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) visa, formerly known as subclass 457.  This visa, though, offers temporary residency only.  You still need to apply for another type of visa that provides for permanent residency after you’ll have complied with its conditions.

If you prefer to live in a laidback environment, away from the hustle and bustle of city life, you can opt for Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa (subclass 187).  This is a permanent visa, but this requires a sponsor.

By means of student visa

If you don’t have a degree yet nor the needed skills required for any listed occupations here, don’t fret.  You can still spend productive and memorable years in the country by being a student in one of the top colleges and universities here.

Australia has become a favorite destination for non-citizens who are looking for a suitable place to earn a degree or undertake further studies.  Not only do you benefit from the high standard of education here, you can also enjoy the other perks of being a holder of a student visa like the opportunity to find work while studying.  Not only that – your student visa can serve as a ticket for you towards permanent residency.  Studying in Australia comes with a price and there are certain Australian student visa financial requirements you must fulfill to be granted with a student visa. A good thing is, you may take your partner with you – they will be also granted with a student visa, but will not have to study at all. Both of you will be allowed to work while on a student visa in Australia.

By means of partner visa

Yet another manner for you to acquire permanent residency in the country is through partner visa.  This is quite popular among your compatriots.  For some reasons, Australians with Indian background prefer to marry people from your beautiful country.  This is one of the reasons the population of Indian immigrants continues to swell. If you happen to be single now and have been dreaming to reside in the country for good, this is one avenue you can explore.  The requirements here can be tough and stringent, though.  For instance, you and your partner should show solid proof that your relationship is lasting and genuine.

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To that end, the case officer of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) may demand evidence from you such as joint bank accounts or detailed and accurate narrative of your relationship from your friends, family, and relatives.  This is quite understandable and less surprising in the light of the rampant cases of human trafficking.

By means of parent visas

 Do you have a child who is already a citizen or permanent resident of Australia?  If so, you are lucky.  He or she can bring you to the country through a parent visa.

With millions of Indian immigrants happily residing in the country these days, there’s a big chance that one of your children may already be a citizen or permanent resident here.  This puts you in an enviable position to avail of the privileges of such a visa.

There are different types of parent visa to choose from.  The most affordable one is Parent Visa subclass 103.  It affords you permanent residency here.  The downside of this type is the waiting time, which may take up to 30 years.

If you prefer the subclasses that are processed faster than subclass 103, you may opt for either subclass 143, also known as Contributory Parent visa (permanent) or subclass 173, Contributory Parent visa (temporary).  Both subclasses command a higher price tag, though.  But if money is not an issue with you, then either of them is the way to go.

Parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents could also be granted with lengthy visitor visas.

We know you could not wait to treasure the time traveling around the country, spend quality time with your grandkids (if you have any), or assist your child or children in taking care of household chores while they are busy with their work or business.

Why not start the application process as soon as possible?

How Nowak Migration can make your dream come true

And in starting the ball rolling, why not hire the services of our company, Nowak Migration?

Please note that the abovementioned types of visa are just one of the many ways for Indians like you to travel and stay in the lucky country.  There are still many.  And each of those types of visa has requirements, conditions, and limitations that can be confusing to the uninitiated in the industry.  Besides that, you need to choose which of those subclasses best suits your purpose, needs, qualifications and even financial capability.  We don’t even include the fine prints on the immigration documents, which most people gloss over as insignificant, but can make or break an application.

This is where the expertise of Nowak Migration is most needed.  Migration agents like us provide you with advice and help on those concerns.  In addition to that, we help you prepare the required documents and evidence; assist you in lodging your application and make the needed follow through with the concerned personnel at the department.

We know the ins and outs at the DIBP, so you cannot brush aside the help that we can give you.

Many would say that hiring a migration agency is expensive.  Try doing the application process all by yourself and assign cost to it and allocate costs as well to the mistakes that you may commit along the way, and see which one is expensive once your visa would be refused for medical or other reason.  You will surely find out that hiring an agent is quite budget-friendly than doing it yourself.

But you need to be cautious in choosing an agent.  Not all migration agencies are the same.  There are registered outfits and there is fly by night.  The latter has been known to fleece clients like you for your hard-earned money.

One of the easy ways to determine whether or not a migration company is legit is to verify if they are registered with the Office of the Mara.  They maintain a list of the registered migration agencies.  Thankfully, your trusted Nowak Migration is prominently listed therein.  Our Migration Agents Registration Number or MARN is 1280062.  If you hire the services of an agent, you should ask for their registration number.

With Nowak Migration being a registered migration agency and a respected veteran in the industry, not only will you be safe in our hands.  You will also be assured that we get the job done.  That is, you can migrate to Australia from India with our assistance.  But don’t take our word for it; rather let our credentials and track record speak for themselves.

So you’ll know what we can do for you, please give us a ring at +61 (07) 3668 0658.  If you don’t have time to do it now, you can send us a message via email or through the Contact Us tab of this website.

We invite you also to like our Facebook page, follow us on YouTube and subscribe to our newsletter.  Don’t worry, your privacy is of utmost importance to us, hence we will keep your email address to ourselves.

Feel free to provide with comments or ask the questions in the box below.

The post Migration to Australia from India ☝️ with Nowak Migration appeared first on Nowak Migration.

Business entities and other organizations in the country that are employing workers from overseas always grapple with this question: Is my business at risk when employees change visas?

And if you happen to be an owner or a manager of such a company or organization, this question always pops up in your mind, at least should – if in doubt it is always the best idea to talk to a professional – a migration agent who can check the work entitlements of your prospective employee and explain you all the conditions of his or her visa. Give us a call if you need any advice.

But before we go any further as to the ramifications of an employee changing visas while still working for you, let’s discuss first checking of visa details using VEVO.

The problem, though, is it’s easier said than done: the act of checking the details of each and every visa of the people under your care and the visas of your applicants proves to be a laborious process, what with the number of visas you had to look into.  Add to that the fact that there are many types of visas issued by the Australian government.  On top of that, each type of visa contains various conditions and limitations.

Imagine yourself running a business and attending to the visa concerns of your overseas hires.  It’s arduous, to say the least.

 VEVO makes your life easier

But with VEVO, you can now kiss goodbye to that one pain in your neck.  But, before anything else, what is VEVO?

VEVO stands for Visa Entitlement Verification Online.  As the name connotes, it is an online facility of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) used in checking the current visa details of your workers and job-seeking visa holders.

You don’t need to register to the app or program to be able to use it.  All you need are the details of the passport or ImmiCard and one of the reference numbers that the DIBP gives you.   The reference number can be any of these:

• Transaction Reference Number (TRN)
• visa grant number
• visa evidence number
• password

How does VEVO work?

Having the details of the passport or ImmiCard of your worker or an applicant, together with the reference number, you can now open the VEVO service by accessing VEVO for Visa Holders.

Please don’t forget to check the box reserved for your agreement to VEVO’s terms and conditions and then click the Submit button.

After that, choose the reference number type you prefer to use.  You can use the pull-down menu for this purpose and click the field that contains your choice.

The next thing you need to do is to enter the date of birth, passport or ImmiCard number and the country that issued the passport.  If you are using the ImmiCard, you have to choose Australia.  There’s another pull-down menu for this purpose that you can use.

What can you search at VEVO?

If you access VEVO, you can find the following information related to your visa or the visas of your employees:

• Category selected
• Visa description (temporary, permanent)
• Passport/immicard number
• Visa class subclass
• Visa holder type – primary or secondary applicant
• Visa grant date
• Visa expiry date
• Current Location either inside or outside of Australia
• Visa status
• Entries allowed
• Initial stay date
• Must not arrive after
• Enter before date
• Purpose of stay
• All conditions applicable to your visa in plain English

Please take note, however, that VEVO only provides details for current visas. It cannot provide data on previous visas.  Moreover, you can only use the service if the information on the visa you’re checking is available electronically in the systems.  Otherwise, your effort becomes futile.

In fact, there are foreign nationals, especially the permanent residents that migrated to the country before the 1990s and have not gone out since, who may not have record in the department’s systems.

How VEVO looks like

The entries on page one of VEVO appears similar among all types of visas.  We are referring to the searchable information listed above such as visa class or subclass, visa description, visa grant date, etc.

The major differences come on page two and the succeeding pages if any.  Page two onwards contains the conditions attached to a particular type of visa – for instance, the activities that the visa holder can and cannot do while staying here, their work rights, the time limitations, and so on.

Let’s take, for example, working holiday visa (417).  We know that this visa is a short-term, temporary visa with time limits.  In particular, it is valid for 12 months.

On the second page of VEVO for working holiday visa, these details will appear:

• Condition number 8547 — In the case of 417, the holder must not be employed by one employer by more than 6 months without prior written permission from the Secretary.
• Condition number 8546 – the holder must not engage in any studies or training for more than 4 months.

Another example that we can cite here for the purpose of demonstrating the usefulness of the online facility is the student visa.  Again, the first page of VEVO looks the same as that of the working holiday visa.  But the similarity ends there: the student visa has 2^nd and 3^rd pages containing visa limitations.  And, more often than not, the limitations revolve around employment.  The most prominent condition here says: The student must not engage in employment when studies have not commenced yet.

You can also find here an explanation about the fortnight, namely that it consists of 14 days starting on a Monday.

Yet another type of visa that we can use as an example in our discussion is another kind of student visa, but this time the holder is a secondary applicant.  In this case the name of the primary or main visa holder should appear in the VEVO.

Common Issues on Visa Conditions and Visa Change

It’s worth discussing Partner Visa in this article because of that type (of partner visa) that gives provisional condition to the holder to stay in Australia.  And the operating word here is PROVISIONAL.

This type of partner visa is issued for the purpose of meeting eligibility requirement.  The permanent type of partner visa may be granted two years after the temporary one has been issued to make sure the relationship between the visa holder and the sponsor or main applicant is genuine.

One entry on the visa that you have to watch out for is whether the visa holder is the primary or secondary applicant.  A secondary visa holder who’s working for you may pose some issues later especially when the primary or main visa holder decides to break up with the dependent visa holder such as a spouse or partner.

Generally, the main visa holder would report to the department the breakdown in relationship and the department would cancel the visa of the dependent.  In most cases, you wouldn’t have any idea about this occurrence.

Bridging visa may also pose some issues among your visa-holding population.  This visa is issued when a substantive visa expires and the application for another substantive visa has not been granted yet.

Let’s always keep in mind that bridging visas are not always automatic when it comes to transferring the work rights of the holder from the expired substantive visa to the bridging visas, hence it is always wise to check the status of the bridging visa online.

There’s also the concern about where to work in Australia.  Certain visas allow holders to work only in regional Australia like RSMS visa subclass 187.  It goes without saying holders of subclass 187 cannot take on occupations in areas not included in the regional postcodes.

Another factor worth looking into concerns the computation of the six-month limitation on working holiday visa.

In all of these situations, it is highly suggested that you check the details of the visas your employees are holding so as to avoid complications with the department.

In our experience, most employers, like you, understand the need to check visa details but find no time to monitor them once employment starts.

We cannot highlight enough the extreme importance of the process of checking the status of the employees’ visa.  The good news is, you now have VEVO at your disposal.

Price of non-compliance

Migration Act deems it a criminal offense on your part to willingly and recklessly allow an illegal non-citizen to work and continue to work in your organization or company in breach condition.

Who are considered illegal non-citizens?  They are:

1. Non-citizens who do not have a visa
2. Non-citizens who have a visa but are working in breach of the conditions of the visa they’re holding. An example of this is a visit visa holder who has no work right but is still allowed to work.

If the department finds you guilty of non-compliance with Migration Act, the consequences vary from relatively minor punishments like enforcement of infringement notices or civil penalties with financial implications to major outcomes such as criminal prosecution.

How to manage compliance issues

One basic recommendation that we can put forward is for you to maintain an updated database of your visa holding workforce.  This does not only contain the visa descriptions or expiry dates of the visas but should include vital information such as their work rights, visa conditions, etc.

You may also require your employees to inform a particular person in the organization concerning changes to visa status.  In relation to this, you may get permission from them to check the status of their visas regularly.  Furthermore, we recommend that you do it not less than every three months.

For those individuals who are on bridging visa and those who have informed you that their visas are still pending, you may monitor them every 28 days.

Many questions still beg to be answered as regards checking visa status on VEVO and the possible risks on your business or organization of employees changing from one type of visa to the other.  We know so much is at stake here if you miss addressing some vital issues in the process.

For this reason, we invite you to get in touch with us at Nowak Migration.  This way, we can have more time to discuss your concerns.

If you find this article helpful and informative, please share it with your friends and family.  We will certainly appreciate it.

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