Getting Down Under Forums

Visa 119

Ramesh Niure — Thu, 17 May 2012 11:53:01 GMT

Hi all, I did apply for 119 visa it's been already 4 month but my nomination has not approved yet. I am desperately waiting to get some response from immi, I have no idea why it take so long time to get approved. Could any one know about it or what can be done to get processing quicker. All your advised will be appreciate . Thanks

5 points short of PR!

DeZz — Thu, 17 May 2012 01:51:37 GMT

Hello,

I am an onshore Graduate skilled visa (485) applicant. Currently I am on Bridging visa A and am trying to satisfy the 65 point criteria in order to be eligible for PR. So far I have managed 60 points. There are two options available to me, and are as follows:

!) Get 8 each in IELTS (will get me 10 more points)
2) Claim 5 points for spouse.

Now let me bring your attention to the spouse criteria; from the immi.gov.au website, the following has to be satisfied by spouse.

Partner skills

1) be included on the same visa application as the primary applicant
2) not be an Australian permanent resident or citizen
3) be less than 50 years old at the time of application
4) nominate an occupation on the same SOL as the primary applicant, and be assessed by the relevant assessing authority as having suitable skills for the occupation
5) have competent English
6) have been employed in a skilled occupation for at least 12 months in the 24 months before the application is lodged, or completed the Australian Study Require

My spouse is a doctor has fulfilled all the points except for point 4. Since she is a doctor she has applied for the AMC registration (first step). This first step is basically AMC assessing her qualifications and giving an equivalent certificate proving qualifications are recognized according to Australian standards. Now my question is: Is this equivalent certificate sufficient enough to claim 5 points for spouse or does she have to clear AMC part 1 exam?

I would be grateful if anyone could provide an insight to it, and any other information that could be helpful for me in obtaining PR.

Regards,
DeZz

Pessimistic Australian immigration predictions surpassed as boat arrivals approach 6,

Mark — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:04:01 GMT

When the government's preferred Australian immigration plan, the people swap deal known as the Malaysia Solution, was struck down in 2011, the Australian Senate predicted that 5,645 asylum seekers would arrive in the current financial year yet that number has already been surpassed with six weeks still remaining.

Immigration Minister Chris Bowen (top) and Opposition Immigration Spokesperson Scott Morrison (bottom) have continued to trade insults over the immigration issue.

After Australian immigration authorities intercepted an asylum seeking boat carrying 121 passengers on Monday night, the total number of asylum seekers intercepted in the current financial year reached 5,828; 670 in the past two weeks alone.
The immigration debate has raged on since the Malaysia Solution was scuttled with political parties refusing to negotiate and continuing to place blame on each other while the problem continues.
The government wants to implement offshore processing with incoming asylum seekers while the opposing Coalition has favoured a much tougher line of enforcement, even promising to turn asylum seeking boats around and lead them out of Australian waters.
Yesterday's boat marked the fourth asylum seeking boat since the Gillard government announced its latest budget last week*and Opposition Immigration Spokesperson Scott Morrison pounced on the announcement's timing*to criticise the government further.
"Labor's budget on boats is blown before the ink is even dry," said Mr Morrison. "With no policy except a lame excuse to blame the opposition, a fresh AU$1.7 billion (�1.06 billion) blowout on asylum seekers in the budget and people smugglers sending record numbers of people by boat, Labor has simply given up protecting our borders and given in to the [Australian] Greens."
The governing Labor Party responded to Mr Morrison's accusations with further accusations of their own, claiming it is Leader of the Opposition Tony Abbott's refusal to negotiate which is perpetuating the problem.
"Mr Abbott's cheap slogans won't stop the boats, but offshore processing will help to stop people taking these dangerous boat journeys and prevent more deaths at sea," said Immigration Minister Chris Bowen.
"Tony Abbott remains in denial, his tow backs policy is dangerous and ignores all the expert advice, including from our navy, which says it is dangerous and risks lives."
Indonesia, the main source of asylum seeking boats and whose waters any redirected boats would be escorted to, has previously rejected Mr Abbott's policy but the Coalition has insisted that such tough policies have worked in the past.
"Turning boats around where it is safe to do so is a key element of the Coalition's proven border protection policies which we will restore in government," said Mr Morrison.

The Australian Visa Bureau is an independent*migration consultancy*specialising in helping people lodge*their Australia visa applications with the Australian Embassy London.

Surge in Australia visa applications from Ireland

Mark — Wed, 16 May 2012 09:44:51 GMT

Ireland's struggling economy has meant that record numbers of Irish people are choosing to take an Australia visa and seek greener pastures Down Under.

Record levels of Irish migrants are choosing to take an Australia visa and pursue opportunities Down Under.

While Ireland's economy continues to struggle for momentum, the ongoing resources boom sees Australia's go from strength to strength and more and more Irish people are beginning to appreciate the opportunities an Australia visa can afford almost anyone.
The most popular option for Irish workers is a 457 visa, which allows holders to live and work in Australia; such is the upswing in applications from Ireland that only British and Indian citizens are granted more visas.
"You are seeing an upsurge, the numbers are big," said Ireland's ambassador to Australia, Noel White, who added the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has projected a further 15 to 20% increase in 457 applications in the current financial year.
"We have a very high unemployment rate; we're going through a very difficult time economically," said Mr White.
"Australia has a booming economy; within that [Western Australia] has a booming economy. Quite clearly, there is space for our needs and your needs to complement one another."
The current resources boom, centred mostly in Western Australia, has created labour shortages throughout the country as mines continue to grow and Australians leave their current jobs for better opportunities. Skilled migration has been the most commonly proposed solution to labour shortages with the programme receiving an expansion to 190,000 places in last weeks' federal budget.
Western Australia is the most common destination for Irish workers Down Under as the level of opportunities is at its greatest there.
However, it is not all good news for Australia and the Irish, in March, WA's training minister, Peter Collier, was reprimanded by Immigration Minister Chris Bowen for attempting to establish a new visa programme to attract 150,000 further Irish workers to the region.
And just last week, Perth police were forced to warn Irish migrants in WA that they risk having their visas cancelled due to antisocial behaviour.

The Australian Visa Bureau is an independent*Australian immigration consultancy*specialising in helping people lodge*applications with the Australian Embassy.

Learn English � Top Tips On How To Learn English

Mark — Wed, 16 May 2012 05:22:03 GMT

As the number of Australian immigrants from non-English speaking countries continues to rise, the requirement to speak and write a high standard of English is becoming a more significant part of the Australian migration process. The IELTS or TOEFL**tests which need to be taken to support applications for many Australian Visa classes are for some [...]
This article originally appeared on getting down under.com. Since January 2006, Getting Down Under has been providing Free Australian Immigration news, advice and resources and currently stands as one of the largest independent Australian Migration Websites in the world. As well as the latest Immigration News, getting down under also hosts a thriving immigration forum which can be found by clicking here
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This is just a short snippet of the Article titled "Learn English � Top Tips On How To Learn English" which has been posted on the main pages of our site. To read the Full article please Click Here

Vetassess problem

mcgirl — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:18:26 GMT

Hi!

I was just wondering if anyone can help me with my situation. I submitted my application to Vetassess for the position Market Research Specialist. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics and Economics (double major) from Boston University and have 3 years of work experience in Market Research. I applied in November of 2011 and got my results recently. They ruled that my degree is not in a highly relevant field as the position I'm applying for. This is absurd right? How can Economics not be related to Market Research? My agent told me he is appealing but won't clarify on the exact steps he is taking. I read somewhere that it will take 1 year to reassess the application. Is this true? Please give me info if you have a similar experience. I am really anxious to get my visa.

Thanks a lot!

Pet Pasport

Ailsa — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:39:41 GMT

Does my dog need a pet passport? We are emmigrating from England to Melbourne Australia and have had some very conflicting advice on this already :-<

Minister defends Australian immigration costs

Mark — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:31:55 GMT

Australian Immigration Minister Chris Bowen has defended the cost of using private planes to deport foreign criminals and failed asylum seekers has surpassed AU$2 million (�1.2 million) since 2010.

Immigration Minister Chris Bowen has defended the use of private jets to deport foreign criminals as a necessity.

Australian immigration authorities have been forced to use private aircraft to deport 226 foreign nationals, including criminals, illegal workers and protesters, on eight separate occasions at a cost of over AU$2.25 million (�1.4 million).
The trips include deporting 137 Papua New Guinean protesters in 2010 at a cost of AU$221,435 (�138,00), a convicted sex offender to Belgium at a cost of almost AU$400,000 (�250,000) and the deportation of four criminals to the Sudan, Nigeria and Senegal at a cost of nearly AU$875,000 (�543,000).
As the Australian taxpayer has indirectly funded these deportations, reaction to the thought of foreign criminals being deported on private aircraft has predictably been negative but Mr Bowen contends that deportations only occur in this manner when airlines such as Qantas refuse to carry out the deportations.
Mr Bowen says the only alternative to using private aircraft is to allow the criminals to remain in Australia, an unpopular option and one which would incur even greater costs in the long term.
"Charter flights are rare but necessary where the alternative is keeping these people in Australia, with many convicted of serious crimes," said Mr Bowen.
"It is a fundamental part of Australia�s immigration system that if you have no legal right to remain in the country, that you are removed."

The Australian Visa Bureau is an independent*migration consultancy*specialising in helping people lodge their Australia visa*application with the Australian Embassy.

Uzbek refugee proves Australia visa fraud to gain asylum

Mark — Mon, 14 May 2012 10:35:41 GMT

An Uzbek man has been granted asylum in Australia after proving the documents on his original Australia visa were forged.

In an unusual case, the man has been permitted to remain in Australia by proving the documents used to gain his Australia visa were forged.

The man, who cannot be named, arrived in the country in 2010 on a valid Australia visa after his Uzbek police checks and medical certificates were provided to the Department of Immigrant and Citizenship (DIAC).
However, after three months in Australia the man claimed that he was escaping persecution in his home country as a member of the Scientology faith.
The refugee claimed that as a persecuted member of Scientology, in a country that is approximately 90% Muslim, he had been assaulted by Uzbek police who had broken his nose and 'squished' his fingers.
The man said he converted to Scientology from Islam in 2006 and began translating the religion's texts from Russian to distribute to others. He claims he was summoned to a local police station where he was accused of spying against the regime of dictatorial president Islam Karimov.
Following these accusations, the man said he faced discrimination at his home:
"Our neighbours started a hate campaign against me," said the man. "Once, two men from the neighbourhood beat me with sticks and stabbed me with a knife. Dead animals thrown through my windows, faeces smeared on my door, abusive colleagues, I cannot list all the things that were very scary and threatening.
The man's claim was initially rejected by Australian immigration authorities who found it implausible that he would be granted a clean police check if he had been so assaulted.
But the man, who is now living in Sydney, managed to persuade the Refugee Review Tribunal that the documents which would allow him to leave had been forged by a fellow member of the underground Scientology church of which he was a member.
'It is entirely plausible that those assisting him got fraudulently prepared documents to assist his visa application and that he would have no knowledge of them," found the tribunal, who granted the man's claim to remain in Australia.

The Australian Visa Bureau is an independent*migration consultancy*specialising in helping people lodge*applications with the Australian Embassy.

Planning for the 2012-2013 Migration Program

Mark — Mon, 14 May 2012 09:27:20 GMT

With the Australian government soon to announce the 2012�13 Migration Program,we thought it may be useful to explain how the government plans for and determines the migration program�s size and composition. As you’ll have probably guessed, there are many more people wanting to migrate to Australia permanently than the country can accommodate. To manage the [...]
This article originally appeared on getting down under.com. Since January 2006, Getting Down Under has been providing Free Australian Immigration news, advice and resources and currently stands as one of the largest independent Australian Migration Websites in the world. As well as the latest Immigration News, getting down under also hosts a thriving immigration forum which can be found by clicking here
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This is just a short snippet of the Article titled "Planning for the 2012-2013 Migration Program" which has been posted on the main pages of our site. To read the Full article please Click Here

Pacific Island row over Australian immigration

Mark — Thu, 10 May 2012 10:41:43 GMT

The Pacific Island nation of Vanuatu has demanded an explanation from the Australian government as to why Vanuatu's prime minister, Sato Kilman, was forced to complete Australian immigration forms despite the fact that he was not entering Australia.

Australian Federal Police officers have been expelled from Vanuatu's capital Port Vila over the treatment of its prime minister last month.

Prime Minister Kilman and his delegation were on transit to a trip to Israel on 27, April when they were stopped by Australian immigration officials and instructed to fill out an Australian immigration arrivals form.
Vanuatu's foreign minister, Alfred Carlot has accused Australia of not respecting Vanuatu and Mr Kilman's position as the head of a foreign government.
"The treatment accord to the head of the Vanuatu government and his delegation when they were on a high level visit to Israel is a disappointing one and undignified," said Mr Carlot.
"The Vanuatu government demands an immediate explanation from the High Commission [of Australia] and why the head of government of the Republic of Vanuatu and his delegation had to be demanded to complete the arrival cards and require immigration and customs clearance even though the Vanuatu government had never requested an exit during the transit."
While Australia may want to avoid a diplomatic row with Vanuatu, Vanuatu has responded to the controversy by suspending all Australian Federal Police (AFP) operations in Vanuatu.
"The government has now advised the High Commission of the Vanuatu government's decision to close down within 24 hours the AFP office based at the high Commission and the immediate closure of all AFP operations in various government law agencies in Vanuatu," said Mr Carlot.
The officers stationed in Vanuatu's capital Port Vila have since left and the liaison office has been closed.
The Australian government has responded to the move by saying it is 'disappointed' and has asked Vanuatu to reconsider the move.

The Australian Visa Bureau is an independent*migration consultancy*specialising in helping people lodge their Australia visa*applications with the Australian Embassy London.

Australia visa in jeopardy for rowdy Irish Down Under

Mark — Wed, 09 May 2012 15:40:51 GMT

Police in Perth have written to Gaelic football clubs in the city to warn Irish migrants that they risk having their Australia visa revoked if reports of anti-social behaviour continue.

Young Irish migrants in Perth have been warned that anti-social behaviour puts their Australia visa at risk.

Reports of young Irish people taking to the streets at night and causing trouble have led to action from the police, who have contacted Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) clubs in the area to warn young migrants that they risk losing their Australia visa and even being deported.
In an email to clubs, the police said they and residents were "extremely unhappy and appalled by the anti-social behaviour which is taking place all too often on the streets and in the pubs across Perth and its suburbs."
Western Australian Police said they wanted to "get the message across to all Irish in Perth that what has been going on is just not acceptable, and if it continues there will be consequences."
"If individuals don't abide by the law, and take heed of move on notices," said the email, "their visas will firstly be investigation, before court action, meaning that deportation would be the final conclusion."
One police inspector defended the Irish migrants' contribution to the increasing occurrences of anti social behaviour, saying the Irish "were only one nationality in a number associated with the backpacker scene where further targeted activities are planned to increase awareness of local liquor licensing and criminal laws".
Britain has already gained a reputation for binge drinking and poor behaviour while abroad and some are concerned that this reputation is to spread to Australia, speaking to the West Australian, Inspector Paul Steel said young travellers had difficulty appreciating different alcohol enforcement policies abroad.
"It is clear that there are some significant differences in the policing of licensed premises in Australia to those in Ireland," said Inspector Steel.
"In particular, the liquor infringement and move on notices are not widely understood, and the purpose of the community level engagement was to target education at an area where this crime prevention advice was deemed appropriate."

The Australian Visa Bureau is an independent*migration consultancy*specialising in helping people lodge*their Australia visa applications with the Australian Embassy London.

Humanitarian Australia visa programme renewed

Mark — Wed, 09 May 2012 12:31:58 GMT

As part of its federal budget released yesterday, the Gillard government has confirmed that its humanitarian programme, which grants an Australia visa to those most in need, will be renewed for another year with the same allocation.

Immigration Minister Chris Bowen says Australians should be proud of the help they provide to refugees.

The programme, which will run at least until 2012-13, will grant an Australia visa to 13,750 to offshore refugees referred by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Asylum seeking in Australia has become a political flashpoint in recent months with the ongoing argument spiralling as record numbers of asylum seekers continue to arrive yet little is often made of the positive aspects of assisting refugees.
"Australia resettles the third largest number of refugees of any country, and we resettle more refugees per capita than any other nation," said Immigration Minister Chris Bowen.
"Australians should be proud of the part we play in providing protection to refugees."
Mr Bowen said the programme would continue to support refugees from the most vulnerable areas of the world yet acknowledged the increased demand for visas.
"Under the 2012-13 programmes, our main resettlement focus will continue to be on refugees from the three key regions of Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
"The exceptionally high demand for visas under the humanitarian programme far exceeds the number of places available. That is one of the reasons why the government remains committed to arrangements that eliminate the incentive for people to make the dangerous boat journey to Australia, maximising the number of places available to those in greatest need."
In order to ensure visas within the humanitarian programme are allocated to the most vulnerable, Mr Bowen said Australian immigration authorities are considering a sponsorship programme which would allow members of the public to sponsor refugees' claims for asylum and therefore lower the cost.
"We will be seeking the community's views on the feasibility of introducing a private sponsorship pilot programme. We are keen to see if we can build on the goodwill towards refugees that exists in the Australia community to develop such a programme," said Mr Bowen.
"In the coming months, we will be seeking input from peak refugee bodies, non-government organisations and other relevant community stakeholders on the feasibility of such a programme."

The Australian Visa Bureau is an independent*migration consultancy*specialising in helping people lodge*their applications with the Australian Embassy.

Australian immigration becomes billion dollar problem

Mark — Wed, 09 May 2012 10:51:46 GMT

In Australia's federal budget, released yesterday, the cost of the ongoing Australian immigration problem rose to over AU$1 billion (�625 million) as boats carrying asylum seekers continue to cause political problems.

The Australian immigration issue is expected to cost the Australian taxpayers over AU$1 billion (�625 million).

The cost of managing asylum seekers had been predicted to fall in last year's problems, however, the government's failed solution to the Australian immigration issue, the Malaysia Solution, announced just weeks before the 2011 budget has had a significant impact on the budget's details.
The Malaysia Solution, a people swap deal with Malaysia which was struck down in the High Court last year, had expected to save AU$366 million (�228 million) by 2014-15 but as the Australian government is yet to reach a suitable compromise with the opposing Coalition, the cost of managing asylum seekers arriving on boats continues to rise.
"Managing boat arrivals is very expensive," said Immigration Minister Chris Bowen. "It was expensive under the previous government and it's expensive now."
The budget predicted that, without a viable solution to the issue, the cost of asylum seekers to the Australian taxpayer would continue to rise to almost AU$3.5 billion (�2.2 billion) by 2015-16.
There are currently over 3,700 asylum seekers in detention in Australia as well as almost 1,500 who have been granted an Australia visa who are currently living in community detention, figures Mr Bowen blamed on the Coalition and its leader Tony Abbott's reluctance to negotiate a solution.
"With the announcement of the Malaysia arrangement last year, we saw boat arrival numbers drop.
"Due to the relentless negativity of Tony Abbott and the Coalition, there is no deterrent in place to prevent those dangerous journeys."
While the political argument continues to spiral out of control, the budget included measures to tackle asylum seeking boats and lessen the risk of another disaster which saw over 200 asylum seekers drown in December. Over AU$30 million (�18.75 million) will be provided to Customs and Border Protection for two new boats, one of which will be stationed at Ashmore Reef, close to where many asylum seeking boats are intercepted.
A further AU$11 million (�6.9 million) will be provided to law enforcement agencies to tackle people smuggling operations both in Australia and abroad.
Pilot programmes were also tentatively announced in the budget which will help manage the growing number of asylum seekers already in Australia include one announced by Mr Bowen which will allow Australians to sponsor refugees' claims for asylum, another which will allow asylum seekers wishing to return to their home countries to leave Australia and a final programme intended to teach asylum seekers English.

The Australian Visa Bureau is an independent*migration consultancy*specialising in helping people lodge*their applications with the Australian Embassy.

Migration Numbers Increased To Fill Skill Gaps

Mark — Wed, 09 May 2012 03:00:16 GMT

Good news for those of you looking to migrate to Australia under the 2012 – 2013 Migration Program. The Federal Government announced yesterday a targeted increase for the the 2012�13 migration program, providing additional places to help fill skills shortages in parts of the Australian economy. Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Chris Bowen MP said [...]
This article originally appeared on getting down under.com. Since January 2006, Getting Down Under has been providing Free Australian Immigration news, advice and resources and currently stands as one of the largest independent Australian Migration Websites in the world. As well as the latest Immigration News, getting down under also hosts a thriving immigration forum which can be found by clicking here
Related posts:

This is just a short snippet of the Article titled "Migration Numbers Increased To Fill Skill Gaps" which has been posted on the main pages of our site. To read the Full article please Click Here