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WHAT IS SKILLED OCCUPATION LIST?
The list of the current occupations eligible for different visa types. Visas are available to individuals who are qualified to work or train in an eligible skilled occupation in Australia and can meet all other requirements.
Find out more about Skilled Occupation List - https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skill-occupation-list
HOW DO I KNOW THAT MIGRATION NATION VISA SERVICES IS THE RIGHT CONSULTING AGENCY FOR ME?
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THE ABC'S OF BRIDGING VISAS?
Bridging Visas are issued if you are onshore and have made a valid visa application. Its purpose is to allow you to lawfully remain in Australia until your visa decision.
Bridging Visa A
BVA is granted when you make an application for a substantive visa. Your BVA does not have travel rights. If you leave Australian on BVA, you will not be able to return.
Bridging Visa B
You need a BVB to travel away from Australia whilst waiting for your visa decision. You can only apply for BVB if you are holding BVA.
Bridging Visa C
Its downhill after BVB. The BVC is granted in situations where you have applied for a substantive visa whilst not holding a substantive visa. BVC comes with NO TRAVEL and you cannot apply BVB.
Bridging Visa D
BVD is granted most likely if you are in a situation where you are unlawful or about to become an unlawful non-citizen, that you will be in a bridging visa E.
BVD’s are rarely seen; again, NO TRAVEL and no provision to apply BVB. You might face a ban if you travel on BVD.
Bridging Visa E
What are you doing!!!!!!! The BVE is for those who are residing unlawfully in Australia. It allows you to remain in Aust until an immigration matter is resolved or until arrangements made to leave country. NO TRAVEL and no BVB; ban if you travel on BVE.
So in a nutshell, Bridging Visa(s) A & B are good, C is alright, D & E are bad, really bad!
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A PERMANENT RESIDENCE VISA TO IMMIGRATE TO AUSTRALIA?
Every application is different and processing times largely depend on the type of visa being applied for. For the most recent guidelines for Australian visa processing times, see Global visa and citizenship processing times on the Department of Immigration and Border Protection website.
CAN THE DEPARTMENT OF IMMIGRATION REFUSE MY APPLICATION?
Yes. A surprisingly large number of applicants are unaware how strictly the immigration regulations are enforced and are often unnecessarily refused or delayed due to technical errors on their application or by submitting the wrong supporting documentation. So the moral of the story is to consider seeking the professional guidance. Check Visa Statistics - https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/research-and-statistics/statistics/visa-statistics/visa-cancellation
WHAT ARE THE COSTS INVOLVED WITH APPLYING FOR A VISA?
Each visa has a different pricing structure and final figure. The cost within some visas include the Department of Home Affairs application charge, Skills Assessment application fee, IELTS test (if required), Medical examination, Police clearance certificate fee, translation and document certification charges and Agent's professional services fee. With us there are no "Hidden Costs".
HOW DOES THE SKILLED POINTS TEST WORK?
Most Skilled visas for immigration to Australia require applicants to score a minimum number of points on the Points Test. Check what's your likely points score here - https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/departmental-forms/online-forms/points-calculator
WHAT IS AN EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI)?
An expression of interest is a way of showing your interest in applying for a skilled visa to immigrate to Australia. It is an online form in SkillSelect which asks a series of questions about your skills depending on the visa subclass that you are selecting to apply for.
The EOI is used to calculate your ability to meet the points test for certain skilled visas. It is available for Employers and State/Territory Government agencies should you like to be considered for a sponsored skilled visa. Read more -
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DOES EMPLOYER HAVE POWER TO CANCEL VISA?
Your sponsoring employer cannot cancel your visa. Only the Department of Home Affairs (DoHA) can cancel your visa. However, your employer can contact the Department to request that your visa be cancelled and may have obligations to do so should you cease employment with them. This will depend on the visa that you hold.
WHAT IS REGIONAL MIGRATION
There are 2 new skilled regional provisional visas that commenced on 16 November 2019:
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) - for people nominated by a State or Territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member to live and work in regional Australia.
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) - for people sponsored by an employer in regional Australia
To be eligible for permanent residence, holders of the new skilled regional provisional visas will need to show they have lived and worked in regional Australia while holding one of these visas. They can then apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) from November 2022.
Find out more about Regional Work Visas at https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/regional-migration/regional-visas
WHAT ARE THE WORKPLACE RIGHTS AND ENTITLEMENTS FOR 482 AND 457 VISA HOLDERS?
The Fair Work Ombudsman and the Department of Home Affairs (Home Affairs) work together to help you understand your legal rights when working in Australia.
Your employer must comply with both Australian workplace laws and immigration laws, like:
- A maximum standard working week of 38 hours for full time employees, plus ‘reasonable’ additional hours
- A right to request flexible working arrangements to care for a child under school age, or a child under the age of 18 with a disability.
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- Parental and adoption leave of 12 months (unpaid), with a right to request an additional 12 months.
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- 4 weeks paid annual leave each year plus an additional week for certain shift workers (pro rata for part-time employees)
- 10 days paid personal / carer’s leave each year (pro rata for part-time employees), 2 days paid compassionate leave for each permissible occasion, and 2 days unpaid carer’s leave for each permissible occasion and 5 days unpaid family and domestic violence leave (in a 12 month period)
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- Community service leave for jury service or activities dealing with certain emergencies or natural disasters. This leave is unpaid, except for jury service which is paid for up to 10 days.
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Read more:
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WHAT IS "DESIGNATED REGIONAL AREA"?
Most locations of Australia outside major cities (Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane) are classed as designated regional areas for migration purposes.
It is designed to specify parts of Australia, by postcode, for the purposes of the new definition of Designated Regional Area under regulation 1.03 of the Regulations.
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You can find the list here - https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/regional-migration/eligible-regional-areas#content-index-2
WHAT IS DESIGNATED AREA MIGRATION AGREEMENT (DAMA) PROGRAM?
DAMA is an agreement between Australian Government and a designated Area. it provides flexibility for states, territories or regions to respond to their unique economic and labour market conditions through an agreement-based framework.
It enables the employers to sponsor skilled and semi-skilled Overseas Workers under a Labour Agreement for specified positions that have proven difficult to fill with local workers.
Read more about the DAMA program - https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/regional-migration/dama