Skilled Visas Archives | Page 2 of 3

Migrating to Brisbane? Here are a few reasons you’ll fall in love with it!

Many of our clients have a destination in mind when they settle in Australia. There is a myriad of reasons from family, work, love or just by chance.

Having been based in Brisbane since the start of our business nearly ten years ago, many of our local clients tell our Brisbane migration lawyers and agents that no matter what the reason was that they first moved here, they eventually fall in love with the city and would not wish to live anywhere else.

Brisbane has recorded the highest percentage rate of population growth of all Australian capital cities every year since 1990. Brisbane’s unique architecture, riverfront setting, perfect climate, cultural diversity and unrivalled employment growth make it one of the most attractive cities to live in on almost any angle.

If you’ve lived in the major capital cities in Australia, you will hear or be involved in an active debate about which city is the best. It’s not uncommon to hear “Brisbanites”, themselves, making disparaging remarks about the River City, and comparing it unfavourably to the big smokes down south, but deep down even they love it. Sure, the New South Wales and Victorian capitals are grand, but there is plenty to be proud about in our own metropolis.

Talking to our Migration Lawyers based in Brisbane who have moved up from Melbourne they would quickly respond to this topic by telling you how the weather is better, there’s less traffic and people are generally nicer.

Digging into this more, you will be told other quirky reasons such as ‘the free river cruise/ sightseeing offered by CityCat’; ‘Syd-Vegas and Melb-Vegas sound ridiculous’; ‘At Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary you are allowed to hold the koalas, unlike elsewhere where the practice is no longer permitted; the mysterious Stefan’s Needle in Westend that keeps everyone guessing as to whether it is a remnant of an alien encounter. Also the hotter weather means gardening is easier even if you don’t have a green-thumb.

Many clients tell us Brisbane’s strategic location means that not only is there employment security settling in one of the most liveable cities in the world, you are also driving distance from many scenic locations where you can fill your weekends with leisurely activities.

All in all, long term residents of the city will tell you that Brisbane is an easy city that has changed considerably, especially in the last few years. It is now considered new cosmopolitan and truly a world city in the making.

No matter where you are or where you’d like to consider as your destination in Australia, talk to one of our Migration lawyers in Brisbane or elsewhere to discuss how we can help you with your decision making. Our migration agents and lawyers will share their personal experiences and help you not only in resolving your visa issues but also any ancillary issues. We hope to be by your side as you migrate and settle in Australia.

Why the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) matters

Australia is one of the first world countries in the world, which has a very firm and tailor made immigration system. It is economically safe and strong for the Migrants and also attracts investors to expand their business in Australia. So for safe and legal immigration, the government encourages Australian Migration Lawyers. MARA (Migration Agents Registration Authority) agents, actually means they are legally authorised to file any visa application to Australian immigration department whereby they have legal rights to represent the client’s case to the immigration authority. They have the authority to file a petition for review which is legally called as MRT (Migration review Tribunal). This is to request the department to review the application. The office of MARA is an office of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection based in Sydney.

They administer a Comprehensive regulatory framework, including relevant provisions of the migration Act 1958. There main objectives are:

➢ To explain to a client their rights and the process involved in immigration. ➢ Registered migration agents understand their obligations towards the case. ➢ Only suitable people are registered as agents and then unsuitable people are refused registration or re-registration. ➢ Agents maintain the knowledge and skills needed to provide accurate and timely advice to their clients. ➢ Agents are monitored for integrity of conduct and quality of immigration services. ➢ Clients of registered or formerly registered agents have an effective way to escalate the proceedings and possible outcomes of the case. ➢ MARA agents handle complaints efficiently.

MARA Agents have been undertaken by Australian Government:

Before 1st July 2009, the Office of MARA agents was a division of The Migration Institute of Australia Limited, a professional association of migration agents in Australia. Later, the institute was appointed by the Australian Government under a statutory self-regulation scheme from March 1998 to June 2009.

Merits of appointing a MARA agent:

Quality client service is important to the office of MARA and their goal is to provide you with the excellent service. Their service standard describes the standard of client service they aim to deliver to their clients:

➢ Treat you with courtesy and respect. ➢ Provide you with clear, accurate and relevant information. ➢ Provide you with the accessible information. ➢ Give prompt and responsive services. ➢ Inform you of your rights, obligations and entitlements. ➢ Act impartially and fairly in the services they provide.

Financial Benefits of appointing a MARA agents to the client.

Migration consultants are obligate to refund 100% of their service fee along with the department of immigration’s fees (in some circumstances) if they fail to adhere to the guidelines involving the lodgment of an application.

When processing a complaint against Mara agent, the department:

➢ Will acknowledge receipt of a complaint within two business days. ➢ Advice on their decision on a complaint with in one day of making the decision, explaining their findings, the reasons for their decision and options available if there is disagreement with their decision. ➢ Aim to finalize 75% of complaints within six months. ➢ Aim to finalize 90% of complaints within twelve months. ➢ They always try to finalize all complaints classified as complex within 24 months, unless there are exceptional cases.

The above statement concludes that they are more reliable, trustworthy and legal practitioner with all the rights to provide physical and financial securities to the application. Appointing a Mara agent, not only safeguards your application, it covers all the investment done for the prospects.

Do you have a visa enquiry for us?

With a vast pool of immigration professionals worldwide, our lawyers and agents at Hunt Migration have the experience, expertise and reliability to provide the highest caliber of immigration services to our clients.

We are primarily focused on enhancing the delivery of immigration services to our clients. Our teams of Registered Migration Agents and lawyers strive to ensure the provision of maximum value and expert visa counselling and advice. We cater to our clients’ needs by addressing to their visa enquiries, assessing their current circumstances and advising them the most suitable visa that would serve as the most efficient and uniquely tailored pathway to Australia.

Hunt Migration offers our clients a free visa assessment through a set of alternatives. The client can make an enquiry through a telephonic consultation, a web consultation (Skype) or a one on one meeting with our professionals at our offices across Australia and abroad. Clients can learn about their visa options based on their eligibility aspects, as well as obtain a clear understanding on the requirements, benefits and stages involved in their respective visa processes. This is the best opportunity for our professionals to discuss this very important next step in your life and make sure you are equipped with the best tools to move forward.

We ensure transparency in our interaction with the client and we strive to streamline this experience in accordance with the client’s enquiries.

Our team of Registered Migration Agents and lawyers take a proactive approach to ease the process, thereby creating a comfortable and stress-free environment for the clients.

We hope to see you soon to have the opportunity to work along your side and address to your visa enquires.

Moving from a 417 working holiday visa to a 457 long-stay work visa and 6 month work waiver

Many of us might be planning on coming to Australia or may possibly be already here in Australia on a 417 Working Holiday Visa. This visa is for applicants from select countries who are between 18 and 30 years old and allows the visa holder to enter Australia for up to one year, but the visa only allows work for an employer for up to 6 months. The most common eligible passport countries for the 417 visa are Canada, UK, Ireland, France, Italy, and Germany.

Whilst working for an employer on your 471 visa, your employer may be impressed with your work and your employer may be willing to sponsor you for a 457 temporary long-stay work visa.

It is important that holders of the 417 work visa not breach their 6 month per employer work restriction if they are thinking of staying on further with their employer and proceeding with a 457 visa.

If you have an employer that is willing to sponsor you for a 457 visa, you should ensure that the 457 visa application is made well before the 6 month work restriction for your employer expires. Otherwise you may have to cease working for your employer and await the outcome of the 457 visa application which may not be agreeable by your employer.

If you cross the 6 month work restriction, you could be working illegally and in breach of your visa condition on your 417 visa which could lead to your 417 visa being cancelled and also affecting further visa applications.

Luckily, if your employer is willing to sponsor you for a further 457 visa, you can make a special application to immigration to extend the 6 month restriction on working for your employer. Hunt Migration can assist you with this special application and also assist with your 457 visa application.

Its important to make a proper timely application to immigration if you are seeking a waiver and relaxation of the 6 month work rule on the 417 visa and also to ensure the criteria to be sponsored on a 457 visa are all met and a proper 457 visa application which best sets out your skill for your visa application and position details for your employer nomination is made on your behalf. A 457 visa involves a complex three step process and application with many special criteria which may apply including assessing your skills, the need for the position, market rate assessment, possible labour market testing, and related requirements. An application which does not address these matters can be refused by immigration.

Contact Hunt Migration Brisbane to make an appointment with a Brisbane Migration Lawyer to discuss your options whilst on your 417 and 457 visa options.

The importance of correct education and work pathways for skilled visas

Many times we are approached by a prospective visa applicant interested in a possible temporary work visa or permanent migration. However they are not able to make a visa application because they do not have a proper occupation. An example would be where someone comes to us with an MBA degree and seeks to migrate. Unfortunately an MBA degree is not an “occupation”. We commonly see many international students who are completing an MBA in the hopes that this will lead to permanent migration.

Another common problem is where a person has studied for a particular profession but is working in another unrelated field. An example of this would be a science graduate working in a bank.

It is important to plan your education pathway so that you study, complete and graduate in a qualification which is listed on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) if you are thinking of permanent independent skilled migration or a qualification on the Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL) if you are planning on applying for a visa which requires employer, state or regional nomination.

The immigration law team at Hunt Migration can discuss and plan your migration pathway based on the skilled occupation lists to ensure you are on the right pathway.

Work experience is also very important for migration and work visas. For permanent migration, the amount of work experience in your occupation will increase your points and therefore chance of meeting the points mark. For temporary work visas, your work experience in your occupation can help you meet the minimum skill level and also show that you have the experience to perform in the position your employer has nominated you.

The team at Hunt Migration can also advise you on the value of your work experience and related field experience which is accepted by immigration for visa applications.

Often we meet prospective visa applicants who have not had the proper guidance, counselling and direction to ensure they have studied in a course leading to an occupation on an appropriate occupation list. These people have spent tens of thousands of dollars on wrong courses and many wasted years with no pathway for a visa or proper skill for them to take back home.

Hunt Migration has the skill and experience to assist and advise you in planning your correct education pathway. Our team can match you with professional educational consultants and our migration lawyers to ensure you have planned your future. From thereon we can assist with all your student visa and post study visa needs.

Contact Hunt Migration today to meet with our immigration lawyer in Melbourne for a free consultation.