Archive for the ‘Australia’ Category

As of 1 July, 2011, DIAC has implemented a number of changes to the Australian skilled migration program.

As of 1 July, 2011, DIAC has implemented a number of changes to the Australian skilled migration program.

The changes to Australia’s skilled migration program have been made in order to target the “best and the brightest”, with more emphasis placed on work experience, high-level educational qualifications and English language proficiency.

The new points test is a critical part of the process involved when applying for an Australia visa, as in order to lodge an application, applicants must be able to demonstrate that they both meet the basic skilled migration requirements and are also able to pass the points test at the time of lodging their visa.

Skilled visa applicants will now have to score 65 points on the points test. The points test awards points for:

• Age;
• English Language Ability;
• Australian Work Experience;
• Overseas Work Experience;
• Qualifications;
• Recognition of Australian Study;
• Designated Language;
• Partner Skills;
• Professional Year;
• Sponsorship by State or Territory Government;
• Regional Sponsorship by Family or State or Territory Government; and
• Study in a Regional Area

Speaking on the changes, Immigration Minister Chris Bowen made the following comments:

“These changes to the points test are an important next step in the series of reforms to the skilled migration program announced by the Government in February this year.

“The reforms set the foundations for a skilled migration program that will be responsive to our economic needs and continue to serve Australia’s interests in the medium to long term.”

Source: Visa Bureau

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The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen, has announced the introduction of biometrics collection for visa applicants in Syria, Malaysia, Lebanon, Kenya, Jordan and France.

Biometrics collection for Australia visa applicants will commence in Syria and Malaysia in April, and in Kenya, Jordan, Lebanon and France throughout May.

Visa applicants in these countries who submit paper application forms will need to provide a digital facial photograph and fingerprint scans at visa application centres – located in Damascus, Kuala Lumpur, Beirut, Nairobi, Amman and Paris – as part of the visa process.

People who apply online and are eligible for an electronic visa will not need to provide their biometrics at this stage.

Biometrics are already being collected in Bahrain, Bangladesh, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Zimbabwe. More than 8000 overseas Australia Immigration applicants have had their biometrics collected since the commencement of the program in December 2010.

“This delivers on the government’s commitment to introduce the new technology into visa processing,” Mr Bowen said.

“Australia is working closely with like-minded governments and international organisations to better manage identity, migration and border security processes. Collecting biometrics further strengthens Australia’s border security and identity checking processes and will assist my department to verify the identity of visa applicants in any future visa encounters.”

Biometrics is collected using a quick, discreet and non-intrusive process, providing data that are widely used in the international community as an effective tool to manage visa and immigration processes, improve identity management and combat fraud.

Source: Visa Bureau

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Taiwan passport holders are expected to face simpler procedures to travel to Australia and Malaysia by the end of the first half of this year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Tuesday.

Malaysia is likely to grant Taiwanese travelers visa-free treatment by the end of March, and Australia is likely to offer electronic travel authority (ETA) services online by the end of June, said Matthew Lee, director-general of the MOFA’s Department of East Asian & Pacific Affairs.

In the case of Australia, Taiwanese passport holders are currently eligible to apply for an ETA, which is the equivalent of a visa and issued electronically by Australia’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).

But they must do so manually rather than online, and in the future, Australia is expected to provide the more convenient online service to Taiwan passport holders with registered permanent residence, Lee said at a press briefing.

It will hold off, however, on discussing granting the privilege to the group that gives it the most concern — passport holders who do not have registered permanent residence — Lee added.

The Malaysian Cabinet has reached a consensus to grant Taiwanese visitors visa-free treatment, and an official announcement could be made in the first quarter, according to Lee.

Malaysia canceled visas on arrival for all countries on Aug. 15 last year, claiming that many visitors had abused the privilege and overstayed the visas they received. Taiwan has allowed Malaysians to visit Taiwan without a visa since 2002.

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Import regulations by Australia customs

Imports:

AU.$900 worth of goods (AU.$450 for people under 18 and both air and sea crew members ) including gifts (given to you or intended for others).
Alcohol and tobacco products cannot be included in this concession.

2.25 liters of alcoholic beverages for each passenger aged 18 years+.

250 cigarettes, or 250 grams of cigars or tobacco products for each passenger aged 18 years or over. One opened packet containing 25 cigarettes or less is also allowed.
You can pool your duty free concessions if you are a family traveling together. Read the rest of this entry »

Australia Visa Information and guide

Who requires a student visa?
Any person who intends to undertake full-time study in a registered course in Australia needs to obtain a Student Visa. A Student Visa permits the holder to travel to, enter and remain in Australia for the duration of the registered course of study. Overseas students cannot undertake part-time study in Australia and must leave Australia on completion of their course of study.

What documents will be required?
To be considered for a Student Visa, you must first complete an application form (157W) which is available free of charge either from the Australian High Commission. The application form must be accompanied by the correct application fee, which should be in the form of a bank draft made payable to the Australian High Commission. Read the rest of this entry »

Australian embassies

ARGENTINA
Australian Embassy
Villanueva 1400
Buenos Aires 1426
Argentina
Telephone +54 11 4779 3550
Fax +54 11 4779 3585
Web www.argentina.embassy.gov.au

AUSTRIA
Australian Embassy
Mattiellistrasse 2
Vienna 1040
Austria
Telephone +43 (0) 1 506 740
Fax +43 (0) 1 504 1178
Web www.austria.embassy.gov.au

BANGLADESH
Australian High Commission
184 Gulshan Avenue
Gulshan 2
Dhaka
Bangladesh
Telephone +880 2 881 3105 – 5
Fax +880 2 881 1125
Web www.bangladesh.embassy.gov.au

BELGIUM
Australian Embassy
Guimard Centre
Rue Guimard 6-8
Brussels 1040
Belgium
Telephone +32 2 286 0500
Fax +32 2 230 6802
Web www.belgium.embassy.gov.au Read the rest of this entry »