MAG Avenue Migration - Australian Immigration Experts
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - I just want to find out which visa is right for me and whether I am eligible.
Please feel free to contact us at our office directly via email or telephone. Our migration agents will ask you for the required information to ascertain your eligibility for the appropriate visa. - How long will it take to process my application?
We can provide you with a time frame report based on the latest information from DIAC on their estimated processing times. Contact us and specify which visa you are interested in applying for. - How much will it cost for me to apply?
After your initial assessment, we will provide you with a comprehensive fee schedule which includes DIAC and any third party application fees. This ensures you know exactly what the process will include. You can find a complete list of DIAC's visa application charges on Form 990i. The listed DIAC fees don't include third party fee such as medical checks, police checks, skills assessments, document translation fees, business document fees, etc. - Is my application eligible for priority processing?
The latest priority processing arrangements were set in place by the Minister on 14 July 2010. These arrangements take account of the changes to the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) that came into effect on 1 July 2010, as well as the revocation of the Migration Occupation in Demand List (MODL) and the Critical Skills List (CSL). These priority processing arrangements apply to applications already lodged with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, as well as to future applications. From 14 July 2010, processing priorities (with highest priority listed first) are: 1. Applications from people who are employer sponsored under the ENS and the RSMS. 2. Applications from people who are nominated by a state or territory government agency with a nominated occupation that is specified on that state or territory’s state migration plan. 3. Applications from people who have nominated an occupation on the new Skilled Occupation List (SOL) – Schedule 3 in effect from 1 July 2010. See: http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/new-list-of-occupations.pdf 4. All other applications are to be processed in the order in which they are received. - I want to obtain State/Territory government sponsorship but I don’t know how to go about it.
You may check whether your relevant State/Territory government is sponsoring your nominated occupation here. Note that individual States/Territories impose additional criteria for sponsorship. Quotas apply to nominations so check with us for the status of your occupation in your State/Territory. Immigration law is administered at the Federal level in Australia, so as a Melbourne-based firm we can assist you no matter where your Australian destination may be. - Can I re-use my medicals?
After Novemeber 2009, if you are applying for a permanent visa, you will not be allowed to use the medicals you used for your temporary visa application. There are certain situations when you can re-use your medicals. Feel free to contact us for further information. - I am an international student and want to know my Skilled Migration options after graduation. Will my course allow me to apply for PR?
You can check whether your nominated occupation is on the new Skilled Occupation List (SOL). If you were on a Vocational and Educational Training Sector, Higher Education Sector or Postgraduate Research Sector visa (572/573/574) as of 8 February 2010 and apply for a 485 before 1 January 2013, you may nominate an occupation listed in Schedule 2 for your 485 visa. Alternatively, if you held a 485 visa or had a pending 485 application on 8 February 2010, you may nominate an occupation listed in Schedule 2 for your General Skilled Migration (subclasses 487, 885, or 886) visa application if you apply before 1 January 2013. For an explanation of the new SOL, please click here. There may be options available to you even if you do not fall into these categories, for example employer nomination. Feel free to contact us for further clarification. - I’m an employer thinking of sponsoring an overseas national for a position with my organisation. I would like to know about my eligibility and obligations.
Employer obligations may vary depending on the visa your employee holds. Feel free to contact us if you require advice on which visa would best meet your organisation’s requirements. - Do I need an Australian visa to come to Australia? I have relatives who are/my partner is Australian.
If you are not an Australian citizen, you will need a visa to enter Australia. - Am I eligible for a Working Holiday Visa?
Working Holiday visas are only available to passport holders of certain countries - those with which the Australian government has reciprocal working holiday agreements. You can check on the DIAC website for the list of countries. You will also need to meet basic fund requirements. - Do I need to take the Academic or General IELTS test?
The General module will be sufficient in most circumstances although you may be required to take the Academic module for some skills assessments. - I've already applied for a visa. Can I apply for another visa?
Unless there are restrictive conditions on your current Australian visa, there are no provisions that prevent you applying for a different visa provided you pay the prescribed Visa Application Fees and observe the time of application criteria. - I'm on a Bridging Visa. Can I stay in Australia indefinitely?
Bridging visas are not granted for permanent residence but to ensure that you remain legal, for example, while your application for a substantive visa is being processed. If you wish to stay in Australia permanently, please consider a permanent, substantive visa. - I've lost my passport. Does this mean I no longer have a valid Australian visa?
No. The visa stamp on your passport is only the proof that you have been granted an Australian visa. You are still a visa holder. You only need to have your new passport re-stamped at an appropriate Australian government office. - Do you have offices outside Melbourne?
We are currently located exclusively in Melbourne. As Australian immigration law is administered at the federal level, we can also assist you if you are not situated in Melbourne, or if you are intending to immigrate to a state/territory other than Victoria. Header: Wineglass Bay, Tasmania | 
