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Tuesday 31 July 2012

First court finding against 457 visa sponsor


The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) today welcomed a Federal Magistrates Court decision against a Victorian 457 visa sponsor who underpaid a worker by $10 000.
The court issued a pecuniary penalty of $35 000 plus costs of almost $11 000 and put significant weight on the need to deter other employer sponsors from breaching their obligations.
A departmental spokesman said today that, for the first time, an action had been brought before the courts under the Migration Legislation Amendment (Worker Protection) Act 2008. He said the court found 457 sponsor Sahan Enterprises Pty Ltd had failed two of the obligations: the obligation to pay equivalent terms and conditions, and the obligation to keep appropriate pay records.
“DIAC will not tolerate abuse of the skilled migration program and this finding should send a strong signal to sponsors that they must fulfil their sponsorship obligations,” the spokesman said.
“This is a timely reminder that Australian workplace laws apply universally to all. Sponsors found to be doing the wrong thing by the department’s inspectors may be subject to administrative sanctions, an infringement or civil litigation, as in the case of Sahan Enterprises.”
During the monitoring process, inspectors uncovered failures of the sponsorship obligations. The sponsor was initially served with an infringement notice and asked to repay the visa holder. The sponsor did not comply with the requests and the matter was referred to the courts for a civil penalty.
The spokesman said the court finding represents a significant win and underscores the strength and importance of the reforms embodied in the Migration Legislation Amendment (Worker Protection) Act 2008 (the Worker Protection Act) sponsorship obligations.
“While other cases have been filed, those matters have been settled via alternative means to the satisfaction of the department and any sponsored people involved,” he said.
“While the vast majority of sponsors are compliant, DIAC remains committed to strengthening the integrity of Australia’s skilled visa programs by identifying and penalising employers who do the wrong thing.
“The department welcomes this finding, which is the result of its thorough approach to monitoring investigations and the high calibre of the sponsor monitoring inspectorate.”

Monday 30 July 2012

Australian Human Rights Commission


Australian Human Rights Commission Report on Community Arrangements for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Stateless Persons and the Response

The full PDF version of the publication is available for download.
See: Community arrangements for asylum seekers, refugees and stateless persons (3.7MB PDF file)

When US visa holders earn permanent resident status they have the right to:

Live and work permanently anywhere in the U.S.
Apply to become a U.S. citizen (once eligible).
Request visas for your husband or wife and unmarried children to live in the U.S.
Get Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, and Medicare benefits, if you are eligible.
Own property in the U.S.
Apply for a driver's license in your state or territory.
Leave and return to the U.S. under certain conditions.
Attend public school and college.
Join certain branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Purchase or own a firearm, as long as there are no state or local restrictions saying you can't 

Friday 27 July 2012

Malaysia Student Visa


MALAYSIA

Benefits: -

·         Most of the universities in Malaysia have affiliations with Top universities of Australia, Canada, USA & UK. Therefore, students can get benefit of studying in those countries as well (2+2) or (1+3) or (3+1) or they can also finish studies in Malaysia and can get certificate from Malaysian and other country’s university at one go.
·         Fees compared to Australia, Canada, USA and UK are much less.

PROCEDURE
·         Fill up application form
·         Residence form
·         Complete the medical report form which is endorsed by a registered physician with the correct information
·         Certified copies of academic qualifications with a certified translated copy in English (If applicable)
·         10 passport size photos
·         1 copy of your passport (all pages, in A4 size paper, must be in black and white copy)
·         Initial payment for Application fee (approximately RM500, student visaRM450 and InsuranceRM300.)
·         No Objection certificate (For African students), they must obtained this NOC from the embassy or consulate after receiving our offer letter.
·         Without the NOC, we are not able to apply for visa.

More Detail log on to :- www.premiersintl.com

Why should I become a citizen?



Main content
Australian citizenship is an important step in your migration story. Becoming an Australian citizen means that you are making an ongoing commitment to Australia and all that this country stands for. It is also the beginning of your formal membership of the Australian community. It is the step that will enable you to say ‘I am Australian’.
Australian citizenship is a privilege that offers enormous rewards. By becoming an Australian citizen, you are joining a unique national community. Our country has been built on the combined contributions of our Indigenous people and those who came later from all over the world. We celebrate this diversity and at the same time, strive for a unified and harmonious nation.
The strength of the Australian community means that we work together to solve problems and to make Australia the great country that it is. We have a stable system of government and Australians respect the authority and laws of the government. Our stability, our culture and our laws have been shaped by our history. By joining the Australian community, you will inherit this history and you will be in a position to contribute to it.
 
New Australian citizens speak about their joy of living here and being able to participate in the community.
 
Listen to new citizens tell of their appreciation of Australia's freedoms and peaceful society.
Hear Ben Lee talk about why it is exciting to become an Australian citizen.
Hear Tara Moss talk about her citizenship experience being a life changing moment.

Wednesday 25 July 2012

Do I need a visa label in my passport?



No. Australian authorities do not require a visa label in your passport to travel to, or enter or remain in Australia.
All Australia bound international commercial airlines and cruise ships are required to verify with Australian authorities that you have an Australian visa before you travel to Australia. Information on your visa status and entitlements is available on the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) system.
When you are in Australia you can access this information at any time using the VEVO system. Employers, banks and government services can also check details about your visa entitlements once they have your consent to do so.
Note: Organisations and individuals need to register to access VEVO.

What is VEVO?

VEVO is a free online facility that allows visa holders and organisations to see details of currentvisas.
Organisations will only be able to see certain information relating to your status and entitlements.  You as the visa holder are provided with more detailed information including:
  • class and subclass of your visa
  • grant and expiry dates
  • grant number
  • entries allowed
  • all conditions that apply to your visa.

Are there any situations where I could be asked to show a visa label in my passport?

Foreign governments are aware that Australia does not require a visa label.
You should check with the relevant government authorities regarding requirements to show a visa label in your passport when you transit through or exit a country. The Australian Government cannot advise on other countries’ requirements.

What if I'm asked by my prospective Australian employer, school or bank to get a visa label?

A visa label is not required by the Australian immigration authority. Work, study and residence entitlements of visa holders can be verified online using VEVO. With your consent, the enquiring organisation can use VEVO to check your visa status and entitlements.
See: Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO)

Important things to remember:

Keep a copy of your grant letter with your passport when you travel, this letter contains all the important information about your visa.
Other things to keep in mind include:
  • Australian authorities do not require you to have a visa label in your passport.
  • Confirm requirements for visa labels with relevant authorities if you are transiting through or exiting a country.
  • Once in Australia you can check your visa information online using VEVO.
  • Employers, schools, banks and other organisations can check your entitlements online with your consent using VEVO.

Tuesday 24 July 2012

Changes to Australian Visa Service Delivery in China



From 3 September 2012 the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) is changing the way immigration services will be delivered in China.
The two key changes include the:
  • Introduction of Australian Visa Application Centres (AVACs) in Beijing and Shanghai
  • Changes to visa processing locations.

Introduction of AVACs

Two AVACs operated by VFS Global Pty Ltd, will be opened in Beijing and Shanghai on 3 September 2012.
The AVACs will:
  • accept visa applications and charges
  • handle basic enquiries from clients before application is lodged
  • return passports
  • provide an online application tracking facility.
The introduction of AVACs will provide more convenient access to immigration services for clients through greater access to information, extended service hours and streamlined processing.

Changes to visa processing locations

In addition to the introduction of AVACs, there will also be changes to where certain visa applications are processed in China from 3 September 2012.
Consolidating visa processing for certain visa applications into processing centres will enable a greater level of consistency in processing and decision-making and will improve the service the department provides to clients in this region.

Impact on clients

These changes mean from 3 September 2012, clients who reside in provinces within the Beijing and Shanghai catchment areas applying for an Australian visa should lodge their application at an AVAC in either Beijing or Shanghai.
Clients submitting their visa application by post or courier will generally be required to send their visa application directly to the AVAC in the location of the relevant processing office.
The exception to this will be clients lodging an Adoption (subclass 102) visa or Resident Return (subclass 155/157) visa who should submit their application to the Australian visa office at the Australian Consulate Guangzhou.
Clients in the Guangzhou catchment applying in person for an Australian visa should continue to lodge their application directly with the Australian Visa Office at the Australian Consulate in Guangzhou.
Temporary Residence (Non-Business) visas should be submitted directly to the AVAC in Beijing.
There will be no change to the current lodgement and processing arrangements for Government officials applying via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) or their local Foreign Affairs Office (FAO), Australian Destination Status (ADS) travel or Australian citizenship by Descent applications which should continue to be lodged directly with the nearest Australian Visa Office.
Applications will continue to be assessed and decided by the Australian visa office. Staff at the AVAC will have no involvement in the decision–making process or have any knowledge of the application outcome.

More Information

Specific details about visa lodgement and processing arrangements will be provided on the department's website in the coming weeks.

New research on Studying in Australia: Views from six key countries



Australian Education International recently published the results of a survey they conducted in six of Australia's largest source countries for international students which examines perceptions of studying in Australia.
The survey results concluded that the three most important factors in deciding where to study were the quality of education, the cost of tuition and the cost of living. It also concluded that about 90 per cent of prospective students thought that Australia's visa system was not difficult or complex. Students ranked Australia as taking the shortest time to process student visas, and ranked the United Kingdom and the United States of America as taking the longest.
See: Studying in Australia: Views from Six Key Countries (PDF file)

Sunday 22 July 2012

Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) for Organisations


What is VEVO?

VEVO for organisations is a free online facility that allows Australian employers, education providers, financial institutions and government agencies to check the visa status and entitlements of a visa holder.

Categories and registration types

Information on other client groups and VEVO categories is available.
See: VEVO Client Groups and Categories
Employers and labour supply companies should register for the work entitlements category only. This category enables the registered organisation to check the work entitlements of a prospective employee.
Education institutions should register for the study entitlements category. This category enables educational institutions to check the study entitlements of students. Educational institutions should also register for the work entitlements category if they are an employer.
If your organisation has a need to use VEVO for a purpose not identified contact the department and you will be assisted with your registration.
See: VEVO – Help and assistance
An instructional video to help you through the VEVO process is also available.
See: VEVO for organisations
Visa holders can also use VEVO to check their current visa details. 
See: Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) for Visa Holders
To make an enquiry using VEVO, your browser must support 128 bit encryption. You can check your browser if you experience problems connecting to these services. 
See: Online Services – Browser Requirements

Important items to note

Organisations need to be aware of the following:
  • Organisation based outside Australia cannot register for VEVO. Foreign governments in Australia will not be given access to VEVO.
  • Access to VEVO is provided according to your business needs.
  • VEVO does not verify a visa holders identity or confirm if the document presented is genuine.
  • VEVO will not display the name of the visa holder as recorded in our systems. Organisations are encouraged to enter the name as per the Visual Inspection Zone of the passport.
    See: Passport Format
  • Visa holders do not require a visa label or stamp to be placed in their passport.
  • Only holders of non-Australian passports can be checked. VEVO will not allow details of Australian passports to be entered.

Information required to perform a search in VEVO

Before undertaking a search in VEVO you will need the visa holders foreign passport.
Note: You should check the personal details page of their passport and other documents to verify the person’s identity.
You will then need to obtain (and retain) the visa holders permission to undertake a VEVO check to view their visa details. Using the person's passport, you must enter the following information as it appears in the passport into the VEVO enquiry screen:
  • family name
  • given name
  • date of birth
  • passport number (for PLO56 holders please enter ‘PLO56’)
  • passport country of issue (for PLO56 and DFTTA holders enter country of citizenship).

PLO56 holders

Visa holders may not hold a passport or a valid travel document and have been issued with an identity document commonly referred to as a PLO56. As this document does not have a unique number, VEVO may not be able to display the visa status or entitlements of the visa holder. Should you receive an error message stating 'The Department has not been able to identify the person', please complete the online referral form within VEVO or use the departments Faxback service.
See: Visa entitlement verification faxback service

New Zealand citizens

As part of the 1973 Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangements, New Zealand citizens who do not hold a valid visa for travel to Australia can apply for a Special Category visa (subclass 444) on arrival.
Employers are reminded that if you are seeking to employee a New Zealand citizen who is outside Australia at the time of the VEVO check, you may receive a negative response. When using VEVO for New Zealand passport holders, please ensure that the person is in Australia at the time of checking their work entitlements.

Password reset information

Once you logon to VEVO, you can change your password or update your contact details by selecting the links which are located in the top right corner of the enquiry details screen. Your password needs to be updated every 28 days.

Once you are registered, your VEVO account will never expire. If however your account is inactive for 90 days or you have locked your account (failed login attempts) it will be suspended.
If you have forgotten your password, locked your account or your account has been inactive for 90 days or longer, contact the department.
See: VEVO – Help and assistance
Important: When contacting the department, you must be the original account holder in order to reset your VEVO password. You will be asked a series of identity verification questions before your password is reset, including the secret question you recorded when registering your account.

Visa entitlement verification faxback service

For those employers in a regional area where internet services are not available, the department offers a toll-free Faxback Service that provides written confirmation of a visa holder’s entitlement to work in Australia. The Faxback service can also be used in the event that VEVO is not available.
Note: The processing time for the Faxback service is five business days. If you have not received a response after five business days, please contact the department.
See: VEVO – Help and assistance
To use the faxback service, complete the Authority to Obtain Details of Work Rights Status form and fax to the department.
See: Authority to Obtain Details of Work Rights Status ( 31KB PDF file)

Community Status Resolution Service

For people who employ or seek to employ someone who has overstayed a visa or been granted a Bridging visa E, the department's Community Status Resolution Service (CSRS) can provide information and help to resolve a person’s immigration status.
See: Community Status Resolution Service (CSRS)

VEVO - Help and assistance

The departments Employer Immigration Hotline can help you to:
  • check the meaning of work and study condition codes. The department will not give specific information as it relates to a client. We will only be able to provide assistance in understanding work or study condition codes as they relate to employing or enrolling a visa holder
  • understand your obligations under the Employer Sanctions Legislation
  • discuss your VEVO registration requirements
  • reset your VEVO password.
See: National Telephone Numbers > Employers Immigration Hotline
Please read all available information before commencing your VEVO search. If you are experiencing difficulty within the system, most fields have help that can be accessed by clicking on the Help Symbol symbol.
If this help does not meet your needs or you require general information or wish to provide feedback, you can contact the department.
See: Visa Entitlement Verification Online

Friday 20 July 2012

Proof of citizenship


The following steps are a guide to the application process to obtain evidence of your Australian citizenship. You can apply if you ever had, or have been included in, a certificate that says you are an Australian citizen.
If you think you might be an Australian citizen, but you are unsure of your Australian citizenship status, you can also apply.
You cannot request evidence of the Australian citizenship status of another person, unless you are requesting on behalf of your child.
You can request confirmation of the Australian citizenship status of a deceased parent or grandparent if it is for official purposes.
See: Requesting confirmation of Australian citizenship status of a deceased person
If you are seeking information on the Australian citizenship status of another person, you should make an FOI request (175KB PDF file).
Click on Step 1 below to begin.

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Thursday 19 July 2012

Key Facts about Immigration


This is a summary of key immigration and migrant settlement statistics.
Commonly used terms in this document include:
Migration Program refers to the number of visas for permanent residence in the Skill, Family and Special Eligibility streams (this does not include New Zealand citizens and visas issued under the Humanitarian Program).
Settler arrival refers to people entitled to permanent residence who are living in Australia (this includes New Zealanders intending to stay permanently and Humanitarian Program entrants).
Net overseas migration is the number of people arriving in Australia minus those departing from Australia for 12 months or more (within a 16 month period).
Planning levels refers to the number of visas that may be granted in the categories of each visa program in a financial year.

Post-war migration

Since October 1945, more than 7.2 million people have migrated to Australia—750 000 of these people arrived under the Humanitarian Program.
Australia’s population has increased from about seven million in October 1945 to 22.69 million as at September 2011.
The Migration Program began at the end of World War II. Australia reached agreements with Britain, some European countries and with the International Refugee Organization to encourage migration—including displaced people from war-torn Europe.
See: Fact Sheet 4 - More than 60 Years of Post-war Migration
The trigger for a large-scale migration program was the end of World War II. Agreements were reached with Britain, some European countries and with the International Refugee Organization to encourage migration, including displaced people from war-torn Europe.
About one million migrants arrived in each of the six decades following 1950:
  • 1.6 million between October 1945 and June 1960
  • about 1.3 million in the 1960s
  • about 960 000 in the 1970s
  • about 1.1 million in the 1980s
  • over 900 000 in the 1990s
  • over 1.2 million between 2000 and 2010.
The highest number of settlers to arrive in any one year since World War II was 185 099 in 1969–70. The lowest number in any one year was 52 752 in 1975–76.
Today, one in four of Australia's 22 million people were born outside Australia. Since July 2009, New Zealand has been the major source country for settlers.
The number of settlers arriving in Australia between July 2010 and June 2011 totalled 127 460. They came from more than 200 countries. Most were born in one of the following four countries:
  • New Zealand (20.2 percent)
  • China (11.5 percent)
  • United Kingdom (8.6 percent)
  • India (8.3 percent).
Globalisation has resulted in a major flow of people who often do not intend to stay in Australia permanently, therefore, migration has become increasingly circular and temporary in nature.

Settler arrival figures

YearSettler arrival numbersNet permanent migration
1998–199984 10049 000
1999–200092 30051 200
2000–2001107 40060 800
2001–200288 90040 700
2002–200393 90043 500
2003–2004111 60052 500
2004–2005123 40060 800
2005–2006131 60063 700
2006–2007140 10068 000
2007–2008149 40072 400
2008–2009158 02177 000
2009–2010140 61054 300
2010–2011127 46039 000
Source: overseas arrivals and departures

Settler arrivals by region of birth between July 2010 and June 2011

Region of birthArrivals% Variation
Oceania and Antarctica 29 61437.0
Europe 16 936-25.4
North Africa and the Middle East 9 508-8.0
South East Asia 17 938-12.8
North East Asia18 813-11.5
Southern Asia 18 348-26.3
Central Asia 1 90919.0
Northern America 2 245-3.8
South and Central America and the Caribbean 1 754-27.3
Sub-Saharan Africa 9 471-30.2
Supplementary country codes90411.5
Not stated/not elsewhere included  18-33.3
Grand total 127 458-9.4

Major source countries

July 2010 to June 2011 settler arrivals, by country of birth

Country of birthArrivals% Variation
New Zealand25 77242.2
China (excludes SARs and Taiwan)14 611-12.2
United Kingdom10 944-29.6
India10 566-32.4
Philippines5 048-15.3
South Africa4 752-33.6
Vietnam3 339-10.9
Sri Lanka3 225-27.4
Iraq2 98816.4

By way of comparison: settler arrivals by region of birth for 2000–01

Region of birthArrivals% of total
Oceania and Antarctica30 13428.1
Europe18 33817.1
North Africa and the Middle East6 9426.5
South East Asia13 79812.9
North East Asia14 88113.9
Southern Asia10 81610.1
Central Asia5330.5
Northern America1 9491.8
South and Central America and the Caribbean8330.8
Sub-Saharan Africa8 3167.7
Supplementary – country codes7880.7
Grand total
107 366

Population

At 30 September 2011, the estimated population for Australia was 22.69 million. This is an annual increase of 319 600 people and a population growth rate of 1.4 percent. There has been a sudden decline from the peak growth rate of 2.2 percent for the year ending 31 December 2008, followed by a steady decline until 31 December 2010 after which it has remained steady at 1.4 percent.
Population growth has two components:
  • Natural increase (the excess of births over deaths)
  • Net migration to Australia (net permanent and long-term migration to Australia plus adjustments for changes in traveller duration intention).
The graph below shows the contributions of natural growth and net migration to Australia's population growth between 2007 and 2011.
graph of annual population growth
Source: Australian Demographic Statistics, September 2011 (ABS Cat 3101.0)

2012–13 Migration Program

The number of places available in the Migration Program for 2012–13 is 190 000, which is 5000 more than the 2011–12 planning level. Of the 5000 places, 3400 are allocated to the Skilled stream. This is to help meet the demand for skilled migrants.
The Family stream has increased to 60 185 places. This is an increase of 1585 places from the 2011–12 program year. Most of this increase will be in the uncapped Child and Partner visa categories to help keep families together.
See: Fact Sheet 20 – Migration Program Planning Levels

Previous Migration Program planning levels:

Migration programPlaces available
2002–03108 070
2003–04114 360
2004–05120 060
2005–06142 933
2006–07148 200
2007–08158 630
2008–09171 318
2009–10168 623
2010–11168 685
2011–12185 000
2012–13190 000

Migration Program as a percentage of Australia’s population

While the size of the 2012–13 Migration Program is the largest program delivered, it remains consistent with the longer-term average.
The graph below shows the Migration Program intakes since the 1950s in proportion to the population of Australia.
Migration Program size as a percentage of Australia's population