M I G R AT I O N S E RV I C E S TO A U S T R A L I A

Thinking about Migrating toAustralia?

IOM is an international organization offering independent and confidential immigration advice, visa application assistance and travel services to individuals, their sponsors & businesses.

• GLOBAL SPECIAL HUMANITARIAN VISA [SUBCLASS 202]

• FAMILY MIGRATION• PROSPECTIVE SPOUSE &

PARTNER MIGRATION• SKILLED MIGRATION

CALL US ON 1300 921 811(+61 2 9248 2104 from outside Australia)for an obligation free initial consultation.

Visit us at: www.iomausmigrationservices.org;Email us at: iomausmigrationservices@iom.int

@IOMAustralia@IOMAUS MARN 1387166

There are many migration pathways to Australia that may be available to you and your dependents. These options depend on your personal circumstances, your skills and qualifications, and your connections with family or associations with organizations within Australia.

A migration pathway may be temporary, lead to permanent residency in Australia, or Australian citizenship. A migration pathway may involve either a single visa or a series of connected visas.

Initially it is important to consider and understand the alternative options available to you and the costs and benefits of each. You must be able to meet the criteria and pay the visa application charges and other associated costs to be eligible for these pathways.

Many people begin their migration pathway with a temporary visa with lower eligibility criteria that may provide an opportunity to apply for a permanent visa at a later stage.

If this is the case, you will need to consider how your temporary visa may impact on future permanent visa options, including any higher eligibility requirements you may need to plan for.

Additional considerations to be aware of and understand are visa grant quotas in effect, which limit the number of a visa class or subclass granted in an Australian visa programme year, and government visa processing priorities which may affect the success of your application.

M I G R AT I O N PAT H WAY S TO A U S T R A L I A

NOT EVERYONE IS QUALIFIED OR ALLOWED TO PROVIDE MIGRATION ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE FOR MIGRATION TO AUSTRALIA - REGISTERED MIGRATION AGENTS ARE.

The provision of immigration assistance in Australia is regulated by the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA).

Within Australia it is against the law to provide immigration assistance unless the individual providing assistance is registered with the OMARA. Registered migration agents in Australia provide immigration assistance to onshore and offshore clients and may also be located outside of Australia.

Registration with OMARA provides you with assurance the individual providing immigration assistance has appropriate knowledge of Australian migration law and processes. In order to obtain and maintain their registration with OMARA the agent must demonstrate they are a fit and proper person, a person of integrity, have undertaken the required qualifications and maintained their professional knowledge through meeting ongoing professional development obligations.

Registered Migration Agents are obliged to comply with the Code of Conduct for registered migration agents and provide you with a copy of the Code at your request.

The regulation of Registered Migration Agents also provides you with a formal complaint mechanism for complaints against Registered Migration Agents.

If you receive immigration advice or assistance from an individual who is not a registered migration agent you may be exposed to a number of risks including possible migration fraud.

You can check the current registration status of migration agents on the OMARA website: https://www.mara.gov.au/search-the-register-of-migration-agents/

IOM’s Migration Services to Australia is a fee-paying service available to prospective Australian migrants and their Australian based sponsor for assistance with immigration to Australia.

An IOM Registered Migration Agent can assist you with understanding your migration pathway options and the possible interaction of one visa application with another. IOM’s Registered Migration Agents can also support you in developing a migration plan that is right for you.

Depending on the visa subclass, the visa application process may involve a number of interdependent steps, as well as interaction and coordination with regulatory bodies. IOM’s Registered Migration Agent can guide and assist you with the specific visa application preparation requirements and processes for an orderly lodgement.

The migration services to Australia process:

A B O U T M I G R AT I O N S E RV I C E S TO A U S T R A L I A

S T E P 1 : S U B M I T E N Q U I R Y

• Contact us: 1300 921 811 or +61 2 9248 2104

• Email iomausmigrationservices@iom.int• Visit iomausmigrationservices.org

IOM will respond to your enquiry within 2 business days.

S T E P 2 : C O N S U LTAT I O N

• Obligation Free• Clarify your migration intentions and

relevant information• Discuss your migration pathway options• Explain associated costs

S T E P 3 : E N G A G E M E N T

• Provide Letter of Engagement of Services• Develop a migration plan• Visa application preparation • Visa Application lodgement

V I S A D E C I S I O N

T H E A U S T R A L I A N G O V E R N M E N T ’ S D E PA RT M E N T O F I M M I G R AT I O N A N D B O R D E R P R OT E C T I O N W I L L M A K E A D E C I S I O N R E G A R D I N G YO U R V I S A LO D G E M E N T.

T R AV E L A S S I S TA N C E

I F YO U R V I S A I S G R A N T E D B Y D I B P, I O M C A N A S S I S T YO U W I T H YO U R T R AV E L A R R A N G E M E N T S I F R E Q U I R E D ; AVA I L I N G O F C O N C E S S I O N A L A I R FA R E S A N D B A G G A G E E N T I T L E M E N T S .

P O S T A R R I VA L C O N N E C T

C O M P L I M E N TA RY S E RV I C E S U P P O RT I N G YO U I N M E E T I N G A N Y A P P L I C A B L E O N G O I N G V I S A C O M P L I A N C E R E Q U I R E M E N T S .

E X A M P L E S O F M I G R AT I O N PAT H WAY S TO A U S T R A L I A

Skilled Migration Pathways

In the 2015-16 Programme Year 189,770 permanent visas were granted. Only 17,555 humanitarian visas were granted.

For individuals with Australian Government recognized skills and qualifications there is a range of skilled independent or employer nominated visas. Skilled visas are distinguished by differing eligibility requirements and entitlements to remain in Australia temporarily or permanently.

Some skilled migration pathways commence with a temporary employer sponsored visa. The opportunity to apply directly for a permanent visa and without a sponsor is also available to suitably skilled individuals and their dependents.

Skilled visas are largely tied to occupational lists updated periodically by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection. Many skilled visa classes also have annual quotas in place for designated occupations.

A number of skilled visas employ a points system in addition to other minimum specific visa eligibility requirements such as age, health and character requirements. The point’s system awards points for a range of valued skills and attributes including level of qualifications, level of English Language proficiency, years of work experience, age and occupation. Certain visa classes require specified minimum points to be eligible to apply.

Skilled visa applications currently have processing times ranging between 2-9 months.

Global Special Humanitarian Visa (Subclass 202)

IOM receives a significant volume of enquiries related to the Global Special Humanitarian Visa (Subclass 202).

Global Special Humanitarian Visa (Subclass 202) is a visa option available to persons subject to substantial discrimination amounting to a gross violation of their human rights and living outside their home country (unless ‘split family’).

The Global Special Humanitarian Visa (Subclass 202) grants are limited by an annual quota. Many more applications are made annually than are granted.

If granted, the visa allows the individual to settle permanently in Australia.

Applicants must have a connection to the Australian community and be proposed by an eligible individual or organization. The proposer must have the financial capacity to support the applicant on their arrival in Australia.

Visa grants are issued on a priority basis with the strength of the connection to Australia being a primary determinate. The highest priority is provided for split family applications.

Current processing time are lengthy and it may take several years to receive a visa decision.

IOM also administers the No Interest Loan Scheme available for visa holders to assist with the costs of travel to Australia.

Family Visas

A number of family visas option are available for Child, Partner (including Prospective Marriage), Parent and Orphan Relative. Family visa grants are also issued on a priority basis determining the order in which applications are considered. The highest priority is given to child and partner visas with a sponsor or proposed sponsor holding a permanent visa in Australia.

Current processing times for family visas are approximately 12-18 months.

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C O M PA R AT I V E TA B L E

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION (IOM)P.O. Box 1009 Civic SquareCanberra ACT 2608Australia Tel: +612.62 67 66 00Fax: +612.62 57 37 43Email: iomcanberra@iom.intWebsite: http://www.australia.iom.int

Information contained in this publication is general in nature and is not migration advice. Information contained in this publication is valid at 8 September 2017.