FAQs

Essentially, it is a right affixed into your passport granting you the permanent right to live and work in the Australia. You are eligible for state medical care immediately, but must be resident in Australia for two years before qualifying for social welfare assistance (i.e. unemployment benefits). You are not permitted to vote as a permanent resident in Australia. After two years, you can apply for citizenship, entitling you to an Australian passport. Temporary residents (those on student and work visas) are generally not entitled to medical care or social welfare assistance at any time and are generally unable to remain for longer than 4 years. These applicants are recommended to take out private health insurance.

Every application is different and processing times largely depend on the type of visa being applied for. As a general rule however, it takes most applicants for permanent residence visas in Australia 9 to 18 months (including the time required to prepare the application before lodgement) to receive a decision on their visa application. Spousal cases and temporary work visas tend to be a little quicker at 3 to 6 months, while applicants requiring professional registration can take an additional 6 to 12 months to process.

A formal tertiary qualification will definitely aid you if you are under 50.

Yes, but a lot depends on personal circumstances and the type of visa you apply under.

If they are still under your roof and dependent on you, they will be included on your visa. Married / Independent children will not qualify under your visa.

The planning level for the migration (non-humanitarian) programme for 2011/12 is set at 185,000 places, which is an increase of over 16,000 from the previous year: mainly additional places under the Skilled Migrant visa category.

No.This type of service is no longer provided by Government. The authorities exist to enforce the immigration law, make decisions on residence applications and to issue residence visas. Although basic information and application forms are available, the authorities are unable to provide independent advice and personalized guidance on your specific case. Only an Australian Migration Agent can provide this kind of service.

Yes. A surprisingly large number of applicants are unaware how strictly the immigration regulations are enforced and are often unnecessarily refused or delayed due to technical errors on their application or by submitting the wrong supporting documentation. So the moral of the story is to seek the professional guidance and independent advice of a migration consultant before lodging an application for residence. Migration Agents exist to help you find the best way through the immigration maze and are highly effective in doing so.

Yes, but it is very expensive. It requires extended periods of quarantine abroad and proves to be very traumatic for animals. Most people prefer to consider alternative arrangements like foster homes etc.

If you have a Distinguished Talent and you have an exceptional or outstanding record of achievement in the arts or sport you may apply under this sub class. You must be nominated by an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, an eligible New Zealand citizen or an Australian organization of national reputation in the occupation, profession, or activity in which you have an outstanding talent. Your nominator should complete an application form and include a brief resume of their own standing in the field.

A medical test is standard procedure and you need to pass that. A blood test will be conducted and X-rays of the chest will be taken.

You will need to confirm current prices for a container to ship your furniture over. Major moving companies will give you a free quote. There is also an option of sharing a container.

Yes! If you are in Australia, we can advise you on any migration issue, including helping you to:

• Extend your current visa
• Apply for a different visa
• Become a Permanent Resident of Australia
• Become an Australian Citizen
• Communicate with the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs
• Deal with the cancellation of your visa
• Appeal against a Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs decision

• Right here. There are over 100 different types of Australian visas. 
• The Australian Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs is the Australian government department responsible for issuing visas.  The Department takes into account any factors before granting a visa. 
• OPULENTUS Staff can advise you on:
  • How to apply for travel to Australia
  • Which visa type to apply for
  • What to do if you have a problem with your current visa
  • How to change your visa
  • How to extend your visa
  • Any other issue related to migrating to Australia.

• If you want to work in Australia, it is important that the visa you are issued allows you to do so. Certain types of visas do not permit you to work in Australia. Some visas restrict the number of hours you can work per week.
• If you want to work in Australia, it is important that you apply for the correct visa type. We can advise you on the best visa to apply for to suit your circumstances.

• Australia has an excellent education system. There are a variety of courses suitable for all levels of education, for all ages. People from outside Australia can travel to Australia to complete accredited courses. 
• There are a number of visas which allow people to study in Australia. It is important that you choose the most suitable visa.

The Australian Citizenship Act 1948 provides the information regarding the acquisition of Australian citizenship. There are a number of factors which the Australian Government considers before granting Australian Citizenship.

This all depends on the specific visa class and subclass. We will detail this in your assessment report.

Yes.But……
You will need to meet the requirements for that class of visa, which may include the requirement that you only intend a holiday or short visit.Visitors visas are not intended to provide residence in Australia for migration applicants awaiting the outcome of their application.
…and you must inform us if you are temporarily in Australia as we can continue your processing whilst you are there.

No. You must be outside Australia before we can grant you the migrant visa. You must depart Australia for your visa to be granted and evidenced in your passport. You do not need to return to the country where the application was lodged as this can be done at any Australia overseas mission.

Yes. If you are in Australia temporarily you can approach an office of the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs to collect the medical forms (Form 26 and Form 160) and details on approved doctors and radiologists. You should sent your sealed medical results, marked with your file reference, to this office or to DIAC directly when completed.

• Passports are NOT required to make a valid application. However, for all temporary residence visa applications (except Retirement visa applications) you should provide your passport with 2 unused visa pages with your application.
  
  I am applying under the partner provisions do you need to interview me and my partner/sponsor?
• In most cases we may need to interview you, but this will usually be over the telephone. We will contact you if we need to arrange an interview.

No.

The initial entry date (stated on your visa) is the date by which you must travel to Australia on your visa. This date is calculated based on the validity of your health and character clearances. These clearances are usually only valid for 12 months.
If you (and any members of your family included in your application) do not enter Australia by the initial entry date, you will breached a condition of your visa and consideration will be given to canceling your visa.

You must travel to Australia before the expiry of the initial entry date in order to activate the visa for its full term which, in most cases, is a full term of five years (the date is on the visa label).Migrant visa holders are not required to migrate (i.e. settle permanently) to Australia before the expiry of the initial entry date on their visas.

Provided you (and all family members included in your application) have made at least one trip to Australia before the initial entry date your visa is then valid for return travel until the final expiry date