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Getting the correct
Australian visa is critical to companies who recruit or
relocate personnel to or from overseas.
All foreign nationals require a visa before travel to Australia for
any purpose (with the exception of New Zealand passport holders who
are granted a Special Purpose Visa on arrival).
The visa application procedure for any country will vary from one
visa office to another depending on workload, staffing and local
procedures. The process can, to some extent, be unpredictable. While
some visa decision authorities can be efficient and quick, others
are not. Delays for various reasons are relatively common and can seriously
affect business timelines.
In organising recruitment or relocation, companies would be wise to
begin the visa process as early as possible, even if it is only an
initial enquiry about what type of visa is appropriate.
Australia’s immigration laws are complex. There are many visa
classes. Choosing the right visa class requires careful assessment
of the purpose of entry and length of stay.
Some visa classes have strict eligibility requirements –
particularly for long-stay temporary residence for employment,
migration or permanent residence. |
Collection upfront of
the exact documentation required to lodge a complete application is
vital to avoid delays. Lodgement of an incorrect or incomplete
application form or invalid travel document can seriously delay visa
processing.
Medical problems with
applicants or their dependents will normally require medical
assessment by health authorities and this can also significantly delay
visa decisions. If these problems can be identified early then
pre-emptive action can be taken before the visa application is
lodged.
When urgent entry to Australia is required on a short-term visa, a
strategy needs to be in place to determine if a further stay is
required and that this can be achieved on-shore. Expert advice is
recommended as the type of visa obtained for entry can affect
eligibility for further stay and lawful employment.
Since 1990, Hamilton Watts has been providing specialised visa
advice and service to hundreds of Australian and international
companies and public and private institutions.
We provide ongoing immigration advice to our corporate clients without
charge.
Telephone us in Melbourne: 61 3 9804 8887 or Sydney: 61 2 9499 3011.
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