Think Trump's travel ban was bad? Peter Dutton may soon have the power to play God
The Guardian The first is the “visa ban bill”, formally the Migration Legislation Amendment (Regional Processing Cohort) Bill 2016 – a proposed law that would prevent any adult taken to Nauru or Manus Island after 19 July 2013 from ever making a valid Australian ... |
Note: these application process guidelines for state nominated visas need to be read alongside the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) information on state nominated visa requirements. The DIBP is responsible for the granting and assessment of all visa applications.
It is important to make sure you are applying for the most suitable visa for your situation. So first, you should look at the DIBP website to see what visas you may be eligible for and the relevant criteria. DIBP has a visa finder, which introduces basic information about potential visa options, and they also have a list of all available visas.
If you are looking to apply for a visa which requires state nomination, you will also need to make sure you meet BSMQ criteria.
For the Skilled visas, it is important to take a look at the below BSMQ pages:
For the Business visas, it is important to take a look at the below BSMQ pages:
If you require independent migration advice, please refer to the Register of Migration Agents on the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) website.
It is essential that all your documents are ready before you submit your EOI or registration through the BSMQ website (depending on the visa you are applying for). This is because if you are invited by BSMQ to apply for state nomination, you will only have 14 days to submit your supporting documentation. Generally, skill assessments, English language tests, bank statements and registration (if relevant) take longer to obtain.
Prior to any submission, you will need to check the required documents for your relevant visa subclass and stream:
Once you have been through our Application Checklist, you are ready to apply!
If you are applying for the visa subclass 190, 489, 132 or 188, you will need to submit an EOI through SkillSelect. BSMQ gives preference to candidates who select Queensland as their preferred nominating state over those selecting ‘ANY’ state.
If you are applying for the visa subclass 892, 893, 405 or 888, you will need to submit an application through the BSMQ website.
Please note: if you do not meet eligibility criteria, this means you will be unable to go onto the next stage.
Remember that you will need to submit all supporting documentation for your application within 14 days from the date of invitation. If you are unable to provide the relevant information within this time frame, you must seek an extension from BSMQ. If you do not finalise your application within the relevant timeframes, your case will be closed and you will need to submit a new EOI if you wish to re-seek Queensland nomination.
Do not make any payment until you have received an invitation from BSMQ. Make sure you refer to our list of fees and charges and make sure you have make the correct payment for your application. Once all documents and payment have been received, BSMQ will review your application and may request further information.
You will be informed by BSMQ once a decision on state nomination has been made, including reasons if you are refused state nomination.
If BSMQ nominates you, you will receive an invitation from DIBP to lodge your visa application with them.
You will need to submit your visa application and supporting documents with DIBP within the relevant time frames:
DIBP informs you once they have assessed and made a decision on your visa application.
Once you have received confirmation of your visa grant, you will need to make sure you check and abide by the relevant visa conditions. For example, you need to take note of the time limits in which you must arrive in Queensland.
The post How to Migrate to Queensland: Step 2 Application Process appeared first on BSMQ.
Note: these application process guidelines for state nominated visas need to be read alongside the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) information on state nominated visa requirements. The DIBP is responsible for the granting and assessment of all visa applications.
It is important to make sure you are applying for the most suitable visa for your situation. So first, you should look at the DIBP website to see what visas you may be eligible for and the relevant criteria. DIBP has a visa finder, which introduces basic information about potential visa options, and they also have a list of all available visas.
If you are looking to apply for a visa which requires state nomination, you will also need to make sure you meet BSMQ criteria.
For the Skilled visas, it is important to take a look at the below BSMQ pages:
For the Business visas, it is important to take a look at the below BSMQ pages:
If you require independent migration advice, please refer to the Register of Migration Agents on the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) website.
It is essential that all your documents are ready before you submit your EOI or registration through the BSMQ website (depending on the visa you are applying for). This is because if you are invited by BSMQ to apply for state nomination, you will only have 14 days to submit your supporting documentation. Generally, skill assessments, English language tests, bank statements and registration (if relevant) take longer to obtain.
Prior to any submission, you will need to check the required documents for your relevant visa subclass and stream:
Once you have been through our Application Checklist, you are ready to apply!
If you are applying for the visa subclass 190, 489, 132 or 188, you will need to submit an EOI through SkillSelect. BSMQ gives preference to candidates who select Queensland as their preferred nominating state over those selecting ‘ANY’ state.
If you are applying for the visa subclass 892, 893, 405 or 888, you will need to submit an application through the BSMQ website.
Please note: if you do not meet eligibility criteria, this means you will be unable to go onto the next stage.
Remember that you will need to submit all supporting documentation for your application within 14 days from the date of invitation. If you are unable to provide the relevant information within this time frame, you must seek an extension from BSMQ. If you do not finalise your application within the relevant timeframes, your case will be closed and you will need to submit a new EOI if you wish to re-seek Queensland nomination.
Do not make any payment until you have received an invitation from BSMQ. Make sure you refer to our list of fees and charges and make sure you have make the correct payment for your application. Once all documents and payment have been received, BSMQ will review your application and may request further information.
You will be informed by BSMQ once a decision on state nomination has been made, including reasons if you are refused state nomination.
If BSMQ nominates you, you will receive an invitation from DIBP to lodge your visa application with them.
You will need to submit your visa application and supporting documents with DIBP within the relevant time frames:
DIBP informs you once they have assessed and made a decision on your visa application.
Once you have received confirmation of your visa grant, you will need to make sure you check and abide by the relevant visa conditions. For example, you need to take note of the time limits in which you must arrive in Queensland.
The post How to Migrate to Queensland Guide: Step 2 Application Process appeared first on BSMQ.
SBS |
Government urged to plug partner visa loopholes
SBS An Indian couple was jailed last week for running a marriage visa scam, hooking up Indian men desperate to stay in Australia, with Australian women in 16 sham marriages. Now, there are calls to plug loopholes in Australia's partner visa program which ... |
SBS - The World Game |
Government urged to plug partner visa loopholes
SBS - The World Game An Indian couple was jailed last week for running a marriage visa scam, hooking up Indian men desperate to stay in Australia, with Australian women in 16 sham marriages. Now, there are calls to plug loopholes in Australia's partner visa program which ... |
ABC Online |
Mem Fox, Australian author, gets apology after being wrongfully - ABC
ABC Online Australian children's author Mem Fox has made more than 100 trips to the US over the years, but now says she is unlikely to ever go there again after her ... Australian children's author Mem Fox detained by US border control: 'I sobbed like a baby' 'I collapsed and sobbed like a baby': Australian author Mem Fox gets an apology after she was detained by US ... Best-selling children's author Mem Fox 'sobbed like a baby' as she was detained by US border control |
Herald Sun |
Federal Government urged to crack down on partner visa loopholes
Herald Sun Ms Hanson said her constituents had raised concerns about cases where foreign students had married Australian citizens and then ended the relationships after obtaining visas. She said she was worried about “a big loophole” allowing teenage women to be ... |
ABC Online |
Mem Fox, Australian author, gets apology after being wrongfully ...
ABC Online Australian children's author Mem Fox has made more than 100 trips to the US over the years, but now says she is unlikely to ever go there again after her ... Australian children's author Mem Fox detained by US border control ... Treasured Australian author detained and left sobbing by US customs officials |
ABC Online |
Mem Fox, Australian author, gets apology after being wrongfully detained at LA airport
ABC Online She said the border agents appeared to have been given "turbocharged power" by an executive order signed by President Donald Trump to "humiliate and insult" a room full of people they detained to check visas. That executive order was eventually halted ... |
The Advertiser |
Accused of having an incorrect visa, Mem Fox detained by ...
The Advertiser AUSTRALIAS best-loved childrens author, Mem Fox, was left sobbing and shaken after being detained for two hours and aggressively interrogated by ... |
The Advertiser |
Accused of having an incorrect visa, Mem Fox detained by immigration officials at LA airport
The Advertiser Her experience has confirmed in Fox the importance of her new book, I'm Australian Too, about multiculturalism, illustrated by an Indian-born Australian, Ronojoy Ghosh. Fox wrote the book in late 2014 in response to what she saw as a rising tide of ... |
The Australian Financial Review |
Significant Investor Visa - bringing risk-hungry investors to Australia ...
The Australian Financial Review Atlas Advisors are targetting a unique kind of investor willing to stump up money when a start-up has no proven track record and is running out of cash. |
The Australian Financial Review |
Significant Investor Visa - bringing risk-hungry investors to Australia
The Australian Financial Review The logic is that if someone has a spare $5 million to invest in a visa program for four years, then they have many multiples of this, which can be deployed into other investments across Australia. The poster child for such hope is the Shanghai Zhongfu ... |
Outcry after Sydney doctor faced with deportation over autistic child ...
The Guardian Medical fraternity calls immigration department decision 'reprehensible' after western Sydney GP Nasrin Haque is told she must leave or be deported. |
FIGHTING FUND
Morning Star Online CLAIMS by Australian media outlets last week that the country's immigration and border protection minister Peter Dutton is seeking “Trump-like” powers to target visa-holders are not far-fetched. Amendments to the Migration Act that gained support in ... |
The Advertiser |
Vince Focarelli, former Adelaide gang leader, facing deportation from Australia
The Advertiser Mr Dutton said Australia welcomed millions of visitors on short and long-term visas each year and the overwhelming majority abided by the law and enjoyed holidaying or residing in Australia and being part of the Australian community. Vince and Giuseppe ... |
The Advertiser |
Vince Focarelli, former Adelaide gang leader, facing deportation ...
The Advertiser FORMER gang leader Vince Focarelli, who has survived five assassination attempts, is facing deportation from Australia. |
The Advertiser |
Vince Focarelli, former Adelaide gang leader, facing deportation from Australia
The Advertiser Mr Dutton said Australia welcomed millions of visitors on short and long-term visas each year and the overwhelming majority abided by the law and enjoyed holidaying or residing in Australia and being part of the Australian community. Vince and Giuseppe ... |
The Advertiser |
Vince Focarelli, former Adelaide gang leader, facing deportation ...
The Advertiser FORMER gang leader Vince Focarelli, who has survived five assassination attempts, is facing deportation from Australia. |
Hindustan Times |
Two Australian minors rescued from a house in Chandigarh on HC intervention
Hindustan Times “My ex-husband wanted to keep the children here in India to ensure that he may get a visa to travel to Australia, based on their citizenship of that country,” the woman had alleged in court. It was also brought to notice of the court that children are ... HC comes to rescue of 2 'Australian' kids Illegal custody case: Punjab and Haryana HC tells cops to raid father's residence, trace children's passports |
SBS |
Important changes announced for lodging certain Australian visas
SBS The website said the department's preferred lodgement method for visas will continue to be online through ImmiAccount. This option is available for the Visitor visa (subclass 600 Tourist Stream) applications. The paper lodgement option is available for ... |
SBS |
Important changes announced for lodging certain Australian visas
SBS The website said the department's preferred lodgement method for visas will continue to be online through ImmiAccount. This option is available for the Visitor visa (subclass 600 Tourist Stream) applications. The paper lodgement option is available for ... |
Researching as much as possible, is extremely important, so here are some starting points to consider from the very beginning.
The Australian Government Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) manage most visa applications. View their new visa finder, introducing you to basic information about potential visa options. A list of all visas are also available. Make sure you assess these options thoroughly, to find the best visa for your circumstances. Certain visas types require you to first obtain state government nomination from BSMQ.
If you are looking for independent migration advice, please refer to the Register of Migration Agents on the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) website.
Please note: BSMQ does not grant visas, and only provides information regarding state nominated visa sub classes. BSMQ provides state nomination for these visas but the final visa grant is determined by DIBP. State nomination does not guarantee a visa grant from DIBP. If you are seeking nomination from the state of Queensland, you will be required to meet all of DIBP’s visa requirements as well as BSMQ state nomination requirements. You must check the relevant requirements on our website before making an application for state nomination.
You will need to check whether your occupation is on the relevant Queensland Skilled Occupation List (QSOL):
It is also important to check the relevant Assessing Authority listed against the occupation and whether there are any special or additional requirements. If registration or licensing is listed as a requirement for your occupation on the relevant QSOL, it is essential to obtain registration prior to lodging an application for state nomination.
You will also need to check the relevant English language requirements. You must to sit an English language test accepted by DIBP unless you are from an exempt country, with the minimum DIBP requirement being competent English. However, please note the Assessing Authority for certain occupations may specify higher minimum English language requirements or only acceptance of a particular language test.
Queensland is the second largest state in Australia with the third largest population and 20 per cent of all Australians living in Queensland? Be sure to research the settlement information and benefits of living in Queensland on our website, as well as detailed information on the cities and regions. It is important to be aware of the type of industries and employment opportunities available in your region of choice.
Other useful resources include:
A well thought out budget for moving and living in Queensland is important. You may like to use the Australian government’s budget calculator to help you work out where your money is going, and whether your income covers your expenses. Also, you need to look at the current currency conversion rates. To convert to your own currency, you may like to visit XE Currency.
The post Your Guide to Migrating to Queensland: Step 1 Research, Research, Research! appeared first on BSMQ.
A number of trademark owners in Australia have recently received an official looking letter from PTMO (Patent & Trademark Organisation) advising that their trademark is expiring and the steps that need to be taken to renew it.
Trademarks, or brands, are used to uniquely identify your goods and services from those supplied by others. IP Australia administers intellectual property relating to trademarks and patents in Australia. The process of registering or renewing a trademark is either done directly with IP Australia or through an intermediary that you can pay extra to do the work for you, which is typically a legal firm.
The letters that are currently being sent out by PTMO are unsolicited requests to renew your trademark at a significant extra cost. IP Australia charges $400 for a single class trademark renewal, while PTMO charge more than 3 times that amount – $1,395.
Upon receiving one of these trademark renewal notices, many people may assume this is the official process that must be undertaken to renew their trademark. Trademark renewals occur every 10 years, so it is an extremely infrequent process. After 10 years, recipients of those renewals from PTMO may have little recollection of the process they undertook 10 years ago.
Below is a copy of an invoice from PTMO – Patent & Trademark Organisation, with the personal details of the business that sent it to us blanked out to protect their privacy.
There are a number of distinguishing features of this renewal notice.
In order make the expensive renewal process through this third party legal, there is small print buried on the letter which says:
The trademark renewal notice has their phone number listed as (02) 6140 3414 and their address listed as:
Patent and Trademark Organisation 2 Endeavour House Captain Cook Crescent Griffith ACT 2603
On the return pre-paid envelope is this address:
PTMO Ltd Renewals Department Reply Paid 83277 Griffith ACT 2603
In the small print on the back of the renewal notice, their address is listed as:
PTMO Ltd 5 Secretary's Lane PO Box 931 Gibraltar GX11 1AA Gibraltar
IP Australia is aware of many types of unsolicited renewal offers sent to trademark owners. See their dedicated page on unsolicited invoices.
If you have inadvertently signed up to allow PTMO to renew your trademark, thinking you were dealing with IP Australia, you are encouraged report it via the ACCC’s ScamWatch page.
'Fortress Australia': Government seeks Trump-like powers against immigrants
People's World SYDNEY, Australia – Claims that Immigration and Border Protection Minister Peter Dutton is seeking “Trump-like” powers to target visa-holders that appeared in some media outlets last week are not far-fetched. Amendments to the Migration Act that gained ... |
The West Australian |
Possible jail time for visa scam pair
The West Australian Their fortnight-long trial in the Brisbane District Court had heard the pair married off 16 Australian women to Indian men as part of a "one-stop shop" for spousal visas. Grooms paid thousands of dollars not only to Mashru and Gowda but also their ... Wedding visa scammer worried about jail's vegan food Indian couple made more than $100000 in marriage visa scam |
The West Australian |
Possible jail time for visa scam pair | The West Australian
The West Australian A migration officer and celebrant found guilty of officiating fake marriages to keep Indian men in Australia could be sentenced to time behind bars. Wedding visa scammer worried about jail's vegan food Indian couple made more than $100000 in marriage visa scam - SBS |
Tech firm plea to keep 457 visa workers - The Australian
The Australian Federal Innovation Minister Arthur Sinodinos is to consult with executives of 6 billion software giant Atlassian and other leaders of the tech industry over the ... |
Tech firm plea to keep 457 visa workers
The Australian In an interview with The Deal magazine, in The Australian today, Senator Sinodinos has promised “not to throw the baby out with the bathwater” when it comes to the potential changes in the visa system which have alarmed Australia's growing start-up ... |
ABC Online |
Calls for 'backpacker au pair' visa and industry regulation as parents seek affordable child care
ABC Online "The Filipino girl which I tried to help come here, they apply for the visa, have an interview, then 30 days later they get a rejection, which is just outrageous, but that's how the Australian Government treats them," Mr Shoobert said. He would like to ... |
