Tag Archives: Immigration

What’s new in electronic health processing?

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What’s new in electronic health processing?

In 2012, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) launched an electronic health processing system called eMedical.

Most people applying for immigration visas will be required to meet Australia’s health standards. You may need to organise a health examination in order to prove this. The new eMedical system should make this process a whole lot quicker.

An updated version of the old eHealth system, eMedical was the result of two years’ combined effort from the DIAC and Citizen and Immigration Canada (CIC).

Both countries are involved in the Five Country Conference (FCC), a forum that focuses on the issues surrounding border security and immigration. The FCC also includes the United Kingdom, the United States and New Zealand.

A spokesperson for the DIAC said on July 1 that eMedical demonstrates what can be achieved when FCC countries work together.

This new system electronically records DIAC or CIC visa applicants’ health examination results.

About 120,000 visa applicants in Australia have already experienced the processing powers of the new and improved eMedical system.

As of July 1, an even greater number of people have been able to benefit from the “improved client service, enhanced integrity and significant financial savings” (says a DIAC spokesperson) that eMedical provides.

That’s because July 1 marked the system’s 100-country milestone. Now visa applicants all over the world can look forward to efficient and more cost-effective visa processing.

If you would like to know more, you can get in touch with Australian migration agents, who can guide you through the application process.

A DIAC spokesperson revealed that eMedical should make medical exam systems for immigrants much more secure, keeping applicants’ personal information private and saving them time.

The DIAC also stated that the possibility for error has been reduced in the new system.

eMedical is just the tip of the iceberg. The DIAC plans to have 100 per cent of processing for Australian health examinations done electronically in the near future.

It announced that Medibank Health Solutions clinics and their regional partners will be implementing the system this month.

A new service called My Health Declarations has also been launched by the DIAC. This allows people to complete health examinations electronically before applying for a visa.

Because the overall health assessment process can take weeks, it may be a good idea to complete your health examination before you lodge a visa application.

However, the DIAC warns that My Health Declarations is not suitable for all visa applicants. Be sure to enlist the services of migration agents in Australia before taking this step so you know it’s the right one!

476 visa for recent engineering graduates

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476 visa for recent engineering graduates

If you’ve recently graduated with an engineering degree and would like to expand your geographical horizons, you may want to consider applying for a Recognised Graduate (Temporary) Visa – Subclass 476.

Discussing this and other immigration visas that might work for you with a registered migration agent is a good idea, but here’s a quick run-down of this visa to slake your interest.

The 476 visa allows recent graduates from particular overseas universities to gain valuable work and life experience in Australia.

This visa is specifically designed for people who are trained in occupations that Australia regards as “in demand”. You got it – engineering is one of those occupations!

You need to have completed your engineering degree within the last two years and you must have attended a “recognised university” to be eligible.

You can live and work in Australia for up to 18 months on the 476 visa.

With this visa in your hand, you can also submit a permanent residency application “at any time you are able to meet the passmark on the General Skilled Migration points test,” according to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

For more information about your visa options as an engineer, get in touch with one of Australia’s many registered migration agents today!

Retiring to Australia – what you need to know

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Retiring to Australia – what you need to know

Retirement is a time for rest and relaxation, and to enjoy the twilight of your years in whatever fashion best suits your needs.

If you are nearing retirement age and considering spending your golden years in a new country, then Australia might be just right for you.

Recently, the OECD Better Life Index named Australia as the happiest country in the entire world, based on factors such as civic engagement, life satisfaction and quality of health.

According to the Index, Australia has one of the strong senses of community of all developed nations – a factor which may well make it perfect for your retirement needs.

International retirees considering retirement in Australia will need to apply for an Investor Retirement visa (Subclass 405).

The Investor Retirement visa is specifically designed for retirees who are self-funded and who have no dependents, and who wish to spend their retirement in Australia.

In order to qualify for this visa you will need to be at least 55-years-old and be able to make what the Department of Immigration and Citizenship defines as “a significant long term financial investment in Australia”.

This equates to assets of more than $750,000, which you are legally able to transfer to Australia. In addition to this, you must also have access to $750,000 which you are willing to invest in the state or territory that has sponsored your visa.

You must also have access to an annual net income of at least $65,000, and hold an adequate health insurance package.

The only exception to these rules is if you wish to live in a rural area, in which case you only need to have assets of $500,000, be willing to invest $500,000 and have an annual net income of at least $50,000.

There are other requirements in terms of health and character which also must be met in order to secure the Investor Retirement visa.

With this visa, you will be able to spend up to four years living in Australia, travelling in and out of the country as you wish. If you have a partner, they may also join you in Australia during this four year period.

If you choose to work part time during your retirement, you will also be able to work for up to 40 hours per fortnight.

It is important to note that the Investor Retirement visa is only temporary, and you will not be able to make an Australian permanent residency application or citizenship application while holding it.

However, if you reach the end of your visa period and wish to stay in Australia, you may apply for further Investor Retirement migration visas so long as you meet the obligatory requirements.

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Federal Budget: Fee Hike for sc457 visas

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Federal Budget: Fee Hike for sc457 visas
Application fees for Temporary Work (Skilled) – Subclass 457 visas are nearly doubling.

As of 1 July this year, fees will increase to $900, earning the Government an extra 47 million dollars for the coming financial year.

The permanent Australian Migration Program is being maintained at 190,000 in 2013-14.

“This shows the government recognises the genuine skills shortages in Australia and the critical gaps the Migration Program fills,” said MIA CEO Maurene Horder.

While the Skilled Migration Program will be reduced by 700 places, those places will be added to the annual Family Migration Program.

“The MIA has long agitated for a more robust Family Program recognising its importance to social connectivity and healthy communities,” said Ms Horder.

The Government also intends to heavily invest in a number of measures to strengthen regional and international cooperation on Irregular Maritime Arrivals, with $8.1 billion projected to be spent over the next four years.

DIAC makes changes to 485 immigration visas

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DIAC makes changes to 485 immigration visas

DIAC makes changes to 485 immigration visas

Health insurance requirements for temporary graduate 485 immigration visas have been updated by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).

The visa previously allowed graduates to stay in Australia for just 18 months after finishing their studies, but the new Post-Study Work stream element enables individuals to live in the country for up to four years provided certain specifications are met.

The updated visa, which came into effect on March 21 2013, means health insurance requirements are now different, prompting Bupa to release a statement clarifying several details.

Bupa confirmed:

·         as per 457 requirements, a signed letter from a health provider is needed for the 485 visa
·         Bupa’s existing Short Stay Education Cover is no longer adequate for the DIAC to accept for temporary graduate visas
·         Bupa’s new Essential Visitors Cover product became available from April 1 2013 and is on offer for people seeking both 485 and 457 visas

Bupa also said there is no official obligation to buy health insurance for the length of a 485 visa stay upfront and that this only applies under overseas student health cover.

Despite this, the DIAC has said every application is assessed on merit, meaning the upfront payment may be required in some cases – although this is not an official ruling across all applications.

Furthermore, Bupa recommended that people who had already applied for a temporary graduate visa when the changes were introduced should contact the DIAC to check the progress of their application.

Registered migration agents (RMAs) that are members of Migration Alliance (MA) can now benefit, along with their clients, from a new partnership between MA and Bupa.

The arrangement means RMAs and their customers now have access to a variety of health insurance products that can be specifically tailored to their circumstances.

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