17/09 Visas and Immigration

Howdy.

Visas pretty stright forward, the main thing is to do them at least 2 months before going so that it comes through on time. A friend went to Australia and her student visa hadn’t come in by the time she had left. To get into Australia normally you need a visitors visa, so she had to get one of those – which then cancelled the other student visa she had ordered. She ended up spending alot of money and turns out her visa arrived at her house the day after she left.

1. Go here http://www.immi.gov.au/students/index.htm
2. then go under visa options which is the first link, the higher education section, enter your country and read all of the information.
3. The visa is really great because you can do it all online and save it and go back to it whenever you like. All of my paperwork came through online also, and then I just printed it out and took it to the airport with me.
4. I found the process really easy, it looks official (and it is) but just be honest with your answers and read everything thoroughly. One of the questions asked something like “do I plan to see a dentist or medical person while in Australia”. I think I answered no to this as they meant did I plan to treat a pre-existing condition once I arrived in the country. Declare all medication also. I am on prescription pills and once I declared them they sent me some emails asking me why I was on them etc. I was just honest and gave them all the information they might have needed. Just tell them anything you think might be useful to them. There is usually not an interview for Australian immigration, however they told me that I may have to go for a medical examination, so the more information you give them, the less likely they will need for you to be examined, I managed to dodge that little expense
5. The visa is AU$450 just now, this may go up by the time you guys are applying. But good news that you don’t have to pay the AU$60 for your permission to work once you enter the country!
6. If you are bringing family with you and have dependants there is loads of information here http://www.immi.gov.au/students/students/573-1/eligibility-family.htm .