Be Aware of the Processing Time for Your Visa

Visa Processing Times Australia

Australia currently offers about 74 temporary and permanent visas. Processing times for individual visas can vary and it is important for applicants to be aware of these times and how to keep them at a minimum.

First, here is a list of all the current Australian visas.

These two pages of the Department of Home Affairs and the Australian High Commission in New Delhi contain general information about processing times for Australian visas.

The Australian High Commission in New Delhi states the following helpful information about the Processing Times for Australian visas:

“Processing times are dependent on a number of different factors including:

• Whether you have provided all necessary supporting documents when you lodge an application
• How well and how promptly you respond to requests for additional information
• How long it takes to complete any required checks on information you have provided to support your application
• How long it takes to receive additional information from areas outside the department – particularly in relation to health, character and national security.
• How many places are available in the Migration Programme.
• A decision to grant or refuse your visa application may be made based on the information and documentation that you provide at the time of lodgement.

“It is strongly recommended you apply well in advance of your intended travel date and that you do not make any travel arrangements until you have been granted your visa.” Source: The Australian High Commission in New Delhi.

Global Visa Processing Times

This Department of Home Affairs page gives the processing wait times for many Australian visas. These visa processing times are updated monthly.

To Check Individual Visas and Their Processing Times

If you click this page, you will find a list of every current Australian visa. If you know which visa interests you, click the link for that visa. This new page will reveal the expected processing time for that specific visa.

You may also use the search function on the Department of Home Affairs website to find your particular visa and be able to click to its page, which will contain the specific visa processing time for that visa. For example, if you search for the 600 Visitor visa and go to its page, the processing times for the visa and its six main types or streams will be shown.

Processing Times for Permanent Residence Visa

This page on the Department of Home Affairs website contains information about specific visas and can be read or searched for any Permanent Residence visa that may interest you.

State Visa Processing Times

Each Australian state or territory has its own timetable for processing its state related visas. For example, read here about visa processing times for South Australia.

And read here for the state of Victoria.

And here for the state of New South Wales.

Australian Citizenship Times

This Department of Home Affairs page has up-to-date information on processing times for Australian citizenship.

“COVID-19 Impact on Visa Processing Times: ‘Visas continue to be processed, though some applications may take longer’

“Amid speculations surrounding offshore visa processing, the Department of Home Affairs has clarified that visa applications continue to be processed during the coronavirus pandemic, but decision delays cannot be ruled out.” Source: SBS. Read more.

Covid 19 and Australian Border Restrictions

Read this Australian government page to learn up-to-date information regarding entry restrictions to Australia because of Covid19.

Discuss Visa Processing Times With a Migration Agent

There can be individual circumstances that can speed up or slow down individual processing times for applications. Discuss your case and its particular circumstances with a Migration Ways immigration specialist during a phone or Skype consultation. Book your consultation here.

Reviews of Migration Ways

Rebecca was super helpful! Would recommend! Oscar

At Migration ways they are professional and efficient, always there to assist you with any enquiry without forgetting courtesy and kindness. Rita Sanseverino Ceraglia

Read many more reviews by clients of Migration Ways.

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You May Need Your Skills Assessed

Australian Skills Assessing Organizations

As part of the Skilled visa application process, tradespeople and other skilled persons need to have their skills assessed. There are many approved authorities who perform this service.

The Australian Department of Home Affairs notes the following about skills assessment:

“Skills assessments are issued by relevant skills assessing authorities. A skills assessing authority is an organisation that checks that your skills meet the standards they set to work in a relevant occupation.

…

“It is your responsibility to contact the relevant assessing authority for your occupation and obtain a skills assessment, if required. Each assessing authority has its own assessment procedures, timeframes and charges.

“Obtaining a suitable skills assessment is mandatory for some visa subclasses (and streams) and may be requested for others.”

Read more about skills assessment and the visas and visa streams for which you may need your skills assessed.

A Skilled Welder at Work

Do You Need Your Skills Assessed?

Migration Ways can assist you in determining if you need a skills assessment and if you are eligible for a positive skills assessment. Contact Migration Ways today to book your Skype or phone consultation.

List of Approved Skills Assessing Bodies

Read the list of the Department of Home Affairs approved skills assessing organizations.

From the Department of Home Affairs list of approved assessors following are the names and urls of some key assessing bodies:

Chemical Engineer

Learn About the 476 Graduate Visa for Engineers

Personalized Advice From an Expert Immigration Consultant

Please understand that applying for a Skilled visa and understanding all its requirements is often best done during a formal consultation with an experienced Australian immigration agent or lawyer because there are so many variables involved. Migration Ways offers such a consultation and it can be booked here. Because of Covid19, the Migration Ways head office in the Melbourne CBD is temporarily closed, but we are still offering Skype and phone consultations for clients in Australia and around the world.

About Migration Ways

Learn more about the visa services and consultants of Migration Ways, one of Melbourne’s leading migration agencies.

Architect

Reviews of Migration Ways

Rebecca is amazing! Her help with all of our enquirers has been so amazing and she has been so professional. Thank you so much. Vasilios Karvelas

Great service and advice. I have never expected that I could get my visa in only 1 month. Alberta and her coworkers are truly dedicated to their job and to the clients. Thank you Migration Ways and best wishes to you. Giang Nguyễn Hương

Read other reviews of the Migration Ways.

Contact Migration Ways

+61 3 9994 2707

https://migrationways.com.au/contact-migration-ways/

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Electrician

Many American Films, TV Shows and Commercials are Shot in Australia

LA to Melbourne

If you’re a Los Angelino who is a film producer, spouse of an Australian, or simply a traveller, Migration Ways can help you apply for your visa to enter the land called Down Under. We can also help other Angelinos or Americans understand the myriad of Australian visas (99 and counting!) and advise them on what is the best visa for them to travel, work or live in Australia. To personally help you, we have a visa expert with extensive local knowledge of both LA and Melbourne.

Alberta Miculan, Former Resident of Los Angeles

Migration Ways co-director Alberta Miculan is an American-Australian who lived 25 years in the City of Angels and knows well its industries, citizens and high business standards. Alberta speaks American! She has helped many Angelinos to enter Australia, especially from the film, television and commercial production industries. Alberta understands the specific context and needs of the entertainment industry, as well as those of many other businesses and individuals from California. If you are in the Entertainment or Hi-Tech industries read more information about Australian visas related to your industries, such as the 408 Entertainment visa, the 189 Skilled Independent visa, and the 190 Skilled Nominated visa.

Call Our LA Hotline!

Please call our office using this Los Angeles phone number: 310-278-2574. Any of our overseas clients call also call us via Skype, at: migrationways.australia  

New York City is Now a Film-TV Production Hub

New York Production Companies

Alberta can also help production companies from anywhere in the United States, especially New York and Atlanta.

Book a Consultation with Alberta Miculan, Your Australian Visa Expert

To investigate and discuss possible vias pathways for you to live in or enter Australia, contact Alberta now, via this form.  

Interesting Facts About Americans in Australia

Lyman Stone, an American academic and writer at the “In a State of Migration” website, reveals the following interesting fact from his research: “there was only one country that had received more historic migration from the US than the US had received from it: Australia. For some reason, Australia has succeeded in attracting a relatively larger US diaspora than other countries.”

Mr. Stone continues, “there were 90,000 US-born individuals in Australia in 2011, up from 60,000 in 2001.” He further notes that “the US-born community in Australia is the 6th largest American diaspora group in the world”, but also adds that this total figure is relatively low. “US-born individuals come to [just] 0.4% of Australia’s population.” Read more about Americans coming to Australia.

Australia, the Island Continent Down Under

Why Americans Come to Australia

Mr. Stone also told the Sydney Morning Herald why Americans come to Australia: “‘Australia has enjoyed relatively rapid economic growth over the last five to 15 years,” he explains, noting that Australia also offered a mix of the foreign and the familiar that made a move attractive.

“‘My inclination is that Australia is about as exotic as it gets while still getting to speak English and live an approximately American-feeling lifestyle. It feels simultaneously close to home and quite far from home – on the edge of the world but part of the edge of the world you can actually get to.’” Read more of this article about why Americans come to Australia.

Americans Traveling to Melbourne

Migration Ways is headquartered in Melbourne, the capital of the state of Victoria, situated in Australia’s south east corner. The flight from LAX in Los Angeles to Tullamarine in Melbourne is 12,683 km, with non-stop flight travel time for the journey being about 14.5 hours.

Melbourne and the Yarra River at Night

Americans and Melbourne

Melbourne has a strong American presence, including a US consulate and an American Chamber of Commerce.

The “Live in Melbourne” website notes the following facts about Melbourne and Americans:

“19% of American migrants choose to live in Melbourne

2850 Americans have migrated to Victoria since 2011

37 YEARS average age

48% of American migrants are families with children and 25% are couples with no children

54% have Australian citizenship”

Other Stats Re Americans and Melbourne

The “Budget Direct” website reports the following statistics about Americans visiting Melbourne. The stats are primarily from 2018, when almost 800,000 Americans visited Australia and spent $4 billion here.

–Three million foreign visitors came to Victoria, with 2.9 million of those visiting Melbourne.

–Melbourne is the second biggest market for tourists coming to Australia from the United States.

–32% of American visitors come to Melbourne and stay an average of 17 nights in the country.

Things to Do in Melbourne

Things for Americans to Enjoy in Melbourne

Melbourne and the state of Victoria have many attractions that Americans enjoy. Learn more about these by visiting the websites listed lower, but some favorites the staff of Migration Ways can personally recommend are:

Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary

Victorian Era Collins Street in Melbourne

Many Classic Pubs. Especially those from the 1890s, when Melbourne was the richest city in the world.

The Botanical Gardens and Shrine of Remembrance

Film Sites for the Miss Fisher Television Series

Scenic Country Towns such as Yarra Glen and Dromana

Learn About the Joys of Melbourne

Read our article about other attractions that Melbourne offers and find links of Things to Do in this exciting city and for official services helping tourists and migrants.

Check out these helpful websites for American workers, migrants and tourists to Australia.

Useful Links re Living in Melbourne

Read this article about Victoria (and Melbourne) and its many links about Things to Do in the Garden State. 

 Travel serenely in our experienced hands

Many Americans Travel to or Work in Australia

Foreign Film & TV Crew and Talent Need a Visa to Work in Australia

408 Entertainment Visa Expert for Your Film, TV, TVC Co-Productions

Are you an Australian production company working on a film, TV or TVC production that will engage overseas crew and cast? Then when you bring in foreign talents or crew to work in Australia they must be on the appropriate Australian visa. The most common and correct visa for the Entertainment industry is the 408 Entertainment visa.

Migration Ways has helped many Australian and overseas production companies, including (among many others) Matchbox, Goalpost, National Geographic, MTV, Nickelodeon, Finch, and the BBC. One of our most recent clients was producer John Hipwell for his film about the Boston marathon, Road to Boston. Read this article by Film Victoria about that production.

Migration Ways has also liaised with such industry bodies as Screen/Create NSW, Screen West, Screen Queensland, Film Victoria, Screen Australia, and AusFilm.

Learn more about the Australian Entertainment visa 408.

408 Visa Expert Alberta Miculan

Alberta Miculan, Leading Australian Expert on Entertainment Visas

Our expert for 408 visas is Alberta Miculan, a former long-term resident of Los Angeles who is immensely experienced with the intricacies of the 408 visa, including working with the Department of Home Affairs, industry unions, guilds and bodies, as well as border entry authorities.

Alberta advises productions not to make the mistake of trying to enter Australia on the wrong visa or to assume that it is a simple thing to apply for the at-times complicated 408 visa. Book a Skype consultation with Alberta so she can explain to you the FULL process of applying for a 408 visa and advise you on how to best move forward so your shoot/production can go ahead on time.

Reviews of Alberta Miculan, Vo8 Visa Expert

Reviews of Alberta Miculan’s Entertainment Visa Work

Following are reviews of Alberta’s Entertainment visa work from producers who have used her services.

We approached Alberta and her team at Migration Ways quite late in the process of our visa applications for James Cromwell and Dennis Waterman, the stars of “Never too Late”. They solved some complex issues for us quickly and seamlessly and were a pleasure to work with. 

Antony I Ginnane – producer “Never too Late”

Hello everyone…I just wanted to sing someone’s praises for a moment. We recently needed urgent help with visas for an overseas crew to enter the country in October. Alberta Miculan from Migration Ways was recommended to us. Alberta was fantastic! Not only was she extremely helpful, but also fast, professional and available to answer all my questions. I would highly recommend her to anyone who needs help in this area.  

Maia Hadley, producer Hadley Inc.

I just wanted to take a moment to officially thank you for the brilliant work you did on Jackie Chan’s “Bleeding Steel”.  Your ability to wrangle all of the Chinese applicants information, including the high profile cast and crew and then make the process as streamlined and predictable as possible for the large numbers of visas required, was greatly appreciated not only by me but also by the Chinese producers as well.

You also worked on the Chinese and Australian Co Production Dogfight, which required large numbers of Chinese visas to be processed in a very short time period.  Everyone involved including the Chinese and Australian producers appreciated your ability to get this done with ease.  No matter what challenges occurred in the process, you always remained in control and comfortably achieved everything you represented you would.  In the world of visas for large-scale international productions, actually achieving what you represented on time is something you should be very proud of.

Please know that any major production with substantial visa requirements, I will always bring to you and I will recommend others to do the same.  I look forward to a coffee and a catch up in the very near future.

Cheers,
Paul Currie, Co-founder and director of Lightstream Pictures, Australia

For our big budget co-production it was vital that our key Chinese cast and crew obtain smooth entry into the country. We worked closely with Alberta and Laura in the crucial months of pre production on navigating the complexities of visa applications. They streamlined the process for us and provided the high level consultation that our production required.

Once the first visas started rolling in it was an organised and straightforward process, all monitored by the capable Migration Ways staff. I would highly recommend their services to any production with visa requirements and commend them on their sound, expert advice.

I just like to thank you and your team for all the hard work you’ve done to get my sponsorship granted, it means a lot to me and I will be recommending you to all my friends.

Johnny Wang, Line Producer/Production Manager at October Pictures Company 

Dear Alberta and team,

I just wanted to advise you that I have two German film groups planning to shoot in OZ in the next few months and I have passed your details on to them.

It’s been many years now that you have been sorting out my many and varied clients’ filming visas and almost all with very little notice. It occurred to me that with your skills, attention to detail and rapport with immigration and others involved has meant that I can claim a 100% success rate with my groups.

I well remember those torturous years before I used your services and how organising visas was the most difficult part of a shoot. It’s such a relief that I am now able to put all that in your hands and be able to direct my attention to the production.

Thanks for always being there when I need you,

Kevin McGrath
Producer K&K McGrath PL

Contact Alberta Miculan

Please use this contact form to write to Alberta to book a Skype consultation about your visa or immigration needs.

Travel serenely in our experienced hands

Get the Correct Visa to Film in Australia

The Flag of the State of Victoria in Australia

Visas for Living, Working, Studying, Touring in Victoria

The state of Victoria, set in the south east corner of Australia, is the country’s second most populous state and second largest economy. Victoria has many attractions for migrants, students and tourists, including a broad range of landscapes (beach, mountain, & plain) and many lifestyle choices. Melbourne, Victoria’s capital, for example, has often been voted the world’s most liveable city and is the home to many migrant communities and food experiences. Other major population centres of Victoria, such as Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton and Warrnambool, also offer a range of lifestyle choices and work opportunities.

Most importantly, Victoria offers a variety of visa opportunities for foreigners wanting to travel, study live and work in Australia. The many foreigners wanting to experience Victoria need a visa to do so. Australia offers almost 100 visas foreigners may apply for. Let’s look briefly at some of the key visas that that you might want to consider in your quest to live down under.

The State of Victoria in Australia’s South East Corner

Australian Occupation Lists: The Best Visa Pathway for You?

Arguably one of the best ways to obtain a visa that allows you to live and work in Australia is via an Australian government (federal and state) Occupation List. Australian Occupation Lists note the Skilled jobs that are deemed by these different Australian governments to be in demand across Australia but which are not being filled by Australians. Because of these labour shortages, visas have been made available for foreign nationals who are experienced in these Occupations and who pass all the eligibility requirements.

Study these Occupation Lists and if your job is on one of the lists, contact Migration Ways to book a consultation with one of our visa experts to assess if you are eligible to apply.

You can also go to this page of the Australian Department of Home Affairs and scroll down to the search function to check if your Occupation is on one of the (national) Skilled Occupation Lists. The search results will also show you which visa is linked to this Occupation.

Grain Silos in Tungamah Victoria

Victoria Occupation List

Victoria has its own Occupation List, which you can check here. If your Occupation is on this list, that means that this job is currently in demand in Victoria and so could be a possible visa pathway for you.

Regional Visas Victoria 

Outside of the capital city of Melbourne there are other major Victorian urban centres, including the cities of Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, and Shepparton. These areas offer possibilities for you to apply for a Regional visa, if you pass the eligibility criteria. Read more about the opportunity of Regional visas. If you think you are eligible to apply for a Regional visa contact Migration Ways to book a consultation to discuss this possible opportunity.

Seal at Beautiful Warrnambool

DAMA Visas Victoria

Victoria has its own DAMA (Designated Area Migration Agreement) which offers foreigners another opportunity to live and work in Regional Australia. Victoria’s DAMA area is in the beautiful coastal area of Warrnambool. Learn more about this Agreement and this scenic locale on Victoria’s south west coast and the skills assessment for this DAMA.

Student Visas Victoria 

Each year around 200,000 foreigners from 170 countries study in Victoria’s schools. Learn more about Australian Student visas, including the Student Guardian 590 visa.

Work Visas

Australia has at least seven work visas, especially the popular 482 Work visa. Study the work visas on this page to learn if one could be a pathway for you to work in Australia.

Victorian Cattle Ranch. Many Australian Farm-Ranch Workers are on Working Holiday Visas

Working Holiday Visas

If you are between the ages of 18 and 31, a Working Holiday visa could be the best visa for you to enter Australia to work. Australia’s two Working Holiday visas allow young adults between these ages from select countries to travel, work, study and live in Australia for now up to three years. Learn more about the great opportunity of Australia’s Working Holiday visas.

Skilled Visas

Read this article about Australia’s Skilled visas and learn if your Occupation is currently in demand in Australia.

Search for Vacant in Demand Jobs in Australia

Tips of How to Find Jobs in Australia

Please read our article of practical ways you can find employers and vacant jobs in Australia.

Travel and Tourism Information for Victoria

For those interested in experiencing the lifestyle and opportunities of the state of Victoria, please read on to learn some highlights of the history and attractions of the Garden State.

For more information about the history and attractions of Victoria, click these links:

History of Victoria

Guide to Things to See in Victoria

Visit Victoria: Discovering Things to Do in Victoria

Travel in Victoria: Things to See and Do in Victoria

Corporate Victoria: Events and Tourism in Victoria

Beautiful Williamstown Beach in Melbourne Australia

Travel, Tourism and Official Information for Melbourne

Also visit the following web pages for helpful information about Melbourne.

Learn About the Joys of Melbourne

Migration Ways is proud to be headquartered in beautiful and exciting Melbourne. Read our article about some of the attractions that Melbourne offers and find links of Things to Do in this great city and to official services to help tourists and migrants.

Useful Links re Living in Melbourne

Visit Melbourne: What to See and Do in Melbourne

Things to Do in Melbourne, History and Heritage

Live in Melbourne: Learn About Melbourne’s Lifestyle

Mt. Buller, Victoria

A History of Victoria

Victoria was first (temporarily) settled in 1803 and Melbourne was later founded in 1835. The state has a rich and colourful history of settlement, economic opportunity and waves of migration. The following webpages reveal much of the history of the state of Victoria.

A Timeline of the History of Victoria, from Travel Victoria 

More History of Victoria, from Wikipedia

Even More History of Victoria, from Museums Victoria

History of Immigration to Victoria, from Museums Victoria  

A History of Victoria Through Film, from Museums Victoria

Lygon Street Melbourne is Australia’s Leading Italian Foodie Area

Italians in Victoria

One of Migration Ways’ clienteles is Italians and our company is owned and managed by two Australian Italiana, Rebecca Santaera and Alberta Miculan. Learn more about Italians in Australia/Victoria and the Italian work of Migration Ways.

Read about Rebecca Santaera and her work to help Italian migrants.

Read about Migration Ways in Italian.

The History of Lygon Street

More specifically, watch the trailer of Lygon Street, a documentary about Melbourne’s famous Italian eatery area.

Or view the full movie of Lygon Street on SBS. (If you are in Australia, via this link you can also watch for free thousands of films and television shows for many non-English speaking migrant audiences.)

Alberta Miculan & Rebecca Santaera, Co-directors of Migration Ways

The Services of Migration Ways to Help You

This short article highlights the services, staff, and ethics of Migration Ways, one of Melbourne’s leading immigration specialists.

What We Do as Your Migration Agent

This short article highlights information about the work of Migration Ways and its staff.

Book a Consultation with an Australian Visa Specialist

To investigate and discuss possible vias pathways for you to live in Victoria, contact Migration Ways now.

Travel serenely in our experienced hands

“Hey, come and visit!