Visacorp Immigration Blog
Working Holiday Visas increase in 2011
A report issued by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has shown that the popularity of working holiday arrangements in Australia may be on the rise.
The Working Holiday Maker visa program report covers all activity in this particular area for the 12 months till June 30 2011.
Of particular note is the increase in the number of 417 visas issued by the department - with an 8.3 per cent growth rate recorded over the year.
The report notes that the change is most likely a reflection on the recent changes in "the wider global economic situation" as represented by uncertain financial environments in greater Europe and certain parts of Asia.
In fact, the largest areas of growth in popularity came from these regions, with Irish citizens recording an 87.4 per cent increase in migration visas supplied, followed by Taiwan at 41 per cent, Italy at 14.9 per cent and Hong Kong with 14.5 per cent.
The report also shows that the number of international citizens staying in Australia has grown over time.
There were 107,978 Working Holiday visa holders recorded in the country on June 30 this year - made up of both first time and repeat visitors - compared to the same time in 2010 which had 99,367.
This 8.7 per cent increase is obviously a direct result of the increase in the number of grants issued over the previous year - but it still serves to show that people between the ages of 18 and 30 years of age are demonstrating an increase in interest in visiting and working in Australia.
In addition to being in possession of "functional" English skills, these individuals must not be accompanied by any dependent children during their travels - a distinction that tends to limit the use of the Working Holiday visa to backpackers and recent tertiary students, rather than more mature travellers with additional commitments.
Perhaps one of the greater incentives for this choice is the speedy turnaround when applications are finalised.
In the time period covered by the report, 80.43 per cent of Working Holiday visas applied for by first-time visitors were processed with six working days of being submitted.
Because the review procedure is able to deliver a response to applicants on a fairly short turnaround, this allows travellers to experience a certain element of excitement and adventure at what feels like an impulsive decision to travel to a foreign country - a compelling experience for both new and experienced travellers alike.
Australia ranked in top three prosperity index
A new study by an independent body has attempted to rate the countries of the world based on how prosperous they appear to be.
The Legatum Institute has recently released its 2011 Prosperity Index which attempts to measure factors such as economy, governance and personal freedom - with Australia being listed ahead of both the US and the UK in third place.
In an effort to determine the factors that go into making a country successful, the organisation recognising that neither wealth nor wellbeing on their own are able to account for ongoing national success - while they still play important roles in this area.
To this end, the institute analyses a number of weighted factors that go towards a country's final ranking.
For Australia, it gained placed third out of the 110 nations included in the study thanks in particular to high perceptions of educational opportunities and personal freedom - holding first and fourth place - as well as an estimated average distribution of $40,816 per capita for gross domestic product.
These points are often reason enough for some international visitors to consider the merits of applying for residency through registered migration agents - however the measures do not stop there.
In addition to these factors, the index shows Australia as being fairly well placed in terms of governance in sixth place, while economy and entrepreneurship opportunities were both ranked at seventh place.
Health issues put the country at 14th in the world, with the researchers noting that - while related services and infrastructure was of very high quality - a number of other nations were more actively involved in preventative measures such as public immunisation.
In a similar place were the issues of personal safety and security, with the summary acknowledging that Australia did not suffer the negative impacts of state-sponsored or politically motivated violence.
Researchers also indicated that it was the score of the subjective surveys used by the index researchers to measure public opinion that had placed Australia at 14th in this area rather than any negative objective data.
It is this combination of positive economic and social aspects that appears to combine to make Australia a truly prosperous nation - and a promising location for international visitors.
It is for these reasons that many businesses are able to enjoy the continued support of foreign nationals in their ongoing activities - with migration consultants able assess a firm's suitability for long-term visa applications.
High Court Ruling to Reunite Refugee Family
A recent ruling by the High Court has allowed a young refugee to apply for a visa to bring his family to Australia - providing an interesting test case for migration consultants and professional agents to follow.
Sayed Abdul Rahman Shahi has been granted permission to begin the immigration process that will see his mother and other close relatives be allowed to enter the country.
The court heard how Shahi - a former citizen of Afghanistan had previously come to Australia as a teenager in 2009 - arriving at Christmas Island in May where he was found to be a refugee and was subsequently issued with a protection visa.
He submitted an application in December of that year for a Global Special Humanitarian visa that would see his family able to join him.
However, by the time the proposal was processed Shahi had turned 18 years old - causing some problems with the technical specifications set out by the program.
In the relevant legislation, a humanitarian visa could be issued under a set of six requirements that must be met before permission is granted, including "members of the immediate family".
Unfortunately for Shahi, the definition of this particular point was only applicable to the parent of a person under the age of 18 years.
Because the applicant was of adult age when the submission was processed, there was an issue relating to the definition of the terms.
Because Shahi was over 18 years old, under the relevant laws there was no longer a compelling case for his mother to join him in Australia as she ceased to be a member of his "immediate family".
The court found that this particular condition should not have entered into the decision process and that there may have been a jurisdictional error in this case.
Instead the official documents state that the provision of the requested visa be dependant more on the first criteria set out by the relevant legislation - that the applicant "is subject to substantial discrimination" in his home country and that the issue of age was not as relevant in this case.
Speaking on the issue, one of the plaintiff's lawyers Joel Townsend said that the findings could have substantial implication for both visa holder and professional migration agents.
Townsend asserted: "We think this is great outcome for our client and also for quite a number of other young refugees who want to bring their families to Australia.
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A report issued by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has shown that the popularity of working holiday arrangements in Australia may be on the rise. The W...
A new study by an independent body has attempted to rate the countries of the world based on how prosperous they appear to be. The Legatum Institute has recently released its 2011 Pro...
A recent ruling by the High Court has allowed a young refugee to apply for a visa to bring his family to Australia - providing an interesting test case for migration consultants and profe...