How do I know if I am eligible to apply for permanent immigration?

The easiest and fastest way for you to find out if you are eligible is to fill out our free online assessment and let our registered agents do all the work for you.

All the assessments we recieve are looked over by qualified agents who will make a preliminary assessment based on the information you provide and contact you to discuss your options.

How long does it take to get a permanent residence visa to immigrate to Australia?

Unfortunately there is no definitive answer to this question as all applications are different and processing times vary depending on which visa is being applied for. As a ballpark timeframe you would be looking at between 6 and 18 months.

This includes preparing and lodging your application as well as the time it takes DIAC (Department of Immigration and Citizenship) to process and reach a decision.
Once our agents have your details they will be able to give you a better estimate.

What is a permanent resident in Australia? What does it entitle me too?

Being a permanent resident grants you the right to live and work permanently in Australia. You are eligible for state medical care immediately, but must be resident in Australia for two years before qualifying for social welfare assistance (i.e. unemployment benefits). You are not permitted to vote as a permanent resident in Australia. After two years, you can apply for citizenship, entitling you to an Australian passport. Temporary residents (those on student and work visas) are generally not entitled to medical care or social welfare assistance at any time and are generally unable to remain for longer than 4 years. These applicants are recommended to take out private health insurance.

Is it possible to emigrate to Australia if you are over 45 years old?

In short YES, but it does limit your options somewhat.

Under the skilled program you must be under 45 years old when you lodge your application. Under some circumstances and under other programs exceptions can be made. An offer of employment could be a deciding factor, so dont automatically give up hope, speak to one of our agents first.

There are other visas which you may be eligible for - Parent Visa, Contributary Parent Visa, Remaining Relative Visa, Business Visa, Business Development Visa. It can be confusing trying to determine which visa is right for you, so speak to one of our agents...what have you got to lose?

Once we recieve our permanent residency to Australia are we able to move to New Zealand? Or would we have to apply all over again as we have had to with the visas to Australia?

NZ will accept an Australian Permanent Resident as a Permanent Resident.

If I buy a business in Oz does it automatically entitle me to settle there?

No. Get visa first - then buy the business is the route I would always recommend. There can be exceptions when you can buy now. I would only recommend this with some professional help. If you are ultimately refused a visa, you will have an Australian based business that you cannot work in. Call us on 0131 625 6900 to discuss the many options you may have.

How do I validate my visa (for immigration) to Australia?

By physically setting foot on Australian soil once your visa has been granted. Your visa is validated as you go through customs.

I have just applied for a Skilled Worker Visa to Canada. What exam do I need to take to prove that I have basic skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening in French as my second language?

IELTS - but don’t do anything till requested by your case worker in Canada.

Who can certify documents / certificates that I need to send for my skills assessment and visa application?

In the UK it can be a solicitor, Notary or Justice of the Peace. Since October 1 2006 MARA Registered Migration Agents can now certify documents.

What if my situation changes after I have lodged my application? Do I need to tell anyone?

Definately, any changes should be communicated to the department. If not you may put your application at serious risk since the details it is being process on are no longer accurate.

If the change is a major one you can apply to have your application put on hold if you wish.

I need to sell my house before I move to Australia, when should I do this?

You should not sell your house untill you have you visa in your hands. There is no absolute guarantee that your application will be successful. You will have plenty of time before your visa expires to make all the necessary arrangements.

But that is not to say you cant start getting your home and property ready for sale, make enquiries with different estate agents or start researching your dream home in Australia.

What about all my furniture and appliances? what about my pets?

There are plenty of international removal companies that will help you ship all of your belongings to your new home, it just depends on how attached you are to your furniture. Some people prefer to have a fresh start and buy all new goods on arrival rather than wait several months for their shipping container to arrive, others like to take this time and do some travelling and check out their new country before they settle.

Its a good idea to check with customs of your destination country if you are unsure about any items you want to ship, animal skins or products may not be allowed in.

We have an affilitation with Anglo Pacific who pass on discounts to our clients.

Pets on the other hand have to spend some time in quarantine before they will be allowed to join you in your new home, but they can definately come with the family. There are specialist pet removal companies that can take care of the whole process for you.

How long after my visa is granted do I have to move to Australia?

You usually have one year from the date of your police or medical tests to get to Australia and validate your visa. You will be asked to submit your police and medical tests towards the end of your application process so it is always best to wait till you are asked by the department before you go and have them done.

What does permanent residency in Canada mean? What does it entitle me too?

Once you have completed and had your visa approved you become a Canadian permanent resident, the act of presenting yourself at customs upon entry to Canada you are also then known as a landed immigrant.
Permanent residency status gives you all the same rights as a Canadian citizen including free health care, free primary and secondary schooling etc, but there are three exceptions; permanent residents cannot hold a Canadian passport, permanent residents cannot vote, and permanent residents can be deported for certain criminal acts.

When can I apply to become a citizen of Canada?

Only after being a permanent resident/landed immigrant of Canada for 3 years are you eligible to apply for citizenship.

Will I be required to attend an interview when applying for permanent residency in Canada in the independent/skilled worker category?

Canadian Citizenship and Immigration officials are required to satisfy a number of factors when assessing applications for permanent residency. These factors may include character issues, English or French language ability, your educational qualifications, your previous work experience and your ability to perform your duties.

When the Citizenship and Immigration officials review your application they may be satisfied that the documents you have filed with your residency application are sufficient and may waive the need for an interview. We will try and make sure that all the required evidence is presented in your application but you need to be aware that at times applications are chosen at random so that the Canadian Department of Citizenship and Immigration can assure itself that the checks they have in place are valid and working correctly.

How do I get a work permit for the UK?

The UK work permit is the most common way for non UK citizens to gain employment in the UK. The applicant needs to have a firm job offer from a UK employer, and the employer must be the one to initiate the sponsorship for the employee. There is an advertising requirement that the employer must complete before the application can be received by the Home Office.  A work permit can generally be obtained for most employment positions.

How do I qualify as a highly skilled migrant to the UK?

The highly skilled migrant programme is a points based immigration scheme that looks at five main areas where points can be scored. These include:

•    educational qualifications
•    work experience
•    past earnings
•    your achievement in your chosen field
•    your husband's, wife's or unmarried partner's achievements

You need to score 65 points or more to qualify as a highly skilled migrant.