AUSTRALIAN IMMIGRATION NEWS

Increased Government Processing Fees for Australian Visas

Thursday, 2 July 2009

The Australian Government has announced that immigration processing fees has increased, effective from July 1, 2009.

According to the Government announcement, the increase in fees will offset the wider costs associated with the operation of the migration and temporary entry program.

Most fees were increased by 20% and then rounded to the nearest $5 increment. Skilled independent visa first instalment application fee has increased from $2105 to $2525 and a student visa will increase from $450 to $540.

Other visas have increased in line with CPI. For instance, a tourist visa has increased from $100 to $105.

Other changes include:

• removing discrimination between same-sex and opposite-sex de facto couples and their children so they will be eligible to apply for all subclasses of visa which allow spouses and dependents.
• allowing subclass 410 retirement visa holders to apply for a visa which is valid for 10 years and removes the 20-hour a week work restriction, allowing them to make a greater contribution to the community.
• preventing split contributory parent visa applications by not allowing a permanent contributory parent visa holder from sponsoring their partner or fiancé for a partner or prospective marriage visa for five years.
• extending work rights provisions for asylum seekers so that people who have remained lawful in Australia and actively engaged with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to resolve their visa status are permitted to work.

If you are interested in Visas to Australia, contact Migration Expert for information and advice on which visa is best suited to you. You can also try our visa eligibility assessment to see if you are eligible to apply for a visa to Australia.