Other Family Migration – Frequently Asked Questions
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COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What will happen at my interview?
Interviews generally take between 15 – 60 minutes. You may be asked questions about your level of dependency on your sponsor.
If I send more evidence will this be acknowledged?
If you submit evidence in person to the Australian High Commission this will not be acknowledged. If you send documents electronically the automatic response message that you receive is an acknowledgment that your email has been received. Evidence sent by post will not be routinely acknowledged.
Will my sponsor be interviewed if he or she accompanies me to interview?
Not necessarily. Depending on the evidence that you have provided it may not be necessary to interview your sponsor. Just because your sponsor attends the interview with you doesn’t mean that they will be interviewed.
How long do I have to provide evidence of my dependency?
This letter outlines evidence which you have been requested to provide, this must be provided within 28 days of this letter. Please ask us for an extension of time if you need one.
At/after interview you may be asked to provide further evidence. You will be given 28 days to provide this evidence. If you do not provide any evidence that has been required a decision can be made based on the evidence on file. However, the decision that is made may not be a positive one. It is in your best interests to provide all documents in relation to your dependency before your interview.
Can I apply for a visitor visa whilst my migration application is still in process?
Should you wish to travel to Australia during the processing of this application, please advise your case officer. We can give no guarantee regarding the outcome of any temporary visa applications lodged whilst your migration application is being processed.
Do I require assurance of support (AoS)?
Yes. The AoS is a mandatory requirement for sub class 114 and 115 visas and will only be requested once you have been assessed as meeting the other requirements for these visa sub classes. The AoS is lodged, processed and decided by Centrelink in Australia and not by the Australian High Commission. When Centrelink has made a decision they will advise the Australian High Commission.
The AoS is not an mandatory requirement for sub class 116 visa.
Do I require to pay second visa application charge (VAC)?
Yes. The 2nd VAC is a non-refundable health service charge levied on all applicants for this visa subclass. You will be requested to pay this amount once you have been assessed as meeting the other requirements which includes AoS for this visa subclass. The 2nd VAC amount is based on date of lodgement and you will be advised in writing of this amount.
Do I have to provide a birth certificate?
If you have a birth certificate this must be provided. However if you are unable to obtain a birth certificate you should provide a statement explaining this and provide other evidence showing your date of birth.
What if I cannot get a penal certificate?
If you cannot obtain a penal certificate you should provide a statement outlining why this is not possible.
If granted a visa when do I have to enter Australia?
If you are granted a aged dependent relative visa you must enter Australia by a set date. You will be advised of this date when your visa is granted. If you do not enter Australia by this date you may need to reapply and pay a new application fee. If you are unable to enter Australia by this date for whatever reason, you must notify the Australian High Commission immediately.
When is it OK to purchase plane tickets to Australia?
You should never purchase any plane tickets on the expectation that you will be granted a visa. Even if you believe that you have completed all the requirements for the grant of a visa, please do not assume that a visa will be granted on a specific date and make travel arrangements based on this assumption.
Can my application be expedited?
The Australian High Commission in Suva, Fiji is responsible for the processing and decision of migration applications from a number of countries in the South Pacific Region. To manage the volume of applications received in a fair and reasonable manner, applications are processed in date order of lodgement so no Australian citizen/resident sponsor and their families are disadvantaged. If you believe your circumstances are compelling and/or compassionate, you can request expedited processing. However there is no guarantee that we will be able to facilitate your request.
Will my documentary evidence be returned?
Yes once a decision on your application is made your documentary evidence will be either returned to you in person or via mail.
What happens if I require an interpreter?
If you require an interpreter please notify your case officer well before your interview date. You are required to bring your own interpreter to the interview. Please note that your sponsor and immediate family members cannot act as interpreters.
How can I contact my case officer?
The sponsors and applicants can contact the Suva office by telephone (679) 3382219 or 3382211; fax (679) 3382684 or 3382065; and by emailing [email protected]. Please allow 48 hours before your query is responded to by this office.
What happens if I do not respond to this office requests?
If you do not respond to requests within the timeframe given to you by the Australian High Commission in Suva, Fiji, or if you do not attend a requested interview, a decision will be made on the basis of the information already held. However, the decision that is made may not be a positive one.
If you are unable to provide the required documentation within the specified timeframe please advise what action you have taken to obtain them, and request an extension of time.
Who can check on the progress of my application?
Only you, the applicant. Due to Commonwealth Privacy law it is not possible for this office to disclose information regarding your application to anyone (this includes your sponsor) unless you have provided written authority for this office to do so. Should you wish someone else to act on your behalf/receive information, please complete form 956 or form 956A, we will then correspond with that person rather than you.
What happens if my circumstances change after lodging this application?
If your circumstances change you must notify the Australian High Commission immediately. This includes the sponsor withdrawing their sponsorship and where you are no longer an aged dependent relative. These are all important factors that should be brought to the attention of your case officer.
Should I use a migration agent / lawyer?
If you wish to know whether an agent or a lawyer is registered to provide professional advice concerning Australian visas we recommend that you consult the website http://www.themara.com.au.
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