The learning curve
Well, filling out the online application was just a little tricky but I got through to 99%.
Of course, the last part of the application will take a few more days to come through - payment of AUD $2,575.
Unfortunately, I was too busy fooling around to talk to a immigration helpline operator before they all went home to peg their socks out for Santa.
Everyone will be most likely merry-making for the next three days at least - including Pakistanis this time over the long weekend (two whole days, plus one for Benazir with the hooligans at it again).
From the immigration help page, the number to call for GSM application queries is apparently +(61) 1300-364-613, which probably connects to the Adelaide Skilled Processing Centre (ASPC). The number is listed on the General Skilled Migration Processing Centres page.
Office hours are 9 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday Central Australian Time (GMT +9.30 / PST +4.30), i.e. PST 04:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
To cut past the IVR, press 1 followed by 0 to talk to an operator.
GSM Email inquiries are also possible from this page, and take five working days to process.
The main questions I have are concerning:
1. The applicability of the online application in lieu of the recent changes in the points test
2. Details of all countries in which I, my spouse and mother have lived for 12 months or more (since turning 16) during the last 10 years. (The 12 month period of residence may be made up of a number of shorter periods and must account for every year).
However, since since my last passport was lost and I may not be able to access all of my mother's details since she is presently out of the country, I needed to ascertain if approximate dates of entry/ exit will do.
Also, having lived in Pakistan for the last seven years or so with only a few days or weeks out of the country each year since, I am not sure if I need to list each of brief periods that I was not in the country.
3. The applicability of the payment of the second installment of AUD $3,575 of the Visa Application Charge for dependents aged 18 years or over with less than functional English.
I am not sure if I need to pay this fee as my wife and my mother both have at least functional English (considering mummy is a gynecologist and fellow of the Royal something in UK).
Does this mean that I don't have to pay the second installment of AUD $3,575 if my migrating dependents can list an IELTS TRF with a minimum band score to indicate at least 'functional' English?
Do my dependent family members need to test their English Language ability in any case?
4. I need to know whether my designation as a (non-ICT) 'business analyst' can be referred to as work experience as a 'management accountant' for the purposes of application for immigration.
This form, or rather, this form design spreadsheet, should help me survey job posts and reflects my understanding regarding what a management accountant does and what they most successful candidates have in their portfolio.
From my research so far, it seems that management accountants usually have core accounting roles making up at least 50% of their job description, while my profile tends to stay away from financial reporting and core accounting duties.
However, MIS and analyst jobs seem to be as numerous and include some very juicy roles that I could readily step into, though this may not be purely in line with ANZSCO 221122 'management accountant', though is likely to be closely related.
Hopefully, the immigration department will be able to agree with my role description of 'management accountant' in my past employment work experience, though my actual designation was that of a (non-ICT) 'business analyst'.
It may be worthwhile to ask this question to an immigration helpline operator as well.
5. I need to ask the daunting question that confirms my understanding that if my application does not come through, the application fee is non-refundable. My question is whether this applies to the first installment only, or if I may have to pay the second installment as well and not be refunded if the application fails.
Lastly, I need to keep in mind that once I lodge my application, there is a waiting period of 18 to 24 months for Independent Skilled 175 Visas. One the other hand, processing time for sponsored visas is only five to seven months.
Perhaps I need to revisit my initial question once more: would an RSMS be more appropriate in terms of time and cost?
As per the citizenship eligibility calculator, citizenship requires 4 years lawful residence in Australia. This period must include 12 months as a permanent resident immediately before making an application for Australian citizenship.
There is a high amount of risk involved as you are promptly shipped home if you don't make the PR. However, this is unlikely in my case as I am already eligible for PR.
Getting to Australia on a TR and making the PR eventually in time for citizenship may be a much faster and possibly cheaper way for me.
This is my next research assignment, though I need to move fast as I turn 30 on January 9, 2011 and stand to lose 5 points for age based on the existing 120 points pass mark, though I will still qualify the minimum, and actually qualify for the maximum marks in the new 65 points pass mark system that is not currently in implementation.
Of course, the last part of the application will take a few more days to come through - payment of AUD $2,575.
Unfortunately, I was too busy fooling around to talk to a immigration helpline operator before they all went home to peg their socks out for Santa.
Everyone will be most likely merry-making for the next three days at least - including Pakistanis this time over the long weekend (two whole days, plus one for Benazir with the hooligans at it again).
From the immigration help page, the number to call for GSM application queries is apparently +(61) 1300-364-613, which probably connects to the Adelaide Skilled Processing Centre (ASPC). The number is listed on the General Skilled Migration Processing Centres page.
Office hours are 9 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday Central Australian Time (GMT +9.30 / PST +4.30), i.e. PST 04:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
To cut past the IVR, press 1 followed by 0 to talk to an operator.
GSM Email inquiries are also possible from this page, and take five working days to process.
The main questions I have are concerning:
1. The applicability of the online application in lieu of the recent changes in the points test
2. Details of all countries in which I, my spouse and mother have lived for 12 months or more (since turning 16) during the last 10 years. (The 12 month period of residence may be made up of a number of shorter periods and must account for every year).
However, since since my last passport was lost and I may not be able to access all of my mother's details since she is presently out of the country, I needed to ascertain if approximate dates of entry/ exit will do.
Also, having lived in Pakistan for the last seven years or so with only a few days or weeks out of the country each year since, I am not sure if I need to list each of brief periods that I was not in the country.
3. The applicability of the payment of the second installment of AUD $3,575 of the Visa Application Charge for dependents aged 18 years or over with less than functional English.
I am not sure if I need to pay this fee as my wife and my mother both have at least functional English (considering mummy is a gynecologist and fellow of the Royal something in UK).
Does this mean that I don't have to pay the second installment of AUD $3,575 if my migrating dependents can list an IELTS TRF with a minimum band score to indicate at least 'functional' English?
Do my dependent family members need to test their English Language ability in any case?
4. I need to know whether my designation as a (non-ICT) 'business analyst' can be referred to as work experience as a 'management accountant' for the purposes of application for immigration.
This form, or rather, this form design spreadsheet, should help me survey job posts and reflects my understanding regarding what a management accountant does and what they most successful candidates have in their portfolio.
From my research so far, it seems that management accountants usually have core accounting roles making up at least 50% of their job description, while my profile tends to stay away from financial reporting and core accounting duties.
However, MIS and analyst jobs seem to be as numerous and include some very juicy roles that I could readily step into, though this may not be purely in line with ANZSCO 221122 'management accountant', though is likely to be closely related.
Hopefully, the immigration department will be able to agree with my role description of 'management accountant' in my past employment work experience, though my actual designation was that of a (non-ICT) 'business analyst'.
It may be worthwhile to ask this question to an immigration helpline operator as well.
5. I need to ask the daunting question that confirms my understanding that if my application does not come through, the application fee is non-refundable. My question is whether this applies to the first installment only, or if I may have to pay the second installment as well and not be refunded if the application fails.
Lastly, I need to keep in mind that once I lodge my application, there is a waiting period of 18 to 24 months for Independent Skilled 175 Visas. One the other hand, processing time for sponsored visas is only five to seven months.
Perhaps I need to revisit my initial question once more: would an RSMS be more appropriate in terms of time and cost?
As per the citizenship eligibility calculator, citizenship requires 4 years lawful residence in Australia. This period must include 12 months as a permanent resident immediately before making an application for Australian citizenship.
There is a high amount of risk involved as you are promptly shipped home if you don't make the PR. However, this is unlikely in my case as I am already eligible for PR.
Getting to Australia on a TR and making the PR eventually in time for citizenship may be a much faster and possibly cheaper way for me.
This is my next research assignment, though I need to move fast as I turn 30 on January 9, 2011 and stand to lose 5 points for age based on the existing 120 points pass mark, though I will still qualify the minimum, and actually qualify for the maximum marks in the new 65 points pass mark system that is not currently in implementation.
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