The Analyst Down Under

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 tal...

The ICAA has declared that my qualifications are “suitable for immigration purposes” as a management accountant a week before expected. I really don’t want to waste any time in getting my visa, since the assessment is valid for a maximum of two years, as is the IELTS result. Since changes are taking place more frequently than website updates, most of the information is out of date. The best place to start with the visa application process is probably the introductory page for the online application at http://www.immi.gov.au/e_visa/general-skilled-migration.htm The online application requires you to read the Life in Australia booklet before applying, available here . I ordered a copy today, with reference number '20101206221226 Khan'. Of course, the pdf version is also available from here , and contains essential facts and figures about Australia, including some history, general knowledge, government, laws and civil rights and some social commentary on Australian way of life...

Walking down the lane towards the masjid for maghrib prayers, I was finally able to breathe in the cool crisp air of the heavily planted upscale Clifton suburban lane, deliberately measuring my steps without any mental processes frantically trying to grasp those consolidation adjustments or other muddling thoughts. With the last few minutes of my attempts at earning more marks in the managerial exams having drawn to a close, I had given in my final paper with many-a-hope, fear and regret. For the main part, I vowed to start as early as possible in my preparation for the next exams so that I would be able to absorb the syllabus into my bloodstream, and simply let it flower during the exams, very much like the hard-working bee produces honey, instead of the usual last-minute desperate dash, complete with hair fall, worrying-sickness and weeks of jail-sentence-like studying routines. So now I have a 50% chance at passing at least one, and maybe two or even all three managerial level...

With just Rs. 46 left in the bank, I've never been so happy about having all my money chugged down a juicer before. The online transaction finally went through though not as smoothly as I would have liked to keep Monday mornings fresh and breezy. As soon as the ICAA received my application, they processed the payment, which was of course unsuccessful, despite my repeated reminders to notify me when the payment would be processed. I immediately attempted to activate an online session with my bank after talking to service adviser who advised me to call back within the next 3 hours (i.e. 12 pm PST and 6 pm Sydney) as soon as I had opened a 'window'. My bank had problems activating a session and only on the second inquiry did I realize that I only had internet processing for my other bank account - Dawoodi Hardware. I tried to transfer funds from my salary account to the business account thorough internet banking but the captcha's somehow never seemed to be right and I dec...

I had sent in my Pre-Application Skills Assessment (PASA) to the ICAA last Friday, but it isn't being processed until the coming Monday at least. It took Pakistan Post's Express Mail Service (EMS) about two days to reach Australia and another four days for Australian post to finally deliver it to the postal box address on the form. Tracking the package was not a problem, as both Pakistan Post and Australian Post provided tracking summaries of the package. Another risky undertaking that saved at least me Rs. 1,200 from an exchange service or a fat half-lie at my bank was that I included my VISA card details on the form for payment. I've sent them three emails so far to tell them that they will need to advise me the exact time and date of payment so I can activate an online session to be able to complete an online transaction. This is a potentially costly risk in case it doesn't work out, as I would have to pay Rs. 1,200 plus the local exchange rate for AUD, which has inc...

The new month's certainly started off well enough. My motto had always been to keep expectations low so I could end up doing better than I expected. But this time I did pretty well, with an overall 8.5 and 7+ in all the bands. Best of all, I got a perfect score in my reading, though writing was 7.5 (when I secretly expected an 8+) and I scored 8.5 in both speaking and listening. So this means that I have cleared one part of the skilled migration requirements and can go ahead with my occupational assessment, with English language testing off my worry list, thogh a better pic wouldn't have been the worst thing I could do. Its been difficult gathering the course outlines of all the subjects I took at the various universities in different parts of the world, though I had some help from my cousin in the UAE who arranged for all my docs on that front. I still haven't decided completely which assessment body to lodge my case with as this needs more analysis. Most importantly, I...

As outlined in my earlier blog, CIMAstudy.com is probably a more preferable way to study than sifting through xerox powder and heavy bound books with a large red stripe down the center of ever page. And even better, there are big discounts available through promotions. One of the best discounts is available through IIB , a Ukrainian University at http://www.iib.com.ua. (click here to view the page in English, and here to view the page about distance learning programs in association with IIB) "IIB as the participant of CIMA Affiliate Sales Partner Program offers students a unique possibility to get 60 % discount through the use of a Special Offer Coupon. The coupon is free off charge; it’s possible to get it by completing registration form ." CIMA also has promotion from time to time, such as their last one offering all students in Pakistan the opportunity to buy three CIMAstudy courses at a 33% discount, quoting 33MAPA as the promotion code. Unfortunately, this promo wa...

Contrary to what I had in mind, IELTS did not become history as early as I would have liked. I still have to deal with clearing the English Language requirements because for all my linguistic brilliance, I messed up in the writing section last time - falling short of the word limit in the second part of the test, having taken up most of my time in the first task. This was very reckless and irresponsible because: 1. IELTS information material clearly stated that falling short of the word limit in the writing section would be a costly mistake. 2. My exam strategy couldn't have been any worse - the second part of the test was worth twice the marks than the first part, but I managed to allocate only half as much time as I took in the first part. Falling short by half a band in this section means that I have to go through the whole process and empty my pockets once again. However, some consolation comes from the fact that my targeted accounting body for migration assessment (ICAA) does...

Its usually a nice feeling when you slip in your latest degree-certificate into your file. But I was almost embarrassed this time as I seemed to have amassed quite a bit of card paper in there already. The part that really stings is that the card papers may have helped me get more subsequent card papers, but haven't really helped me get back any of the hard-earned and getting-harder-to-manage paper that I've put into these things. That's why I need to get down under, remember? So that I can earn a lot of money in a respectable profession of my choosing and have plenty of time to enjoy life with my family in a beautiful country that respects nature and takes care of its citizens and seems to have more chances of surviving into the next decade/ century than where I am currently. I need to keep that in mind, because sometimes we get so involved in short-term goals and objectives that we forget the broader vision that keeps escaping us like a mirage. So, back to short...

I don’t want any backdoors and windows. I want to come in with the right credentials to earn some respect and some dough from day one so I can settle in comfortable with my family. The best way to do that is, of course, to bring in lots of money and investment. For business or for Australia’s star export: education. Just one problem – I just got enough money for a decent living at home in Karachi, Pakistan. So the next best way’s to get a decent job (and discover the life). I’m just short of the points and you never know when that’s going to be upped. So I need to qualify for a occupation in demand. These MODL occupations add 25 points or so more in several categories for immigration. And what’s more important – in times when people (read, migrants) around the world are seriously complaining about how bad the situation is and there are no jobs – there are hundreds of vacancies for people like you. Australia needs you, so you don’t have to wash up on their shores and just hope they’ll ...