If you are looking into the possibility of obtaining an Australian work visa, then you are in luck; Australia is known for being among the easiest countries for which to obtain such a visa, especially considering the fact that they are one of few countries that offer 12-month visas to citizens between the ages of 18 and 30 of the United States and some other countries. Still, the application process and other steps involved in obtaining a visa can be a bit stressful or may seem overwhelming. This article will walk you through the necessary steps to obtaining your Australian work visa.
Make Sure You Have a Passport
The first thing that you will want to do is to make sure that you have a current passport from your country of citizenship. Take a look at the expiration date and make sure that it is not set to expire during your stay in Australia; the last thing that you want is to be stranded in another country indefinitely due to an expired passport! If it is due to expire in the near future, then you will want to renew it as soon as possible before you leave.
Obtain Medical Clearance, if Necessary
Australia is one of many countries that require those traveling with work visas to have a medical examination prior to their arrival. Upon receiving a clean bill of health, ask your doctor to put together a report that you can give to Australian immigration officials to prove that you had the necessary medical examinations done.
Gather Needed Records
There are a number of documents that you will need to present to Australian immigration officials in order to enter the country and/or be approved for a work visa. This includes not only a copy of your high school diploma, but two copies of different passport photos, a clearance certificate that shows you do not have a substantial criminal record in your home country, and possibly proof of health insurance. You will want to check with your employer in Australia to find out whether or not you will be required to purchase your own health insurance.
Fill Out Application
Once you have everything that you need, all that is left to do is to fill out and submit the official Application for Work and Holiday Visa, or Form 1208. This can be obtained by downloading a copy from the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s website. Upon filling out the application, you will also need to send in an application fee of $195 to the Australian immigration office that is located in your home country.
From there, it can take some time to receive a response. Once your application is approved, the approval will be transferred to Australian border control and you will be good to go.
Problems?
Of course, running into problems along the way when trying to apply for a work visa in Australia is more common than you might think. If this happens to you, consider hiring an immigration consultant. An immigration consultant will be able to inform you as to what the best plan of action for your case is. Furthermore, migration lawyers can be valuable; specifically, migration lawyers can assist you in taking denied applications to court and fighting them in front of a judge.
This post comes from Time For Advice, who can assist you with making the leap to landing a career and apply for a visa in Australia. Visit their website to learn more.