Visa and citizenship application fee increases, AAT application fee up 70% to $3000 on 1 July 2021

Visa and citizenship application fee increases, AAT application fee up 70% to $3000 on 1 July 2021

Changes to migration regulations for 1 July 2021 have been registered with the revision of business skills visas, and increases to visa application charges, citizenship and AAT application fees.

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Partner visas: sponsor framework and English coming late 2021; electronic passenger cards; COVID-19 visa refunds and waivers

Partner visas: sponsor framework and English coming late 2021; electronic passenger cards; COVID-19 visa refunds and waivers

Late 2021 is when the partner visa sponsorship framework and English requirements will commence. Sponsors must be approved before a valid partner visa application can be lodged. Incoming passenger cards will be replaced by Digital Passenger Declarations in the near future. Visa application charge refunds and waivers are available for some temporary visa holders whose travel to Australia has been affected by COVID-19 border closures.

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ImmiAccount system outage from 7 pm on 30 June, credit card and PayPal surcharge increases from 1 July 2020

ImmiAccount system outage from 7 pm on 30 June, credit card and PayPal surcharge increases from 1 July 2020

ImmiAccount and other major online services provided by the Department of Home Affairs will be down for scheduled maintenance from 7 pm (AEST) 30 June 2020 until 9 am (AEST) 1 July 2020. While there has been no news on any changes to visa application charges or other migration- and citizenship-related fees, the surcharge for Visa and Mastercard payments and PayPal will increase, with an important warning for any applicant seeking to avoid surcharges altogether by using BPAY.

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COVID-19: Fact sheets, visa cancellations on health grounds and reapplying student and visitor visa applicants

COVID-19: Fact sheets, visa cancellations on health grounds and reapplying student and visitor visa applicants

The coronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19, has wreaked havoc on world travel and stock markets and will no doubt have a negative impact on Australia’s education and tourism industries. The Department of Home Affairs have provided several fact sheets for those that may be affected by travel restrictions and created a pathway for those in Australia who have had their visitor or student visas cancelled under specific provisions because of not meeting tougher border control measures to reapply for these visas.

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