Do I qualify for a permanent visa/ citizenship in Australia, Canada or New Zealand?
You are invited to complete our assessment forms and questionnaire in English. This will be reviewed by our registered migration agents and you will get free initial assessment of your solutions. If you qualify for a particular migration program, you will receive an offer with all visa processing details or a reply with short explanation of your situation.
Can I bring my family?
Close family such as your partner/spouse and children, are considered part of your family and are included in the visa application. Family is generally advantageous in the permanent visa process as both partners can contribute to better outcome of the visa application and later employment status and family integration in new country.
Who can apply for permanent residency?
Everyone who qualifies under current regulations in a particular government migration program and receives a positive response from Active Migration, has valid passport, good general health, can be economically independent and has no criminal records.
What does permanent residence mean?
As a permanent resident, you are entitled to live and work in a chosen country indefinitely and also qualify to apply for citizenship and passport after certain number of years – after 2 in Australia, 3 in Canada and after 5 years in New Zealand. Permanent residence gives you right to access all health services, social security, family and child benefits, student loans etc. If you are a temporary resident in a country, you will need to apply for permanent residence regardless of number of years
you spend in a country.
Do I have same possibilities as other applicants?
There is no discrimination for permanent residence applicants based on the country of origin and nationality as the selection process is based on other requirements (occupation, education, work experience, age, language knowledge). Temporary categories however differentiate between the countries of origin (tourist visa, student visa, work permit,...)
Where do I have to settle with a permanent visa?
If you come with an independent permanent visa, you are free to live anywhere in the country. If you are sponsored by a particular state or province, you will need to live in the sponsoring part of the country for the first 2 years. If you are sponsored by a company, you will need to work wherever the company is based.
Can I travel during the processing of my visa?
Entire process can be managed while you remain in your country or travel. In the largest skilled migration group is actually required that you are off-shore at the time of visa decision.
What is the process?
First step is always assessment of your situation and choosing the right visa category for you. After we sign the agreement, we start collecting all needed documents for the skills assessment (which is the most important part to transfer your work experience, skills, education to fit local standards) and visa application. In the last stages of visa processing we start preparing you for the relocation and help you with information and support your settlement and employment search in the chosen
country.
How long is the process?
Depending on the visa class – from one day to 12 months.
Permanent visa processing for Australia is generally 6 to 12 months long, for Canada 10 to 18 months and for New Zealand around 6 months. Processing of work visa or student visa is generally 1-3 month long.
At the start of processing you are appointed a personal consultant that will help you with all queries and concerns you may have, as well as give you clear instructions on each step.
What happens when I arrive?
Our detailed settlement guide will give you all information you will need about what to expect and how to prepare in advance – looking for a new home, buying/renting a car and/or house/apartment, selecting a school for your children, basic and private health insurance, family/rent/child benefits and government assistance, taxation, government institutions, buying or opening your own business, opening the bank account, loan applications,...
How do you help with my job search in Australia?
Most of us have direct work recruitment and headhunting experience from different countries and will assist with transfer of your overseas knowledge/education/work experience to fit Australian/Canadian/New Zealand standards. We will check your actual skills, English language knowledge and assist with preparing appropriate CV depending on location, industry and your skills. We will suggest where and how to find suitable employers and how to approach them.
For details on job search in Australia you can check our guide
Note: all our clients receive a free copy.
If your occupation is matching with the open positions in our database, we’ll give you company contacts and even organize an interview for you. Generally, the job search is similar to the one in your country, but there are more positions available.
What are visa costs?
The cost for permanent residence visa are on average A$5500 for entire family - including skills assessment and government fees, visa application management with Immigration department and assistance with settlement and job search. You will need to cover expenses in your country such as English language test, medical examination, certification and translation of documents.
Costs of work visa application is generally A$3500.
Can I trust you?
You will only receive our offer if you qualify for a certain visa category 100%, based on current migration law. This is general Code of conduct of any migration company in Australia. In the offer, you will also receive details about the guaranty in case of negative response.
You can also check our references:
- person signing the agreement, must be registered migration agent – check www.themara.com.au
- local consulates and Embassies
- ask for reference/contacts of our existing/previous clients
I want to live abroad – how do I start?
First step is assessment of your options for a particular country, followed by actual list of your options and visas you can apply for. This is free of charge. If you receive positive assessment, we’ll include the offer with all processing details for the type of visa you qualify for. Once you decide to proceed, we’ll give you detailed instructions for each and every step of your visa processing.
Will I need to communicate with the Embassy?
The only contact with the Embassy is at the tie of visa issue. In some cases applicants are invited fro an interview depending on your situation. All communication is done through Active Migration.
What are the employment options in Australia, Canada and New Zealand?
In all three countries the unemployment rate is below 6% which is one of the important indicators of actual employment opportunities. However, the actual results of your job search will depend largely on your activities, English language knowledge and adaptability to the new environment. When following our advice, our clients get employed in the first month after arrival.
What is the standard of living?
Standard of living is different to that in Europe considering the vast price ranges of most things for daily use and earning options. Based on that you can certainly regulate your expenses thus standard of living.
In all three countries the social system and average salary are based on the fact that a family with one child can live with only one average salary if paying a rent or mortgage – in Australia for example, average salary amounts to AUD$41,850 per year (over AUD$800 per week). Average rent is AUD$260.
How about the first accommodation?
We can organise that in advance and arrange the accommodation for the first two weeks. After or during this time you will find a house/apartment with our assistance. We generally suggest you to rent first until acquainted with the local real estate market.
When do I get citizenship?
Before being able to apply for citizenship, you will need to be a holder of one of the permanent visas. In Australia you can apply after 2 years, in Canada after 3 years and in New Zealand after 5.
In Australia, the citizenship application process costs app. AUD$ 120 and is 2 months long. The conditions are:
- you must live in a country for at least two years
- successful interview with the Immigration department (you need converse in English and understand citizens’ rights and obligations)
- no criminal history
- presence on the citizenship ceremony
How do I get permit to work?
You must have a job offer matching your previous work experience while the employer must prove the need for an overseas worker.
What documents do I need for a visa?
List of documents depends largely on the type of visa you are applying for and your personal situation. Your personal consultant will prepare exact list of all required documents and guide you through the entire process step by step to save your time and money.
Do I get a job in advance?
When applying for a permanent independent visa, you generally do not need a job in advance. It is much easier to find a job after arrival for two reasons:
- most employers will want to meet you in person before offering you a position
- employers generally prefer clear legal status so that you can starts as soon as possible
Permanent residence status gives you same opportunities as other citizens have as you have indefinite permission to live and work in a chosen country.
How about school for my children?
In all three countries, we have system of public and private educational institutions. If you have a permit to work in a country for taxation purposes, your children can be enrolled in a public school free of charge (school fee is app. AUD$50 per year).
All children receive free English language lessons within their schools to ease their transition. English teachers specializing in such lessons are called ESL (English as a second language) teachers.
Do I have medical insurance?
If you are permanent resident in one of the three countries, you are entitled to free government medical insurance. If you come with a temporary visa, you can get the insurance through one of the private insurance companies although most Western/Central European countries can claim first 6 months of insurance based on bilateral agreements between the countries.
Can my family join me if I decide to study?
Yes, all family members get temporary visas for the time of study.
What type of visas do you offer?
All Temporary Visas and all Permanent Visas, Work Permits, Business Visas, Family Visas, Student Visas, Retirement Visas and assistance with Sponsorships and Citizenships.
Can I take my pet – dog/cat?
Yes. Your pet must be vaccinated before your departure and must be in the quarantine care for 30 days after arrival.
Can I buy a house/property?
If you are a permanent resident, there are no limitations. If you are a temporary resident, you can buy only one existing property and unlimited number of new properties. If you have no visa status, you can only buy new properties. Regardless of your legal status though, you can apply for a loan.
What happens if I get caught working illegally in Australia?
You will be taken to the detention centre and most likely be deported from Australia with the first available flight. You will most likely be denied entry to Australia for 3 to 5 years.
Company you worked for, will pay up to AUD$10,000 fine and will not be able to sponsor any overseas workers in the future.
Can I open and register a company in Australia?
If you are a permanent residence holder, there are no limits and you can also apply for government grants and loans.
You can also invest without legal status and open or buy an existing business in Australia. You can be 100% owner, however the responsible person (director) must be an Australian resident. All costs of opening a Pty Ltd are up to AUD$ 2500.
Is life in Australia dangerous – crocodiles, sharks, spiders…?
In Europe most TV shows about Australia show outback and bush, tourist attractions and little about the areas where most of us live – cities and populated areas.
It is important to respect the rules on the beach, tropical areas and desert. Average injuries in nature are very similar in Australia and European countries.
Did you know?
Choose AUSTRALIA and enjoy:
- world’s most beautiful beaches and underwater life
- variety of business and investment options
- thriving real estate market opportunities
- fastest growing economy and relaxed lifestyle
- tropical flora and fauna and Great Barrier reef
- Aboriginal culture and history
- warm weather all year round and barbeque parties
- koalas, kangaroos, crocodiles ….
Choose CANADA and benefit from:
- the highest level of social and family security
- world’s most recognised educational and health care system
- pristine nature and beautiful wildlife
- access to vast employment market in USA/Canada
- nightlife, music, film industry, shows etc.
- multicultural and multilingual richness
- over 250,000 newcomers a year
- hockey, basketball, rugby, skiing etc.
- grizzlies, raccoons, moose, salmon ….
Choose NEW ZEALAND and get:
- world’s lowest unemployment rate
- clean, nuclear energy-free environment
- world’s most open and least corrupt political system
- great skiing slopes and undiscovered hideaways
- involvement in Maori and Pacific islander’s culture
- active volcanoes and long black volcanic sand beaches
- extraordinary blend of history and cultures
- sense of belonging from the first day on
- kiwis, sheep, deer, football, cricket ….
For interesting statistics visit country comparison tables in different languages...
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