December 21, 2011 - The Australian Government is increasing some visa application charges (VAC) effective January 1, 2012. Refer to www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/vpt-fact-sheet.pdf for detailed information. Note that most charges are increasing by five to 15 percent. However, student charges are decreasing by five percent.
|
Visa
Subclasses with VAC Changes 1 January 2012
|
New
Fee |
Old
Fee |
|
020
|
Bridging
Visa B |
$125
|
$105 |
|
119
|
Employer
nomination/ Regional sponsored migration scheme |
$2,095
|
$1,995 |
|
120
|
Labour
agreement |
$2,095
|
$1,995 |
|
121
|
Employer
nomination |
$2,095
|
$1,995 |
|
124
|
Distinguished
talent offshore |
$2,095
|
$1,995 |
|
155
|
Five
year resident return |
$300
|
$260 |
|
157
|
Three
month resident return |
$300
|
$260 |
|
159
|
Provisional
resident return |
$160
|
$140 |
|
456
|
Business
(short stay) |
$140
|
$120 |
|
457
|
Business
(long stay) |
$350
|
$305 |
|
459
|
Sponsored
business visitor |
$140
|
$120 |
|
476
|
Skilled
(recognised graduate) |
$315
|
$270 |
|
485
|
Skilled
Graduate |
$315
|
$270 |
|
560-580
|
All
students |
$535
|
$565 |
|
676
|
Onshore
tourist visa |
$290
|
$260 |
|
845
|
Established
business In Australia |
$6,030
|
$5,745 |
|
846
|
State/Territory sponsored regional business in Australia |
$6,030
|
$5,745 |
|
855
|
Labour
Agreement |
$3,105
|
$2,960 |
|
856
|
Employer
Nomination |
$3,105
|
$2,960 |
|
857
|
Employer
nomination/Regional sponsored migration scheme |
$3,105
|
$2,960 |
|
858
|
Distinguished
talent |
$3,105
|
$2,960 |
|
887
|
Skilled
regional |
$315
|
$270 |
|
890
|
Business
owner |
$1,895
|
$1,650 |
|
891
|
Investor
|
$1,895
|
$1,650 |
|
892
|
State/Territory
sponsored business owner |
$1,895
|
$1,650 |
|
893
|
State/Territory
sponsored investor |
$1,895
|
$1,650 |
The Australian Government has also proposed that as of July 2013, additional fees will be levied for each dependent included in a visa application. Currently, the VAC covers all dependents included in a visa application.
The Government also proposes additional charges to be progressively implemented over the next 18 months. These charges will be added for:
-
longer duration visas;
-
paper applications where an online option is available; and
-
optional services, such as visa labels. Visa labels are not required by the Australian Government. The Australian immigration system is electronically monitored.
BAL Comment: Please contact your Australian professional at BAL to ensure the correct VAC is provided at time of visa lodgement.
BAL is closely monitoring developments and will advise our clients and subscribers as further information is released.
This alert has been provided by Tim Denney, Managing Director at Berry Appleman & Leiden Pty Ltd. For additional information, please contact australia@balglobal.com.
MARN: 9683856