The Assistant Minister set a cap for offshore General Skilled Migration (GSM) visas which takes effect on 22 September 2015. The following  offshore General Skilled Migration (GSM) visas are affected:

• Skilled Independent (subclass 175)
• Skilled Sponsored (subclass 176)
• Skilled Regional Sponsored (subclass 475).

The cap sets the maximum number of places that can be granted in the 2015–16 financial year for these visa subclasses. This total has already been reached. Therefore, applications for these visas that were not finalised before 22 September 2015 are taken not to have been made and the relevant visa application charge will be repaid to affected applicants.

If your application is affected by the Cap and Cease determination, the DIBP will send you, or your authorised recipient (if you have one), a letter of notification.

To learn more about the Cap and Cease arrangements visit – http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Work/Work/CapandCease

On 1 July 2015 the new Department of Immigration and Border Protection was established. This brings together functions of the existing Department and the disestablished Australian Customs and Border Protection Service into one department.

The new Department will deliver immigration, citizenship, trade, customs, border protection and maritime security functions.

The Australian Border Force is the operational and enforcement arm of the new Department. The Australian Border Force will be highly visible at airports, seaports and undertaking maritime and compliance activities.

Australian Border Force have a new brand, uniforms for Border Force officers and a border.gov.au website replaces the immi.gov.au and customs.gov.au websites. Email addresses have also changed so that they now end with @border.gov.au

Current systems remain in place and can be found under the ‘Log into’ sections on the homepage. Australian Border Force has explained the integration will not affect any visa or citizenship applications.

In conjunction with Career and Placement Services Student Affairs, we are pleased to invite you to the upcoming ‘Employment Opportunities and Emigration Process for Australia’ seminar, to be held at the American University of Beirut (AUB) Beirut, Lebanon.

This seminar is suitable for all applicants seeking to emigrate to Australia, especially overseas qualified professionals and skilled graduates. Learn how to make the move to Australia. Over the years, applicants have found these seminars to be useful and informative providing an insight on how you can successfully relocate to Australia and provide you information on various Australian visa options.

Learn about the pathways to permanent residency from the Australia visa expert, including essential information on living and working in Australia. We will provide an insight on lifestyle and employment opportunities in the respective states in Australia. This is also a unique opportunity to learn about living and working in Australia.

What you’ll find at the seminar:

• Information tips on how to improve your Australian job search via state skilled registry
• Information on employment opportunities in Australia
• Information on how you can improve your CV for Australian employers and market
• Which occupations are currently in demand and where

What can I expect?

This is your chance to find out:

• Where some of the biggest projects are taking place, what skills do they need and what does this mean for you?
• Visas and sponsorship – how licensed immigration agent and your new employer can help make the transition easy.
• How employers can support your visa, relocation and settlement.
• What unique methods are used in Australia?
• Are your skills recognised?
• Lifestyle, expected wage, banking, cost of living, housing and education for you and your family.

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, 25th June 2015
Venue: American University of Beirut (AUB) – West Hall Auditorium A
Time: 12.00noon – 2pm
Cost: Free.

Our MARA Agent, namely Hannibal Khoury has been a guest speaker at many migration seminars and exhibitions for over 10 years.

We urge you to attend and learn more about the process of emigration to Australia and employment opportunities on the day.

To reserve your place at the event please send your CV to info@thamesmigration and complete our contact us form.

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New visa pricing arrangements will be introduced on 1st July 2015. This will change visa application charges, a price increase in line with inflation on visas which face strong international competition or have been impacted by recent price increases. For many applicants, this will result in a large increase and sometimes double of their current visa fees.

As an example of what this may mean for you, we can provide the following scenario:

Currently a partner of an Australia citizen or permanent resident applying for a Partner visa (Subclass 309/100) the main applicant will pay a Base Application Charge of AUD $4,630 (£2,650). From 1st July, the amount for the Base Application Charge for Partner visa (Subclass 309/100) will be AUD $6,865 (£3,930).

More information can be found on the DIBP website here: VAC Increase 1st July 2015

The Migration Agent Reviews website is the only fully independent website where Migration Agent Reviews for America, Australia, Canada and New Zealand are listed and reviewed for and by the general public. There, you will find a constant and up to date source of reviews from individuals, couples and families who have used migration agents to obtain Visas and Residency in new countries. Thames Migration has again received number 1 spot for Australian Visa advice and service. We are very proud to continue our enviable 5-star independent rating.

WorkingAbroad – Manchester Event

Date  September 20, 2014 at 10:00am-3:00pm

Venue  Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel, Portland Street, Manchester, M1 4PH

Price  Online tickets – £5 person, £10 General Admission. Children under 16 yrs free.

Visit us at Stand 11.