As the COVID-19 virus outbreak continues to escalate, and the world struggles to contain the spread of COVID-19, today’s article is looking at the reasons why you should lodge your visa now and how you can make that possible in today’s health and economic crisis.
MYTH
“I should postpone my visa until a better time comes”. Migration is as old as humankind. People have always moved in search of better living conditions for themselves and for their loved ones or escaping dramatic situations in their homeland.
REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD LODGE YOUR VISA NOW
1. The workload of Migration agents/lawyers and the Department of Home Affairs (DOHA) subsequently dropped considerably due to the pandemic. In result, this should lead to the processing times for DOHA to cut. This means that if you are to lodge your visa now, it will take less time than usual to process and your migration agent/lawyer would be able to work on your application closer.
2. Government visa processing fees are set to rise in July 2020 and may impact your financial ability to afford the fees.
3. You may become unlawful if you do not act on your visa today! You need to ensure that you work on your visa on time in line with your visa conditions. If you don’t comply, it will impact your future migration options.
4. It has never been more critical than now for New Zealanders to become Australians, as New Zealand (NZ) citizens cannot access social benefits unless they have Permanent residency status in Australia (please visit: https://www.noborders-group.com/news/covid-19-time-for-new-zealanders-to-become-australians)
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
As the world struggles to contain the spread of COVID-19, we understand that many individuals are finding themselves in a compromising position. With Government processing fees on the rise, here are some of the ways that can assist in making your migration dreams come true:
Accessing support from the Australian Government
We understand that many people have recently lost their jobs and have had their employment status has changed dramatically. Whatever your circumstances may be, the Government is there to support everyone. Early access to your superannuation is one way that will enable you to afford the Government fees for your visa application. If you would like more information on how to do so, please click the link: https://www.business.gov.au/Risk-management/Emergency-management/Coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business/Early-access-to-superannuation
Contact your Financial Institution’s Financial Hardship Team
All lenders have hardship teams ready to help customers in tough times. Talk to your lender to discuss your options. You may be able to change the terms of your loan, or temporarily pause or reduce your repayments. Hardship variation may be able to ease the burden of repaying your debts and allow you to make room to plan for you or your loved one’s future. For more information, please visit: https://moneysmart.gov.au/home-loans/problems-paying-your-mortgage
We at No Borders Migration have also introduced new pricing to assist with the current economic situation to our valuable clients.
NEXT STEP
No Borders Migration as a team of migrants, we understand the situation many of Australia’s migrants are facing in today’s position, which is why we are here to help. If you need to arrange a free no-obligation assessment with the legal team, please email us at [email protected], call us on 07 3876 4000 or fill out the form and someone will be in touch very shortly.
Our team have a clear plan in place to ensure ongoing operation for our current and new clients. We will work remotely if self-isolation is required or the offices are closed, including accessing your files, emails and phones, lodging applications, and accessing documents.