FAQs
Canada Specific:
Q: Can my family in Canada sponsor me and my family for permanent residency?
A: If you are over the age of 22 years and have a spouse and dependent children, your family in Canada would not directly sponsor you, they would assist your application under the Skilled Migration category by providing additional points to your score on proof of their family blood line.
Q: If I am 50 years of age, am I too old to apply under Skilled Migration?
A: There is not an age limit to apply as a main applicant under this category of visa. Although, you will not gain the maximum points allowed for your age, if you can make any shortfall from the age points and still meet the current pass mark by obtaining other points from the other criteria factors, then you can still apply.
Q: If there any way I can speed up the application process?
A: Unfortunately, there is no guarantee of this, however the High Commission may prioritize applications already lodged under the Skilled Migration category that applicants may also have been authorized with a work permit authorization and now working in Canada in the meantime.
Q: If I have a serious medical condition but still meet the eligibility criteria of the skilled category, will I still be accepted?
A: Unfortunately any applicant who lodges an application under either the Skilled or Business category of visas, then you must meet the requirements of the medical examination. This screens applicants who may be deemed a health or social care drain on their public system in Canada. So even if you met all the other requirements such as pass mark, security background checks, you would fail an application if deemed unsuccessful at the medical stage.
Australia Specific:
Q: I am not able to score enough points for the skilled migration visa, does this mean that I cannot immigrate to Australia as a skilled worker?
A: There are a number of different visas in the skilled migration stream. In many cases it is not necessary to meet the points pass mark to be able to apply for a skilled visa for residence in Australia. Depending on whether you have family in Australia, where they live, where you want to settle, what your occupation is and a number of other factors you may be eligible to secure a visa that allows you to live and work in Australia.
Q: I have no formal qualifications at all but have worked in my occupation for over 10 years. Will I be able to apply for skills migration just on my work experience?
A: You will require recognised formal qualifications for most occupations listed on the skilled occupations list for skilled migration. However if you are a tradesperson with over 6 years of full time work experience you may be able to meet the requirements based purely on your work experience and on the job training. We have assisted trades people in many occupations including plumbers, plasterers, carpenters and joiners, motor mechanics & wall and floor tilers, to get through the skills assessment process without formal qualifications.
Q:
I have a lot of relatives living in Australia, are they able to sponsor
my migration application?
A:
Sponsorship is mostly used for family and skills category visa applications. Applicants
who have eligible family members living permanently in Australia may wish to
apply under the applicable sponsored visa subclasses. For
skills migration your relatives cannot be any further removed than Uncle/Aunt. There
are certain limitations to sponsorship and dispensations that may be applicable
depending on where in Australia your relative lives, how long they have lived
there and how long they have lived in Australia in total.
Q: My partner is an Australian citizen and we want to move to Australia
to live. Do we have to get married for me
to be able to get a visa that allows me to live in Australia with my partner?
A: Australia recognises marriage, common law & same sex relationships
for the purposes of immigration. While it is not necessary to be
married to apply for a spouse visa, the applicant must be able to show substantial
proof of the nature of the relationship. This means that you
would be required to demonstrate the mutually exclusive and enduring nature of
the relationship between you and your partner.
New
Zealand Specific:
Q: I do not hold formal qualifications, does
this mean that I will not be able to apply for residence in New Zealand
under the skilled worker program?
A: If you do not hold formal qualifications you will need to have an offer of skilled employment from a New Zealand employer in order to apply for residence under the skilled worker program.
Q: I am unable to score the points required to submit an expression of interest what can I do to improve my points score.
A: Normally to improve your points score you would need to do one or more of the following:
- Secure an offer of employment from a New Zealand employer
- Upgrade existing qualifications or gain a higher level of qualification
- Gain offer of employment outside the Auckland area
- Have spouse/partner’s qualifications recognised
- Increase existing applicable work experience if under 10 years
Q: I have children living in New Zealand does this mean I am able to move there and join them?
A: In certain circumstances it is possible to move to New Zealand on the basis of your children living there. If your children are living in New Zealand permanently and you are able to meet the centre of gravity test regarding the remainder of your children living outside New Zealand you may be able to gain permanent residence.
Q: I am a self-employed business person with no formal qualifications, can I apply for residence in New Zealand?
A: You may be able to apply for residence under the Investor or Long Term Business Visa programs. This will depend on the level of your financial means and your demonstrated successful business background.
Q: How can I be sure that my tertiary qualifications will be recognised?
A: If your qualifications were not gained from an institution recognised by the New Zealand Immigration Service (NZIS) guidelines, you would need to have your qualifications assessed by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).
