If you want to get a Permanent Residency in Australia- its important that you check the health of your visa every now and then. Just like you visit your GP to keep yourself healthy- you should have a trusted Registered Migration Agent to keep your visa health in check. When you visit your Migration Agent for your visa health check- he/she may ask you the following questions:
When does your current visa expire?
You must keep this date etched to your memory. It is equally important for PR Holders as well as Temporary visa holders. If you are a temporary visa holder and you do not remember this date- your Migration Agent may ask you for your visa grant letter or do a VEVO check to ensure how long you have left on your visa. If you are a PR holder- you may need to apply for an RRV if your visa is about to expire and you want to travel overseas.
Do you know the conditions on your visa and are you complying with them?
If you do not comply with your visa conditions- you may receive a cancellation notice from Home Affairs. Hence, your migration agent will explain you the conditions attached on your visa. If you are unsure- you need to ask and understand properly. Do not ignore this question from your migration agent.
Does Home Affairs and your Migration Agent have your current details?
Changes to your Passport, marriage, kids, address , email ID, Mobile Numbers etc must be updated to Home Affairs. When you visit your Migration Agent for your visa health check- make sure they have these and are updated in your visa
Am I eligible for Permanent Residency?
Every time you visit your Migration Agent for your visa health check- make sure you discuss this. I know a lot of people have this on their top priority but you may sometime forget in the rush to get other things done. Immigration Rules keep changing. Therefore, its important for you to ask this question to your Migration Agent time and again.
Your particular circumstances are unique. Your education, skills, experience are different than someone else. Thus, your migration pathway will be unique to you. A rule may apply to your friend but not to you. You need to talk to your Registered Migration Agent to tailor a plan for you.
How frequently should I do my visa health check?
I normally suggest people the first visa health check should be done in the first week that you land in Australia. This gives you an idea on where you are headed, any changes to the plan you need to make and how to manage this new life with your plan of getting an Australian PR. If you are on a student visa then I suggest every six months. But if you have completed your studies and on a 485 visa – every three months. This will help you keep on track to your goal. If there are significant changes- then I sugggest to book a time with your Migration Agent to discuss these properly instead of calling straight away.
Make sure you know where you stand in terms of your current visa and your goal towards achieving your PR. Your Registered Migraiton Agent is like your GP who will work with you to ensure that you get the visa that you want. For that you need to keep getting your visa health check done every now and then.
Written by
Sanat Gupta
Registered Migration Agent
MARN 1466755
