If you are looking to lodge a Sponsored Family Visitor (Subclass 679) Visa Application for the Christmas Holiday Season 2009, it is advisable that you lodge the application prior to Friday 6 November 2009.

DIAC has advised that applications lodged on or before this date will be assessed and finalised before 25 December 2009, but this cannot be guaranteed due to the high number of these applications being received at this time of year.

DIAC further advises that:

1. Applications requiring urgent processing due to compelling and/or compassionate reasons are not subject to this cut-off date and will be processed as soon as possible.
2. Applicants should not make any firm travel arrangements until they receive written confirmation from the department that their visa has been granted.

Further information is available from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

Comments (0)

Applicants for skilled migration must provide a reference from their employer of skilled work experience covering the required period of employment.

It is extremely important that any employment evidence presented with your application must contain enough information to satisfy the visa decision maker that you meet the work experience requirement. If you fail to provide enough evidence of employment, there is likely to be a delay in the processing of your visa application, or can possibly result in refusal of the visa application.

DIAC advises that for the assessment of the work experience requirement, employment references should contain the following information about the employee:

• Position/s held throughout the employment period
• Number of hours worked per week
• Main duties
• Exact period of employment (date of commencement and termination)
• Salary details

Employment references should also contain the following information about the employer:

• Contact details for the company including postal and street address, telephone and fax numbers, email and website addresses
• Contact details for the author of the employment reference including full name, position, telephone number and signature
• Organisation chart for the company where appropriate

Our top five tips are:

1. Ensure that your exact period of employment (start date and finish date) is included
2. Ensure that your exact job title for all positions held with your employer for the employment period is listed
3. Your salary details are included
4. Ensure that all of the referee’s contact details are included
5. Preferably the reference letter should be printed on Company Letterhead. If this is not possible, a business card of the referee should be included.

Contact our friendly student team if you have any further questions.
Comments (0)