Moving is never easy; moving internationally is on a whole new level.
Every country has it’s own hurdles and formalities that must be navigated before you are able to settle in to your new home. Australia is no exception, so here are six common problems faced by new migrants and how to successfully navigate them.
1. Applying
The application process for any non-tourist visa to Australia can be confusing lengthy and, as problems arise; extremely expensive. Knowing what to apply for and how to navigate the systems in place are confusing and intimidating no matter who you are. If you want to avoid as many problems as possible you should consider hiring a registered immigration agent in Melbourne (or wherever you are hoping to settle).
You need to not only represent yourself accurately and honestly, you have to be able to provide indisputable evidence of your claims and meet strict deadlines. Plus, due to the huge number of applications Australia receives and the nation’s limited willingness to allow high immigration rates an increasing number of applications are rejected based on small mistakes and inconsistencies.
For this reason, you should always triple check dates and facts and have someone look over everything before you submit forms to avoid mix-ups, unfortunate delays or rejections that could have been avoided.
2. Appealing/ Reapplying
If your claim is rejected you have a couple of options; you can wait whatever period is relevant to your situation and then reapply, or you can appeal your case. In some cases, your rejection may have come with the stipulation that you can not reapply for a period of 3-10 years, that is why it is imperative that you ensure that you are following due process the first time around.
If you have a sponsor or are already in Australia you are usually able to appeal your decision. This can be done a few ways so you need to do your research and find out what will best suit your situation. The key here is not to give up even if you don’t get the answer you want the first time, you aren’t out of chances just yet.
3. Legal vs Illegal Status
This tip is only relevant if you are already in Australia and you are applying or hope to apply for a visa. Some visas allow you to be in the country whilst they are processing and others do not. Being in Australia illegally, even if it is only a mistake, will make it much harder for your application to be successful. So, you must ensure that you know what the conditions of your visa and application process are.
If your plan is to arrive on a tourist visa and then “figure it out”, I would highly recommend that you rethink this strategy. If you are found to be working or outstay your tourist visa, you will not have a strong chance of any successful visa applications in the future. Always apply for the correct visa as it will save you trouble, time and possibly even money.
4. Language Barriers
Once you do get the visa you want and you are in Australia, many people find that the language barrier they experience can be isolating and make navigating certain situations difficult. Usually this isn’t because there aren’t ways to work around this difficulty, but because of what it can mean for a person’s comfort and confidence.
Just keep in mind that Australia is a multi-cultural place and most people will be happy to work around a language disconnect. Most of the time it is very simple to find a translator or a worker that can speak your language. Many clinics and government buildings will have workers that will translate or be familiar with phone services that can help.
5. Validating Credentials
A big problem many new migrants face when they first arrive in Australia is getting their credentials validated. If you gained a degree or license in your country of origin, it can be hard to show potential employers that it is relevant.
Unfortunately, in many cases just because you meet the requirements to work a certain job somewhere else, doesn’t necessarily mean that you will meet the requirements in Australia. Wherever possible you should have supporting documentation and information about your qualification.
6. Discrimination
Unfortunately, discrimination is a real issue that many migrants face in Australia.
Whilst this is difficult to handle, it isn’t something that is acceptable. There are laws in place that are for the protection of all people no matter what their immigration status, visa, nationality, gender, orientation, or religion is. You do not have to put up with discrimination of any kind you can and should take your problems to the police or some form of authority.
