Expenses Involved In Migration Procedures

Expenses involved in migration procedures vary greatly with each individual case. However, there are certain fundamental expenses that are borne by almost all visa applicants. These are:

• Visa Application Charges (VAC) : This is the fee charged by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship for the processing of a visa application. These can be found in form 990i. Please bear in mind that these charges are increased periodically (generally in January & July). It is very important to pay the correct VAC while lodging the visa application.

• Skills Assessment: If you are applying for one of the skilled visas, you will require to have your skills assessed by the relevant assessing Authority.

• Police Clearance Certificates: Character checks are conducted usually in your country of citizenship and in Australia (in case of an onshore application).

• Health Examinations: All applicants, primary and secondary, have to undergo health examinations. The expenses vary on the type of health examinations required in your case which, in turn, depend on various factors like age, country of residence, risk factors, temporary and permanent visa etc.

• Agent Fee: If you engage the services of a migration agent.

• IELTS: The fee that is paid to sit an IELTS test.

• Translation Costs: If your documents (like birth certificates, mark sheets/Transcripts etc) are in a language other than English, they willl have to be translated into English by a NAATI accredited professional translator.

• Interpretation Costs: If you require an interpreter to be able to communicate with your agent, you will need to use an interpreter’s services.

• Postage and Handling Expenses, Printing Expenses etc.