Useful Links

Browsing through internet I found this list and I think is very useful for any who is interested in the Australian visa process.

Navegando por internet encontré esta lista y pienso que es muy útil para cualquiera que esté interesado en el proceso de visa Australiana.


http://www.gettingdownunder.com
http://www.pomsinoz.com/
http://aussieneighbor.freeforums.org
http://www.immi.gov.au
http://www.citizenship.gov.au
http://www.passports.gov.au
http://www.mrt.gov.au (Migration Review Tribunal)
http://www.nz-oz.gov.au (for Kiwis heading to Australia)

MIGRATION AGENCIES
http://www.themara.com.au
http://www.mia.org.au

COMMUNITY MIGRATION ADVICE in AUSTRALIA
http://www.iarc.asn.au (Sydney)
http://www.rilc.org.au (Melbourne)
If elsewhere in Australia, IARC or RILC may be able to refer you

STATE IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES
http://www.liveinvictoria.vic.gov.au
http://www.immigration.sa.gov.au


IMMIGRATION FAQs
http://www.ptlabs.com.au/visas/faq.php
http://www.austimeline.com (Timelines)
http://www.richw.org/dualcit/ (for US citizens in Australia)

SKILL ASSESSING AUTHORITIES
http://www.ieaust.org.au (Engineers)
http://www.aaca.org.au (Architects)
http://www.icaa.org.au (Accountants)
http://www.cpaaustralia.com.au (Accountants)
http://www.nia.org.au (Accountants)
http://www.aps.psychsociety.com.au (Psychology)
http://www.acs.org.au (IT)
http://www.anmc.org.au (Nurses)
http://www.naati.com.au (Translators)
http://www.detya.gov.au/noosr/ (Teachers, plus general information)
http://www.workplace.gov.au/TRA/ (Tradesmen)
http://www.vetassess.com.au (Most 50 + 40 point occupations)
A full listing can be found on form 1121i (Skilled Occupations List)

ENGLISH LANGUAGE TESTING
http://www.ielts.org
http://www.oet.com.au

GOVERNMENT PORTALS
http://www.fed.gov.au
http://www.nsw.gov.au
http://www.vic.gov.au
http://www.qld.gov.au
http://www.sa.gov.au
http://www.wa.gov.au
http://www.tas.gov.au
http://www.act.gov.au
http://www.nt.gov.au

DRIVING LICENCE
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au
http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au
Other authorities can be found through the state government portal.

AUSTRALIAN EMBASSIES
http://www.australia.org.uk (London)
http://www.ahc-ottawa.org (Ottawa)
http://www.austemb.org (Washington DC)
http://www.australian-embassy.de (Berlin)
(All overseas DIMIA offices)
http://www.dfat.gov.au/missions/ (All overseas Australian missions)
Not every Australian mission has a DIMIA presence.

FOREIGN EMBASSIES in the AUSTRALIA
http://www.info.dfat.gov.au/protocol (Full listing)
http://www.britaus.net
http://canberra.usembassy.gov
http://www.canada.org.au
http://www.nzembassy.com/home.cfm?c=18

BANKING
http://www.commbank.com.au
http://www.anz.com.au
http://www.stgeorge.com.au
http://www.national.com.au
http://www.westpac.com.au
http://www.australiancu.com.au
http://www.bankwest.com.au
http://www.banksa.com.au
http://www.hsbc.com.au
http://www.citibank.com.au
http://www.migrantbanking.co.uk (Commonwealth Bank, London branch)
http://www.americanexpress.com.au

REAL ESTATE
http://www.property.com.au
http://www.realestate.com.au
http://www.domain.com.au
http://www.tenants.org.au (Tenants rights)

HIGHER EDUCATION
http://www.go8.edu.au
http://www.hecs.gov.au

DISTANCE LEARNING
http://www.une.edu.au
http://www.deakin.edu.au
http://www.monash.edu.au
http://www.usq.edu.au
http://www.ola.edu.au
http://www.oli.tafe.net
http://www.londonexternal.ac.uk

NEWS and MEDIA
http://www.abc.net.au
http://www.ninemsn.com.au
http://www.seven.com.au
http://www.theaustralian.com.au (National)
http://www.smh.com.au (Sydney)
http://www.theage.com.au (Melbourne)
http://www.afr.com.au (Australian Financial Review)
http://www.crikey.com.au
http://www.mikesradioworld.com/oceania.html (Radio stations online)

SHOPPING & RETAIL
http://www.angusrobertson.com.au (Books)
http://www.binglee.com.au (Electrical)
http://www.dse.com.au (Electrical)
http://www.coles.com.au (Supermarket)
http://www.dymocks.com.au (Books)
http://www.retravision.com.au (Electrical)
http://www.westfield.com.au (Shopping Malls)
http://www.woolworths.com.au (Supermarkets)

EMPLOYMENT
http://www.seek.com.au
http://www.hays.com.au
http://www.careerone.com.au
http://www.mycareer.com.au
http://www.jobsearch.gov.au

HEALTH & SOCIAL WELFARE
http://www.centrelink.gov.au (Social security)
http://www.hic.gov.au (Health Insurance Commission, incl Medicare)
http://www.mbf.com.au (Health insurance)
http://www.medibank.com.au (health insurance)
http://www.hcf.com.au (health insurance)

TRAVEL & MOTORING
http://www.flightcentre.com.au
http://www.trailfinders.com.au
http://www.qantas.com
http://www.virginblue.com.au (Main competitor to Qantas)
http://www.sydneyairport.com.au
http://www.melbourneairport.com.au
http://www.greyhound.com.au (Bus)
http://www.drive.com.au (Car prices)
http://www.nrma.com.au (Insurance, Roadside assistance)
http://www.avis.com.au
http://www.hertz.com.au
http://www.bayswatercarrental.com.au (Car rental, Sydney and Perth)
http://www.airlinequality.com (Airline reviews)

TOURISM
http://www.australia.com
http://www.yha.org.au (Budget accommodation)

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS
http://www.australia.anglican.org
http://www.uca.org.au (Uniting Church - Methodist/Presbyterian)

WEATHER
http://www.bom.gov.au
http://www.australianweathernews.com
http://www.ozemail.com.au/~jamestorm/bristorm.html (Brisbane)
http://members.iinet.net.au/~jacob/weather.html (Perth)
http://www.dropbears.com/brough (Morning Glory cloud waves)
http://www.realsurf.com.au/ (Surf reports)

WEBCAMS
http://perthcam.bankwest.com.au
http://webcam.omni.net.au (Melbourne)

POLITICAL
http://www.liberal.org.au
http://www.alp.org.au
http://www.aph.gov.au (Parliament)
http://www.aec.gov.au (Elections)
http://www.whitlamdismissal.com (Political history)
http://www.australianpolitics.com

POSTAL & TELECOM
http://www.auspost.com.au
http://www.telstra.com.au
http://www.optus.com.au
http://www.vodafone.com.au
http://www.virginmobile.com.au

UTILITY PROVIDERS (SYDNEY)
http://www.agl.com.au
http://www.energy.com.au

INTERNET
http://www.ozemail.com.au
http://www.pacific.net.au
http://www.ihug.com.au
http://www.iprimus.com.au
http://www.iinet.net.au
http://www.aunic.net (Naming)

DIRECTORIES & SEARCH ENGINES
http://www.yahoo.com.au
http://www.google.com.au
http://www.whitepages.com.au (Online Directory)
http://www.yellowpages.com.au

OTHER GOVERNMENT SITES
http://www.abs.gov.au (National Statistics)
http://www.rba.gov.au (Central Bank)
http://scaleplus.law.gov.au (Legislation Information)
http://www.casa.gov.au (Civil Aviation Safety Authority)
http://www.ato.gov.au (Taxation)
http://www.aqis.gov.au (Quarantine)
http://www.customs.gov.au (Customs)
http://www.firb.gov.au (Foreign Investment Review Board)
http://www.familycourt.gov.au (Family Court, includes divorce information)
(Administrative Appeals Tribunal)


OTHER AUSTRALIA SITES
http://www.austlii.edu.au (Legal Database)
http://www.melbourne2006.com.au (Commonwealth Games)
http://www.taxpayer.com.au (Taxpayers Australia)
http://www.bpay.com.au (Bill payment)
http://www.slsa.asn.au (Surf life saving)
http://www.australianflag.org.au (Australian National Flag Association)
http://www.southern-cross-group.org (Expatriate Australians)
http://www.hea.asn.au (Home-education)
http://www.rfds.org.au (Royal Flying Doctor Service)
http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fireants (Brisbane Fire Ant infestation)
http://www.ntf.flinders.edu.au (National Tidal Facility)
http://www.ga.gov.au/nmd/geodesy/astro/ (Sunrise / Sunset times)
http://www.whereis.com.au (online maps)

Visa Approved

A Great News

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VISA ЗАЦВЕРДЖАНА,VISA ОДОБРЕНИ,VISA APROVADA, 簽證認可,VISA ODOBRENO,VISA SCHVÁLENO,VISA GODKENDT,VISA GOEDGEKEURD,VISA HEAKSKIIDETUD,VISA inaprubahan,Visa päätti,VISA APPROUVÉ,VISA APROVADOS,VISA APPROVED,VISA ΕΓΚΡΙΘΗΚΑΝ,Visa APWOUVE,A VISA JÓVÁHAGYOTT

Thanks God!!!

Taking Medical Examinations

We woke up early because our appointment was settled at 7 AM and we live far away from the medical center; it took us 1 hour to get there. When we arrived the medical center was still closed but 5 minutes later the first employee arrived.

She asks us about what embassy was the documentation for, because they make medical examinations not only for Australia but also for Canada, New Zealand and I don’t know what others countries.

Later she asks about the File reference number which arrived in the email that the case officer sent us and we showed her the original passport because we forgot the photocopy. At that time the office was with 7 people more taking the same medical examinations for the same and/or different countries.

Then the secretary took us a picture to each one with a digital camera and fill out the information in a template form for the medical and RX exam and we pay 680.000 Colombian pesos (340 dollars approximately). After that we were called for another employee who took us the blood test and gave us a little plastic can for the urine test.

Afterwards the first secretary gave us the medical order to take the chest RX in other clinic called IDIME, that clinic center was at 10 minutes by car and we arrived there at 10 minutes to 9 am and the attention was really quick but the result took 1 hour to be ready. At that place we didn’t pay anything because the previous money we pay in the doctor’s office include the RX too.
With the chest RX result in a sealed envelope we come back to take the general examination with the doctor but at that time (10 AM) our daughter was sleeping in my arms and was necessary to wake her up, thing no easy to do because at that time is her usual nap time.
Finally we woke up our daughter and the doctor only heard her heart and her lungs and during the entire interview he was watching her and taking notes on her movements and her general behavior.

The interview was really fast; only the doctor takes your blood pressure, hear your breath and your heart, some regular questions and no more. Before noon we had finished all the medical requirements and the doctor told us that everything was ok, very normal.

The medical center is in charge to send the documents to the corresponding office, in our case that office was Sydney because we are applying for a General skill independent visa (175).
We wait 7 days before call the medical center ask them for the tracking number for our documents and there they gave us that number and also informed us that the documents already arrived to Sydney on February 23.

That day (Feb 23) we checked through the evisa system and the medical examinations looked “Received” and 3 days later the status had changed to “Referred” and the March 03 they seem Finalized.

Taking PCC

That was easier, only we needed to call the DAS and ask for an appointment for the next day, and the day of the appointment we carried the national ID, a photo and 15.000 (8 US$ approximately) and half our later we had our Police clearance certificate.

Those paper (PCC) we uploaded for the e-visa system on March 03, 2010 because we had to wait for the translations.

I want to add the Attention in the medical center was excellent and reliable, they know all the procedure and they have software where there is the template for every form you need in this case 26EH and 160EH.