APRIL NEWS UPDATE – MIGRATION INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA

• Form 80 changes!
• Credit and debit card payments
• New protocol for processing PSE BV applications
• 485 health insurance
• Former Migration Agent jailed for fraudulent conduct

Form 80 changes!

Following representations from the MIA, a revised version of Form 80 has been uploaded in Legend (Design date 4/14).

The new version only requires the applicants’ addresses for the past 10 years and travel details for the last 10 years.

Education and employment details from birth are still required.

Credit and debit card payments

The Institute has sought clarification from the Department’s Finance Section on the use of credit and debit cards for paying VAC and other charges.

‘Pre paid’ credit cards are classified as scheme based debit cards and attract a credit card surcharge. This is due to the algorithm for these cards being the same as that used by credit cards with a CVC number on the back.

The debit option on a scheme based card can only be used locally at an EFTPOS machine where savings or credit can be selected manually.

If a debit card does not have a CVC number, it cannot be used online and limits the services for which they can be used.

New protocol for processing PSE BV applications

Members are advised a new protocol for processing bridging visa application has been introduced by Permanent Employer Sponsored Entry. Emailed BV applications will not longer be accepted, the following protocol must be used:

• All bridging visa applications must be attached electronically to the client’s online application,
• The client must then send an email to the appropriate mailbox ([email protected]; [email protected];[email protected]) to alert the Central Admin Team that a bridging visa application has been uploaded,
• Please put “Bridging Visa” in the subject line of the email. The Central Admin Team are currently contacting clients that have already sent in a bridging visa application via email and advising them of the new procedure,
• Alternatively clients may lodge a bridging visa application at a DIBP client services counter.

PESE encourage RMAs to contact them if the matter is urgent and a client is at risk of becoming unlawful.

Former Migration Agent jailed for fraudulent conduct

Senator Michaelia Cash has today announced that a former migration agent has been jailed for fraudulent conduct.

Senator Cash’s media release.

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