Immigration blog
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Immigration Blog and Latest News

Our staff have the knowledge to deal with all immigration problems, no matter how complex. Keep abreast of immigration updates with our blog posts below.
Bridging Visa B (BVB) changes for employer-sponsored visa applicants from 30 November 2026
Immigration blog
Bridging VisaImmigration

Bridging Visa B (BVB) changes for employer-sponsored visa applicants from 30 November 2026

From Monday 30 November 2026, the Department of Home Affairs (the Department) will change how it assesses newly lodged Bridging Visa B (BVB) applications made by people with a pending employer-sponsored visa application. In short, travel facilities will generally be granted for shorter periods, and applicants will need to clearly explain (and support) why they need to travel. Below, we…
Immigration blog
10 November, 2026
Am I eligible for Australian citizenship if I was born in Papua before 16 September 1975?
Immigration blog
Citizenship

Am I eligible for Australian citizenship if I was born in Papua before 16 September 1975?

Section 21(7) of the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 (Act) allows certain people born in Papua, before Papua New Guinea (PNG) became independent on 16 September 1975, to apply for Australian citizenship by conferral. To be eligible, the applicant must also have an Australian-born parent who was an Australian citizen when the applicant was born. This article outlines how the Department…
Immigration blog
10 November, 2026
Business sponsorship guide for start-ups
Immigration blog
Employer Sponsored

Business sponsorship guide for start-ups

In today’s globalised world, Founders are regularly required to source talent to bring to Australia, and sometimes, even themselves. The most common visa for this situation is the Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) (SID) visa.  This guide covers how sponsorship works for new and early-stage businesses, the difference between overseas business sponsorship and standard business sponsorship, when self-sponsorship is realistic,…
Immigration blog
9 November, 2026
Medically Unable to Depart Australia? Your Options and the Medical Treatment (Subclass 602) Visa
Immigration blog
Medical Treatment

Medically Unable to Depart Australia? Your Options and the Medical Treatment (Subclass 602) Visa

For those over the age of 50 who have been refused a permanent visa on health grounds, and are too unwell to leave Australia, the Medical Treatment (Subclass 602) visa has a dedicated 'unfit to depart' category that allows an individual to remain lawfully for an extended period. A serious condition or diagnosis can leave a visa holder unable to…
Immigration blog
5 November, 2026
The definitive guide to permanent Australian Parent visa options
Immigration blog
ImmigrationParent

The definitive guide to permanent Australian Parent visa options

There are six different permanent Australian Parent visas and navigating the various visa options to decide which one best suits your family’s circumstances can be daunting. Even if your parents appear eligible, there are many other considerations, intricacies regarding making a valid application, and steps to be taken before the visa can be approved. Given that Parent visas also vary…
Immigration blog
5 November, 2026
What is the “Character Test”? Section 501 Character Criteria for Australian visas (updated 26 October 2026)
Immigration blog
CancellationCharacter test

What is the “Character Test”? Section 501 Character Criteria for Australian visas (updated 26 October 2026)

Section 501 of the Migration Act 1958 (the Act) is a provision of Australian Immigration law that enables the Department of Home Affairs (Department) to refuse or cancel a visa if the visa applicant (or visa holder) does not pass the “character test”. There are numerous ways with which a person could not pass the “character test”, which broadly speaking…
Immigration blog
26 October, 2026