How Much Is A Visa Worth?

A prospective client contacted me several months ago. His Filipino wife was in Australia on a visitor visa (subclass 676 tourist visa), which had a “no further stay” condition attached to it. This condition prevents a visa holder from applying for multiple temporary or permanent visas while they are in Australia. 'No Further Stay' conditions include 8503, 8534 and 8535.

These are often applied to visa grants from Third World countries if the visa holder is considered a flight risk. In other words, they might continue to stay in Australia without the proper visa. This prevents the applicant from making another application for a visa while they are in Australia.

With this type of visa and condition, the man’s wife now had to leave the country before her subclass 676 tourist visa expired. The problem for them was the she was pregnant and was having some problems with her health, and her doctor did not want her to travel.

She had to leave before the baby was due, but it would be dangerous for her and her unborn child. This was a very stressful situation for this couple to say the least. Nevertheless, what can she do? It is possible to apply for a waiver of the 8503, if there are compelling and compassionate circumstances.

However, Australian immigration authorities rarely grant waivers, especially if the application is done improperly or poorly. Down Under Visa has had success with 8503 waivers before, and we believed that we could help this woman stay in Australia.  

Free Advice?

Apparently, when this bloke contacted me he was just looking for some free advice, because he wanted to apply for the waiver by himself. He sent me a copy of the cover letter he had written, and I told him frankly, that he needed professional help.

I have yet to hear back from him.

There are two things that I find disturbing about this man’s actions. Most importantly, why in God’s name would he endanger his wife’s migration status when getting the wavier was so crucial for her wellbeing and the baby? By trying to take on something that was clearly beyond him, he was considerably reducing their chance of success, as waivers are rarely granted, as I said before.

Australian Migration Law is a specialist area. Wouldn’t it make more sense to enlist the aid of an expert and increase your chance of success? Down Under Visa has actually had several lawyers as clients, because they were intelligent enough to know when to use a specialist.

I can only think that he was just trying to save some money. Which is why I ask, “How much is a visa worth? What price do you put on keeping your wife out of immigration detention? I’d like to think that immigration wouldn’t do that, but they would be within their legal right to do so.

Alternatively, they could deport her and they would have to wait several years for a permanent partner visa, which could be refused. Either way, there is the possibility that they could be apart for years, with no certainty of ever being together in Australia. Is it really worth saving a little bit of money for that?

The second point I would like to make is that while we love helping folks, we are also running a business to earn a living. We’re not giving out a lot of information free, or we would be out of business. Although, out blog post will give you some general knowledge of the issues you have with getting a partner visa.

Down Under Visa is reasonably priced and worth much more than our professional fees. Please don’t hesitate to contact Jeff Harvie and Down Under Visa for any immigration to Australia issue you have. Don’t try to do something so important by yourself. Always insist on a Registered Migration Agent!

Vigan City: A Touch of Spain

Vigan City is on the western coast of Luzon, and is a famous in the past as the centre of Chinese trade ships during the 15th century, Vigan was once an island itself. After hundreds of years of erosion and silt along the Mestizo River have now made Vigan a part of the mainland of Luzon itself.

Vigan City is like a city set in a time capsule and is still continually being preserved for all the generations to come. The city since 1999 has been credited as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This induction brings light to Vigan and allows for the world to take notice of one of the last remaining Hispanic towns within the Philippines.

Philippines President, Elpidio Quirino and Padre Jose Burgos, a Philippine National Hero, both call Vigan City their home. Quirino was born in 1890, Elpidio in 1919 was elected to the Philippine Congress .He freed the Philippines from American control in 1934 and then became the vice president to Manuel Roxas. Roxas died in 1948 and Quirino became President for six years but his administration suffered from corruption.

If you love history you will enjoy strolling along the cobblestone streets of Calle Crisologo. There is also something for animal lovers who visit Baluarte – a mini zoo owned by former Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson.

When visiting the historic area look out for the horse drawn carts which the Mestizo Historic District with its ancestral homes which encompass several architectural designs including Spanish Colonial, European, Filipino and Oriental elements.

There are several districts within the city to see first-hand the time honoured traditions of Abel weaving and pot making. From hand and foot powered looming to kneading of pottery by caribou oxen to produce traditional pots, urns and jars.

Vigan City is a city set in a time capsule and preserved for generations to come. The city has been marked as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999 and is small in size but big in beauty and history. From the churches of St. Paul’s Cathedral to the bold St. Augustine cathedral the beauty of these structures will astound you. Not only are they beautiful in themselves but the bell tower, cemetery and plaza’s which surround them keep a person in full photographic mode along the way. Many of these sites can be toured on foot or by tricycle transport due to their close proximity.

For those looking for fun adventures outside of the historic distinction visit the Balurate Zoo. From tigers to ostriches this zoo carries many local and regional animals for everyone to see and enjoy. The unique dinosaur statues are another great photo opportunity for the whole family.

From the river tours of the Mestizo River to the distinctive eateries, cafes and local hang outs, Vigan City has it all. One trip and you will fall in love with such a small city with a massive hold on the heart and soul of the Philippine Islands.

Jeff Harvie is an Australian Registered Migration Agent (MARN 0959797) who has given up the quiet life in Australia a few years back for one more adventurous with his Filipina wife and kids in Manila, Philippines. He runs Down Under Visa, which specialises in Australian partner visas for those Aussie men who fall madly in love with the local girls and want to bring them to Australia.