 New visa pricing arrangements to begin soon will encourage Department of Immigration and Citizenship clients to use online services where available. Visa pricing measures already in place include a visa evidence charge, first announced by the Australian Government in November 2011. From July 1, a “per-person” charge will apply to each family member included in a visa application.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
 I thought it was time for me to add an update here on a late lunch break, as I remember how
useful BritishExpats.com was to me especially during the first few months. A bit of background. I'm an American, who lived in the UK
for about 9 years up to 2010. In 2011 I lived in Denver Colorado, and from 2012
onwards I've been here in Melbourne. So I have a UK perspective, but also an American
sense of what fair prices are. My partner is Italian / Argentinian.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
 Investors with assets tied up in Cyprus have no doubt watched the
Cypriot financial meltdown with a white-knuckled grip on the arms of
their recliners. The news seemed to go from bad to worse. Soon after the
collapse, Cyprus announced a plan to render a one-off levy of 9.9% on
accounts of 100,000 EUR or greater with a 6.75% levy imposed on accounts
below 100,000. Responding to immediate and widespread criticism (and
the threat of bank runs), capital controls to cap withdrawals were
imposed and a 20% levy on Cyprus’s two main banks
|
|
Read more...
|
|
 The world is such a small place I thought to myself, thinking back about
all the places I've been and travels I took as a young boy. Things
were always normal, from my point of view anyways. I remember, the
midnight special, wolf man jack and the odd, very odd acts on this show
like David Bowie and Alice Cooper. Nobody is really like that, I
thought, it's just a show, an act.
Rainbow hair, leather, lace and chains abound. Red lights, prostitutes
and every imaginable color of accessories in between. Piccadilly was a
learning experience that a boy of my age could have waited a few years
to see and for sure to understand.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
The Asia region is becoming a leading source for permanent migration to
Australia according to Australia's Migration Trends, a new report
released this week by the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Brendan
O'Connor. The report contains comprehensive analysis and
commentary on migration activity for 2011-12, and provides a clear
picture of substantial changes in the origins of Australia's migrants,
reflecting the trend towards an Asian Century.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
 Data released this week shows the number of overseas workers coming to
Australia on 457 visas has jumped more than 20 per cent over the past
year. The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship said the significant growth in the program highlighted the need for
further reform. 'There are now 108 810 457 visa holders - a 20.4
per cent growth in the 12 months to April 30. This is at a time when
employment growth remains soft in some industries and regions,'
|
|
Read more...
|
|
 If you are looking to rent in Sydney here’s my helpful hot list that
will save you time and improve your chances at getting the home you
want. The 2 main websites to search for rental properties are
www.domain.com.au and www.realestate.com.au – both usually list the same
properties but it is worth checking both to ensure you don’t miss a
cracker. Agents can be slow to take their listing off these sites so
check for accurate listings by going direct to the real estate agency’s
website.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
 At a glance, it’s easy to see why more than twenty thousand British
expats live in Hong Kong. With mild, sunny winters and hot summers, this
city accommodates those seeking skyscrapers and beaches, shopping
centres and jungly forests, big city life and laid-back living on
outlying islands or in close-knit community villages. Hong Kong’s is a
multi-layered, diverse culture, and it’d be reductive to label it as any
one particular way of living.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
 Building consents for new houses hit a five-year high last month, with
rises across most areas of the country, Statistics New Zealand said
this week. There were 1,755 new houses, including apartments,
consented in April 2013. This was the highest number since April 2008,
when 2,373 were consented, including 771 apartments.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
 British expats, who have preferred to save, invest and bank offshore
since moving abroad, could find that their previously secure personal
account information is about to be automatically exchanged with other
nations including Britain, Germany and France. New rules relating
to the automatic exchange of account information affecting a number of
Britain’s overseas territories could impact heavily on expats...
|
|
Read more...
|
|
 If you are like most overseas property sellers you'll simply list your
property with a local real estate agent and hope for attractive offers
to come rolling in. Unfortunately this 'list and hope' strategy may not
be enough to get a quick sale - especially in these recessionary times
when inventories are high and buyers cautious. And remember that in
Nicaragua, as with many other overseas markets, there is no central
database of properties for sale that all agents can access.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
|
