Pollyana

I would be very careful before you make generalised allegations about agents ripping you off. There are many agents on this site, some of whom ahve done a great deal of work on this issue, and who have helped with suppying imnformation to their clients and on the public forum whenever they could.
If you have an issue with a particular agent I suggest you take it up in private with that person, and if they are MARA registered, then address it through the proper channels.
Migration Agents do not make government policy.

Pollyana

A few words of advice to some people on this thread.

This is a very contentious issue and has been dragging on for some considerable time now. BE has no problem with the continuing discussion and the airing of reasonable views on the matter. However we do not wish the thread to turn into a rant, with content such as unsubstantiated allegations about the behaviour of migration agents. We are fortunate on this forum in that we have a lot of agents giving time and advice to our members for free. We do not wish to lose that goodwill, and I am sure the majority of our mmbers do not wish this either; in addition the agents that use the site are members just as the rest of you are, and so please remember to treat them with the same respect you accord to other members.

Registering as a member of BE is a privilege not a right. You are only allowed to register under one username, and use of multiple usernames is not allowed. Users will be banned if they break this rule.

ex_exile

That was the last government actually

sankan1

Hi All,

Peris from Minister's Canberra office is on leave for at least couple of weeks.; As per my knowledge she is looking after our issue and up-to-date with situation and only she works in Canberra office. So we have to wait till then.

We can keep exploring other options to put more pressure on Govt. But seriously, I think it will consume lot of time. For example after contacting Freedom of Information, it will take up to 45 days before we hear any news from Dept (Department has history of crossing time line even with FOI). We can approach to senate committee and other Govt body but again it will take time. If we go this way then we will surely get success but after at least 3 to 5 months. Considering boiling anger amongst forum members and phone calls I receive from other affected applicants, we need to see if this is viable option or not.

kevin126

Hi guys:

Good news! Just received from SA gov.

The South Australian Government Financing Authority (SAFA) is reinstating the Designated Investment for General Skilled Migration program (bonus points for capital investment) administered by the Commonwealth Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). This programme is only for those applicants who applied prior to 1st September 2007 and who are instructed by DIAC to invest a minimum amount of $100,000 for at least one year to gain the extra points.

Applicants are advised not to use the old information paper and application form as SAFA has changed its Registry provider to Link Market Services.

DIAC will also make an announcement on their website and you are advised to read both announcements before preparing an application.

To apply for the designated investment the following documents must be provided to our Registry:

· Form 1134 Part 2 completed.
· An application form from the SAFA information paper
· An Investor Identification Information form
· Certified copies of documents of proof of identity.

We appreciate that certified copies of these documents may have already been provided to DIAC, but under the ‘Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing Act 2006’ we are obliged to collect this information ourselves. Failure to provide adequate or incomplete information will result in the application being returned to you.

It is anticipated that there may be a rush of applications and to enable us to concentrate on processing them we would appreciate your co-operation by keeping telephone enquiries as to the progress of your application to the minimum. We will give an indication in the information paper of the time that we think it will take our Registry to process your application.

Our Information Paper is expected to be on our website www.safa.sa.gov.au later today (29th January 2009).

George Lombard

The South Australian Government Financing Authority (SAFA) is reinstating the Designated Investment for General Skilled Migration program (bonus points for capital investment) administered by the Commonwealth Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). This programme is only for those applicants who applied prior to 1st September 2007 and who are instructed by DIAC to invest a minimum amount of $100,000 for at least one year to gain the extra points.
Applicants are advised not to use the old information paper and application form as SAFA has changed its Registry provider to Link Market Services.
DIAC will also make an announcement on their website and you are advised to read both announcements before preparing an application.
To apply for the designated investment the following documents must be provided to our Registry:
• Form 1134 Part 2 completed.
• An application form from the SAFA information paper
• An Investor Identification Information form
• Certified copies of documents of proof of identity.
We appreciate that certified copies of these documents may have already been provided to DIAC, but under the ‘Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing Act 2006’ we are obliged to collect this information ourselves. Failure to provide adequate or incomplete information will result in the application being returned to you.
It is anticipated that there may be a rush of applications and to enable us to concentrate on processing them we would appreciate your co-operation by keeping telephone enquiries as to the progress of your application to the minimum. We will give an indication in the information paper of the time that we think it will take our Registry to process your application.
Our Information Paper is expected to be on our website www.safa.sa.gov.au later today (29th January 2009).

Alan Collett

Fabulous news for many! Thanks for the update George.

Best regards.

kenwen20

For some particular ones,

If you found yourself over stressed or over depressed. You should go and seek psychologists for early diagnosis. Government would not take care of you but you definitely could treat yourself a bit better. You know, mental status is also important .

Furthermore, Agent George voluntarily and constantly provides info for this thread. His help and efforts are valuable assets to delegation regarding this issue. We believe his professional views and everything that he provides on the forum has been followed agent's practice code of professional conduct. Although we haven't heard news updated from SA's treasury, time will tell (a few more days or weeks???).

kenwen20

See, there you go a updated above. Thanks george!!!!!!!!!!!

midnet

Same info. I have gained from my agent just now. The following confirmation should be released by IMMI shortly. One of many things I have learned from the suffering is we do need pray with heard and soul. Strongly recommend not to be so overwhelmed and still trace with care until we nail down the victory. Cheers!

geelong

Our fingers are crossed for you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

tomar

So are mine!!!! Will be delighted for you all if you can go ahead now with your Australian dream.

Elton John

George many thanks for your invaluable support and assistance throughout this ordeal. Even though its not over as yet, we can see a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel.

Same goes for Sankan1 and Kenwen and many other good souls who initiated this forum.

George Lombard

Out of interest, this indicates that a recent rumour was in fact correct, unlike many earlier rumours.

However one does need to mention that there will still be a number of people who cannot afford the statutory deposit, including most of the 227 onshore students who obtained loans from the NAB. For those people, the other options on the DIAC website are still viable.

Cheers,

George Lombard

shuai83

YOUR APPLICATION WILL PROCEED AS FOLLOWS:
• Verification of the Investor Identification Information form.
• Have we received certified copies of the relevant documents?
• Cheque will be banked and application entered onto the Register.
• Part 3 of the FORM 1134 will be completed and scanned through to DIAC
• An Inscribed Stock Certificate will be produced and mailed to the address on the application form.
We anticipate that this process at the Registry should be completed within 15 working days. If you have not received your Inscribed Stock Certificate by this time any enquiries regarding your application should be with Link Market Services on 1800 08 85 85 (toll free) within Australia or (612) 8280 7096 from Overseas
DIAC
• DIAC will notify you regarding your visa.


regarding to this part on infromation paper from SAFA, how long will the case officers put hands on our applications? thx