The United Arab Emirates, has concluded a six-day visit to Australia aimed at promoting increased security, business, trade and travel relations.

The delegation met with top officials, including Kevin Rudd, the Australian prime minister.

Sheikh . . . → Read More: United Arab Emirates Strengthen Ties with Australia]]> Picture: Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, the United Arab Emirates’ Minister of Foreign Affairs, walks with Australia’s Governor-General Quentin Bryce.

The United Arab Emirates, has concluded a six-day visit to Australia aimed at promoting increased security, business, trade and travel relations.

The delegation met with top officials, including Kevin Rudd, the Australian prime minister.

Sheikh Abdullah agreed to bilateral relations that would be based on “extensive trade and investment” and “expanding high-level contacts”.

During the visit, Sheikh Abdullah also met with the Australian minister for foreign affairs, Stephen Smith, in Canberra. Mr Smith thanked Sheikh Abdullah for the critical support and assistance that the UAE provides in hosting Australian Defence Force elements.

“These elements, including the Australian National Headquarters for the Middle East, contribute materially towards international campaigns against terrorism, in countering piracy in the Gulf of Aden, and providing maritime security in the region.”

Sheikh Abdullah said: “The UAE and Australia continue to have shared interests in defence and regional security. We have been active partners in the reconstruction of Iraq, and our armed forces continue to operate side-by-side in Afghanistan, contributing to stability and delivering much-needed aid to the Afghan people.”

Last year, members of the Australian Defence Force were stationed at Al Minhad Airbase, a permanent, strategic regional presence for the country. Under an agreement, the base provides its military with logistical facilities, including ports.

During the Australian visit, a memorandum of understanding on counter-terrorism co-operation was signed.

Sheikh Abdullah also discussed renewable energy and thanked the Australian delegation for supporting Abu Dhabi’s bid to host the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena).

Approximately 15,000 Australians live in the UAE, while more than 1,700 Emirati students travel to Australia to study. There are more than 600 Australian companies operating in the UAE. More than 80 direct flights each week link the countries.

The delegation also discussed the possibility of UAE passport holders being able to pass through Australia without needing to get a transit visa from the Australian embassy.

The delegations agreed that they would meet for a second round of talks at the Wolgan Valley Resort in the Blue Mountains, which is the UAE’s largest investment in Australia.

Recruiting suitable franchisees is the biggest concern for the sector (based on our latest website poll), despite the downturn, so migrant franchisees may provide a solution.

Franchise business opportunities provide migrant franchisees the opportunity to buy themselves Australian residency.   According to demographic and social change advisor, Bernard Salt, at the . . . → Read More: Migrant Franchisees the solution?]]>
By Lorelle Frazer

Recruiting suitable franchisees is the biggest concern for the sector (based on our latest website poll), despite the downturn, so migrant franchisees may provide a solution.

Franchise business opportunities provide migrant franchisees the opportunity to buy
themselves Australian residency.   According to demographic and social change advisor,
Bernard Salt, at the National Franchise Convention in Perth, Australia, earlier this year,
the growth in migrant franchisees is likely to increase significantly.  Bernard says the Federal
Government recently adjusted immigration projections to virtually double at 180,000
migrants per year for the next 50 years to compensate for the workforce gap left by Baby
Boomers as they retire. What does an increase in migrant franchisees mean for your franchise
business? This means a growing pool of potential migrant franchisees, but also an increase of
migrant employees into franchise business networks. Franchisors should consider
adopting franchisee recruitment and support practices for migrants, as well as cultural awareness
training to avoid possible conflict or embarrassment. The majority migrant populations are likely
to come from India and Asia, but also the Middle East.And while recruiting migrant franchisees
can be very successful, franchisors need to assess whether they’re right for their franchise.

Things to consider include:

Will they require extra support or put strain on field staff?
Will they be able to provide the level of customer service required for your company?
Will they be able to respond effectively to enquiries?

Positives of migrant franchisees Migrant franchisees may be able to help you assess whether
your franchise business would be suitable to their local market, or what adaptations would
be necessary. (Although Australian business migrant franchisees may provide a useful starting
point, when expanding internationally always seek professional local advice).

Another positive of migrant franchisees is, unlike many national franchisees where franchising is
often their first foray into business, they generally have run similar businesses in their own country.
They enter franchising in Australia to benefit from the support systems and a strong brand, which
would not be available to them in an independent operation. In fact, under the Australian business
migration visa requirements, applicants should have operated a business in their home country or at
least worked at a senior management level.
Other selection criteria also apply. For an Australian business visa an investment of $500,000  is required
by the federal government, however state government sponsorship is available and reduces the investment requirement to $250,000. English literacy is also a criterion which must be met at Federal and
State level, although with state-sponsored visas English skills are not a strong requirement.

When applying for an Australian business visa it’s recommended (although optional) migrant
franchisees and franchisors contact a registered migrant agent for advice, which may also help
fast-track the application process.

With many Australian franchise systems commenting on a lack of suitable franchise applicants domestically, and the economy still growing despite the impact of the Global Financial Crisis overseas, business migrants are attracted to Australia and buying franchises to meet their visa requirements.

Migrants from . . . → Read More: Are business migrants the new hope for Australian franchising?]]> By Jason Gehrke – Director of the Franchise Advisory Centre

With many Australian franchise systems commenting on a lack of suitable franchise applicants domestically, and the economy still growing despite the impact of the Global Financial Crisis overseas, business migrants are attracted to Australia and buying franchises to meet their visa requirements.

Migrants from around the world are increasingly attracted to franchising as a way of qualifying for an Australian business visa and are prepared to turn their lives upside down to settle Down Under.

At the same time, steady growth and a lack of Australian franchisees mean that business migrants are helping maintain the sector’s strong 14% annual growth rate (Source: Franchising Australia Survey) despite the fierce competition among systems for new franchisees.

State governments are also acknowledging that franchising is an attractive proposition for business migrants compared to the purchase of stand-alone businesses, and are keen to attract business migrants and their contribution to the state economy.

However the overall number of migrants coming to Australia on business visas is low, accounting for less than 20% of visa applications. Of these, approximately half are buying franchises, but migrants entering the country under other categories of visa could also be buying franchises after their arrival.

Statistics about the uptake of franchises by business migrants are sketchy, but anecdotally the trend continues to rise in parallel with the overall growth of franchising in Australia.

While Asia remains a large source of migration, England is the number one source of new Australians, and Australia is England’s preferred migration destination.

Irrespective of where they come from, all business migrants to Australia must meet the same selection criteria. While the Federal Government’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship remains the final decision-maker and issuer of migration visas, state governments have recognized that migration can provide economic benefits to state economies and compete to attract migrants.

Whereas business migrants are required to invest a minimum $500,000 or more in an Australian business under federal requirements, this threshold is effectively halved under sponsored visa programs offered by the state governments, with the proviso that the applicant must settle and operate a business in the sponsoring state.

The state sponsorship of business visas is ideally suited to prospective franchisees particularly of retail systems whose entry costs typically start at $250,000, and which provide the required investment level for the visa criteria.

But meeting the investment level is just one of many criteria required to satisfy state authorities to recommend to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship that an applicant should be accepted for a business visa.

For people considering a franchise, the prior approval of the franchisor is essential to gaining state sponsorship. For these applicants, they must first identify a franchise system of interest, then undertake the franchisor’s selection and approval process (which usually involves identifying a location and developing a business plan) before submitting their visa application to the state authorities.

The business plan forms part of the state-sponsored visa application, and must include market research, a competitor analysis and financial projections (shown in Australian dollars), as well as the number of jobs to be created by the business and details of the applicant’s skills and business experience.

(Under the business migration visa, applicants are expected to have previously operated a business in their home country, or at least worked have held senior management or executive positions).

This business plan, plus a supporting letter from the franchisor and the formal application documents must then be submitted, and where possible, applicants are encouraged to attend an interview with state migration officials to support their application.

The approval of state-sponsored visas is handled through the Department of State Development (or equivalent) in each state. Applicants must verify that they intend to settle and operate their business in the sponsoring state, and although the location in the state must be specified, it is not a determining factor.

While it is not compulsory to attend the interview with state migration officials, it can help facilitate the approval process and result in a recommendation to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship for a business visa.

In most cases, the recommendation is accepted, but can be declined if the applicant intends to only be a passive investor in the business and not take an active role in its operation.

High levels of English language skills are not a strong requirement for state-sponsored visas, and in conjunction with the lower investment threshold, potentially allow entry to applicants who would not otherwise qualify for a visa from the Federal Government.

However, not all franchise systems are suitable for consideration by business migrant candidates. The minimum investment requirement of $250,000 excludes many service franchise concepts, as well as the requirement for the business to be a net employer.

Still, business migrants maintain their interest in Australia and look to franchising as one way of establishing a new life for themselves here.

Ten business migration tips for franchisors:

1. Have a procedure in place for handling domestic franchise enquiries from outside Australia. Now that most franchisors have information about their franchises online, they can expect to receive franchise enquiries from anywhere in the world. Be responsive and professional in dealing with questions you might not otherwise get from Australian-based prospects.

2. Recommend that potential franchisees deal with a migration agent registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA). Don’t provide visa or migration advice yourself. See www.immi.gov.au for more information about immigration guidelines and migration agents, as well as the Department of State Development (or equivalent) website in the franchisee’s destination state for details of state-sponsored visas.

3. Be prepared to say no, even if the candidate is a good fit for your business. Some prospects who might make suitable franchisees could require higher levels of field support than your system is able to provide. It is better to say no up-front until your field support levels are higher.

4. For candidates who meet your selection criteria, be prepared to provide a written offer of a franchise (subject to visa approval) which can be used for their visa application. If contacted by state or federal immigration officials, answer all questions promptly and thoroughly.

5. Allow for longer planning timeframes when dealing with business migrant candidates as their migration applications may take some time to process.

6. Bear in mind that over time, business migrant franchisees can provide you with an insight into your franchise’s suitability for export into their home country, and can be a valuable future resource as your business expands internationally.

7. Develop your own awareness and respect of the cultural and religious norms of the countries of origin of your migrant franchisees. Train your staff accordingly to avoid the potential for embarrassment and conflict.

8. Do not develop non-English promotional materials. This will act as an early filter to determine English language proficiency. If successful candidates from a LOTE (Language Other Than English) background are appointed, be prepared to make a translator available during training to ensure that detailed concepts and questions are handled correctly.

9. Comply with the Code. As long as someone is buying a franchise in Australia, the Franchising Code of Conduct still applies regardless of where they come from. Ensure all documentation is provided in accordance with the Code, and strongly encourage applicants to seek independent legal, accounting and business advice.

10. Be prepared for referrals. If you grant a franchise to a business migrant, it is possible that their friends, family or colleagues from their home country may also enquire about a franchise with you. Ensure that your existing migrant franchisee is aware that referrals are welcome, but in itself is not enough to grant a franchise as each applicant must be treated on their own merits.

I was interviewed by the writer of this article from the Sunday Times about the upcoming changes to the VETASSESS requirements.  Although the article reads as if it is referring to skilled visas for Australia in general, it is actually about VETASSESS skilled assessment process . . . → Read More: “Change in visa rules prompts Australia rush” – Sunday Times]]> Change in visa rules prompts Australia rush – Sunday Times article

I was interviewed by the writer of this article from the Sunday Times about the upcoming changes to the VETASSESS requirements.  Although the article reads as if it is referring to skilled visas for Australia in general, it is actually about VETASSESS skilled assessment process and the changes planned to take effect from 1 January 2010.

I was quoted in the article and reiterate my opinion that anyone eligible to apply for a VETASSESS skills assessment under its current guidelines should do so by end of 2009 to avoid having to adhere to the new requirements.

Kind regards,

Mege Dalton
Australian Registered Migration Agent (MARN 0501113)

Applying for a business visa to Australia doesn’t have to be a complicated process.

I am an experienced registered migration agent and consider myself an Australian business visa specialist.

I can help you as a prospective business visa applicant in determining the right subclass of business visa that . . . → Read More: Business Visa Australia]]> Mege Dalton +353  (1) 442 8643

Applying for a business visa to Australia doesn’t have to be a complicated process.

I am an experienced registered migration agent and consider myself an Australian business visa specialist.

I can help you as a prospective business visa applicant in determining the right subclass of business visa that suits your situation and will faciliate your plans for Australia.

Business Visas Australia is based in Dublin, Ireland with clients from around the world choosing this service to give them the best chance of success in their Australian business visa applications.

Call or email today and get started with your application for a business visa to Australia.

Dublin office +353 (1) 442 8643

The business skills visa category caters for business people who are:-

who intend to use their business skills and experience to own and operate a new or exisitng business in Australia.

Similarly, the business skills visa cateoriess . . . → Read More: Australian Business Visas]]>

The business skills visa category caters for business people who are:-

• owners (or part owners) of a business(es),
• senior executives employed in major business,
• senior business managers

who intend to use their business skills and experience to own and operate a new or exisitng business in Australia.

Similarly, the business skills visa cateoriess also applys to business people who:-

• have a substantial business or investment background and who are willing to make a significant investment bond to a  State or Territories treasury corporation,
• may already hold provisional visas and who have established a business(es) in Australia.

All applicants for an Australian business skills visa, except people in Australia on a temporary visa who have an established businesses and subclass 132 Business Talent visa applicants must first apply and obtain a provisional Australian business visa from the Department fo Immigration and Citizenship.

As a holder of a provisonal Australian businesss visa, after owning and successfully operating a business or maintaining an investment in Australia for 2-4 years, such visa holders will then be eligible to apply for a permanent Australian business skills visa.

Contact Mege Dalton (MARN 0501113) of Business Visas Australia today regarding which Australian business visa you should apply for.

Recently, I was contacted by a Hungarian businessman regarding his eligiblity for a subclass 165 state sponsored investor visa.  He flew to Dublin to take a meeting with me and by the end of the meeting we were both in agreement that he wouldn’t have any major issues satisfying the visa criteria for . . . → Read More: Designated Investment Bond – Subclass 165 Investor Visa]]>

Recently, I was contacted by a Hungarian businessman regarding his eligiblity for a subclass 165 state sponsored investor visa.  He flew to Dublin to take a meeting with me and by the end of the meeting we were both in agreement that he wouldn’t have any major issues satisfying the visa criteria for the subclass 165 visa.

 During our meeting, there was a particular question that arose regarding the designated investment bond.  This is a significant requirement of the subclass 165 visa application.  Once the Department of Immigration case officer is satisfied the main visa applicant has satisfied the primary and secondary critieria (relating to business management or investment, net asset level and character/health requirements) they will then make a formal request that AU$750,000 be transferred to the Treasury Corporation of the state the applicant has been sponsored by.  The bond is held for 4 years.

The question asked was whether or not an applicant once they had acquired the visa and were in Australia, could then rely on the designated investment bond as collateral for a acquiring a loan from an Australian bank to buy property . 

After a bit of research and emailing several banks with this specific question, the general consensus was that the banks will not accept the designated investment bond as collateral or security to lend money.  However showing the a designated investment bond of AU$750,000 as an asset in a loan application would give most banks confidence that loan would be repaid and the bank would also take a mortgage over the propery and it’s value and lend against that.  Most banks will lend between 60 – 70% of the value of the property.  The balance would be the deposit the applicant would need to put down.  If the applicant was proposing to buy land to build a property, the banks would consider lending additional amount up to the value of the building contract.

For more information, contact the the NAB Migrant Banking Team.

It will be an evening seminar held at the Raddison Hotel, Dublin City Centre (Golden Lane) from 7pm to 9pm.

The NAB has a . . . → Read More: “Moving to Australia” seminar]]> The National Australia Bank (NAB) Migrant Banking Team will be in Dublin 0n Thursday 8th October 2009 presenting a free seminar on “Moving to Australia”.   Head of the Migrant Banking Team is Tony Loeckenhoff.

It will be an evening seminar held at the Raddison Hotel, Dublin City Centre (Golden Lane) from 7pm to 9pm.

The NAB has a dedicated service to help Migrants heading to Australia from Ireland.  Their key focus is to make it simple for a migrant to establish their banking in Australia before they depart Ireland and at the same time make it personalised service. 

The seminar will cover the following:-

- Australian economy – a Migrant’s overview
- Tax issues to consider
- Buying property in Australia on temporary or permanent visas (includes getting credit, FIRB and home owners grants)
- Moving your money & other possessions
- Opening a Bank account before you leave

If you would like to attend the seminar, please register your attendance by clicking the link below and completing the seminar registration form details.

The upcoming “Health Jobs Around the World Expo” in Dublin on 7 October 2009 will help health professionals to connect with top health employers from around the world, including Australia who are recruiting.

The Expo will take place at the Red Cow Moran Hotel, Conference centre, Naas Road, Dublin 22.

There will be a range of . . . → Read More: Health Jobs Expo – Dublin]]>

The upcoming “Health Jobs Around the World Expo” in Dublin on 7 October 2009 will help health professionals to connect with top health employers from around the world, including Australia who are recruiting.

The Expo will take place at the Red Cow Moran Hotel, Conference centre, Naas Road, Dublin 22.

There will be a range of exhibitors offering information and advice on visas, lifestyle, culture, how to move, financial and legal aspects of migrating.

Entry fee is €5, tickets can be purchased online.

A number of exhibitors will also be holding seminars.

The National Australia Bank Migrant Banking Team will be holding a seminar aimed to help the potential Australian migrant under aspects such as:-

- Australian economy – a migrants overview
- Tax issues to consider
- Buying property in Australia on temporary or permanent visas (includes getting credit, FIRB and home owners grants)
- Moving your money & other possessions
- Opening a Bank account before you leave

Representing NAB, will be the Head of the NAB Migrant Banking Team, Tony Loeckenhoff whose key focus is to make it simple for a migrant to establish their banking in Australia before they depart Ireland and at the same time make it personal (every client receives a dedicated person to meet when they arrive in Australia.)

Below is a list of health professionals that the Australian exhibitors will be recruiting for to address shortages in the health industry Down Under:

Aero medical Evacuation Physicians
Aged Care Nurses
Allied Health Professionals, including:
- Medical Imaging Professionals
- Mental Health
- Occupational Therapists
- Physiotherapists
- Psychology
- Social Work
Anesthetists
Aviation Medicine Specialists
Clinical Nurse ECMO Coordinator – Children’s Hospital Paediatric ICU
Clinical Nurses
Clinical Nurses – Paediatric and Intensive Care Unit
Critical/Emergency Care Nurses
Dentists
General Practitioners
General Surgeons
Haematology Nurses
Medical Practitioners, including:
- Anesthetics
- Emergency
- Internal Medicine
- Psychiatry
- Rural doctors
Mental Health Nurses
Midwives
Neonatology Nurses
Obstetricians
Oncology Nurses
Oral Health Therapists
Prosthetists
Paediatric Nurses
Paramedics
Radiographers
Registered Nurses
Staff Specialist – Medical Oncologist
Theatre Nurses

Kind regards,
Mege Dalton
Australian registered migration agent (MARN 0501113)

. . . → Read More: Subclass 164 Sponsored Senior Executive visa]]> This particular Australian business visa is intended for applicants who have a successful background as Senior Executives in a company.  A term of senior executive would include positions such as Chief Executive officer, Managing Director, Finance Director, Marketting Director etc.

164 Visa requirements:-

• You are less than 55 years or age, or you are proposing to participate in a business activity which will be of exceptional economic benefit to the State
• For 2 out of the last 4 financial years, you occupied a position in the top 3 levels of management in a business with annual turnover of at least A$10,000,000
• Your net asset level is at least A$250,000 plus an additional amount for your settlement costs in Australia
• State sponsorship approval