The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) is working with DIAC’s three mainland offices in China to implement a number of changes to visa service delivery for clients in China. These changes will take effect from 3 September 2012.
It is not anticipated that the changes identified below will have a significant or direct impact on the Chinese community living in Australia. However, the Department wishes to inform you of the changes in the event members of the Chinese community, community groups and other organisations and stakeholders that provide services and/or assistance to the Chinese community in Australia have any queries or concerns about these changes.
The changes being implemented have been recommended as part of the China Servicing Strategy (CSS), which was developed by DIAC’s three mainland China offices in the response to growth in the China caseloads and the need for DIAC to position itself for the long term delivery of services in China.
The two key changes include the:
· Introduction of Australian Visa Application Centres (AVACs) in Beijing and Shanghai
· Changes to where certain visa caseloads will be processed in China.
A preliminary announcement providing broad information relating to the changes was uploaded onto the China and DIAC websites including the Agent’s Gateway on Wednesday 25 July 2012.
See: http://www.immi.gov.au/contacts/visa-enquiries/changes-visa-service-delivery-china.htm
More detailed information about the changes will be provided to clients in the coming weeks as the overseas posts in China increase their stakeholder engagement activities in the lead up to the 3 September implementation date. This will include:
· Information sheet
· Where to submit an application (which is a table advising clients where to lodge their visa application)
· Changes to Visa Wizard, Contact Us pages including Visa Information and Lodgement)
I trust that you will find this information useful and pass this information on to community members who may have be affected by these changes.
If you have any queries the contact details for the Multicultural Affairs Manager are:
Sarah Torpy
Multicultural Affairs Manager
Community Engagement and Multicultural Affairs Branch
ACT & Regions Office
(02) 6195 6157
sarah.torpy@immi.gov.au