Non-compliance down

AUSTRALIAN business visa approval rates in China have improved by 5 per cent in the past three years, according to the Federal Government.

Responding to concerns about difficulties Chinese business people faced trying to get to Australia, the Government this week said that, while it was continually looking at ways of improving its processing arrangements, the incidence of non-compliance in China had dropped.

According to the Government, the approval rate for Australian business visas in China has risen from 87 per cent in 2001-02 to 92 per cent currently.

A Government spokesman would not comment on whether there was a need for the Australian Department of Immigration to be stricter in China than in some of Australia’s other major trading partners. Instead, the spokesman said all people applying to enter Australia must meet the requirements as set out in the Migration Regulations.

“In granting visas to persons wishing to visit Australia, there is always a balance between facilitating genuine visitors and ensuring the integrity of Australia’s borders,” he said.

“Business visitor visa applicants must be able to satisfy a decision-maker that they are genuine business people who have a genuine need to visit Australia for business purposes, and will depart Australia at the expiry of their authorised stay.”

It also was possible for some Australian-based organisations to act as sponsors of business visitors and delegations, the spokesman said.

The Australia Chinese Business Council responded by saying it saw the earlier problems of non-compliance as fast disappearing as the economic and business environment in China becomes more attractive.

However, ACBC president Des Williams said Chinese Ambassador Fu Ying’s presentation at the recent WA Business News ‘Meet the Ambassadors’ breakfast highlighted this potential growing demand for business, and while he recognised the Department of Immigration’s effort, “there is still a need for further improvement”.

Mr Williams added that tourist visas for Chinese need to be streamlined to allow greater access to Australia, which was a growing marketplace.