IOM informs Bhutanese in Adelaide on new migration laws of Australia

Bhutanese Australian Association of South Australian (BAASA), with initiation by former BAASA chairperson Suren Ghaley, held interaction session between Bhutanese in Adelaide and official from the International Organisation of Migration (IOM) from Canberra Ibrahim Bangoura.

According to Ghaley, more than 300 people attended the session conducted on Saturday (1 March) in Salisbury, the biggest settlement area of the Bhutanese community in South Australia.

Accredited interpreter Avishek Gazmere mediated the session for translation into Nepali.

Participants primarily inquired about the processes involved in the sponsoring, time needed, costs and other legal aspects. The Australian government has announced that hereafter exiled Bhutanese will be resettled under Special Humanitarian Program only where sponsor is required.

According to information given, people willing to come to Australia must bear the cost flight from Kathmandu to their destination in Australia. Under new decision, the Australian government has agreed to bear the costs for health check-up in camps, travel to Kathmandu and fooding and lodging in Kathmandu, thus bringing down the costs for the refugees.

Refugees have to fill three forms during the process: a form stating the approval of visa from Australian embassy in New Delhi, an application form for loan by the proposer and a letter from community organisation standing as guarantee for the loan. BAASA chairperson Kamal Dahal informed participants that BAASA is ready to provide such guarantee letter.

IOM provides interests free loan for families to meet expenses of travel from Nepal to Australia. It comes to be around AUD 770 per head but differs with the seasonal changes in the airfare rates.