I decide to attack the visa application process. It's very bureaucratic, but if I want my guitarist to come here, I have no choice but to play the Immigration game. There's no point feeling paralysed by it.
I'm not normally wrapped up in red tape; this is not what I do in my day-to-day job. I'm not weary from it, so I can cope with the prospect of tussling with a Government department. I will focus on the task and attend to the detail. I feel buoyed by the fact that I've recently succeeded in extending the scope of my business trademark all by myself, even though I've never practised in intellectual property law. I should be able to handle this visa challenge.
There are two application forms. I must apply to be approved as an Entertainment Sponsor, then I must nominate Eneias as my proposed "act".
It takes me a couple of hours to complete and check both forms, dig out and photocopy bank statements and passport, meet up with a lawyer friend and have him to certify all my documents, photocopy the lot and scan them to computer. I can't quite supply all the detail required - I'll deal with their requisitions in due course, but let's start the conversation. They want Eneias' date of birth. I find it on his Facebook page. I will have to ask him for a certified copy of his passport. I can't yet supply evidence of consultation with the Australian Musician's Union; I attach a copy of their email to me advising of their process.
Is my event "for-profit"? I tick the "not-for-profit" box, doing the "math" for them, and pointing out that there won't be any profit at the end of the exercise. What would I do if this musician were unable to come to Australia? My answer - "I would not perform this show, as it is preparation for a show in Brazil, with ticket proceeds to a Brazilian charity". Will there be a "net employment benefit" for Australians? Well, the show is 50% Australian content (me), and employment will be generated for graphic designers, printers, venue owners, bar staff and sound and lighting technicians.
A wave of perseverance carries me through. I have to specify dates for the visit and the shows, but I can't book those dates without knowing how long the process will take. This is logistically impossible. I spit in the face of the Catch 22 problem - I write in randomly selected, hypothetical dates. I am required to notify the Department and the Union of any changes to the itinerary. So once we've got the visa, I'll change the fake dates to real ones.
I've got two fat piles of paper to send.
When I'm addressing the envelope, I notice that the two applications have to go to different Departments, both at the same Post Office Box. I mail them in two separate Express Post bags.
Hah, off they go!
Back at the office I email the Musician's Union with as much of the required information as I can. For the rest of the day I check my inBox repeatedly, hoping to see a reply. I guess it will take a while for them to read all the stuff I've sent them.
Who knows how long this process will take? I'll never know unless I make a start.
As they say, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. And a journey of a thousand steps...starts with the first one.
I'm not normally wrapped up in red tape; this is not what I do in my day-to-day job. I'm not weary from it, so I can cope with the prospect of tussling with a Government department. I will focus on the task and attend to the detail. I feel buoyed by the fact that I've recently succeeded in extending the scope of my business trademark all by myself, even though I've never practised in intellectual property law. I should be able to handle this visa challenge.
There are two application forms. I must apply to be approved as an Entertainment Sponsor, then I must nominate Eneias as my proposed "act".
It takes me a couple of hours to complete and check both forms, dig out and photocopy bank statements and passport, meet up with a lawyer friend and have him to certify all my documents, photocopy the lot and scan them to computer. I can't quite supply all the detail required - I'll deal with their requisitions in due course, but let's start the conversation. They want Eneias' date of birth. I find it on his Facebook page. I will have to ask him for a certified copy of his passport. I can't yet supply evidence of consultation with the Australian Musician's Union; I attach a copy of their email to me advising of their process.
Is my event "for-profit"? I tick the "not-for-profit" box, doing the "math" for them, and pointing out that there won't be any profit at the end of the exercise. What would I do if this musician were unable to come to Australia? My answer - "I would not perform this show, as it is preparation for a show in Brazil, with ticket proceeds to a Brazilian charity". Will there be a "net employment benefit" for Australians? Well, the show is 50% Australian content (me), and employment will be generated for graphic designers, printers, venue owners, bar staff and sound and lighting technicians.
A wave of perseverance carries me through. I have to specify dates for the visit and the shows, but I can't book those dates without knowing how long the process will take. This is logistically impossible. I spit in the face of the Catch 22 problem - I write in randomly selected, hypothetical dates. I am required to notify the Department and the Union of any changes to the itinerary. So once we've got the visa, I'll change the fake dates to real ones.
I've got two fat piles of paper to send.
When I'm addressing the envelope, I notice that the two applications have to go to different Departments, both at the same Post Office Box. I mail them in two separate Express Post bags.
Hah, off they go!
Back at the office I email the Musician's Union with as much of the required information as I can. For the rest of the day I check my inBox repeatedly, hoping to see a reply. I guess it will take a while for them to read all the stuff I've sent them.
Who knows how long this process will take? I'll never know unless I make a start.
As they say, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. And a journey of a thousand steps...starts with the first one.
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