23 January 2009

Fijian AFL player now hopeful to get Australian visa

A Fijian teenager who has been poached to play Australian Football for the Bulldogs has had positive news about his Australian visa this week, reports Fijilive.

The 19-year-old's Australian visa application was thought to be rejected by the Australian immigration department because of his connections with the Fijian military. 

Currently, the Australian government is imposing travel sanctions on any Fijian person who is related to or connected with the Fijian military, which staged a coup against the ruling Fijian government in 2006 and have since not relinquished power. 

Ratu, whose father is in the military, had his Australian visa application denied because he had incorrectly filled out the forms.

"My chances are really good.  That’s what the Australian High Commission told me," Ratu said.

"They were not happy with a section of the application I filled out. It had nothing to do with my dad being in the military," he added.

The Bulldog officials are also confident Ratu will have his visa application approved and will be training with his teammates within a matter of weeks.

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The Australian Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in helping people with emigrating to Australia.