Summary

Passport issued by the Venezuelan Government to Jose Ortega Lopez during the process of his migration to Australia in 1993.
The passport contains a United States immigrant visa issued at Caracas, Venezuela in June 1993 (valid for multiple entries), an immigration departure stamp from Venezuela, 7 July 1993, a US customs stamp, 17 July 1993 and an Australian permanent entry visa, issued on 29 June 1993 and valid for multiple return travel until 28 June 1997. There is also a customs stamp issued at Brisbane airport on 30 July 1993. The visa states that it will act as valid for migrant travel, multiple return travel and subsequently a permanent entry permit. The passport also contains small photographs of Jose in 1998 and 2003, stamps for Jose's subsequent travel to Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela, and a page with an Australian Embassy page validating the passport in Venezuela in 2003.

Jose Ortega Lopez migrated to Australia from Venezuela in 1993. He had been fascinated by Australia since childhood, reading many books and watching Australian television programs. Later, when working in Portugal as a materials engineer, he decided to apply to migrate to Australia via the skills program and was able to quickly have his qualification recognised. When he returned to Venezuela, the letter of acceptance from the Australian Embassy was waiting for him in his letter box, directing him to collect his visa there. Staff told Jose that his was the first visa they had printed there at that Embassy, a learning experience for everyone involved! The visa was issued on 29 June 1993 and he needed to be in Australia before 28 June 1994 while the visa remained valid.

Jose immediately purchased a ticket on United Airlines from Caracas to Brisbane, via Chicago, Los Angeles, and Sydney. He did not have to pass Australian immigration until he arrived in Brisbane. Jose received a job offer from his former employer in Lisbon, EDS Electronic Data Services to work at the Holden plant in Elizabeth, South Australia. Jose, who now lives in Melbourne, has maintained his permanent residency status and, he reflects, 'it has been a really wonderful experience to contribute to this country.'

Physical Description

Passport with blue cover and gold embossed print. Inside are 48 pages containing various customs and immigration stamps, and two photographs.

Significance

Statement of Historical Significance:
The material culture of migrants who arrived in Australia since the 1980s is difficult to source; thus this passport, containing an Australian permanent residency permit, helps to address important gaps in the collection relating to more contemporary migrant experiences, arrivals from South America and the procedures of permits and visas.

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