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Changes for the Australia Partner Visa Application! Separate Sponsorship application and possibly more!

Changes for the Australia Partner Visa Application! Separate Sponsorship application and possibly more!

Key terms: Migration Policy Changes – Partner Visas – Subclass 820/801 – Subclass 309/100 – Sponsor Requirements – Family migration

2018 Update & Related Articles: 

Partner Visa Sponsorship & Policy Update 2018: Changes Affecting Processing Times & Force Offshore Partner Visa Applications

Planning to lodge a partner visa application? You will soon need to apply for sponsor approval first!

Amendments introduced in the Migration Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) Bill 2016 describes that a separate sponsorship application is necessary before one can submit a partner visa application. Originally planned for implementation on 1 July 2017, we now know that the change will only be implemented in 2018 because the Bill has not been enacted.

At the time of writing there are still no details released by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) in relation to the process of applying for the sponsor approval.

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What is changing for the subclass 187 RSMS and subclass 186 ENS visas on 1 July 2017? Your top 10 questions answered!

What is changing for the subclass 187 RSMS and subclass 186 ENS visas on 1 July 2017? Your top 10 questions answered!

Key terms: Migration Policy Changes – Employer Sponsored Visas – Subclass 187 RSMS – Subclass 186 ENS – English Requirements – Age Requirements – STSOL – MLTSSL


By now most will know that the permanent employer sponsored visas will see changes being introduced on 1 July 2017 and in March 2018. The changes announced will affect the following visas:

  • the subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa
  • the subclass 187 Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa

We have received many enquiries in relation to the changes, with many confused between what changes are happening on 1 July 2017 and March 2018. To help you understand the changes better here are the top 10 questions about the permanent employer sponsored visa changes answered.

 

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Changes coming to the Permanent Employer Sponsored Visas RSMS and ENS in 1 July 2017

Changes coming to the Permanent Employer Sponsored Visas RSMS and ENS in 1 July 2017

Key terms: Migration Policy Changes – Employer Sponsored Visas – Subclass 187 RSMS – Subclass 186 ENS – English Requirements – Age Requirements

With the announcement of the 457 visa programme being abolished in March 2018, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) also announced changes to be introduced to the permanent employer sponsored visas, which include:

·         the subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa

·         the subclass 187 Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa

The changes are planned to be introduced in stages on 1 July 2017 and March 2018. In this article we will be looking at the changes coming on 1 July 2017.

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Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa age eligibility lowered! NEW skilled visa pathway for NZ citizens in Australia!

Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa age eligibility lowered! NEW skilled visa pathway for NZ citizens in Australia!

Key terms: Migration Policy Changes – Skilled Independent Visa – Subclass 189 visa – New Zealand visa stream – SkillSelect – Age Requirements – New Zealand citizens in Australia - Subclass 444 Special Category visa

New Changes for the Subclass 189 Skilled – Independent Visa from 1 July 2017

The Australian Government has introduced new changes for the subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa. Effective from 1 July 2017 the following applies:

·         applicants will need to be below 45 years of age to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

·         New Zealand (NZ) citizens will be eligible to apply for the subclass 189 visa if they meet requirements for the NZ visa stream

 



New age ceiling for subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa

The new requirement for applicants to be under age 45 will be implemented on 1 July 2017. This change will not affect you if:

·         you have receive an Invitation to Apply from SkillSelect before 1 July 2017, and you have submitted the visa application before 1 July 2017

·         you are applying as a secondary applicant


New visa stream for the subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa

New Zealand citizens in Australia who hold the subclass 444 Special Category visa will be eligible to apply for the subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa if they meet the following requirements:

·         usually resident in Australia, on or before 16 February 2016, for a continuous period for at least five years immediately before the date of application

·         the taxable income of the applicant for four (4) out of the last five (5) years are as follows:

o   2012/13 - $51,000

o   2013/14 - $53,900

o   2014/15 - $53,900

o   2015/16 - $53,900

o   2016/17 - $53,900

·         meet health and character requirements

The visa application charge (VAC) for the NZ visa stream is payable in two stages – at time of application and before the grant of visa.

Need to know more about the changes? Contact Work Visa Lawyers to discuss further.


Sources:

https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2017L00549

This information is accurate on 22 May 2017


Comments by Chris Johnston – Principal Lawyer and Registered Migration Agent at Work Visa Lawyers

The changes are continuing for Australia’s migration programme. Prospective applicants should aim to complete a visa application before 1 July 2017 before the new changes take place. If you are affected by the new and lower age requirements for the subclass 189 Skilled Independent, you may need to seek more points such as better English scores, claiming additional work experience, assessing spouse skills and so on to increase your Expression of Interest (EOI) points. Having a higher EOI score will allow you to be in a better position to receive an ITA.

We can advise you on the requirements of the subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa application, including the skills assessment, English testing, points test and work experience required.

Please check with a Registered Migration Agent or Lawyer to understand your options and to determine if you are affected by the newly introduced changes, which will come in effect on 1 July 2017.


Do you need help with an Australian visa or citizenship application?

At Work Visa Lawyers we are experienced in assisting applicants in all matters relating to Australian visa applications. Our areas of expertise include Skilled Migration visas, Business Skills Migration visas, Employer Sponsored Work Visas, Partner and other Family Migration visas as well as the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) Review, Judicial Review and Ministerial Intervention. We have also assisted applicants with Australian citizenship applications, especially for those with unusual circumstances.

If you require further information regarding your Australia visa or citizenship options you can contact us through:

(08) 8351 9956 or +61 8 8351 9956

or   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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The new 2017 Australian Budget and how it affects the Australia immigration programme and visas

The new 2017 Australian Budget and how it affects the Australia immigration programme and visas
Key terms: Australia Budget 2017-2018 – Migration Policy Changes – Visa Application Fees – Employer Sponsored Visas – Training Benchmarks – Skilling Australians Fund – Levy for foreign workers – Temporary Parent visas

Key takes:

> Australian employer sponsored visas to become more expensive.

> New temporary parent visas may be attractive.

> Visa processing times might increase with staffing cuts.
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VETASSESS announces new policy for migration skills assessments!

VETASSESS announces new policy for migration skills assessments!


Key terms: VETASSESS – Migration Skills Assessment – Skilled Occupation List changes – Nominated Occupation – Short-term Skilled Occupation List – STSOL – Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List – MLTSSL

VETASSESS is one of the many Skills Assessment Authorities which processes and issues Migration Skills Assessment results. Many generic business occupations and miscellaneous specialist professions are assessed by VETASSESSS.

Following the announcement of the new Skilled Occupation Lists – the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) and the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), VETASSESS has issued an announcement as 216 occupations were removed from the combined list of occupations suitable for migration.


My nominated occupation was one of the occupations removed! What happens now?

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Australian citizenship application requirements increased! Tougher residence, English and social integration requirements!

Australian citizenship application requirements increased! Tougher residence, English and social integration requirements!


Key terms: Australian Citizenship

*This is a developing story. Further details may become available at a later date.*

The Australian Prime Minister and Minister for Immigration have held a joint media conference today and announced new (tougher) criteria for the Australian citizenship application. The changes include:

·         residence of FOUR years as an Australian Permanent Resident  before applying (increase from one year)

·         demonstrate English language ability (potentially IELTS 6 but yet to be confirmed)

·         demonstrate integration and contribution to the Australian community (employment, children in school, etc.)

·         number of test attempts limited to THREE times. If you failed the test three times you will need to wait for another two years before you can take the test again

·         stricter criminal background checks

·         change to questions in the citizenship test to reflect Australian values

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BREAKING: Australia Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announces decision to abolish 457 visas!

BREAKING: Australia Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announces decision to abolish 457 visas!

*This is a developing story. More details to follow.*

The Prime Minister of Australia has announced the removal of the 457 visa programme. It is expected to be replaced by two new temporary work visas.

When is the 457 visa programme going to be removed?

The plan for complete removal is by March 2018. The definite date has not been announced.

I am currently on a 457 visa! What will happen to my status?

At this time we understand that all existing 457 visa holders wil maintain their visa status. No further 457 visas will be issued.

I have an ongoing 457 visa application! What will happen to it now?

At this time there has not been any information with regards to applications being processed. We will provide details on this matter as soon as it is available.

 

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Queensland announces SUSPENSION of state nomination applications! Unfinalised applications AFFECTED!

Queensland announces SUSPENSION of state nomination applications! Unfinalised applications AFFECTED!

Key terms: Queensland State Sponsorship – Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa – Subclass 489 Skilled Regional Sponsored Visa – General Skilled Migration


The Queensland state migration department – Business & Skilled Migration Queensland (BSMQ) has suspended all applications for state nomination/sponsorship on 10 April 2017. The suspension affects state sponsorship applications for:

·         subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visas

·         subclass 489 Skilled Regional Sponsored visas (sponsored by Australian State/Territory)

While most other state and territory migration agencies will finalised applications already lodged, BSMQ will freeze and not process all unfinalised applications until the new programme year on 1 July 2017. The BSMQ announcement reads:

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Immigration South Australia announces changes to High Points Nomination and Chain Migration!

Immigration South Australia announces changes to High Points Nomination and Chain Migration!

Key terms: South Australia State Sponsorship – Chain Migration – High Points Nomination - Supplementary Skill List – Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa – Subclass 489 Skilled Regional Sponsored Visa

Immigration South Australia (SA) has announced changes to its state sponsorship programme effective yesterday, 5th April 2017. Two major changes were announced and the details are below.


Change to High Points Requirement

Immigration SA allows access to the Supplementary Skill List of occupations if a SkillSelect applicant is able to meet the high points requirement on the points test. Starting from yesterday the high points requirements has been increase from 80 to 85 points. Applicants will now need to seek additional 5 points to nominate occupations on the Supplementary Skill List or special condition occupations.

 

Occupations no longer eligible for High Points or Chain Migration Nomination

 

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