Some changes have been announced by the Minister Alan Tudge on 19 December 2020. These changes might bring relief to Graduate Subclass 485 Post Study Work Stream (PSW) visa holders and students who wish to apply for 485 visa but are stuck outside Australia due to Covid19 pandemic.

Two major changes that have been announced include introduction of a second (Regional) Graduate Subclass 485 Post Study Work Stream visa and ability of applicants stuck outside Australia to be able to make 485 applications from offshore.

Second 485 PSW visa – for Regional Graduates

Applicants who have formerly studied in designated regional areas in Australia and who while holding 485 PSW visa lived in designated regional area for at least 2 years may be eligible to get another/second 485 PSW visa. Designated regional areas in Australia means anywhere but not Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Main aim of the Australian Government behind these changes is the economic development of regional areas of Australia which will help strengthen the communities living in regional areas. Aim is to encourage students or 485 PSW visa holders to continue to live and work there.

This is to keep in mind that the changes are only for Post study work stream and not for the Graduate work stream. Graduate work stream visas remain the same.

Here are a few questions you may have in your mind:

Am I eligible for Regional Graduate Subclass 485 PSW visa?

If you have studied in any of the institutes in designated regional areas and you were granted a 485 PSW visa as a result of that study, and you have lived (worked or studied, if applicable) in a designated regional area in Australia from last two years, you may be eligible.

As immigration lawyers and registered migration agents, we are writing to consider the recent Daryl Maguire issues revealed in an ICAC enquiry in terms of the Australian Migration Act.

Victoria State Nomination update 26 November 2020 

Victoria Business Nomination Remain Closed 26 November 2020 - 188 visa and 132 visa

Business innovation and investor visa nomination applications (subclass 188A, 188B, and 188E streams and subclass 132A and 132B streams) remain closed to new applications as announced on 26 November 2020. Significant Investor (subclass 188C) visa nominations have opened on 30 November 2020 in Victoria. 

To minimize the COVID19 impact on visa holders, the Department of Home Affairs has been offering a number of concessions to visa applicants and visa holders to overcome the difficulties and challenges during the COVID19 crisis.  

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Highlights

• Concessions for certain family visa applicants affected by COVID19 travel restrictions
• The Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) was updated to include Social Worker (272511)
• Concessions and changes from 19 September 2020

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Changes to ENS 186 and RSMS 187 for 457 & 482 visa holders affected by  COVID-19 Pandemic.

The Department of Home Affairs has recently announced new changes to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is good news for 457 and 482 visa-holders who are looking to apply for a permanent employer-sponsored visa through the Temporary Residence Transition stream.