Latest updates and policy changes for Australian Immigration laws:
In light of encouraging more skilled workers to live and work in regional Australia, the following new visas will be introduced from 16 November 2019.
Subclass 489 visa and subclass 187 visa will cease from 16 November 2019.
Subclass 491 (to replace Subclass 489). Subclass 491 is a provisional visa but will lead to permanent visa Subclass 191.
· Applicant to live in regional area for 3 years instead of 2 years under subclass 489
· All applicants have to stay in the regional area
· It is a five year provisional visa instead of the current four years
· Able to access more occupations under the gazetted skilled occupations list
· Priority processing
· Introduction of review right to offshore applicants
· Can move between areas as long as they are in the gazetted regional postcodes (new postcodes have not been released yet)
Points changes are as follows:
§ – 15 points for state nomination instead of 10 points currently
§ – 10 points for a skilled spouse or de facto partner
§ – 10 points for certain Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) qualifications
§ – 5 points for a spouse or de facto partner with ‘competent English’
§ – 10 points for applicants without a spouse or de facto partner
Subclass 494 is similar to the previous Subclass 457 regional visa.
However, generally speaking, holders of Subclass 491 and Subclass 494 visas or who last held these visas, are restricted from applying for the following visas: Subclass 124/858, Subclass 132, Subclass 186, Subclass 188, Subclass 189, Subclass 190 and Subclass 820.
From 22 July 2019, applicants will be able to lodge a state nomination application for Business Innovation and Investor Program (BIIP) visas without having to wait for an invitation from Victoria. However, there will also be new nomination criteria for some BIIP visas from 22 July 2019 onwards:
1. Subclass 188 will need to demonstrate a minimum of 80 points
2. Subclass 188 Innovation nomination applicants must commit to employ at least one (1) full time employee in their main business
3. Any applicant proposing to engage in export activity will need to demonstrate that all export products will be 100% manufactured in Victoria
4. Subclass 188 Investor nomination applicants must demonstrate that they will make an additional investment of at least A$500,000 in Victoria during the provisional visa period.
5. Subclass 188 Investor and Significant Investor applicants will be required to demonstrate that they have A$200,000 available for migration purposes
If you are looking to apply for an Australian visa please contact us or download and complete the IMPEX Visa Confidential Assessment Form 2019 and return to us for a free assessment for your best visa option including a quotation of fees and charges.
July 2019.