Business sponsor shame list to begin 13 December 2018; Powers to request tax file numbers; Clarity on review rights for refused sponsored visas

Business sponsor shame list to begin 13 December 2018; Powers to request tax file numbers; Clarity on review rights for refused sponsored visas

New regulations will come into force on 13 December 2018 that will see the Minister of Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs publish a list of sanctioned business sponsors, what obligation they breached, and the sanction they received.

The Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs will be able to request from visa applicants, sponsors, and nominators, tax file numbers of visa holders and former visa holders for many temporary and permanent skilled visas. The ramifications of this may see more visas refused and cancelled.

Lastly, amendments have been made to give more certainty to sponsored or nominated workers whose visa applications are refused to seek review at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

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South Australia Innovation visa begins…in the form of a 408 (Temporary Activity) visa

South Australia Innovation visa begins…in the form of a 408 (Temporary Activity) visa

South Australia (and South Australia only) is open for yet another entrepreneurial visa, with the Federal Government fulfilling a promise made earlier this year. Entrepreneurs will be granted a Subclass 408 – (Temporary Activity) visa for 4 years if they meet the requirements. Business owners need not apply.

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Annual report season: Processing woes; permanent migration places to remain at 190 000

Annual report season: Processing woes; permanent migration places to remain at 190 000

The Department of Home Affairs and the Administrative Appeals Tribunal released their 2017-18 annual reports. Both provide good insights into their performance over the last year and their shortcomings, namely that processing of certain applications have slowed.

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The regional visa debate

The regional visa debate

This week saw debate by federal and state politicians on Australia’s population and immigration, with an emphasis on migration to regional areas. Current regulations, however, does not lend itself to this policy aim, except for General Skilled Migration visas, which already has one visa subclass requiring holders to live, study and work in a regional area. Could we see greater scrutiny on this suite of visas?

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