Partner visas: Processing delays double, total onhand applications now over 210,000

Partner visas: Processing delays double, total onhand applications now over 210,000

A request by the Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship on partner visas has uncovered increasing delays in processing applications, which in turn ridicules claims made by the government that it has reduced Australia’s permanent visa grant numbers.

Read More

2019-20 Migration planning levels; SA’s push for migrants; historic GSM and business skills nomination ceilings

2019-20 Migration planning levels; SA’s push for migrants; historic GSM and business skills nomination ceilings

While it was known that Australia’s permanent migration intake would be cut from 190,000 to 160,000 starting in the 2019-20 program year, which visa categories will suffer more can now be determined. Also, a recent Freedom of Information request shows why South Australia requested more migration places and what the nomination ceilings were for each State and Territory for General Skilled Migration and business skills visas.

Read More

Analysis: 491, 494 and 191 visas, the new kids on the block

Analysis: 491, 494 and 191 visas, the new kids on the block

Comprehensive analysis of the policy and ramifications behind the new regional skilled visas: the Subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa, the Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa, and the permanent Subclass 191 – Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa, which will come into effect from 16 November 2019.

Read More

Permanent migration slashed to 160,000; 186/187 visa numbers increasing; two new regional visas announced

Permanent migration slashed to 160,000; 186/187 visa numbers increasing; two new regional visas announced

The much-rumoured new population policy and cut to Australia’s permanent migration was announced by the prime minister today. Permanent visa numbers will be cut from 190,000 to 160,000, however, for employer sponsored permanent visas, Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme visas and Subclass 187 – Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visas, they will actually increase. Two new regional visas have been revealed along with a bonus year for Subclass 485 – Temporary Graduate visas for international students who study at a regional university.

Read More