COVID-19: Fact sheets, visa cancellations on health grounds and reapplying student and visitor visa applicants

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COVID-19: Fact sheets, visa cancellations on health grounds and reapplying student and visitor visa applicants

The coronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19, has wreaked havoc on world travel and stock markets and will no doubt have a negative impact on Australia’s education and tourism industries. The Department of Home Affairs have provided several fact sheets for those that may be affected by travel restrictions and created a pathway for those in Australia who have had their visitor or student visas cancelled under specific provisions because of not meeting tougher border control measures to reapply for these visas.

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

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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.

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Visitor visas: Countries of citizenship with most bond requests, and a history lesson on the Modified Non Return Rate

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Visitor visas: Countries of citizenship with most bond requests, and a history lesson on the Modified Non Return Rate

An interesting Freedom of Information (FOI) application was made asking how many security bonds were requested by the Department of Home Affairs for Subclass 600 – Visitor visa applications. Find out why the applicants are considered high risk, in what circumstances Home Affairs can request a security bond, who can pay for this, what are the obligations for sponsorship, and what this little thing Home Affairs used to use is assessing risk called a Modified Non Return Rate was.

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The regional visa debate

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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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