Australia’s plan to reopen borders will boost migration market …. Uglobal Immigration magazine

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Uglobal Immigration magazine

It’s always great to be able to contribute to leading industry magazines & forums.

We were recently asked to provide comment on Australia re-opening their borders to all visa holders. Our responses were recently published in an ARTICLE on the Uglobal Immigration website.

Australian migration agent Mark Welch, founder of Cargil Migration, welcomed the Australian government’s decision to reopen the borders that has been shut to nonresidents since March 2020.

“The reopening will certainly assist investor and business migrants, as well as advisers like myself,” he said.

Welch said he was already seeing an increase in queries from people looking for their investment immigration options in Australia since the announcement was made.

“I have received new queries, and had old queries that have been re-visited in the past 24 to 36 hours,” he said, adding: “The strengthening of certain currencies against the AUD (Australian dollar) has also assisted.”

If you would like to discuss  Australian business and investor visas, please Contact Us

  • Office: +44  (0)800772 0570
  • Mobile: + 44  (0)7710 649194
  • Email:  mark@cargilmigration.com

Queensland opens skilled nomination program …

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Skilled Migration to Queensland 

Queensland has finally opened its skilled nomination program to skilled workers living in Queensland.

The skilled visa program is currently  closed to offshore applicants. This will be reviewed in December 2021.

Eligible applicants can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to be nominated by Queensland for either the

  • Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa
  • Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa
Queensland

Migrate to Queensland

Eligibility criteria  

DHA Criteria

To be eligible for Queensland Nomination an applicant must meet the DHA criteria:

  • Meet the points-test of 65 or higher
  • have a postive skills assessment
  • be under 45 years of age
  • meet the English language requirements for the points test, or skills assessment authority

Migration Queensland criteria requires;

  • a points test result of 80 for Subclass 190 visas or 65 points for the Subclass 491
  • an occupation* on the DHA list of eligible skilled occupations
  • have proficient english
  • Subclass 190 applicants to provide evidence of 6 months work experience  (minimum 35 hours per week) in your nominated occupation in Queensland immediately prior to submitting your EOI
  • Subclass 491 applicants to provide evidence 3 months full-time work experience in your nominated occupation in Regional** Queensland immediately prior to submitting your EOI
  • provide evidence the work is ongoing for a further 12 months
  • commit to living and working in Queensland for
    • 2 years for a Subclass 190 visa
    • 3 years for a Subclass 491 visa

* Some occupations are subject to quotas:

  • Finance
    • Accountant, Finance Manager, Management Accountant
  • Engineers
    • Civil, Mechanical. Electrical & Engineering Technologist
  • ICT
    • Software Engineer, Developer Programmer, ICT Business Analyst, Software & Application Programmers NEC
  • Quantity Surveyor
  • Nurses
    • Aged Care, Critical Care & Emergency, NEC nurses
  • Trades
    • Motor Mechanic, Cook

** Applicable regions – You must live and work within one of the following post codes to be eligible for the Subclass 491 visa:

4124–4125, 4133, 4183–4184, 4207–4275, 4280–4287, 4306–4498, 4507, 4517–4519, 4550–4575, 4580–4895.

If you have any questions please Contact Us.

 

Global visa options for same-sex couples … Uglobal Immigration magazine

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Uglobal Immigration magazine

It’s always great to be able to contribute to leading industry magazines & forums.

We were recently asked to provide comment on Australia’s recognition of same sex partners for investor visas. Our response was recently published in an ARTICLE on the Uglobal Immigration website.

Mark Welch, another Registered Migration Agent from Australia who founded the law firm Cargil Migration, added that same-sex applicants have to provide “evidence that the relationship is mutually exclusive, and is genuine and continuing. Evidence can include financial aspects, nature of the household, social aspects of the relationship and the nature of your commitment.”

If you would like to discuss the recognition of your same-sex relationship for Australian visas, investor or otherwise, please Contact Us

  • Office: +44  (0)800772 0570
  • Mobile: + 44  (0)7710 649194
  • Email:  mark@cargilmigration.com

Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) Updated – 27th July, 2021

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Further occupations have been added to the PMSOL 

As of 27th July, 2021 the PMSOL has the following 44 occupations:

  • Chief Executive or Managing Director (111111)
  • Construction Project Manager (133111)
  • Accountant (General) (221111)
  • Management Accountant (221112)
  • Taxation Accountant (221113)
  • External Auditor (221213)
  • Internal Auditor (221214)
  • Surveyor (232212)
  • Cartographer (232213)
  • Other Spatial Scientist (232214)
  • Civil Engineer (233211)
  • Geotechnical Engineer (233212)
  • Structural Engineer (233214)
  • Transport Engineer (233215)
  • Electrical Engineer (233311)
  • Mechanical Engineer (233512)
  • Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum) (233611)
  • Petroleum Engineer (233612)
  • Medical Laboratory Scientist (234611)
  • Veterinarian (234711)
  • Hospital Pharmacist (251511)*
  • Industrial Pharmacist (251512)*
  • Retail Pharmacist (251513)*
  • Orthotist or Prosthetist (251912)
  • General Practitioner (253111)
  • Resident Medical Officer (253112)
  • Psychiatrist (253411)
  • Medical Practitioners nec (253999)
  • Midwife (254111)
  • Registered Nurse (Aged Care) (254412)
  • Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) (254415)
  • Registered Nurse (Medical) (254418)
  • Registered Nurse (Mental Health) (254422)
  • Registered Nurse (Perioperative) (254423)
  • Registered Nurses nec (254499)
  • Multimedia Specialist (261211)
  • Analyst Programmer (261311)
  • Developer Programmer (261312)
  • Software Engineer (261313)
  • Software and Applications Programmers nec (261399)
  • ICT Security Specialist (262112)
  • Social Worker (272511)
  • Maintenance Planner (312911)
  • Chef (351311)

* Occupation added in July 2021

Visa subclasses

Priority processing of nomination and visa applications for PMSOL occupations applies to these employer sponsored visa subclasses:

If you want to discuss the above, your current visa application or your visa options going forward please Contact Us.

  • Office: +44  (0)800772 0570
  • Mobile: + 44  (0)7710 649194
  • Email:  mark@cargilmigration.com

 

 

July 2021 – Changes to business & investment migration program

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Update – Australia business and investor visas

The DHA have announced changes to their business and investment migration program.

Details about the current business and investment visa options can be found here .

If you would to discuss your options please Contact Us.  

Update: Australian visa program changes – announcement due 6th October 2020

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Australian visa 2020/2021 

As mentioned previously in this blog, changes to the Australian visa program are due to be announced from 6th October, 2020. This date marks the day the delayed 2020 budget is to be released.

While the details haven’t been confirmed it is expected that the Australian visa program numbers will be greatly reduced, and focused on skills that assist Australia’s economic recovery.

It is expected that the states/territories will also announce their nomination programs shortly too.

If you want to discuss how you are effected, your current visa application or your visa options going forward please Contact Us. 

  • Office: +44 (0)800772 0570
  • Mobile: + 44 (0)7710 649194
  • Email: mark@cargilmigration.com

 

UPDATE: General Skilled Migration (GSM) program – August 2020

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All eyes on 6th October 2020 

Limited GSM nominations

As we advised in early July the GSM program remains pretty much closed. The DHA aren’t inviting many individuals to apply for a Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa, nor are the states/territories nominating many applicants for a Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa or the Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional visa.

Where invites are being issued – these can vary by state/territory – they are focused on applicants who are in areas of critical skills and sectors and/or those already residing in Australia.

Australian Federal budget – 6th October 2020

It is however expected that the nomination limitations will change from the 6th October 2020. This is when the Australian government is due to release their budget. The budget will establish the number of visas applications available at both a national level – Subclass 189 visa – and for the states/territory programs – Subclass 190 & 491 visa. Once the states/territories are allocated with their visa caps we can expect confirmation of the occupations on their skilled occupation lists and other criteria applicants will need to meet.

Status of each State/Territory

An overview of the states/territories nomination status as of now is below:

ACT

“As you are all aware, the migration landscape is very different in 2020-21.  The Australian Government has directed the ACT to restrict nominations to Canberra residents with skills critical to supporting the ACT’s post pandemic economic recovery. An interim number of nomination places has been allocated until the Commonwealth Budget is announced on 6 October 2020.”

NEW SOUTH WALES

“NSW has been provided a limited number of interim nomination places for the 2020–21 financial year.

Because our nomination places are limited, we have made some temporary adjustments to our application process. These adjustments will be reviewed if more nomination places are provided to us later in the financial year.”

NORTHERN TERRITORY

“The Australian Government has not yet allocated nomination quotas to the states and territories for the 2020 to 2021 program year.

At this stage, onshore General Skilled Migration (GSM) nomination applications and all Business Investment and Innovation Program nomination applications will continue to be accepted and assessed, but no nominations can be issued until the Northern Territory has been allocated quotas. Offshore GSM nomination applications remain closed. We will update as further information becomes available.”

QUEENSLAND

“BSMQ has been advised by the Department of Home Affairs (HA) that it will not be in a position to open the 2020/21 migration program on 1 July 2020. As a consequence, BSMQ’s business and skilled migration program will remain closed on 1 July 2020 until further notice.”

TASMANIA

“All new applications lodged after 1pm (AEST), Tuesday 25th August 2020 must meet the minimum requirements of their chosen nomination category and demonstrate that the applicant is critical to supporting Tasmania’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery.

This requirement will be reviewed after the Federal Budget in October when full details of the 2020-21 nomination allocations and requirements are announced by the Department of Home Affairs.”

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

“The Commonwealth Department of Home Affairs has provided a limited number of skilled and business visa nomination places to the Government of South Australia up until the Federal Budget is delivered on 6 October 2020.”

VICTORIA 

“The Commonwealth Department of Home Affairs has provided a limited number of visa nomination places to the Victorian Government up until the Federal Budget is delivered on 6 October 2020.

We are preparing to re-open with new policies and nomination criteria to support Victoria’s economic recovery and the public health response.”

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

“The Western Australian State Nominated Migration Program is currently suspended. WA Migration Services will not issue invitations to apply for State nomination during the suspension period.

WA Migration Services appreciates your patience and looks forward to progressing the State Nominated Migration Program as soon as possible.”

 

If you want to discuss how you are effected, your current visa application or your visa options going forward please Contact Us. 

  • Office: +44 (0)800772 0570
  • Mobile: + 44 (0)7710 649194
  • Email: mark@cargilmigration.com

 

Australian temporary visa holder changes – 4 April, 2020

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Updated Australian immigration policy

In response to COVID-19 the DHA have announced further policy changes to visa holders currently in Australia. These changes effect:

  • New Zealand Citizens on Subclass 444 visas
  • Visitor visa changes
  • International students
  • Temporary Skilled visa holders
  • Working Holiday Makers
  • Access to Superannuation

The statement from the DHA is below. If you want to discuss how this effects you, please Contact Us.

Saturday, 04 April 2020

Coronavirus and Temporary Visa holders

The Government is making a number of changes to temporary visa holder arrangements during the coronavirus crisis in order to protect the health and livelihoods of Australians, support critical industries, and assist with the rapid recovery post the virus.There are 2.17 million people presently in Australia on a temporary visa.All were welcomed to Australia on a temporary basis for different reasons including to fill skills shortages; to study as full fee-paying international students; to visit family and friends; or to work and holiday.They are an important part of our economy and society. For example, there are over 8,000 skilled medical professionals on temporary visas supporting our health system right now.While citizens, permanent residents and many New Zealanders have access to unconditional work rights and government payments (including the new JobKeeper and JobSeeker payments), temporary visa holders do not.There has always been an expectation that temporary visa holders are able to support themselves while in Australia.  The changes announced today will help facilitate this for those who may be stood down or lose work hours as a result of the coronavirus. In line with changes being made for Australian citizens and permanent residents, most temporary visa holders with work rights will now be able to access their Australian superannuation to help support themselves during this crisis.  Temporary visa holders who are unable to support themselves under these arrangements over the next six months are strongly encouraged to return home. For these individuals it’s time to go home, and they should make arrangements as quickly as possible.Changes are also geared toward enabling temporary visa holders to remain in key industries, such as health, aged and disability care, agriculture and food processing. Importantly, they can help boost front line health numbers, get food from farms to our shops and ensure critical services continue.Temporary visa holders are extremely valuable to the Australian economy and way of life, but the reality is that many Australians will find themselves out of work due to the dual health and economic crisis we’re currently facing, and these Australians and permanent residents must be the Government’s number one focus.Visa changesThe following new measures will apply to the major classes of temporary visa holders. The situation will be reviewed periodically and further changes made if required.Visitor visa holdersThere are 203,000 international visitors in Australia, typically on a visa lasting three months or less.International tourists should return to their home country as quickly as possible, particularly those without family support.Thousands are already doing this and others should follow their lead.International students There are 565,000 international students in Australia, mainly studying in the higher education or vocational education sector. They are an important contributor to our tertiary sector and economy, supporting 240,000 Australian jobs.Students are encouraged to rely on family support, part-time work where available and their own savings to sustain themselves in Australia.  As part of their visa application, international students have had to demonstrate that they can support themselves completely in their first year.Students who have been here longer than 12 months who find themselves in financial hardship will be able to access their Australian superannuation.The Government will undertake further engagement with the international education sector who already provide some financial support for international students facing hardship. For example, we understand there are some education providers that are providing fee discounts to international students.The Government will also be flexible in cases where Coronavirus has prevented international students meeting their visa conditions (such as not being able attend classes).International students are able to work up to 40 hours per fortnight.International students working in aged care and as nurses have had these hours extended to support these critical sectors.International students working in the major supermarkets had also had these hours extended to help get stock on shelves during the high demand. From 1 May, their hours will return to the maximum 40 hours a fortnight as more Australians are being recruited into these roles.New Zealanders on 444 visasNew Zealanders and Australians have reciprocal arrangements whereby we can each stay and work in each other’s country. There are more than 672,000 New Zealanders in Australia on a subclass 444 visa.New Zealanders who are on 444 visas and arrived before 26 February 2001 will have access to welfare payments and the JobKeeper payment.444 visa holders who arrived after 2001 have access to the JobKeeper payment. Those who have lived in Australia for 10 years or more have access to JobSeeker payments for six months.New Zealanders should consider returning to New Zealand if they are unable to support themselves through these provisions, work or family support.Temporary Skilled visa holders There are around 139,000 temporary skilled visa holders, on either a 2 year or 4 year visa.  They were provided the visa to fill a skills shortage – a shortage that may still be present when the crisis has passed.Consequently, those visa holders who have been stood down, but not laid off, will maintain their visa validity and businesses will have the opportunity to extend their visa as per normal arrangements.  Businesses will also be able to reduce the hours of the visa holder without the person being in breach of their visa condition.These visa holders will also be able to access up to $10,000 of their superannuation this financial year.Those visa holders who have been laid off due to coronavirus should leave the country in line with existing visa conditions if they are unable to secure a new sponsor.  However, should a 4-year visa holder be re-employed after the coronavirus pandemic, their time already spent in Australia will count towards their permanent residency skilled work experience requirements.Working holiday makers supporting critical sectors There are about 118,000 people in Australia on a Working Holiday visa (or backpacker visa) – a visa which provides conditional work rights.To support the critical sectors of heath, aged and disability care, agriculture and food processing, and childcare, some limited flexibility will be provided.In particular, working holiday makers who are working in these critical sectors will be exempt from the six month work limitation with the one employer and eligible for a further visa to keep working in these critical sectors if their current visa is due to expire in the next six months.In general, working holiday makers that do not have the confidence to sustain themselves over the next six months should make arrangements to leave the country.There are another 185,000 other temporary visa holders in Australia, about half of them temporary graduate visa holders. They will also be able to access their Australian superannuation if needed for support.Further announcements will be made with the Deputy Prime Minister and Agriculture Minister in relation to supporting the agricultural sector, including the operation of the Seasonal Worker Program and Pacific Labour Scheme. 

https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/davidcoleman/Pages/Coronavirus-and-Temporary-Visa-holders.aspx

Australia – New arrangements for travellers from overseas

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Australia introduce new measures to reduce community transmission of COVID-19

Australian have continued to develop their response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to Australian travel restrictions announced last week the Australian government have announced further measures

All travellers entering Australia are now be required to undertake their mandatory 14 day self-isolation at designated facilities. These facilities will be determined by each state and territory and may be hotels.

The details provided on the DHA website are as below.

  • From 23:59 AEDT on 28 March 2020 all people entering Australia will be required to undertake a mandatory 14-day quarantine at designated facilities (for example, a hotel), in their port of arrival
  • Travellers will be transported directly to designated facilities after appropriate immigration, customs and enhanced health checks.
  • Designated facilities will be determined by the relevant state or territory government and will ordinarily be in the city of entry where the traveller has cleared immigration, but facilities in other areas may be used if requireFor further information see New arrangements for arrivals from overseas​.​​

          Restrictions in place until: Further notice

If you want to discuss how this may effect your Australian travel plans, current visa application or current visa status please Contact Us.

GSM Visa changes a plenty – watch this space

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There have been a lot of changes to the GSM program in recent months.

Contact Us to discuss these,  and stay tuned to this Blog for further information …