South Australia Webinair

South Australia Webinair – 24th September, 8pm (UK time)

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Webinair – Migration to South Australia

Cargil Migration & the South Australian Government  are hosting a Webinair on Tuesday 24th September, 2024 at 8pm (UK time).  This has been re-scheduled from Monday 9th September, 2024 at 8pm (UK time). 
 
This will be a chance for SA to provide information about the state, and their state nomination  program for Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 visas.  
 
The South Australia 2024/25 program year has seen their allocation increase to 3800, 3000 of which are 190 visa places.  
 
Trades and Construction occupations remains their highest priority, followed by Health, Education and Engineering.  
Over 400 occupations are available to offshore applicants and South Australia has a strong focus on offshore nominations for this program year.
If you interested in attending please get in touch. We can provide further details and  confirm your attendance. 
Freephone: 0800 772 0570
Email: mark@cargilmigration.com
Victorian state nominated program

Victoria open their 2024-25 state nomination program

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Victoria have opened their 2024-25 skilled nomination program 

Victoria are now nominating applicants under the visas below:

  • Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
  • Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)

Occupations & Industry sectors

Victoria will consider any occupation on the relevant Skilled Occupation list.

They have however confirmed that certain occupations in the following industry sectors will also be prioritised:

  • Health
  • Social services
  • Education (including early childhood)
  • Construction
  • New energy
  • Digital economy – for the 491 visa
  • Advanced manufacturing – for the 491 visa
  • Hospitality and tourism – for the 491 visa

For subclass 491 applicants living overseas, the following industry sectors will be prioritised:

  • Health
  • Social services
  • Education (including Early Childhood)

All other occupations with a valid Skills Assessment will be considered during the invitation rounds.

Registration of Interest (ROI)

If you are interested in being nominated by Victoria, applicants must submit an ROI. This can be done after a skills assessment & english test (if required) is completed and the DHA Expression of Interest (EOI) has been made.

If you  would like to determine your eligibility for Victoria, or any other states, and looking for assistance please Contact Us. 

#Australia #visas #GSM #Victoria #SNMP

Changes to Australia’s entry and exit requirements from 1st November 2021

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Travelling to and from Australia

The Australian government has recently  announced changes to the policies it has had in place for the COVID pandemic since March 2020.

Vaccinated Australian Citizens & Permanent Residents

From 1 November 2021, fully vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents will be eligible for international travel without seeking a travel exemption.Children under 12 and those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons will also be able to travel overseas without an exemption.

Covid: Australia to end ban on citizens leaving country

Opening up post COVID

 

Unvaccinated Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents

Unvaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents wishing to travel overseas (apart from children under 12 and those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons) are required to apply for an exemption to leave Australia. They can apply for an exemption but they must meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • your travel is as part of the response to the COVID-19 outbreak, including the provision of aid
  • your travel is for your business/employer
  • you are travelling to receive urgent medical treatment that is not available in Australia
  • you are travelling outside Australia for a compelling reason for three months or longer
  • you are travelling on compelling or compassionate grounds
  • your travel is in the national interest
  • you are ordinarily resident in a country other than Australia

Returning Australian citizens and Permanent Residents 

Australian citizens and permanent residents do not need an exemption to return to Australia.

Each state manages quarantine arrangements. You will need to check what these are depending on your state of arrival. NSW & Victoria have announced changes from 1st November. Other states have indicated they will be making changes in due course as well.

Temporary visa holders returning home

Temporary visa holders impacted by COVID-19 can make arrangements to return to their home country, if border restrictions in that country allow.

Temporary visa holders leaving Australia for a short trip overseas

Temporary visa holders in Australia can depart Australia at any time, however, they will generally not be permitted to return to Australia without an exemption.

It is expected that this will change in due course. 

In the interim temporary visa holders seeking to leave and then return to Australia, may apply for an inwards exemption before they leave, however applications will generally only be approved if:

  • the applicant meets the requirements for an individual exemption from Australia’s Inward Travel Restrictions, and
  • they have a strong compassionate or compelling reason to leave Australia supported by relevant documentary evidence, for example:
    • attending the funeral of a close family member overseas, visiting a close family member who is seriously or critically ill, or seeking necessary medical treatment not available in Australia, or
    • travel is essential for business purposes.

If you require assistance with an exemption to leave then please Contact Us.

 

SkillSelect EOI invitations – 26 July 2021

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Invitation Round: 26 July 2021

The number of invitations issued:

  • Skilled Independent Subclass 189 visa: 500 invitations
  • Skilled Work Regional Subclass 491 visa-Family sponsored: 250 invitations

Minimum points score:

  • Skilled Independent Subclass 189 visa: 80
  • Skilled Work Regional Subclass 491 visa – Family sponsored: 65

Invitations issued during 2021-22 program year

Visa subclassJulAugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunTotal
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)250250
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored500500
Total750

 

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

 

 

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

Australian visa program update – October 2020

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Australia confirms commitment to permanent migration for the 2020 to 2021 financial year

In early October the Australian government announced their federal budget for the 2020-2021 financial year. 

On the back of the budget the DHA (Department of Home Affairs) outlined details for their permanent migration program. The below is an overview of these changes.

Migration program focus 

The government announced, due to the COVID pandemic, that the focus of the migration program for 2020-2021 is “on supporting our economic recovery, growing Australian businesses and creating jobs for Australians”.  

Migration program numbers 

The DHA confirmed the permanent migration program numbers will remain at a cap of 160,000. This includes: 

  • 79,600 places in the Skilled stream 
  • 77,300 places in the Family stream. 
  • 3,100 in the Child and Special Eligibility visas

The government anticipate that two thirds of the visas will be allocated to people in Australia.

The remaining visas will then likely be split between the skill stream (two thirds) and the family Stream (one third). 

Migration program – Skilled visas 

A key target of the skilled visa program will be innovators, investors and job creators. They will be encouraged to apply through the Global Talent, Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) and Employer Sponsored Visas. 

Global Talent Visa – places tripled 

A particular focus will be the Global Talent Independent (GTI) Visa. The program for the new financial year will triple from 5,000 to 15,000 places. The target of this visa will be individuals in industries such as:

  • AgTech
  • Space and Advanced Manufacturing
  • FinTech
  • Energy and Mining Technology
  • MedTech
  • Cyber Security
  • Quantum Information, Advanced Digital, Data Science and ICT
Business Investors – places almost doubled 

The DHA have confirmed that they will double the number of places available for business investors to 13,500 places. The BIIP program will be streamlined and there will be changes to investment and residency requirements, ensuring the program is targeted at Australian venture capitals and emerging small and medium size businesses to support the economic recovery. 

As of publishing this update, we are still awaiting on further details of the changes to be announced. 

GSM Program – skilled migration remains open 

Individuals and their family members can still look to submit an EOI for the GSM program. This includes the Skilled Independent visa  (Subclass 189) and the two State/territory nominated (Subclass 190 & 491) visas . 

Subclass 189 – Skilled Independent visa

At present the DHA have announced that the focus on the Subclass 189 invitations  will be on those occupations listed on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List  (PMSOL). 

It is expected that the required points are likely to remain high. However the 11th October invitation details are yet be released.

State/Territory nominated visas – Subclass 190 & Subclass 491 

The opportunity to be nominated for either of the state/territory nominated GSM visas will remain. At the time of writing, the majority of the states/territories have programs in place to allocate nominations to eligible onshore applicants.  

For offshore applicants, we are still waiting on the states to confirm their program. These are likely to be released in the weeks and months leading up to Christmas. For example:

  • South Australia have pushed back the release of their lists from mid-October to November.
  • NSW  have also confirmed that they will announce changes to the management of the Skilled Work Regional Visa (subclass 491) in due course.
  • Queensland have stated that they plan to re-open the program in December 2020.

Migration Program – Family stream

The majority of visas within the Family stream will go to partners, with almost double the places (72.300) compared to the previous financial year. The aim to give more certainty to those wanting to settle in Australia with their partners and plan for their futures. 

Humanitarian Program

The DHA have confirmed their commitment to a Humanitarian Program. A cap of  13,750 places, similar to last year. In numbers, Australia remains the third most generous humanitarian resettlement country in the world.

 

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 business, investor & venture capital visa assessment

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Australian business owner, investment and venture capital visas

Are you a business owner, high net wealth individual or looking for Australian Venture capital ? Are you considering a move to Australia? Or just looking for Australian VC?

If you are then assess yourself – using the guide below – and let us know if you consider you may be eligible!

Australia – business owners, investment & VC visas

If you want to discuss how both Cargil Migration and our partners can assist you then please Contact Us.

Business skills

ACT Nomination – program remains closed for overseas applicants

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The ACT have confirmed today – 19th June, 2018 –  that the ACT Skilled Migration program remains closed to overseas applicants.

The ACT confirmed the reasons for the decision.

Reason for restricting applications

As is the situation in other jurisdictions, the ACT is facing a significant increase in demand for the relatively small number of nomination places allocated annually by Home Affairs. We are currently investigating options to fairly manage the increased demand for the ACT 190 nomination program. As we work through these issues and consider options to manage demand, the program will remain closed to Canberra residents with nominated occupations listed as ‘closed’ on the current ACT Occupation List. The program will also remain closed to all overseas applicants.

If this closure effects you, and you want to discuss what other opportunities you may have, please Contact Us.

Queensland GSM state nomination – occupations removed

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Removal of occupations for Queensland

Queensland have recently announced the removal of a number of occupations from their State nomination lists. These occupations, in addition to 233914 Engineering Technologists which was removed in early August,  have been removed due to the high numbers of Expression of Interest (EOI) lodged.

The removed occupations are:

  • 221111 Accountant (general)
  • 261311 Analyst Programmer
  • 263111 Computer Network & Systems Engineer
  • 262111 Database Administrator
  • 261312 Developer Programmer
  • 261111 ICT Business Analyst
  • 313112 ICT Customer Support Officer
  • 263211 ICT Quality Assurance Engineer
  • 262112 ICT Security Specialist
  • 263212 ICT Support Engineer
  • 263213 ICT Systems Test Engineer
  • 261313 Software Engineer
  • 261314 Software Tester
  • 262113 Systems Administrator
  • 261112 Systems Analyst
  • 313113 Web Administrator
  • 312111 Architectural Draftsperson
  • 611211 Insurance Agent
  • 232511 Interior Designer
  • 221112 Management Acct
  • 233512 Mechanical Engineer
  • 225311 Public Relations Professional
  • 251511 Hospital Pharmacists
  • 251513 Retail Pharmacist

If these changes effect your visa options, and you want to discuss what other opportunities there may be please Contact Us.