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The National Innovation Visa - 7 December, 2024

New National Innovation Visa set to be launched from late 2024

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 National Innovation visa 

As we advised earlier this year, the National Innovation Visa is due to replace the existing Global Talent Visa in the coming weeks.

What do we know about the National Innovation visa?

We should know the specific criteria for the visa very soon. Some of the details we expect to see confirmed are as below.

Applicants will be considered across the following areas:

  • Researchers & Thought Leaders:  Global leaders, evidenced with significant published works, references, media coverage, awards.
  • Entrepreneurs: High performing entrepreneurs, particularly those with support from state/territory authorities.
  • Innovative Investors: Investors who have track record of successful investing, particularly those in innovative sectors.
  • Athletes, Coaches & Creative Talent: High performing athletes or sports coaches, musicians, artists, actors, filmmakers.

The National Innovation Vise will be a permanent residency visa. This is a change for some of the above applicants. Specifically Entrepreneurs and Investors who had to apply for  the (now closed)  Subclass 188 visa. The 188 visa is a temporary residency visa, which has to be followed by an application for permanent residency through the Subclass 888 visa.

It is expected the visa will be by invitation only. Applicants will need to nominated by an equally accomplished Australia Citizen or permanent resident, or an organisation or government authority,  that can vouch for the applicant’s credentials and achievements.

Applicants (over 18 years old) will need to have functional English, or pay a further visa application charge prior to visa approval.

Eligible family members can be included. All applicants will need to meet health & character requirements.

There will be no limitations in occupations, or age limits. States/territories may have a say with regards to the industries and experience  that they are looking for and that they will support through nomination.

Are you interested?

It is expected that the visa will be in high demand.

While we all wait for the final details of the National Innovation Visa to be released, potential applicants can register their interest with us. We have a number already and the list is growing.

These include, athletes, investors & entrepreneurs.

Got any questions?

If you want to know more about the visa, and discuss your likely eligibility please Contact Us

WASMOL

Closure of the WA State Nominated Migration Program applications for 2023-24

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WA closes program  for 2023/24 

On the 2nd February 2024, effective immediately, WA have closed their state nomination program for the Subclass 190 & Subclass 491 visas.

Full details are available on their website – migration.wa.gov.au

There is no indication at present what occupations will be on the WA occupations lists for 2024-25. However the recent  WA list  may provide some guidance.

To be considered for nomination WA will require applicants to have an occupation on the appropriate list, meet any specific occupation requirements (e.g. years of experience, english language ability, registration) .

If you are considering applying for a state/territory nomination visa you should consider your options now.

Applicants will need to have evidence of their skills assessment, english language tests and work experience at a minimum.

Please Contact Us if you have any questions or want to Register your interest to apply for nomination when it opens.

UPDATE – 1st July 2024: WA visa numbers 2024-25 

Australia reopens to international travellers on 15 December, 2021

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The DHA have confirmed that have reopened to vaccinated travellers as of 15 December, 2021. See the DHA announcement below.

” Reopening to international travel

Australia is reopening its border to vaccinated travellers. This is part of our step-by-step and safe reopening to the world. From 15 December 2021, fully vaccinated visa holders from the following cohorts will be able to travel to Australia without an exemption:

  • international students
  • skilled migrants
  • refugee/humanitarian, and
  • temporary and provisional family visa holders.

This was to begin from 1 December 2021, however the reopening was paused due to the emergence of the ‘Omicron’ COVID-19 variant.

As part of Australia’s reopening to fully vaccinated travellers, international safe travel zones have been introduced for New Zealand and Singapore. International safe travel zones with Japan and Korea will begin from 15 December 2021.

For up-to-date information on travel requirements, visit the international safe travel zone and COVID-19 and the border webpages.”

If you have any questions about a visa application and/or exemptions then please Contact Us.

 

Cryptocurrency in the investor & business visas world … Uglobal Immigration magazine

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Uglobal Immigration magazine 

Recently we shared some comments we made to Uglobal Immigration magazine about visa options for same sex partners.

We have again been asked to provide comments. This time with regards to cryptocurrency in investor visas. Our response was recently published in an article on the Uglobal Immigration website.

Mark Welch, who is the founder of Australian law firm Cargil Migration, said that based on his recent conversations with the Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA) officials, he can confirm that digital currencies are excluded as a source of funds or assets, and therefore, could not be used for investment immigration.

“The DHA is unable to track digital currencies and, therefore, verify that the funds are lawful. Any funds which cannot be confirmed as lawful, can’t be considered in the Business Innovation and Investment visas,” Welch said.

If you would like to discuss cryptocurrency and what assets are eligible for Australian investor or business visas 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

 

 

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

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

In recent times there has been significant reduction in number of invitations issued to applicants to apply for a GSM visa. This has been based on a general reduction in visas invitations offered by the DHA and – understandably – the effects of COVID19. 

Whilst there appear to have been no formal announcements by the DHA, the GSM program has to a certain extent been put on hold as of 1st July, 2020. This date marks the new Australian financial year.

It is understood that the Australia government is considering how best to shape the migration program post COVID19.

A key part of the post COVID19 GSM program will be the state/territory nominated visas, namely the Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190) & the Skilled Work Regional visa (Subclass 491).

If you are an applicant who has submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI), or you hope to apply in the future, you can however be confident that the program will re-open soon and states/territories will be able to provide clarification about their programs. 

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

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY (ACT) 

The ACT have advised that the guidelines for for any nomination applications submitted for a Subclass 190 or Subclass 491 visa after 1 July, 2020  are “To be advised”. 

NEW SOUTH WALES (NSW)

NSW is currently closed for accepting any nominations under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491).

NORTHERN TERRITORY (NT)

At this stage, onshore GSM nomination applications will continue to be accepted and assessed, but no nominations can be issued until the Northern Territory has been allocated quotas for the 2020/21 financial year. 

QUEENSLAND 

The Queensland State Nomination Skilled Program is closed. This includes both the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) and Skilled Nominated (Permanent) (subclass 190) visas. Queensland has not yet received advice fromDHA in regards to their nomination allocation for financial year 2020/21 and when we they be able to re-open the skilled program.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA (SA)

SA is currently closed for accepting any nomination applications for the Skilled Migration program, for the Skilled Nominated (Permanent) Visa (Subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491). It is scheduled to re-open from early August. This will be dependent on the Commonwealth Government’s allocation of state nomination places for program year 2020/21. 

TASMANIA

Tasmania is currently not issuing any nominations under the Skilled Migration program, for the Skilled Nominated (Permanent) Visa (Subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491) as the nomination quotas are yet to be allocated to the States by the Commonwealth Government for the 2020/21 program year.

VICTORIA 

The Victorian Government’s state nomination program will remain temporarily closed while they await the Commonwealth Government’s allocation of state nomination places for 2020/21.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Western Australia have made no specific comments with regards to their nomination program. 

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

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

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

Victoria – Business Migration program reopens

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Victorian government announcement – 19th February, 2019

After closing down their business migration program in January, Victoria have announced that they will reopen their business migration program as of Tuesday 19th February, 2019.

” Business Innovation & Investment Program Update

Your interest in Victoria’s Business Innovation and Investment Program is highly valued and we thank you for your patience while select visa nomination applications have been on pause.

We are pleased to advise that Victoria will begin issuing invitations and assessing nomination applications for affected business and investor visas subclasses from
18 February 2019.

Please note that an Expression of Interest (EOI) process will be introduced for the following visas:

  • 188 – Business Innovation Stream
  • 188 – Investor Stream
  • 188 – Entrepreneur Stream
  • 132 – Business Talent (Permanent) visa – Significant Business History stream
  • 132 – Business Talent (Permanent) visa – Venture Capital Entrepreneur stream

Applicants will now need to submit an EOI for the relevant visa subclass in the Department of Home Affairs’ SkillSelect and indicate their interest for Victorian nomination.

Applicants do not need to notify Victoria’s Skilled & Business Migration Program that they have submitted an EOI.

Please note that EOIs submitted before 18 February 2019 in the SkillSelect system will not be considered. You will need to resubmit to be considered for Victorian nomination.”

If you have lodged, or are considering lodging a business nomination application for Victoria please Contact Us to discuss this further.

 

Open for Business – NSW business and investor visas reopened ….

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The NSW Government have announced that they have reopened applications for business & investor nomination.

And detailed in our BLOG in December  NSW had temporarily closed the program.

The full NSW announcement is below.

” Applications for NSW nomination for business and investor visas have reopened. 

NSW has reopened applications for nomination under the federal government’s Business Innovation and Investment Program. 

Applications for nominations for the following visas have been reopened:

  • Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) – Business Innovation stream
  • Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) – Investor stream
  • Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) – Significant Investor stream
  • Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) – Entrepreneur stream
  • Business Talent (Permanent) visa (subclass 132) – Significant Business History stream
  • Business Talent (Permanent) visa (subclass 132) – Venture Capital Entrepreneur stream

Entrepreneur applications for the following visas continue to be open and will be assessed:

  • Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) – Business Innovation Extension stream
  • Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) – Significant Investor Extension stream
  • Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass 888) – Business Innovation stream
  • Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass 888) – Investor stream
  • Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass 888) – Significant Investor
  • State / Territory Sponsored Business Owner visa (subclass 892)
  • State / Territory Sponsored Investor visa (subclass 893) “

If you have any questions about the above please Contact Us.