New ministerial directions for processing skilled and student visas; Recognised Graduate visa caps before ceasing?

New ministerial directions for processing skilled and student visas; Recognised Graduate visa caps before ceasing?

A ministerial direction for skilled visas prioritising regional areas and a ministerial direction for student visas prioritising offshore applications came into effect recently. The number of 476 visas to be granted this financial year will be 3,735 and this may be the last time this visa will be available.

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Temporary visa refusal rates double in two years, 18 per cent of student visas refused this year; bridging visa holders halved

Temporary visa refusal rates double in two years, 18 per cent of student visas refused this year; bridging visa holders halved

A revised eleventh edition of The Administration of the Immigration and Citizenship Programs paper was released at the end of last week which reveals a jump in temporary visa refusal rates led by visitor and student visa refusals. Student visa refusal rates are 18 per cent for this year.

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Budget 2023-24: VACs up 6 per cent and some by more; 482 visas in Short-term stream can renew onshore

Budget 2023-24: VACs up 6 per cent and some by more; 482 visas in Short-term stream can renew onshore

The Federal Budget was handed down last night with most outcomes already known. Two further major changes are that 482 visas holders in the Short-term stream no longer need to apply when outside of Australia from 1 July 2023, and some visa application charges will see additional increases.

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