Partner visas: sponsor framework and English coming late 2021; electronic passenger cards; COVID-19 visa refunds and waivers

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Partner visas: sponsor framework and English coming late 2021; electronic passenger cards; COVID-19 visa refunds and waivers

Late 2021 is when the partner visa sponsorship framework and English requirements will commence. Sponsors must be approved before a valid partner visa application can be lodged. Incoming passenger cards will be replaced by Digital Passenger Declarations in the near future. Visa application charge refunds and waivers are available for some temporary visa holders whose travel to Australia has been affected by COVID-19 border closures.

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482/494 visas: PMSOL for priority processing and travel exemptions; stronger labour market testing

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482/494 visas: PMSOL for priority processing and travel exemptions; stronger labour market testing

A new Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) was announced today that sees priority processing and likely travel exemptions for visa applicants nominated for certain medical professional, construction, and IT occupations. Additional labour market testing on the government’s Jobactive website is required from tomorrow.

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COVID-19: Hundreds of thousands stranded Australian temporary visa holders and the lucky few allowed to enter

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COVID-19: Hundreds of thousands stranded Australian temporary visa holders and the lucky few allowed to enter

Of the 5.1 million temporary visas holders outside Australia as of 31 May 2020, roughly 255,000 temporary residents including 25,000 temporary sponsored workers or their family members were stuck overseas. As only 10,000 travel exemptions were granted up to 22 June 2020, most of which were for transiting passengers, it is an unfortunate situation that many temporary visa holders may see their visas expire without being able to return to Australia.

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Australia’s permanent migration places remain at 160,000 for 2020-21…for now

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Australia’s permanent migration places remain at 160,000 for 2020-21…for now

The Department of Home Affairs (Home Affairs) has released an FAQ to confirm among other things that the number of permanent migration places allocated for this program year (2020-21) is the same as for the last program year. This is not set in stone and is likely to change when the Federal Budget is handed down in October.

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