2020-21 program year exceeds planning level, 72,376 partner visas granted

2020-21 program year exceeds planning level, 72,376 partner visas granted

The report for the 202-21 migration program year was released with the not unsurprising result of over 70,000 partner visas granted, leaving under 65,000 still to be processed. Other outcomes also surprised.

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Visa and citizenship application fee increases, AAT application fee up 70% to $3000 on 1 July 2021

Visa and citizenship application fee increases, AAT application fee up 70% to $3000 on 1 July 2021

Changes to migration regulations for 1 July 2021 have been registered with the revision of business skills visas, and increases to visa application charges, citizenship and AAT application fees.

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

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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ImmiAccount system outage from 7 pm on 30 June, credit card and PayPal surcharge increases from 1 July 2020

ImmiAccount system outage from 7 pm on 30 June, credit card and PayPal surcharge increases from 1 July 2020

ImmiAccount and other major online services provided by the Department of Home Affairs will be down for scheduled maintenance from 7 pm (AEST) 30 June 2020 until 9 am (AEST) 1 July 2020. While there has been no news on any changes to visa application charges or other migration- and citizenship-related fees, the surcharge for Visa and Mastercard payments and PayPal will increase, with an important warning for any applicant seeking to avoid surcharges altogether by using BPAY.

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