Global (Distinguished) Talent Independent Program…another roll of the innovation visa dice

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Global (Distinguished) Talent Independent Program…another roll of the innovation visa dice

Details that candidates for the Global Talent Independent Program will be applying for a Distinguished Talent visa was made known yesterday in an email to stakeholders and on the Department of Home Affairs’ website. While this makes good sense, being able to ascertain the effectiveness of the program will be much harder down the years, not least because distinguished talent visas are permanent visas.

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Labour agreements: A small but growing part of Australia’s skilled migration program

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Labour agreements: A small but growing part of Australia’s skilled migration program

A recent Freedom of Information (FOI) request provides keen insights into labour agreements up to July 2018, including processing times, popularity, and its use compared to the standard business sponsor regime for Subclass 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage visas and the Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme visa under either the Temporary Residence Transition stream or the Direct Entry stream.

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Parent visas: Permanent parent visa caps cut by 15 per cent

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Parent visas: Permanent parent visa caps cut by 15 per cent

The number of permanent parent visas that can be granted this program year has been cut by 15 per cent for both the contributory and non-contributory parent visas. Other family visas, which include aged dependent relatives, remaining relatives and carer visas increased by 12 per cent, however, this will probably do little in arresting their processing times. There is one very good political reason for these changes.

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494/491 visas: Regional postcodes and certifying bodies registered

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494/491 visas: Regional postcodes and certifying bodies registered

The legislative instrument that consolidates what is defined as a regional area and designated regional area has been registered. This affects a number of visas, but perhaps affect the Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa and Subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visas most. The list of Regional Certifying Bodies (RCBs) for 494 nominations have also been registered.

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