NZ citizens no longer required to obtain a permanent visa to apply for Australian citizenship from 1 July 2023

NZ citizens no longer required to obtain a permanent visa to apply for Australian citizenship from 1 July 2023

New Zealand citizens who reside in Australia on subclass 444 – Special Category visas (SCVs) for at least 4 years among other things, will be able to apply for Australian citizenship from 1 July 2023 without the need to be granted a permanent visa. This has important implications not just for them, but their relatives.

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PC report: abolish business skills visas, occupation lists, and some skill assessments; new aged and disability care visa, longer temporary visas and pathways to PR

PC report: abolish business skills visas, occupation lists, and some skill assessments; new aged and disability care visa, longer temporary visas and pathways to PR

Late last week the Productivity Commission provided its 5-year outlook and recommendations on how to boost Australia’s productivity. The review suggests abolishing business skills visas, removing occupation lists but increasing minimum income thresholds, creating a new visa for the aged and disability sector and more pathways to PR, and removing some skill assessments.

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Student visa work rights to increase from 40 to 48 hours per fortnight; 485 visas to be longer for select qualifications

Student visa work rights to increase from 40 to 48 hours per fortnight; 485 visas to be longer for select qualifications

The Minister for Home Affairs announced two measures to assist with immediate skill shortages including allowing student visa holders to work for 48 hours per fortnight, up from 40 hours from 1 July 2023 and some 485 visas under the Post-Study stream will have their visas granted for 2 additional years.

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“Green card" lottery-style Pacific Engagement Visa commencing July 2023

“Green card" lottery-style Pacific Engagement Visa commencing July 2023

A US green card lottery-style system will roll out in July 2023 along with a new and permanent Pacific Engagement Visa. New legislation was introduced yesterday to create the “ballot” system, which reveals that the program may be more of a lottery in that registrants may need to pay to play.

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