A number of immigration policy and visa changes will be applied in the new financial year 2021-2022 – which will impact international students, skilled migrants, partners of Australian citizens or permanent residents, or those looking to live and work in Australia forever.
Here’s how July 1 visa changes will impact skilled migrants, international students study in Australia and permanent residents.
The visa changes will affect potential skilled migration visa applicants, businesses sponsoring skilled migrants, as well as all points-test based visa applications.
Visa application fees to increase by 3 per cent from 1 July 2022
The Australian government will increase visa application fees for most visas by 3% in 2022. Mr. Mandeep Sidhu said the change in fees can be checked at visa price estimator.
Replacement visa
The Replacement stream of the 485 Temporary Graduate visa will be open for submissions from 1 July 2022 for current and previous temporary graduate visa holders impacted by COVID-19 international travel restrictions.
Rapid Education and migration expert from Melbourne, said his clients are already very happy with the new opportunities for a longer stay in Australia.
Temporary skill shortage visas
The temporary skill shortage (TSS) subclass 482 visa holders who worked during the pandemic will find it easier to apply for permanent residency.
Mr. Mandeep said that TSS visa holders can apply for Australian PR through the Temporary Residence Transition (subclass 186) Employer Nomination scheme.
Increase in places
Every year on 1 July, Australia’s migration program changes, making new openings available to overseas immigrants. The size of the migration program is set each year alongside the Australian Government’s Budget process.
Mr. Mandeep said the government has increased places in almost all subclasses. For example, seats in subclass 189 will be increased from 6,500 to over 16,000, and for subclass 491, the seats have been doubled from around 11,000 to over 25,000.
Changes to Job Ready Program (JRP)
From 1 July 2022, the Job Ready Program (JRP) will move from a 4 step program to a 3 step program.
JRP is a program for international students who have accomplished a qualification issued by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) in Victoria during their studies in Australia.
“As of 1 July 2022, JRP submissions will be accepted through the JRP Program Registration and Eligibility option for the new three-step JRP process.
“The applicants must broad at least 1,725 hours of paid employment in their designated occupation over a minimum of 12 calendar months from the JRE start date,” he explained.
Disclaimer: This content is for all-purpose information only and should not be used as a substitute for consultation with expert advisors.
