BREAKING NEWS! Important Updates for Immigration following 2020-2021 Budget Allocation!
The acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alan Tudge with Minister for Home Affairs, Peter Dutton had a joint media release yesterday following the Budget allocation for 2020-2021 Financial Year which was released on the same day. The media release covers significant important updates for immigration.
It has been announced that 160,000 spots will remain for the Migration Program planning in order to support the economy to recover from COVID-19. With this allocation, the Government will focus on bringing migrants on Family and Skilled stream visas.
It is anticipated that while the two-third of the new incoming permanent residents will be on the skilled visa program, the one third will be on the family stream.
The following are key points of the immigration regulation updates based on Federal Budget 20/21:
2020 – 2021 Immigration Update on Family Stream (Partner Visa Program):
1. Priority on Onshore Partner Visa Application
Of the proposed 77,300 spots for the stream, the government will mainly prioritise Partner visa application which is set at 72,300 spots with a greater emphasis on onshore applicants.
Those who want to sponsor a partner visa applicant will have to go through a new approval process to check their eligibility to sponsor. This will result in an additional processing time for the application for both onshore and offshore partner visa application.
However, in order to overcome the partner visa application backlog, the government plans to prioritise onshore application, especially whose sponsor currently resides in regional areas or outside of major cities.
2. English Proficiency Requirements for Partner Visa Application
The government will also expand the family sponsorship network to prevent family violence in the Partner visa program. In addition, partner visa applicants including their permanent resident sponsors will need to fulfil the English proficiency requirement. This is believed to improve the social cohesion of the Australian culture.
However, it is still uncertain as to what level of English are the government plans to set and when it will start to take effect. Applicants are advised to apply as soon as possible before the commencement of these new requirements.
The application fee for partner visa application remains the same as the previous year.
If you wish to understand the impact of these changes to your partner visa application, please book a consultation here or call us on 1300 827 159.
2020 – 2021 Immigration Update on Skilled Stream (Skilled Visa Program):
1. The Global Talent Independent Program Quota Tripled.
The Global Talent Independent program allocation has been tripled from previously 5,000 to 15,000 for the 2020-2021 Financial Year. On the other hand, the Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) has been increased to 13,500 spots.
The operation of Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) will be shortened and improved in order to increase the quality of the investment and application.
It will set the target to improve Australian venture capitals as well as small and medium business to further support the recovery of Australia’s economy from COVID-19 impacts.
If you wish to assess your eligibility for Global Talent Visa application, we may assess your eligibility and ensure you are meeting the eligibility requirements. Speak to one of our visa specialists on 1300 827 159. Our consultation fee is 100% refundable if you become our client.
Changes on Humanitarian Program Budget Paper 2020/2021:
It is also announced that the Humanitarian Program will receive a total of 13,750 spots for this financial year. This is to support the investment in improving settlement and employment outcomes of humanitarian applications.
The government has previously announced the reform of Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) and now is currently developing the reform of settlement services and the Community Sponsorship Program.
Changes on Visa Application Charge (VAC) due to COVID-19 Pandemic:
Visa Application Charge (VAC) refund, waivers or visa extensions will be offered to visa holders that have been affected by the travel ban to enter Australia due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.
The government also plans to boost tourism by waiving the Visa Application Charge (VAC) for Working Holiday Makers and Visitor visa applications once the Australian border re-opens.
ONE derland Consulting Here to Help YOU!
We understand that applying for a visa to Australia is certainly very complex.
It is even harder during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
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Take the first leap and get in touch with us. Our migration agents are professional, honest and able to speak various languages such as Mandarin/ Chinese, Bahasa Indonesia, Arabic, Japanese, Polish, German and Russian.
Contact us through email at [email protected] or via phone on 1300 827 159. Alternatively, you may book your consultation online and it is 100% refundable* if you become our client.
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