COVID-19 Update: Two Visa Program To Reopen In Victoria

COVID-19 Update: Two Visa Programs To Reopen In Victoria

Victoria plans to reopen two visa programs as there are no new COVID-19 cases for almost two months. It means that Victoria has reached what is generally recognized as the official benchmark for eliminating COVID-19 from the community. Victoria is slowly reopening after more than four months of COVID-19 lockdown, as well as opening up its visa programs for migrants. 

On Monday 21 December 2020, The Australian government has announced that 2020-21 Victorian skilled visa nomination program (subclass 190 and 491) will recommence on Tuesday, 5 January 2021 with changes in eligibility requirements. As well as, Victoria’s business and investor visa nomination program will reopen on 4 January 2021. If you are interested in migrating to Victoria, this piece of news will be the highlight of your day.

Victoria Business Innovation and Investment Visa Program (BIIP)

As Victoria is progressing into a zero case zone, the Victorian government is slowly reopening its visa programs for Migrants. The Victorian government has announced an immigration update to reopen Victoria’s Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) on 4 January 2021 at 10 am AEST. This announcement includes Business and Investor Visa nomination program subclass 188A, 188B, and 188E streams and subclass 132A and 132B streams. Applications for Significant Investor (subclass 188C) visa nomination had been reopened since Monday, 30 November 2020.

Furthermore, there are 1,350 new spots available for this program, which have been added by the Commonwealth Department of Home Affairs for the Victorian Government, in addition to 400 existing places as part of the temporary scheme. The total number of vacancies for the Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) is 1,750 for the 2020-21 program year.

Find out more about the Business Innovation and Investment Program here.

Changes to Victoria BIIP Visa Nominations Criteria

There will be changes added to state nomination criteria; hence, it is best for you to check the latest requirements.

The new requirements aim to improve Victoria’s capacity to find the best businesses and investors in the world who will:

1. Create new job opportunities for people in Victoria,
2. Encourage innovation in strategic sectors (digital technologies, advanced manufacturing, health and life sciences, agri-food, new energy and emissions reduction, circular economy and priority precincts),
3. Generate forward-looking enterprises using their qualifications in the fields of STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine).

In order to have the greatest chance of success, it is crucial for the application to be precise about how your company or investment can support Victoria’s economic recovery or the health response to the pandemic. These changes are made to be aligned with Australia’s 2020-2021 migration program which focused on job creators, those with key skills and migrants who are going to invest in Australia’s future.

Victoria Skilled Visa Nominations Program

As a part of the immigration update, the Victorian government has also announced that they will reopen 2020-21 Victorian skilled visa nomination program (subclass 190 and 491) on 5 January 2021. It will include a new process of selection which will focus on Victoria’s health response and post COVID-19 economic recovery.  The amendment is to respond to the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, with an emphasis on the economic recovery of the state.

Submission Windows for Victoria Skilled Visa Program

Due to the changes, the state government will now be accepting ROIs in the submission windows – set timeframes in which you can apply your ROIs. When the submission window is closed, you will need to wait for the next submission window to submit your ROI.

Please check the ROI submission window dates below.

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Victoria Skilled Visa Program Nomination Criteria Changes

To be qualified for the selection to apply for a Victorian skilled visa, you must meet the following criteria:

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1. Already be living in regional Victoria;
2. Already be working in regional Victoria (minimum 3 months employment);
3. Work in a highly-skilled occupation in health, medical research, life sciences, agri-food or digital sectors which supports Victoria’s economic recovery and/or health response.

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1. Already be living in Victoria;
2. Already be working in Victoria (minimum 6 months employment);
3. Work in a highly-skilled occupation in health, medical research or life sciences which supports Victoria’s economic recovery and/or health response.

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If you wish to check your eligibility for Victorian Skilled visa program, please contact us via email [email protected] or phone on 1300 827 159.

What Do These Changes Mean For Skilled Migrants and Foreign Investors?

It is a good opportunity for applicants who work in critical sectors, as more than 2700 positions have been allocated for the skilled visa nomination program (subclass 190 and 491). It also opens up another pathway and opportunity for those of you who want to obtain Permanent Residence by investing in Australia’s future.

Still Not Sure How This Can Affect You? Please Speak To Us; We Are Here To Help!