What are the different types of visas available for immigration purposes?
Various types of visas are available for immigration purposes, including work visas, student visas, family sponsorship visas, and refugee or asylum visas. Each visa type has specific requirements and conditions that applicants must meet to be eligible for immigration to a particular country.
November has brought significant updates from the Department of Immigration, with announcements spanning visa processing, policy changes, and comprehensive information updates on the much-anticipated Skills in Demand (SID) visa. For more details, please check our news archive. Below is a summary of the key developments:
Skills in Demand (SID) and National Innovation Visa
• The Skills in Demand (SID) visa, which will replace the TSS visa, is expected to have a one-year work experience requirement. However, no commencement date has been announced yet.
• Fact sheets and resources are being developed to provide clarity when the program is ready to launch.
• The National Innovation Visa is also in the pipeline, but no specific timelines for its release have been confirmed.
• Applications already lodged or with invitations related to the visa application will continue to be processed.
• Applications already lodged or with invitations will continue to be processed.
• For those with an Expression of Interest (EOI) but no invitation, it is recommended to review eligibility for the upcoming National Innovation Visa.
• There has been a 70% increase in lodgements compared to last year, leading to extended processing times for applications from dual citizens.
• There has been a 70% increase in lodgements compared to last year, leading to extended processing times.
• Home Affairs is addressing these delays by:
o Recruiting and training new staff.
o Extending processing hours with overtime.
• Despite delays, there has been a 28% increase in finalisations this year.
Department of Immigration | Temporary Graduate Visas
• The Graduate Diploma and Australian Study Rule policy clarification is expected shortly.
Partner Visa Program
• Processing times are stabilising, with a median timeframe of 10-11 months.
• Lodgements have increased by 30% compared to last year, with a 4.7% refusal rate.
• The 309 Partner Visa caseload is showing increased stability in processing times.
• The MIA has proposed removing the annual cap on family/partner visas, allowing them to be demand-driven instead.
• Home Affairs is committed to re-evaluating its messaging on ImmiAccount regarding processing times and evidence of citizenship document validity.
• Home Affairs is committed to re-evaluating its messaging on ImmiAccount regarding processing times and evidence of citizenship document validity.
• Home Affairs is committed to re-evaluating its messaging on ImmiAccount regarding processing times and document validity.
English Language Testing
• Current agreements with test providers expire in May 2025.
• Home Affairs is:
o Considering increasing the number of providers to improve accessibility globally, as part of the Australian Government's efforts, including providing a digital assistant.
o Considering increasing the number of providers to improve accessibility globally.
• For applications with compelling or compassionate grounds (e.g., family emergencies), it is essential to notify the Global Feedback Unit during lodgement at your local time regarding your global visa needs.
• For applications with compelling or compassionate grounds (e.g., family emergencies), it is essential to notify the Global Feedback Unit during lodgement.
TSS Work Experience Reduction
• In the Federal Budget, the Government announced reducing the work experience requirement for the TSS visa from two years to one year, effective 23 November 2024.
• However, no legislative instruments have been released to implement this change, making the announced date unlikely.
• The delay may align with the launch of the SID visa, expected by the end of the year.
ANZSCO to OSCA Transition
• The Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) will transition to Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA) on 6 December 2024.
• This new classification system will better reflect Australia’s specific workforce needs while maintaining comparability with New Zealand.
Refugee and Humanitarian Program
• The Government has invested $160 million in a strategic review, enabling the recruitment of 180 additional officers.
• The new real-time processing model averages 91 days for 80% of new applications.
• Processing times for the entire caseload currently average 305 days, with 10% of citizenship applications requiring biometrics, such as humanitarian visas, granted in October 2024.
What’s Next?
With significant updates across multiple visa categories, Home Affairs continues to make strides in addressing challenges and delays. The expected rollout of the SID visa and other program enhancements promise to bring further clarity and opportunities for applicants. Stay tuned for more developments as they unfold. ⚖️ Migration Lawyer Ceren Guney +61 448 412 210
📚 Registered Migration Agent Feriha Guney MARN 0960690 +61 477 524 039
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Disclaimer:
This information is for general understanding only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific advice tailored to your situation, consult a registered migration agent or legal professional.
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