NEW PATHWAY TO NSW NOMINATION – FOR REGIONAL NSW BASED SKILLED MIGRANTS

The new “Working in Regional NSW” eligibility stream shows support for businesses looking to retain skilled migrants for their business while also acknowledging applicants’ commitment to living and working in regional NSW.

Priority will be given to applications from skilled immigrants who:

• meet all eligibility requirements set forth by the Australian Government for this visa;
• are currently residing and working in their nominated (or closely related) occupation in a designated regional area of NSW, and have done so continuously for the past twelve (12) months for a minimum of 20 hours per week;
• hold a current skills assessment in a job or unit group that is listed on the NSW Regional Skills List and qualifies for the visa;
• are paid at least $53,900 per year (on a full-time basis), or the TSMIT level, and
• are able to present employment documentation such as payslips, employment contracts, and tax returns.

An applicant may submit a direct application for NSW nomination if they meet all of the stream requirements listed above. The minimum points requirement and work experience requirements that have previously been announced do not apply to immigrants applying through this stream.

BUSINESS INNOVATION AND INVESTMENT PROGRAM UPDATE

The following actions are being taken by Skilled & Business Migration due to the high demand and the small interim allocation of 70 nomination seats that South Australia has received from the Commonwealth Government Department of Home Affairs:

• Business Innovation stream (188A): Intention to Apply (ITA) process remains open
• Investor stream (188B): Temporarily closed to new applicants Significant
• Investor stream (188C): Temporarily closed to new applicants
• Entrepreneur stream (188E): Remains open with very limited places, you must first contact a Service Provider

UKRAINE VISA SUPPORT- NEW INFORMATION

Anyone who wants to submit a new application for a visa to visit Australia should weigh their options and take into account any applicable eligibility requirements. The Ukraine Conflict Visa Arrangement Enquiry Form can be used to submit inquiries from Ukrainian visa applicants.

The Ukrainian nationals in Australia who have visas that expire before June 30, 2022, would automatically receive 6-month visa extensions, according to the Australian Prime Minister. In order to acquire this extension, visa holders need not take any action. The Department is getting in touch with visa holders in Australia whose visas are about to expire to ask them to make plans if they want to stay in the country.

For Ukrainians who want to visit Australia, See your options for a visa.

IMPORTANT TIPS

When Emailing This Mailbox, The Applicant Must Include Their File Number In The Subject Link As Well As Their Application Identifier. The File Number Is In The Format BCC20XX/XXXX

Application Status Enquiries

DHA will not reply to any Status Enquiries

Processing Times

Updated Skilled Migration processing times are available here.

Processing Priorities

The processing of certain Skilled visa applications is subject to both Migration Program planning levels and priority processing arrangements set by DHA determine the order in which the applications are processed.

Extension Of Skilled Regional Provisional Visas (Subclasses 489 And 491)

The Australian Government will extend the validity of Skilled Regional Provisional (subclass 489, 491 and 494) visas where the visa holder was affected by COVID-19 international travel restrictions, the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs announced on January 18, 2022. Information regarding the implementation of this announcement is available here. Applicants will not receive any reply if the email in regarding this matter.

Information For Clients Unable To Make Their First Entry To Australia (Initial Entry Date)

If the visa holder is unable to make their first entry into Australia by the date specified in the Grant Notification letter, please refer to the attached Facilitation Notice in the grant email.

Information For Visa Holders Impacted By Travel Restrictions / Border Closures

Before arranging travel to Australia the visa holder should refer to the Department’s website for current information about travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. See: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/

COVID-19 – Disruption Of Visa Processing Services

If the applicant is unable to provide a police clearance or undertake a medical examination then they should attach evidence such as receipts that clearly shows they have either:

1. Applied for the required police clearances; and/or

2. Made appointments for medical examinations; or

3. If they are unable to provide evidence, explain why they have been unable to do so.

Subclass 887 Processing Information

The subclass 887 visa is not subject to priority processing arrangements, including claims of employment in a critical sector. department is currently assessing applications lodged before September 2020.

Global Talent Visa Pathway – Subclass 858

Visa applications identified through the Global Talent Program are priority processed.