8 most important Australian visa developments in 2016

Here’s a list of 8 most important visa developments in Australia in 2016

SBS Hindi has regularly brought you up-to-date with information regarding Australian visas.

In 2016, significant changes were introduced to several types of Australian visas. New government policies also led to introduction of new visas whereas several other measures and changes took place which might have affected you.

Here’s a list of 8 most important visa developments in Australia in 2016:

Student visas streamlined

Australia's simplified student visa framework (SSVF) came into effect from July 1 2016.

The following changes came into effect from 1st July 2016:

1. international students will apply for a single Student visa (subclass 500), regardless of their chosen course of study
2. student guardians will apply for the new Student Guardian visa (subclass 590)
3. all students and student guardians will generally be required to lodge their visa application online by creating an account in ImmiAccount.

Click here for more details.

New work visas introduced

On 19th November 2016, four new work visas were introduced by the Australian government.

The four new visa sub classes are:

1. Subclass 400 Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa
2. Subclass 403 Temporary Work (International Relations) visa
3. Subclass 407 Training visa
4. Subclass 408 Temporary Activity visa.

The new framework is designed to make applying for a temporary visa easier. It aims reduce red tape for business, industry and individuals by removing sponsorship and nomination requirements for specific short stay activities.

Click here for details.

New entrepreneur visa introduced

To encourage entrepreneurship and to retain the best talent, Australian government introduced a new entrepreneur visa in September 2016.

This new visa allows entrepreneurs with $200,000 in funding from specified third party to develop and commercialise their innovative ideas in Australia.

This visa also provides a pathway to permanent residency in Australia. Click here for more details.

Visa applications fast-tracked for Indian citizens

From 5 December 2016, Indian applicants applying for a Subclass 600 Visitor visa, both the Tourist and Business Streams, at selected Australian Visa Application Centres (AVACs) in India can access an optional Priority Service.

This has been made available at Australian Visa Application Centres in New Delhi, Mumbai North, Mumbai South, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Chandigarh, Cochin, Ahmedabad, Pune and Jalandhar.

This optional Priority Service can be availed for an additional fee of AUD 1000 (INR 53,100). 

Click here for more details.

New temporary parent visa announced

Australian Government in September this year announced new temporary parent visa. They kick started community consultations on developing the legislation for a new five-year temporary sponsored parent visa and invited submissions.

This new visa will be in place by July 2017.

Click here for more details.

Stay cut for 457 visas

In November 2016, Australian government announced that foreign workers on a 457 visa will only be able to stay in Australia for 60 days after their employment ends instead of 90, under changes by the federal government.

Government is also considering to cut the list of occupations which allows an employer to bring foreign workers to Australia.

For more details, click here.

Extra points for students who pursue STEM

As part of the Government’s policy to attract top level immigrants with skills in science, technology, maths, engineering and ICT, government in September 2016 announced important changes to points test system.

Five additional points will now be available to graduates from Australian institutions with doctorate level and masters by research qualifications in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and information and communication technology fields.

These are the 21 education fields mentioned by Department of Immigration and Border Protection for which international students will be eligible for 5 additional points towards their point test.

For more details, click here.

Automatic visa nomination for PhD graduates

International students who complete their PhD from Canberra institutions will automatically qualify for ACT’s skilled migrant visa from end of this year.

More details available here.

Source: sbs.com.au