April 2005:
a. Completely new rules for Employer Nomination permanent visas
(ENS). On balance the process will be easier, especially for those
who have lived in Australia on a temporary visa such as a 457.
The RSMS visa is unchanged and remains an alternative for regional
Australia. ENS and RSMS processing will now be done in Australia.
b. Expanded MODL. Another of the ways DIMIA is filling the gap in
the system caused by the 120 pass mark is through the MODL - more
occupations are being added.
c. Sydney skill shortage list. Only relevant for Skilled Australian
Sponsored (subclass 13 applicants where the *sponsor* lives in or
near Sydney - only a narrower range of skilled occupations will be
acceptable.
This list was brought in in September 2004 but in a legally
questionable way - it's now in the Migration Regulations as of 2 April
2005 so no more dispute about it.
And coming up ....
1 July 2005
a. The Retirement Visa will be closed to new applicants. It will be
replaced by a new regional retirement visa that's expected to be much
less attractive.
b. Applicants for the Skilled Independent Regional (SIR) visa will
get an extra 10 points, effectively bringing the pass mark down to 100.
1 November 2005
Tighter rules on the Remaining Relative visa will ensure that only
*last* remaining relatives can qualify.
1 April 2006
New rules for spouse visa applicants (on the temporary visa) MAY
require a period of residence in Australia before permanent residence
is granted. This has not yet been clarified - watch this space.
One thing that will change is the 2 year period on a temporary visa
will start from the *grant* of the temporary visa, not application as
it is currently.
Mid 2006 (probably 1 July 2006)
It is expected that on this date the Skilled Designated Area Sponsored
(subclass 139) visa will be withdrawn and replaced with a new
temporary visa. Applicants will have the choice either of being
sponsored for the permanent subclass 138 (Skilled Australian
Sponsored) visa or going for the new temporary visa if they do not
qualify for 138.
The new temporary visa will require that people live and work in the
same designated area as their sponsor for 2 years in order to obtain
permanent residence.
a. Completely new rules for Employer Nomination permanent visas
(ENS). On balance the process will be easier, especially for those
who have lived in Australia on a temporary visa such as a 457.
The RSMS visa is unchanged and remains an alternative for regional
Australia. ENS and RSMS processing will now be done in Australia.
b. Expanded MODL. Another of the ways DIMIA is filling the gap in
the system caused by the 120 pass mark is through the MODL - more
occupations are being added.
c. Sydney skill shortage list. Only relevant for Skilled Australian
Sponsored (subclass 13 applicants where the *sponsor* lives in or
near Sydney - only a narrower range of skilled occupations will be
acceptable.
This list was brought in in September 2004 but in a legally
questionable way - it's now in the Migration Regulations as of 2 April
2005 so no more dispute about it.
And coming up ....
1 July 2005
a. The Retirement Visa will be closed to new applicants. It will be
replaced by a new regional retirement visa that's expected to be much
less attractive.
b. Applicants for the Skilled Independent Regional (SIR) visa will
get an extra 10 points, effectively bringing the pass mark down to 100.
1 November 2005
Tighter rules on the Remaining Relative visa will ensure that only
*last* remaining relatives can qualify.
1 April 2006
New rules for spouse visa applicants (on the temporary visa) MAY
require a period of residence in Australia before permanent residence
is granted. This has not yet been clarified - watch this space.
One thing that will change is the 2 year period on a temporary visa
will start from the *grant* of the temporary visa, not application as
it is currently.
Mid 2006 (probably 1 July 2006)
It is expected that on this date the Skilled Designated Area Sponsored
(subclass 139) visa will be withdrawn and replaced with a new
temporary visa. Applicants will have the choice either of being
sponsored for the permanent subclass 138 (Skilled Australian
Sponsored) visa or going for the new temporary visa if they do not
qualify for 138.
The new temporary visa will require that people live and work in the
same designated area as their sponsor for 2 years in order to obtain
permanent residence.
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