Discover the latest transformations in Australian immigration this December. Explore advancements in business sponsorship visas (subclass 482, 186), marriage visas (subclass 309/820), and skilled migration visas (subclass 189, 190, 491) |
SUMMARY OF SOME CHANGES IN AUSTRALIAN IMMIGRATION IN DECEMBER 2023
Business Sponsorship Visas Subclass 482, 186:
- Visa 482: From November 25, 2023, holders of the 482 visa in Australia can apply for the 482 visa for the 3rd or 4th time onshore, instead of offshore as before.
- Visa 186 (TRT stream): Those holding the 482, 457 (short-term, medium and long-term, or Labour Agreement) visas can apply for the 186/187 visa after 2 years of working for the sponsoring company.
- Note that if you change sponsoring companies, the 2-year period will restart from the time you start working for the new sponsor.
Marriage Visa Subclass 309/820:
- Applicants for partner visas 309 or 820 can be granted the visa onshore or offshore. Therefore, you can travel and visit family while waiting for the partner visa to be granted. With visa 820, the applicant does not need to be present in Australia when the Department of Home Affairs grants the visa. For visa 309, the applicant can also be granted the visa while in Australia (e.g., holding a tourist visa to visit the partner, family after lodging the visa 309).
- Applicants for partner visa 309 can now stand alone in the appeal application to AAT. Previously, if you wanted to appeal, the sponsor had to be the one appealing in this application.
Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485:
- Applicants for the Temporary Graduate visa – visa 485 – can be granted the visa whether they are in or outside Australia (onshore or offshore). Therefore, after lodging visa 485, being granted a Bridging A visa, you can apply for Bridging visa B and travel.
- Those applying for visa 485 after November 25, 2023, will no longer be able to claim the online offshore study time (due to the impact of Covid) to meet the Australian Study Requirement (ASR).
Skilled Migration Visas Subclass 189, 190, 491:
- States will continue to issue invitations for the 190, 491 visas. However, due to limited quotas, priority will still be given to industries on the priority list and candidates onshore, living and working in the state.
- The first invitation round for the 189 visa is expected to take place in the current financial year before the Christmas break in 2023. Note that you should regularly update information in the Expression of Interest (EOI) (English proficiency, Skills Assessment, etc.) and prepare your 189 visa application thoroughly.)
