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Support for International Students: Government Announces Five Major Changes to Student Visa
A joint media statement released today from MP Alan Tudge (Acting Minister for Immigration) and MP Dan Tehan (Minister for Education) have announced five major changes to student visas. As per the media statement, they are: The Government will recommence granting student visas in all locations lodged outside Australia. This means when borders re-open, students will already have visas and be able to make arrangements to travel. International students will be able to lodge a further student visa application free of charge, if they are unable to complete their studies within their original visa validity due to COVID-19. Current student visa
2020/21 Financial Year Migration Program Planning & Delivery
There have been further updates from the Department in regards to the impact of the COVID-19 health crisis on the 2020-21 Migration Program. The latest from the Department as per below: The Department has indicated that migration policies will need to be carefully calibrated to ensure employment opportunities for Australians, support for critical industries and to position Australia’s economic recovery. The Department’s Q&A Fact sheet includes information and discussion on the following issues: Impact of COVID-19 on the delivery of the Migration Program Impact of COVID-19 on Net Overseas Migration What the Government is doing to ensure the visa system supports the
Temporary Suspension of Skilled Migration as a Result of COVID-19
The health crisis has caused a number of unprecedented changes to the Australian Migration Program and this is set to persist as the Department of Home Affairs continues to closely monitor the health situation to decide how migration and visa settings are implemented moving forward. The latest major announcement is the temporary suspension of the nomination program. The Skilled Nominated Subclass 190 and the Skilled Regional Sponsored Subclass 491 visa categories will be put on hold, pending allocations of state nomination places from the federal government. The coronavirus pandemic has caused a ripple effect in delays, such as the delivery
Migration Halted: COVID-19 & the Australian Economy
Experts have expressed growing concern over how the Australian economy will recover from the coronavirus pandemic, as immigration comes to a standstill due to travel restrictions and worldwide border closures. According to federal government statistics, almost 300,000 temporary visa holders have left Australia since the beginning of the year and there are estimates that the country will miss out on a staggering 240,000 would-be migrants by the end of 2020. Australia has experienced continued economic growth over the span of nearly three decades, much of which is a result to the country’s immigration program. According to Liz Allen from the
Coronavirus (COVID-19) relief fund for Victorian International Students
The Andrews Government have just announced a $45 million fund for international students in Victoria facing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19. These payments are being delivered in partnership with Victoria’s tertiary sector, working on top of the existing range of relief programs offered by the State’s universities and education providers. What can I expect to receive from the fund? International students will receive a one-off payment of up to $1,100 as part of the Victorian Government emergency support package. Who is eligible? International students who have lost wages or work as a result of the coronavirus pandemic from
Citizenship Ceremonies to be Held Online to Curb Spread of COVID-19
Acting Minister for Immigration, Alan Tudge, announced that the government will conduct Australian citizenship ceremonies online via a secure video link, enabling the continuation of citizenship processing during the current health crisis. The Department of Home Affairs have begun trialling one-on-one ceremonies for applicants already approved. Those without access to the internet will be supported through alternative measures. The government aims to confer up to 750 people a day when the online system is fully implemented. Currently, citizenship applications are still being accepted, however interviews and testing have been put on an indefinite hold. The Federal Government have shared that
COVID-19 & Your Visa Options
Dear Clients & Friends, As of noon 06 April 2020, Australia has registered 5,687 COVID-19 cases, with 39 fallen victim to this virus which has so quickly changed the world we live in, perhaps, forever. Australia is fortunate so far to not be seeing the number of deaths that other countries such as Italy, Spain and the United States are experiencing, however, we will all agree that since the COVID-19 was announced a pandemic by the World Health Organization three weeks ago, there is no part of our society’s socio-economic fabric that remains untouched. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has repeatedly
COVID-19, Travel Ban & What This Means For Your Visa
Dear Valued Clients, The situation relating to COVID-19 in Australia is unfolding daily and as we wake up each day to more draconian measures aimed at curbing the spread of the COVID-19, our hearts go out to all our industry partners, colleagues, clients in the many industries absolutely devastated by the pandemic and our students and their parents, especially those whose study plans have been totally disrupted. This is a global pandemic and one the whole world needs to fight against with our combined efforts. Make no doubts, we will get through this and come back stronger and more united
