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New Work Visa For Graduating Foreign Students Introduced

New Work Visa For Graduating Foreign Students Introduced

A new work visa to allow foreign students work in Australia after completing their studies was announced by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

Also known as Post-Study Work Visa, this will be an additional stream under the existing 485 visa subclass (Temporary Skilled Graduate) and will be renamed to ‘Temporary Graduate’.

A graduate should have a Bachelor’s, Master’s or a Doctoral degree from an Australian university to qualify and is only available to students who applied for their first student visa after 5th November 2011. This means that if a person has applied for a student visa before 6 November 2011, they will not be eligible. The visa will have a minimum validity of two years depending on the qualification of the person.

This visa however is not connected to skilled migration meaning it is not a pathway to becoming an Australian PR. Therefore, applicants will not be required to submit skills assessment or nominate a skilled occupation to qualify.

To know more on how we to migrate to Australia, ring us at +65 6299 0245 or try our free migration assessment to let our consultants provide you with advice on your immigration options.

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Australia Launches The Golden Ticket Visa

Australia Launches The Golden Ticket Visa

Australia has launched a new visa called ‘Golden Ticket’ which is intended to welcome wealthy migrants who are willing to invest millions in the country.

This will allow foreigners obtain permanent residency as long as they have at least AUD$5 million (SGD$6.4 million) to invest. However, the money must be invested in certain assets that are based in Australia including government bonds, managed funds, and infrastructure projects.

The Significant Investor scheme will fast-tracked a visa application of migrants even if they fail the points system. Also, applicants do not need to pass the usual English requirements (IELTS), can be of any age, do not need to have business skills or specific education levels, and are only required to stay in Australia for 40 days a year for 4 years.

To know more on how we can help you migrate to Australia, call us at +65 6299 0245 or try our free migration assessment to let our consultants provide you with immigration advice.

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India Tops Number Of Migrants In Australia

India Tops Number Of Migrants In Australia

The Australian Government announced that India, for the first time, has become the largest source of permanent and skilled migrants in Australia. The 2011-2012 migration program has 185,000 places and Indian migrants comprised a total of 29,018 places, that’s 15.7 percent of the overall total.

“The Indian community has made a valuable contribution to economic, social and cultural life in Australia, and I know this will continue with more Indians choosing to make their home here.” Chris Bowen, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship said.

China comes second with 25,509 while United Kingdom is third with 25,274 places.

Below are the top 10 countries of migrants in Australia:
• India – 29,018 places
• China – 25,509 places
• United Kingdom – 25,274 places
• South Africa – 12,933 places
• Philippines – 7,640 places
• Sri Lanka – 5,577 places
• Malaysia – 5,508 places
• Irish Republic – 4,938 places
• South Korea – 4,874 places
• Vietnam – 4,773 places

To know how to become a permanent resident of Australia, call us at +65 6299 0245 or try our free migration assessment to let our consultants determine your eligibility for to migrate to Australia.

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Skilled Migration Pass Mark Changed

Skilled Migration Pass Mark Changed

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship announced today the changes to the skilled migration pass mark. People who want to migrate will first need to submit an expression of interest (EOI) for their Australian visa application. This applies to the new SkillSelect visa subclasses 189, 190 and 489.

According to a Department of Immigration and Citizenship spokesman, the change to the pass mark was in the context of the series of reforms to the skilled migration program undertaken by the Australian Government since 2008.

“These reforms have ensured the skilled migration program is a responsive and demand driven program,” the spokesman said. “The cornerstone of this migration reform package will be the introduction of SkillSelect from July 1.”

The pass mark for the new SkillSelect visas will encourage a wider range of people with the skills and attributes needed in Australia to register their interest in migration.

Call us at +65 6299 0245 if you would like to discuss your application for migration to Australia or try our free migration assessment to let our consultants determine your eligibility in acquiring an Australian visa.

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Reforms for Business Migration to Australia Announced

Reforms for Business Migration to Australia Announced

Major reforms to the Australian business migration have been announced and will apply from 1 July 2012 coinciding the new DIAC SkillSelect.

The key changes to the Business Skills visa program – now named the Business Innovation and Investment program are:

Skilled Migrant Selection Model To Be Integrated

From 1 July 2012, the business migration program will be integrated to the SkillSelect system. SkillSelect requires applicants to first lodge an EOI(Expression of Interest). The Department of Immigration will then assess the EOIs which have been submitted and invite the best applicants to make a visa application.

As a result, from 1 July 2012 people will not be able to apply directly for business migration, they must first make an EOI and receive an invitation from the Department of Immigration.

Number of Visa Subclasses Will Be Reduced From 13 To 3

From 1 July 2012, there will only be 3 business migration subclasses:

• Business Talent (Subclass 132) – a direct pathway to permanent residence for top level business people

• Provisional Business Innovation and Investment (Subclass 188) – a 4-year provisional visa

• Permanent Business Innovation and Investment (Subclass 888) – the permanent stage of the provisional subclass 188 visa

New Innovation Points Test

A new innovation points test has been created for the provisional subclass 188 visa which gives points for:

• Age

• English Language Ability

• Qualifications

• Experience in Business or Investment

• Net Personal Assets

• Business Turnover

• Special Endorsement by State/Territory Government

The applicants for provisional business visas will now need to meet a points test requirement. The new system will seek to advantage applicants who are more innovative and more likely to succeed in business in Australia as SkillSelect will give highest priority to people with the highest points score.

Transitional Arrangements

Provisional business visa holders (ie subclasses 160-165) will still be able to apply for permanent residence through the current system (ie through subclass 890-893). The same applies to anyone who applies for the current subclasses as they will be assessed under the current visa criteria prior to 1 July 2012. It appears that provisional business visa holders will not need to go through SkillSelect for their permanent stage in particular. In the near future, though not specifically mentioned, it is quite possible that the Established Business in Australia Subclass 845 visa and the Regional Established Business in Australia Subclass 846 visa may be abolished.

Summary

With these change in the business skills program, it is clear that the Australian government is trying to elevate the standard for business migration. Business turnover will be higher along with personal net assets and applicants will receive points for showing a higher degree of innovation raise.

As with the SkillSelect requirement, this is to ensure that only the most highly qualified applicants will be able to make applications for business migration.

Call us at +65 6299 0245 if you would like to discuss your application for Business Migration to Australia or try our free business migration assessment to let our consultants determine your eligibility under Australia immigration.