The new financial year for Australia is coming and here are some migration related news you need to know.

• Visa Application Fees (VAC) are increasing on 1 July 2015
• Immigration South Australia (SA) will start collecting fees on 10 June 2015
• Changes to the Significant Investor Visa (SIV) and introduction of the Premium Investor Visa (PIV)

Visa Application Charges for 1 July 2015

If you missed our earlier news entry on the VAC increments, click here to find out more. The new fees apply if you submit a visa application on 1 July 2015 or after, so you can still submit an application now to avoid the fee increase. The increase ranges from 2.3% to 50%.

A word of caution: try not to leave your application until the last day (30 June 2015) for submission. The online system may be flooded and users can experience system outages. A scheduled outage has been announced for Midnight Tuesday 30 June to 7am Wednesday 1 July 2015. ​

Immigration SA now charges fees for state sponsorship effective 10 June 2015

Immigration SA announced earlier that they will start collecting fees for state sponsorship application, following what other states and territories have been doing for a while now. Here is the breakdown of the charges:

Note: A credit card and processing surcharge of 3.2% is charged in addition to the fees listed.

Changes to the Significant Investor Visa (SIV) and announcing the Premium Investor Visa (PIV)

The SIV has been suspended since 24 April 2015, and will resume on 1 July 2015. While the investment amount of A$ 5 million has not changed, the structure of the complying investments has been modified to ensure allocation of investment funds to start-ups, instead of mainly government bonds. Here is the breakdown:

• At least A$ 500,000 in eligible Australian venture capital or growth private equity fund(s) investing in start-up and small private companies (“VCPE”). The Government expects to increase this to A$ 1 million for new applications within two years as the market responds; 

•  At least A$ 1.5 million in an eligible managed fund(s) or Listed Investment Companies (“LICs”) that invest in emerging companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (“ASX”); and 

• A ‘balancing investment’ of up to A$ 3 million in managed fund(s) or LICs that invest in a combination of eligible assets that include other ASX listed companies, eligible corporate bonds or notes, annuities and real property (subject to the 10 per cent limit on residential real estate). 

For the new PIV, a minimum investment of A$ 15 million will be required. It will be available at the invitation of the Australian Government only, with potential applicants to be nominated by Austrade. The investor will be able to apply for permanent residence in 12 months’ time, compared to 4 years for the SIV.

Comments by Chris Johnston – Principal Lawyer and Registered Migration Agent at Work Visa Lawyers

The new financial year usually brings Visa Application Charge (VAC) increases and changes to the visa programme. The best mentality for Australian visa applications is to submit an application when you are eligible as soon as possible. Do not put yourself and your family at risk of fee increases (which may be significant if you are from overseas) and migration legislation changes. Act now and lodge your application as soon as possible.

Source:

1. http://www.immi.gov.au/pub-res/Documents/budget/VAC-increases-fact-sheet.pdf
2. http://migration.sa.gov.au/resources/faq/application-fees
3. http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/michaeliacash/2015/Pages/significant-and-premium-investor-visas.aspx

This information is accurate on 9 June 2015

Do you need help with an Australian visa application?

At Work Visa Lawyers we are experienced in assisting applicants in all matters relating to Australian visa applications. Our areas of expertise include Skilled Migration visas, Business Skills Migration visas, Employer Sponsored Work Visas, Partner and other Family Migration visas as well as Migration Review Tribunal, Judicial Review and Ministerial Intervention.

If you require further information regarding your Australia visa options you can contact us through:

(08) 7225 5091 or +61 8 7225 5091

or   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Work Visa Lawyers will be in China! Watch Cultural Liaison Sean Choong with details in this video.

A Mandarin version of the video is below.　

中文视频：

For our friends in China, view the video on YouKu!　优酷链接：http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XOTU5MTc5MTA0.html?from=y1.7-1.2

Details of the visa application fee increases have been released today and here is a highlight:

• a 2.3% increase for all Skilled Migration, Business Innovation and Investment, Employer Sponsored 457, Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visas
• a 5% increase for Parent, Working Holiday, Resident Return Visa (RRV) and Carer visas
• a 50% increase for Significant Investor Visas (SIV) and offshore Partner Visas

The significant increase is seen at the SIV category visa (which requires an investment of AUD 5 million) and Partner Visas lodged offshore.

Comments by Chris Johnston – Principal Lawyer and Registered Migration Agent at Work Visa Lawyers

Traditionally the Department of Immigration and Border Protection increases its visa application charges at the end of every financial year. Now is the time for applicants considering submitting a visa application to do so as fees are applicable at the time of lodgement. Some visa applications require other components that may take time to prepare and obtain, such as skills assessment and English exams so applicants are advised to begin as soon as possible to beat the fee increase on 1 July 2015.

Source:

1. http://www.immi.gov.au/pub-res/Documents/budget/VAC-increases-fact-sheet.pdf

This information is accurate on 14 May 2015

Do you need help with an Australian visa application?

At Work Visa Lawyers we are experienced in assisting applicants in all matters relating to Australian visa applications. Our areas of expertise include Skilled Migration visas, Business Skills Migration visas, Employer Sponsored Work Visas, Partner and other Family Migration visas as well as Migration Review Tribunal, Judicial Review and Ministerial Intervention.

If you require further information regarding your Australia visa options you can contact us through:

(08) 7225 5091 or +61 8 7225 5091

or   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

澳大利亚移民代理处Work Visa Lawyers 将拜访中国！

(English version below)

很荣幸地在此宣布我们在本月即将拜访中国数城市，提供澳大利亚移民的咨询服务。若您有关于澳大利亚移民的兴趣或疑问，别错过此会面的机会。您将与主顾问兼有注册移民中介克理斯·佐斯敦会面，得到详细的澳大利亚移民意见与资料。本公司文化联系人员进伟也将随访，提供翻译服务。

我们的地点列表如下：

２０１５年５月２４日至２６日　－　山东济南市

２０１５年５月２６日至２８日　－　山东青岛市

２０１５年５月２８日至３１日　－　广东广州市

私人专属会面

我们在以上城市即将进行个人的磋商。因时间限制，与克理斯的会面档期将会有限。若有兴趣，请立即联络我们，预约您的时间。

澳大利亚移民研讨会

我们将于５月２９日傍晚在广州市举办一项笼统的澳大利亚移民研讨会。因地点所限，请尽早登记您的参与。

马上联络我们吧！

专业人士的意见通常都要求一个费用。这次的会面与移民研讨会将会是免费，不需任何费用。立刻把握您的机会，得到专业、仔细的澳大利亚移民资料，得知您前往澳大利亚的选择吧！请联系：

微信：Sean_CW_Choong

电子邮件地址：This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

电话：+61 8 7225 5091

期待与您的会面！

关于我们

创立于2011 年，注册移民代理与主顾问克理斯·佐斯敦（移民中介注册号: 0640686）身怀越9年的澳洲移民工作经验。本公司所提供的服务包括：

• 商业技术移民
• 技术移民
• 雇主赞助移民
• 家庭团聚移民
• 移民审查法庭审理与司法审查
• 澳洲公民申请过程

专业的移民意见、细心的客户服务，让您安心与稳定地经历澳大利亚的签证申请过程。

若有任何询问，请联络本公司文化联系人员进伟（Sean）。进伟所流利的语言包括中文，广东话，马来文以及英语。

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Work Visa Lawyers is coming to China!

We are pleased to announce that Work Visa Lawyers will be meeting people who are interested to know more about migrating to Australia from China. This will provide the people of Jinan, Qingdao and Guangzhou the opportunity to meet with an experienced Registered Migration Agent from Australia to discover options to migrate to Australia. Meet with Principal Registered Migration Agent and Lawyer, Chris Johnston (MARN: 0640686) and Cultural Liaison, Sean Choong at the following dates and venues:

24 – 26 May 2015 – Jinan

26 – 28 May 2015 – Qingdao

28 – 31 May 2015 – Guangzhou

Personal Meetings

We will be conducting individual meetings at the cities listed above. Meetings are limited and strictly by appointment only. Chris will be explaining the Australia visa requirements, application process and fees.

Seminar in Guangzhou

We will be holding a seminar in Guangzhou in the evening of Friday, 29^th May 2015 to provide a general idea of the different pathways to migrate to Australia. Seats are limited so registration is essential!

Contact us NOW to reserve a meeting or attend our seminar – for FREE!

Clients are usually charged a fee when they seek Australia migration advice. Chris will be providing consultations at the meetings and seminar at NO COST to the attendees. Please contact us via email, WeChat ID or phone details below to reserve your exclusive consultation now!

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

WeChat ID: Sean_CW_Choong

Phone: +61 8 7225 5091

About Work Visa Lawyers and our Services

Established in 2011, Registered Migration Agent and Lawyer Chris Johnston (MARN: 0640686) has more than 9 years of Australia Migration work experience. The firm provides services including:

• Business Skills Migration
• General Skilled Migration
• Employer Sponsored Migration
• Family Migration
• MRT and Judicial Reviews
• Australian Citizenship Applications

Work Visa Lawyers is committed to provide excellent service to our clients, which include:

• Honest and accurate advice based on the current migration laws
• Maintaining the confidentiality of our client’s affairs
• Quality customer service

We minimise the time you have to spend on applications and risks of mistakes you may experience because of the lack of experience in Australia visa applications.

This is the news that many have been waiting for. The Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) has amended English requirements for the Subclass 457 (Temporary Work (Skilled)) visas. The change will affect all new applications lodged on or after 18 April 2015, and also existing applications in progress that have not been finalised. Here are the new scores requirement:

Additionally the exemption to the English requirement has now changed to requiring an applicant to have at least 5 years of cumulative full-time study in a secondary and/or higher education institution where the instruction was delivered in English. Previously the studies needed to be completed consecutively for 5 years.

Comments by Chris Johnston – Principal Lawyer and Registered Migration Agent at Work Visa Lawyers

Along with the changes announced for the 476 and 485 visas (read the news here), the 457 visa programme now has lower English requirements as well. There are no changes to the OET test scores requirement, and CAE exams need to be completed on or after 1 January 2015.

While this will allow more applicants to meet the 457 visa requirements, it is important to know that there are other criteria that need to be fulfilled prior to lodging an application, as well as important obligations to fulfil after a 457 visa is granted, for both the applicant and business sponsor. Failing to meet the criteria and obligations thereafter may cause invite monitoring and sanctions from the Department.

Source:

1. http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2015L00563

This information is accurate on the 21 April 2015

Do you need help with an Employer Sponsored work visa application?

At Work Visa Lawyers we are experienced in assisting applicants for the Employer Sponsored work visa applications, which include business sponsorship application, nomination and visa application. We are also experienced in general skilled migration visas, business skills visas and family visas.

If you require further information regarding your Australia visa options you can contact us through:

(08) 7225 5091 or +61 8 7225 5091

or   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) has announced lower English requirements for the Skilled – Recognised Graduate (subclass 476) and Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visas. Originally applicants needed to meet “competent English” requirements for the 476 and 485 visa applications. For new applications lodged on or after 18 April 2015, applicants will now need to show one of the following:

• an overall score of at least 6, with nothing below 5 in each of the four test components (speaking, reading, listening and writing) in an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test
• a score of at least 'B' in each of the four test components (speaking, reading, listening and writing) of an Occupational English Test (OET)
• a total score of at least 64, with nothing below 4 for listening, 4 for reading, 14 for writing and 14 for speaking, in a Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test (TOEFL iBT)
• an overall score of at least 50 with nothing below 36 in each of the four test components (listening, reading, writing and speaking) in a Pearson Test of English Academic
• an overall score of at least 169 with nothing below 154 in each of the four test components (listening, reading, w​​​​riting and speaking) in a Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test taken on or after 1 January 2015
• evidence of holding a valid passport issued by the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland.

Comments by Chris Johnston – Principal Lawyer and Registered Migration Agent at Work Visa Lawyers

In recent times the English requirement for visa applications has been increased after the findings of correlation between English ability and employment outcomes for new migrants. This new change is a win-win for international students and the government as students will get a try-out at working and living in Australia for a period of up to 18 months. After fulfilling criteria such as 12 months employment and better English test results, which indicates a compatibility between the graduate and Australia, the 476 or 485 visa holder can then apply for permanent visa options.

Source:

1. http://www.immi.gov.au/News/Pages/el-change.aspx

This information is accurate on the 20 April 2015

Do you need help with a Skilled Migration visa application?

At Work Visa Lawyers we are experienced in assisting applicants for the skilled migration visa applications, which include the 476 and 485 visas. We are also experienced in the employer sponsored work visas, business skills visas and family visas.

If you require further information regarding your Australia visa options you can contact us through:

(08) 7225 5091 or +61 8 7225 5091

or   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Immigration SA has announced the South Australian Supplementary Skilled List today which replaces the Graduate List. The Supplementary Skilled List contains 480 occupations, many of which that are not on the State Occupation List. The Supplementary Skilled List allows more occupations and different skilled workers to be sponsored by the South Australian state government. Applicants can access the Supplementary Skilled List if they:

• graduated from studies in a South Australian education institute with at least one academic year of study
• worked in a skilled occupation in South Australia for at least 12 months
• have a immediate family member (permanent resident or Australian citizen) who has resided in South Australia for 12 months or more

You must still meet the state nomination requirements for factors such as age, skills assessment, work experience, English and financial capacity. For further information please visit the Immigration SA website.

This information is accurate on the 13 April 2015

Source:

Immigration SA

http://www.migration.sa.gov.au/International-graduates/international-graduate-occupation-and-waiver-requirements

Do you need help with an Australian visa application?

At Work Visa Lawyers we are experienced in assisting applicants in various Australian visa applications including General Skilled, Employer Sponsored, Business Skills, Family, and Migration Review Tribunal applications. We also assist in state sponsorship applications for skilled and business visa applications.

If you require further information regarding your Australia visa options you can contact us through:

(08) 7225 5091 or +61 8 7225 5091

or   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) has announced that new Significant Visa (SIV) applications will be suspended from 24 April 2015 to 30 June 2015. The suspension of new applications is to facilitate changes to the complying investment framework.

What Does This Mean?

Current SIV applicants who have received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and lodged their visa applications will not be affected by the suspension and any new rules introduced after or during the suspension. With changes upcoming it is best to lodge your SIV application as soon as possible if you have received an ITA.

While you can still submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the SIV uptill 23 April 2015, no further ITAs will be issued until after 1 July 2015.

More updates to follow...

This information is accurate on the 7 April 2015

Do you need help with an Australian visa application?

At Work Visa Lawyers we are experienced in assisting applicants in various Australian visa applications including General Skilled, Employer Sponsored, Business Skills, Family, and Migration Review Tribunal applications. Our vast experience allows us to understand that each business setup and investment portfolio is different and thus applicants can meet visa application requirements in different ways.

If you require further information regarding your Australia visa options you can contact us through:

(08) 7225 5091 or +61 8 7225 5091

or   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ACT has announced that applications from overseas for the 190 state sponsorship will be closed on Friday, 3rd April 2015 at 5 p.m. AEST. Planning numbers for the 2014-2015 sponsorship programme has been met.

If you have a pending 190 state sponsorship application with the ACT that has not been lodged, you need to submit the application immediately. Drawing from experience with the NSW online application system, the ACT online application system may also be overloaded and users may experience problems submitting the application.

This only applies to overseas applicants. Onshore applications can still submit sponsorship applications to ACT as long as they meet the nomination requirements.

This information is accurate as on 2nd April 2015.

Source: http://www.canberrayourfuture.com.au/news/article/important-announcement/

Do you need help with an Australian visa application?

At Work Visa Lawyers we are experienced in assisting applicants in various Australian visa applications including General Skilled, Employered Sponsored, Business Skills, Family, and Migration Review Tribunal applications.

If you require further information regarding your Australia visa options you can contact us through:

(08) 7225 5091 or +61 8 7225 5091

or   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Applicants for the 190 and 489 visas may have received the following email notification from case officers in the past few days:

I am writing to you regarding your application for an Australian skilled visa (subclass 190).

The visa for which you have applied is part of the Skilled Nominated category. The Migration Programme determines the maximum number of visas that can be granted in each visa category. Applications for this visa are processed in line with Migration Programme planning levels. These planning levels have precedence over indicative client service standard timeframes.

The Migration Programme planning level for the Skilled Nominated category now has limited number of places left for the 2014-15 program year. This means processing times will be longer and that once the remaining places are used, the Department cannot grant further visas in this category during this programme year.

As planning levels affect all applications, including those in the final stages of processing, I cannot give you an indication as to the likely timeframe for finalisation of your application.

In the meantime, I encourage you to continue checking the department's website (www.immi.gov.au) for any updates regarding application processing or changes to the Skilled Migration Programme which may affect you.

I appreciate your patience in this matter.

What Does This Mean?

Once planning numbers are met for the programme year, visa applications of that particular category will be deferred until the next programme year. While this delays the migration plans for applicants, it is important to know that the visa applications in progress will still be considered for processing for the next programme year.

More updates to follow...

This information is accurate on the 22 March 2015

Do you need help with an Australian visa application?

At Work Visa Lawyers we are experienced in assisting applicants in various Australian visa applications including General Skilled, Employer Sponsored, Business Skills, Family, and Migration Review Tribunal applications.

If you require further information regarding your Australia visa options you can contact us through:

(08) 7225 5091 or +61 8 7225 5091

or   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.