Visa Announcements and Omicron
Concessions for short term 482 visa holders
The Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs has announced that Australia will be improving access to permanent residency for:
Existing Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa holders in the short-term stream; and
Legacy Temporary Work Skilled (subclass 457) visa holders who no longer meet the age requirement.
The Minister has indicated that this change recognises the contribution of skilled migrants who remained here during the COVID-19 pandemic and encourages skilled migrants to stay in Australia to support local businesses facing critical shortages, particularly in health, hospitality and our regions.
This is great news for those who are in Australia and who hold a short term 482 visa, which currently does not allow for a pathway to permanent residency. As a result of these announcements, there may be a pathway available in future.
The Minister has also announced that there will be additional concessions for regional visa holders (subclasses 489, 491 and 494) who are overseas, visitor visa holders who are overseas, and certain subclass 485 visa holders/applicants.
At this stage very few details have been provided in terms of the mechanics of the law and policy changes, but as soon as we have further details in this regard we will be sure to advise further.
OMICRON
There have been some changes to the current travel and quarantine exemptions as a result of the OMICRON outbreak.
Australian citizens and permanent residents (and their immediate family members) who have been in South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Seychelles, Mozambique or Malawi in the last 14 days must now enter supervised quarantine for 14 days in line with state and territory requirements upon arrival in Australia, irrespective of their vaccination status.
Any other travellers who have been in South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Seychelles, Mozambique or Malawi in the last 14 days are not permitted to enter Australia, even if they hold a travel exemption, eligible visa, or are seeking to enter under a Safe Travel Zone arrangement.
All other exemptions and quarantine categories remain in effect at this time.
Should you have any questions in relation to the above, please do not hesitate to reach out to one of our team members:
Rita Chowdhury, Principal: rita@integratelegal.com
Sean Loughland, Senior Associate: sean@integratelegal.com
Jeffrey Bennett, Senior Associate: jeffrey@integratelegal.com
