The Global Talent Visa-Independent Program (GTI) is a priority visa pathway for highly skilled individuals to migrate permanently to Australia. The program aims to keep Australia competitive in ten key sectors and well equipped for global economic growth trends. The Department of Home Affairs is responsible for identifying high calibre applicants and granting visas for…
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Andrew Woo, Immigration Lawyer, has had recent success in securing a health waiver for his Queensland based clients applying for a partner visa. “It was quite a journey for everyone involved, including myself”, said Andrew reflecting on his involvement in the case that dates back to 2017. Background The sponsor was a New Zealand citizen…
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In today’s digital era of ubiquitous information, you may be wondering why – or even if – you should consult an Immigration Lawyer for your visa, when things like Google and social media platforms are right at your fingertips. However, Australian immigration law is complex and extensive and continues to evolve at an incredibly fast…
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2020 was most certainly a devastating year that will leave a significant mark in our history books. For so many individuals and families the world over, if their health wasn’t directly impacted by the deadly virus, their livelihood was severely impacted by the repercussions of it; there’s been an unprecedented number of job losses and…
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Before you can migrate to Australia, you need to meet the health requirements. This can be a challenge for elderly relatives or those who are suffering from long-term illnesses. Fortunately, there are provisions for select visa programs which allow people to immigrate to Australia even if they don’t meet the health requirements. This is known…
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Australian migration policy has strict rules and guidelines in place to help protect the Australian health system. To be granted a visa, applicants must meet certain health requirements unless a health waiver is available and exercised. Even if an applicant fails to meet the relevant health requirement in limited circumstances, their case may still be…
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Andrew Woo, Immigration Lawyer/Registered Migration Agent, discusses the recent important policy changes to the health requirement and their implications for those with medical conditions applying for Australian visas. The Department of Home Affairs has recently amended its policy guidelines in respect of the health requirements, namely Public Interest Criterion (PIC) 4005 and PIC 4007 in…
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What are bridging visas? Bridging visas in Australia refer to a group of visas generally granted for a temporary period while a substantive visa (any visa that is not a bridging visa or criminal justice visa) holder waits for a new visa to be processed. Visa processing times vary and there can be lengthy delays….
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In March 2018 the Department of Home Affairs introduced the new Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482) to replace the Temporary Work Visa (Subclass 457). This visa, known as the TSS visa, lets employers address labour shortages by bringing genuinely skilled overseas workers if they are unable to source appropriately skilled Australian workers. While Australian…
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All non-Australians intending to enter Australia to visit, work or live must meet the health requirements appropriate for their visa. Short visitor visas may only require truthful answers to a selection of health questions, but applying for a permanent visa (or a temporary that is expected to lead to permanent residency) require a more complex…
Read MoreBy and large, the invitation will identify the person to whom the invitation issued, the visa subclass, the time frame within which the person must lodge a visa application and also any other information provided in the EOI (nominated occupation, claims against the points test factors and points test score).
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In December 2017, Australians voted Yes to same-sex marriage after 61.6% of close to 13 million respondents backed the proposal. New changes to immigration laws now allow same-sex partners to apply for partner visas. Just days following the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Australia, the federal government broadened the category of applicants for a partner visa…
Read MoreOVERVIEW Since the Australian Government’s announcement on 19 February 2016 to introduce a new pathway to permanent residency for NZ citizens, it took more than a year for the new visa requirements to be operational from 1 July 2017. What are the key elements of this new visa? It is only available to NZ citizens…
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