Country / Territory
Australia
Effective July 1, 2017, certain New Zealand nationals who resided in Australia on or prior to February 19, 2016 will be eligible to apply for permanent residence in Australia under a new stream in the Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) Visa category (New Zealand Stream).
Eligibility Criteria for New Zealand Stream
To be eligible for the New Zealand Stream of the Subclass 189 Visa category, New Zealand applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Presence in Australia on or prior to February 19, 2016 as a Special Category Visa holder;
- Residence in Australia for at least five years immediately prior to visa application;
- Income for the last five years that meets or exceeds the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold, currently set at AUD 53,900 (limited exemptions apply); and
- Meeting mandatory health, character and security checks.
There will be no age limit under this stream.
Visa Application Charges
Visa Application Charges (VAC) for the New Zealand Stream will be consistent with the Points-Tested Stream of the Subclass 189 Visa category. However, concessional arrangements will apply to the New Zealand Stream to allow for the payment of the VAC in two instalments:
- 20% of the VAC to be paid at the time of visa submission; and
- The remaining balance to be paid prior to the visa grant.
Changes to Points-Tested Stream
Effective July 1, 2017, the age limit under the Points-Tested Stream of the Subclass 189 Visa category will be reduced from 50 to 45 years of age, consistent with the Direct Entry Stream of the Permanent Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) Visa category also taking effect July 1, 2017. Amendment to the age limit will not impact applicants who submit or receive an invitation to submit Subclass 189 Visa applications prior to July 1, 2017.
Passenger Departure Requirements
Effective July 1, 2017, the requirement to complete a Passenger Card when departing Australia will be removed.
What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals
New Zealand nationals should benefit from the new permanent residence stream under the Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) Visa category.
Foreign nationals of 45 or more years of age will not be eligible for permanent residence under the Points-Tested Stream of the Subclass 189 Visa category after July 1, 2017.
Current visa regulations for employment in Australia will continue to apply until the proposed changes are officially implemented in Australian legislation.
Fragomen will continue to monitor the developments and will provide further updates as new information is released.
The content of this alert is provided for information purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen in Australia or send an email to [email protected].
MARN 0004980
Country / Territory
Explore more at Fragomen
Podcast
El Director Miguel Jiménéz y el Senior Business Immigration Manager Rodrigo García discuten información migratoria importante para residentes de México en relación con la Visa de Residencia.
Media mentions
In an interview with Australasian Lawyer, Special Counsel Rebecca Baggiano discusses her career and pro bono work.
Awards
Fragomen is shortlisted in three categories of the 2024 Chambers USA DEI Awards.
Blog post
This blog provides an overview of the updated Quebec Immigrant Investor Program.
Media mentions
Manager Kirsty Moore shares what options employers have when sponsoring engineers under the new UK five-point plan.
Video
Paralegal Elizabeth Collier discusses the requirements for and process of applying for the UK's Global Talent Visa in the Arts and Culture category.
Fragomen news
Forbes names Partner Lisa Ryan to its inaugural list, "Top 200 Lawyers in the US."
Media mentions
Senior Manager Laxmi Limbani, Associate Naureen Malik and Apprentice Paralegal Henry Thourgood-Marshall share how the Northern UK needs to harness UK immigration to accelerate and elevate the region’s economic growth.
Media mentions
Partner Diana Quintas shared with Valor Econômico how the need for qualified labour is shaping the visa opportunities for professionals in Brazil.
Fragomen news
Fragomen announces the launch of its Center for Strategy and Applied Insights and welcomes Senior Policy Advisor Amy Nice.
Media mentions
Manager Harry Goldstraw shares what UK employers need to consider when sending employees on short-term contracts to the European Union.
Blog post
This blog highlights the growing momentum of the UK's semiconductor sector, emphasising its strategic importance for the nation's science and technology ambitions, while also addressing upcoming challenges in talent acquisition due to proposed changes in immigration policies.
Podcast
El Director Miguel Jiménéz y el Senior Business Immigration Manager Rodrigo García discuten información migratoria importante para residentes de México en relación con la Visa de Residencia.
Media mentions
In an interview with Australasian Lawyer, Special Counsel Rebecca Baggiano discusses her career and pro bono work.
Awards
Fragomen is shortlisted in three categories of the 2024 Chambers USA DEI Awards.
Blog post
This blog provides an overview of the updated Quebec Immigrant Investor Program.
Media mentions
Manager Kirsty Moore shares what options employers have when sponsoring engineers under the new UK five-point plan.
Video
Paralegal Elizabeth Collier discusses the requirements for and process of applying for the UK's Global Talent Visa in the Arts and Culture category.
Fragomen news
Forbes names Partner Lisa Ryan to its inaugural list, "Top 200 Lawyers in the US."
Media mentions
Senior Manager Laxmi Limbani, Associate Naureen Malik and Apprentice Paralegal Henry Thourgood-Marshall share how the Northern UK needs to harness UK immigration to accelerate and elevate the region’s economic growth.
Media mentions
Partner Diana Quintas shared with Valor Econômico how the need for qualified labour is shaping the visa opportunities for professionals in Brazil.
Fragomen news
Fragomen announces the launch of its Center for Strategy and Applied Insights and welcomes Senior Policy Advisor Amy Nice.
Media mentions
Manager Harry Goldstraw shares what UK employers need to consider when sending employees on short-term contracts to the European Union.
Blog post
This blog highlights the growing momentum of the UK's semiconductor sector, emphasising its strategic importance for the nation's science and technology ambitions, while also addressing upcoming challenges in talent acquisition due to proposed changes in immigration policies.