Australia Immigration News
More changes for the 457 visa program
Further changes to the 457 visa program came into effect from 15 May 2009, with the removal of some occupations from the standard sponsorship arrangements.
The occupations affected by this change include occupations in the tourism, clerical and agricultural industries.
It is the second major reform to the 457 program to be implemented in recent weeks, following the increase in the English language requirement on April 14.
These changes were among a series of measures announced on April 1, aimed at ensuring the 457 program provided industry with needed skills, while not undermining local training and employment opportunities.
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Proposed Changes to Skilled – Graduate (Subclass 485) visa – effective 27 October 2008
Changes relating to the provision of evidence of English language ability for the Skilled – Graduate (Subclass 485) visa are being introduced from 27 October 2008. (Date may be subject to change). People who have made an application for a Skilled – Graduate (Subclass 485) visa before 27 October 2008 will not be affected by the changes.
People lodging an application for a Skilled – Graduate (subclass 485) on or after 27 October 2008 must provide evidence at the time they lodge their application that they have met the relevant English language standard.
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Student Visa Assessment Level
Assessment Levels and the Student Visa Program
There are five Assessment Levels in the student visa program. They serve to align student visa requirements to the immigration risk posed by applicants from a particular country studying in a particular education sector. Assessment Level 1 represents the lowest immigration risk and Assessment Level 5 the highest. The higher the Assessment Level, the greater the evidence an applicant is required to demonstrate to support their claims for the grant of a student visa.
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Recent Changes in General Skilled Migration
New Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL)–17 May 2008
There are new twelve occupations have been added to the MODL, including five Computing Professional specializations, Electronics Engineer, Optometrist and Dental Technician, and trade occupations of Binder and Finisher, Landscape Gardener and Tree Surgeon. Click the following link to find out if your occupation is listed in the MODL.
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Permission to work arrangements for student visa holders
From 26 April 2008, people granted student visas will automatically receive permission to work with their visa grant. Most student visa holders will no longer need to apply separately in Australia for permission to work.
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New Zealand Immigration News
Skilled Migrant Category – Recognised Qualifications
Changes to the recognition and evidence of qualifications under the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) effected from 25 May 2009.
Details of the upcoming policy changes are available now to enable those people intending to express interest under the SMC, those who have already submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI), and those people invited to apply for residence to make informed decisions about their EOI and/or subsequent residence application.
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Proposed changes – bonus point for university lecturers
Changes to the requirements for university lecturers to claim bonus points for qualifications in an area of absolute skill shortage under the Skilled Migrant Category are proposed for June 2009.
University lecturers can currently claim bonus points if they hold either a masters degree or PhD. It is proposed that people claiming these points must also have at least 12 months’ work experience as a university lecturer or a post doctoral fellow.
New Zealand Residence Programme for 2008/2009
The number of places available to migrants under the New Zealand Residence Programme (NZRP) is reviewed by Cabinet each year. During the 2008/09 financial year the NZRP will be set at 45,000-50,000 places – the same level as last year.
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Canada Immigration News
Online services for International Students
International students can now apply online to extend their study permit. New e-Services are yet another way Canadian Government is working towards attracting and retaining international students. Over 6,000 international students have applied online for an off-campus work permit. Now, international students at over 200 participating educational institutions will be able to apply for an off-campus work permit and confirm their eligibility online.
Students who gain skilled work experience after graduation may be eligible to apply for permanent residency under the Canadian Experience Class.
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New instructions on processing federal skilled workers, November 28, 2008
Minister Kenney announced another step in measures to improve the immigration program’s responsiveness to Canada’s labour market. Retroactive to February 27, 2008, the date specified by the Federal Budget, the Action Plan for Faster Immigration includes issuing instructions to visa officers reviewing new federal skilled worker applications to process those from candidates who:
- are in 38 high-demand occupations such as health, skilled trades, finance and resource extraction; or
- have an offer of arranged employment or have already been living legally in Canada for one year as a temporary foreign worker or international student.
The list of 38 occupations was developed after consultations with the provinces and territories, business, labour and other stakeholders. New federal skilled worker applications that do not meet the eligibility criteria outlined above will not be processed, and the application fee will be fully refunded. This, along with funds set aside in the 2008 Budget to improve the immigration system, will stop the backlog from growing and will start to draw it down.
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