As COVID-19 (Coronavirus) continues to impact global movement, it is important to understand how this will impact your migration and visa status.
We have been inundated with enquires, so have created this FAQ guide to answer the most common questions. We will continue to monitor the situation and update our website to assist you.
Where can I find current information on travelling to Australia?
You can find the latest information about Australian travel restrictions and isolation measures on the Department of Home Affairs website: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/news-media/current-alerts/novel-coronavirus
As of 20 March 2020, only Australian citizens, residents and immediate family members can travel to Australia. All travellers to Australia are required to self-isolate for 14 days, either at home or in a hotel. You can view information on Coronavirus (COVID-19) isolation on the Australian Government website.
According to the Government website, these restrictions will remain in place until further notice. The department are advising that travellers check the website regularly.
We recommend seeking advice primarily using the Department of Home Affairs website.
Should I change my future travel plans to Australia?
As the situation is developing rapidly, it is impossible to predict what travel restrictions will be in place by the time you intend to travel.
For more information on the current travel restrictions and self-isolation requirements in Australia, please refer to the Government website: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/news-media/current-alerts/novel-coronavirus.
Please note that the current advice from the UK government is for all British nationals to avoid non-essential travel.
Does this impact the processing of my skilled or family visa?
While there is no direct impact yet, we do anticipate minor delays in processing for a number of reasons:
- Technical and Practical assessments with Vetassess have been suspended until further notice, meaning your skills assessment may take longer to complete
- Some panel doctors are suspending new appointments, meaning your medicals will be delayed
- Employees across the globe are being advised to work from home and take sick leave, meaning Immigration may have less case processors working on visas
You can view the latest visa processing times here: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times/global-visa-processing-times
We will continue to publish new information as it becomes available.
I have been granted a visa with an initial entry date – will this date be extended?
Those with expiring entry dates should look to enter Australia within the given timeframe. We have not yet received confirmation that extensions will be provided.
We recommend contacting Immigration directly if your initial entry date is in the next 1-3 months.
Within Australia: Telephone 131 881
Outside Australia: Telephone +61 2 6196 0196
I cannot complete my medical check within the given time frame – what should I do?
Clients should book their medicals if requested, but we understand that there will be delays.
The most important thing is you communicate with your visa case officer. We recommend uploading the payment receipt for your appointment, and any correspondence you may have as evidence of your booking (or attempt of booking).
You should also upload a letter requesting an extension from Immigration, however extensions are not guaranteed and it is important you make reasonable attempts to arrange your medicals.
My travel plans have been affected – can I simply stay in Australia?
No – all tourist visa applicants in Australia should consider leaving as to not to overstay their visa. We always advise that you must obey all visa conditions.
Moreover, the UK Government have asked for all overseas Brits to return immediately to the UK.
I am a visa holder in Australia – how does this impact me?
You must apply for a new visa before your current visa expires. You may be eligible to be granted a bridging visa that will keep you lawful until a decision is made on your visa application. You can refer to the Government website for instructions on what you need to do to stay longer.
If your current Australian visa states – No further stay condition (includes 8503, 8534 and 8535) – then you cannot apply for most other visas until you leave Australia. If your visa has less than 2 months validity remaining you can request to waive this condition.
If your current Australian visa states – Condition 8558 (Non-resident cannot stay for more than 12 months in any 18 months period) – you will need to apply for a new visa.
If your visa has expired, you need to apply for Bridging E visa immediately in order to become lawful.
We thank you for your patience during this busy time as we respond to your enquiries. You can stay updated by checking our news page.
SkillSelect Invitation Rounds February 2020
NewsWhat is an Expression of Interest invitation round?
If you are applying through the skilled migration stream then this process will be applicable to you. After obtaining a positive skills assessment and English test you will need to lodge an Expression of Interest, commonly referred to an EOI. EOI’s are lodged online via SkillSelect.
If you are lodging an EOI for a Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) or Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491), you will be subject to invitation rounds. Invitation rounds currently take place once a month, usually on the 11th.
What do invitation rounds tell us?
Each month the invitation round results are published on SkillSelect. This is a good indication to determine if you have enough points to secure a Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) visa, and how long it may take you to secure an invite. Invitations are not guaranteed and your EOI will expire after 2 years.
What were the latest invitation round results?
The latest invitation round – 11 February 2020 – saw 1,500 invitation issued.
The minimum points score for a Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) was 90. The latest date of effect was 16/11/2019. This means applicants needed 90+ points to secure an invitation, and those who had the minimum 90 points waited 4 months to secure an invitation.
The minimum points score for a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored was 85. The latest date of effect was 08/01/2020. This means applicants needed 85+ points to secure an invitation, and those who had the minimum 85 points waited nearly 3 months to secure an invitation.
The above minimum points scores do not apply to pro-rata occupations. Due to high levels of demand, certain occupations are subject to pro-rata arrangements to ensure invitations are available throughout the year. This includes various occupations in finance, engineering and ICT. You can check if this applies to you by visiting SkillSelect. The minimum points score and date of effect for pro-rata occupations are also listed on SkillSelect.
How many points do I need for a skilled visa?
You can lodge an EOI on 65 points, however what many people don’t realize is meeting the minimum threshold of 65 points has not been enough to secure a 189 invitation for years! The last 6 months of invitation rounds saw no 189 invitation issued on under 80 points. Realistically, you require at least 80 points to have a chance of securing a 189 visa and we do not anticipate this lessening any time soon.
How can I increase my points?
There are two primary ways to increase your points score; The English Test and State Sponsorship (visa subclasses 190 and 491).
You can use Visa Go Australia’s free points calculator to determine your skilled points score. Alternatively, you can seek advice from our licensed Migration Agent Darren Chatt MARN:0211214 by booking a consultation.
UPDATE on Queensland State Nomination – Temporary Closures
NewsClosure of Offshore 491 Applications
As of 25 March 2020, BSMQ (Business and Skilled Migration Queensland) have temporarily closed processing of offshore 491 applications.
The following statement has been added to their website;
BSMQ PROCESSING UPDATE 25 MARCH 2020
Reference: https://migration.qld.gov.au/
Coronavirus Support Packages
Queensland State Government and Australian Government support package responses to Coronavirus:
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and Australian Visas FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
NewsAs COVID-19 (Coronavirus) continues to impact global movement, it is important to understand how this will impact your migration and visa status.
We have been inundated with enquires, so have created this FAQ guide to answer the most common questions. We will continue to monitor the situation and update our website to assist you.
Where can I find current information on travelling to Australia?
You can find the latest information about Australian travel restrictions and isolation measures on the Department of Home Affairs website: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/news-media/current-alerts/novel-coronavirus
As of 20 March 2020, only Australian citizens, residents and immediate family members can travel to Australia. All travellers to Australia are required to self-isolate for 14 days, either at home or in a hotel. You can view information on Coronavirus (COVID-19) isolation on the Australian Government website.
According to the Government website, these restrictions will remain in place until further notice. The department are advising that travellers check the website regularly.
We recommend seeking advice primarily using the Department of Home Affairs website.
Should I change my future travel plans to Australia?
As the situation is developing rapidly, it is impossible to predict what travel restrictions will be in place by the time you intend to travel.
For more information on the current travel restrictions and self-isolation requirements in Australia, please refer to the Government website: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/news-media/current-alerts/novel-coronavirus.
Please note that the current advice from the UK government is for all British nationals to avoid non-essential travel.
Does this impact the processing of my skilled or family visa?
While there is no direct impact yet, we do anticipate minor delays in processing for a number of reasons:
You can view the latest visa processing times here: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times/global-visa-processing-times
We will continue to publish new information as it becomes available.
I have been granted a visa with an initial entry date – will this date be extended?
Those with expiring entry dates should look to enter Australia within the given timeframe. We have not yet received confirmation that extensions will be provided.
We recommend contacting Immigration directly if your initial entry date is in the next 1-3 months.
Within Australia: Telephone 131 881
Outside Australia: Telephone +61 2 6196 0196
I cannot complete my medical check within the given time frame – what should I do?
Clients should book their medicals if requested, but we understand that there will be delays.
The most important thing is you communicate with your visa case officer. We recommend uploading the payment receipt for your appointment, and any correspondence you may have as evidence of your booking (or attempt of booking).
You should also upload a letter requesting an extension from Immigration, however extensions are not guaranteed and it is important you make reasonable attempts to arrange your medicals.
My travel plans have been affected – can I simply stay in Australia?
No – all tourist visa applicants in Australia should consider leaving as to not to overstay their visa. We always advise that you must obey all visa conditions.
Moreover, the UK Government have asked for all overseas Brits to return immediately to the UK.
I am a visa holder in Australia – how does this impact me?
You must apply for a new visa before your current visa expires. You may be eligible to be granted a bridging visa that will keep you lawful until a decision is made on your visa application. You can refer to the Government website for instructions on what you need to do to stay longer.
If your current Australian visa states – No further stay condition (includes 8503, 8534 and 8535) – then you cannot apply for most other visas until you leave Australia. If your visa has less than 2 months validity remaining you can request to waive this condition.
If your current Australian visa states – Condition 8558 (Non-resident cannot stay for more than 12 months in any 18 months period) – you will need to apply for a new visa.
If your visa has expired, you need to apply for Bridging E visa immediately in order to become lawful.
We thank you for your patience during this busy time as we respond to your enquiries. You can stay updated by checking our news page.
Australian Partner Visa Processing Times – Why does it take so long?
NewsAustralian partner visa processing times
If you are in a genuine and committed relationship with an Australia permanent resident, Australian citizen or eligible NZ citizen, then you may be eligible to apply for a partner visa. This visa category accounts for around 25% of Australia’s migration program – the largest category in the family stream. Below, we look at Australian partner visa processing times.
The demand for partner visas
The partner visa planning level has remained the same since 2014-15, with 47, 825 places available. However, the 2019-20 migration year saw this number reduce to 39,799 places. This is a reduction of nearly 17%, despite the increasing demand for partner visas. In 2018-19 over 60, 000 partner visas (subclass 300, 309 and 820) were lodged. Evidently, the demand exceeds the available places for partner visas in the annual migration program. Australian partner visa processing times are increased as demand exceeds the visa allocations.
A backlog of applications
With more people applying than there are spaces, lodged visa applications have continued to pile up, creating a backlog of applications and pushing out waiting times. Some applicants are waiting over 24 months to secure an Australian partner visa! You can view current global processing times on the Government website.
According to figures released by the Department of Home Affairs, on 30/06/2019 there was a backlog of 74, 999 partner visa applications (subclasses 300, 309 and 820).
An increase in fraudulent applications
The Department of Home Affairs has advised of an increase in high risk applications. News of fake marriage syndicates and false relationships are commonplace in Australia’s media, providing an insight into the lengths people will go to secure an Australian visa under false pretence.
The last migration year 2018-19 saw 16% of Prospective Marriage Visas (subclass 309), 9.8% of Offshore Partner Visas (subclass 300) and 5.5% of Onshore Partner Visas (subclass 820) refused.
More resources are required to seek out genuine visa applications, creating the need for strong and varied relationship evidence.
The Australian Department of Home Affairs clearly states that a visa applicant must prove their identity and provide true information within their visa application. Failure to do so can result in visa refusals and can impact future visa applications.
Can I speed up the process?
There are some simple ways in which you can reduce the processing time of your spouse visa. It is advisable that you lodge a complete application, meaning all recommended documents are uploaded and are clear colour copies. You should also action any requests from Immigration promptly.
If you can demonstrate compassionate and compelling circumstances then you may be granted priority processing. However it is important to note that everyone wants their visa swiftly and each application is treated with high importance. There is no guarantee that your application will be given a higher priority as other applicants. You will need to make a request for priority processing with the visa office where your application is being processed and provide evidence to support your claims.
You can seek visa advice by completing Visa Go Australia’s free online assessment. A licensed agent will review your details and contact you by email.
COVID-19 Australia Travel Update
NewsCOVID-19 (Coronavirus) and Australian Travel
As COVID-19 (Coronavirus) continues to impact global movement, it is important to understand where you can find accurate and current information and guidance.
The latest information about Australian travel restrictions and isolation measures is on the Department of Home Affairs website: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/news-media/current-alerts/novel-coronavirus
As of 20 March 2020, only Australian citizens, residents and immediate family members can travel to Australia. All travellers to Australia are required to self-isolate for 14 days, either at home or in a hotel.
You can view information on Coronavirus (COVID-19) isolation on the Australian Government website.
Travel restrictions are subject to change, and the department are advising that travellers check the website regularly.
Before travelling to Australia, we recommend seeking advice from your airline, but primarily using the Department of Home Affairs website.
Reasons to choose regional Australia
Australia, NewsAccording to Government data, Australia welcomed 186,000 skilled migrants in 2018, with nearly 70 per cent moving to Sydney or Melbourne. As city infrastructure struggles to meet the demands of unsustainable population growth, politicians have responded with changes to immigration policy. Noticeable changes include reduced skilled visa invitations, increased points requirements and the introduction of the 491 visa.
Consequently, more applicants are relying on state nomination to secure skilled visas, and regional Australia is becoming more attractive (and achievable) to expats.
With the changing dynamics of Australian cities and migration policy, migrants are encouraged to consider regional Australia as a serious resettlement option. There are an abundance of opportunities outside Australia’s major cities, and there are so many reasons to actively seek relocation to here. Below, you will discover some of the benefits of choosing Australia’s regional towns and cities.
Moreover, the healthcare and social assistance industry is expected to be a major job contributor in most regional areas. The Gold Coast in Queensland, which has recently been specified as regional city, is projected to have the most growth in health care and social assistance jobs in Australia.
Employment rates across Australia continue to perform highly, with little difference between metropolitan and regional Australia jobless rates and expected growth. The Australian Government Employment Outlook to November 2019 projects regional job growth will increase by 8.5%, compared to 10.7% in metropolitan areas.
With increased visa options, strong jobs markets and affordable housing, creating a new life in regional Australia is an attractive option. As migration policy constantly changes, it is becoming more challenging to secure a skilled visa. Using the services of an experienced Registered Migration Agent can help ensure the success of your application, saving you time and money. To seek visa advice from Darren Chatt MARN:0211214, please complete our online visa assessment.211214, please complete our online visa assessment.
February 17, 2020/by admin
Practical Assessment dates
Australia, News, Skilled Visa, VisaOnline Technical Interview assessments are available on weekdays at one of our assessment venues in Edinburgh, Manchester and London..
Face-to-face assessments are in the United Kingdom and Australia. Non-licensed trades are assessed via technical interview. The assessment for licensed trades involves a face-to-face practical assessment and a technical interview.
Face-to-face assessments are currently scheduled for the following dates:
In-country assessment dates
Please note these dates are tentative only. They will be confirmed 1-2 weeks prior to assessment.
*Please note that exhibitors can vary between events.
Australian Visa Application Charges Increase
Australia, News, VisaAs of 1 July 2019 there has been an increase in visa application charges on most visa subclasses.
If you have not yet lodged your visa then these price increases will apply to you.
Visa Go Emigration specialise in skilled, partner and parent visa applications. The updated prices for these are listed below:
Skilled Migrant Visas (subclasses 189, 190, 489)
Partner and Prospective Marriage Visas (subclasses 820/801, 309/100, 300)
Contributory Parent Visa (subclass 143)
Aged Contributory Parent Visa (subclasses 864, 884)
The above fees are paid when you lodge your visa application. A card surcharge also applies (typically 1.32% – 1.40%).
You can read more here: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/fees-and-charges
To assess your visa eligibility you can complete our free online assessment here: https://visa-go.com/australia/
Australian Skilled Migration Changes 2018
Australia, News, Skilled Visa, VisaThe 1 July 2018 saw the beginning of a new migration year in Australia. Over the last 6 weeks there have been an abundance of changes to the skilled migration process. These changes are outlined below:
1) Minimum points required for skilled migration increase to 65
Applicants applying for a Skilled Visa for Australia must achieve a minimum of 65 points to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). This change applies to all applicants on 60 points who have not yet received an invitation to apply for a skilled visa.
Achieving the new minimum point score of 65 does not assure you an invitation to apply for a visa. As per previous invitation rounds, applicants currently need a minimum of 70 points to apply for a Skilled Independent 189 Visa.
Completing a recognised English Language Test or securing State Sponsorship are the two primary ways in which to increase your points score. Most Australian states have reopened their nomination programmes to new applicants.
2) SkillSelect rounds now occur monthly
As of 11 August 2018, SkillSelect invitation rounds will take place monthly. The number of invitations issued monthly will remain the same; however this is subject to change in accordance with the department’s processing capacity and pipeline.
Once submitted, an Expression of Interest is valid for 2 years.
3) Visa application charges have increased
As of 1 July 2018, the new visa application charges for General Skilled Migration (subclass 189, 190 and 489) are as follows:
The Department of Home Affairs charge a card fee on payments of 1.32% (Visa and Mastercard) and 1.40% (AMEX).
If you are interested in migration to Australia you can complete our free online assessment.
Australian Skilled Migration Update: Minimum Points Score Increasing to 65
Australia, NewsThe points required for Australian General Skilled Migration is increasing to a minimum of 65 points.
Applicants applying for a Skilled Visa for Australia must secure a minimum of 65 points to apply from 1 July 2018. This change will affect all applicants on 60 points who have not yet received an invitation to apply for a skilled visa.
It’s important to note that obtaining the new minimum points score of 65 does not guarantee an invitation to apply for a visa. The points for skilled visas remains inflated, with applicants requiring a minimum of 70-75 points to secure an invitation to apply for a Skilled Independent 189 Visa.
The most common ways to increase your points score include completing an English Language Test or applying for State Sponsorship. The majority of states are temporarily closed due to the large volume of applications received. We anticipate most states will reopen after 1 July 2018.
To assess your visa points score complete our free online assessment.