This year has without a doubt gone through an unprecedented chain of events and left a trail of adversity for many individuals. Despite the ongoing crisis, certain states, such as Western Australia, are returning back to normal while states such as Victoria might be heading the opposite direction.
Regardless of which state in Australia you may reside, the national travel ban remains in place for non-permanent residents and citizens, with international travel being extremely difficult due to the scarcity of flights, and difficulty in obtaining travel permissions both in and out of the country. However, to those with compelling or compassionate reasons,it may be possible to waiver restrictions. Applications for exemptions will be considered on a per-case basis. Compelling or compassionate reasons can include essential work travel.
New Financial Year Updates
As many of you might know, the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program for the 2019/20 financial year has now closed. The State & Territory nomination program will remain temporarily closed until the Commonwealth Government’s allocation of state nomination places for 2020-21 takes place. As a result,State & Territory governments have no ability to nominate applicants in visa subclass 190 & visa subclass 491.
The GSM 2020/21 program year is scheduled to re-open from early August ,however, changes to the composition of the Australian Migration program might be made in October under the new budget.
The following is a look at the current states at the moment:
NT: Currently open. New eligibility criteria is in place for all applicants. Closed for offshore applicants.
WA: Currently open. No updates yet from state authority.
NSW: Applications are open for 190 visa, closed for 491 visa. No nominations will be made until the allocation of new quota.
TAS: Application are open, but no nomination will be made until quota is received.
VIC: State nomination applications are temporarily closed. You can still lodge an EOI and then lodge the state nomination application once the new quota is allocated.
SA: Applications closed until early august. Will re-open subject to allocation of new quota.
ACT: Program to be temporarily closed until quota received from the DHA
QLD: Currently closed. Will reopen upon allocation of new quota.
It is important to note that currently open status implies that applicants meeting current criteria can apply for EOI and nomination application if invited by state authority. However, nominations will only be issued once the quota is allocated to respective state for this financial year.
Australia Migration Services has been successful in obtaining travel exemptions for our clients as well as enabling businesses to continue their operations which are critical to the economy, and to the recovery of Australia.
Australia Migration Services is operating as per usual during this period. If you have immigration queries relating to the above, or need urgent assistance, please call us on 03 9092 1688 or email us at info@amsmigration.com.au
If you were thinking of applying for the General Skilled Migration program, you might be wondering what you going to do now that it is closed. There might be other alternatives, which can be best explained by one of our MARA registered migration consultant.To find out how you may obtain travel rights during this time, speak to one of our migration consultants by booking now.
