The New South Wales (NSW) Government will be accepting nominations for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491) from next Monday (June 15) until Tuesday June 23, 5pm.

Applicants are advised to apply only if they meet ALL of the following requirements:

• Your occupation is on the NSW Stream 1 Regional Skilled Occupation list
• You have been living in regional NSW for more than 1 year
• You have been working in your nominated occupation (or a closely related one) in regional NSW for more than 1 year

Applicants that do not meet these criteria are advised not to apply.

Answers to FAQs will be posted on the Department's website on Monday 15 June.

Click here for the announcement from NSW Treasury.

Click here for designated regional area postcodes in NSW.

Get in touch quickly if you have any questions!

Applying for an Australian visa can be a confusing experience for those unfamiliar with the application process. It can involve a number of fees, and these vary greatly between migration agents.

The Code of Conduct of the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) only requires that the fees be ‘fair and reasonable’.

However, the Code is very clear on the rules that migration agents must follow during the visa application process.
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Download our guide to the typical fees and processes involved in applying for an Australian visa.

For the Department of Home Affairs current fees for each visa subclass, click here.

For more information on KP Migration's service fees, email kiseon@kpmigration.com.au or call 0466 626 918 to discuss your current circumstances.

The Victorian Government today provided updated information on skilled and business migration in the state. 

Both the subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) and subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional - State Sponsored Stream) remain open, with allocations not yet exhausted for the 2019/20 financial year.

However, the state advises that both programs are extremely competitive and that only fully documented applications are likely to succeed.

Unfortunately, nominations for the Business Innovation and Investment visa streams are no longer being accepted for the current financial year.

Information about these programs for the 2020/21 financial year will be made available in coming weeks. We'll keep you updated!

If you are interested in applying for visas in the skilled or business stream, please get in touch as soon as possible to discuss your requirements and options.

More state government information about migrating to Victoria can be found here.

There is light at the end of the tunnel for international students returning to Australia, with the Government's publication of the Roadmap to a Covidsafe Australia indicating a possible travel exemption for international students during Step 3.

Click here to see the Roadmap.

The timeframes will depend on state governments, but this could potentially happen by the end of July.

The creation of a 'travel bubble' between Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands is also on the cards, with low coronavirus rates in all three regions. However, this idea is being approached cautiously by all parties.​

I'm often asked questions about Partner Visa requirements. 

The answers sometimes depend on a couple's individual circumstances, current visa status and country of origin.

However, it's possible to provide answers to general questions such as:

• Can we apply if we've only been together a short time?
• Can I work or study on my partner visa?
• How long will I have to wait for PR (permanent residence)?

Click here for the answers.

When your visa is granted, there are few feelings that can compare with the joy, satisfaction and relief you feel at that moment.

Fortunately, a successful visa outcome does not depend on luck.

There are several habits that successful visa applicants have in common, including being well-organised, and communicating frequently and openly with their migration agent.

If you're considering applying for a visa soon, check out our tip sheet outlining the 5 Habits of Successful Visa Applicants.

The Australian Government has announced a number of changes for temporary visa holders, including students, visitors, temporary skilled and working holidaymakers.

For the full details, click the link below.

https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/davidcoleman/Pages/Coronavirus-and-Temporary-Visa-holders.aspx

Working holiday visa holders who work, or are willing to work, in essential industries - farming, health care, aged care - are now eligible for a 6-month visa extension due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

They will also be exempt from the 6-month limitation on working for the same employer.

The Government has also announced that temporary visa holders will now be able to access superannuation funds to help them through this period financially.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-04/coronavirus-backpackers-allowed-to-extend-stays-in-australia/12121004 

If you are a student visa holder, you might be able to work more than 40 hours a fortnight temporarily during term if your employer needs you to stock shelves at a supermarket. This temporary arrangement applies to aged care workers as well.
“To keep up with this demand, supermarkets have told us they need to give extra hours to current staff to stock shelves and serve Australian customers. While many of these will be Australian workers, international students will also be able to increase their hours,” Mr Tudge (Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs) said.
For further information, please click the link below
​https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/davidcoleman/Pages/more-help-aussie-shelves-stocked.aspx?fbclid=IwAR2wmxxJ-uHw-AuzLHezS4ROQq_6jkK7XqnuvUVYYnH68hYyf6eh77CK88E