Immigration News: August 2021
In August, Australia created a travel exemption for Prospective Marriage visa holders and announced the results of the first General Skilled Migration invitation round for the 2021/22 Migration Program year.
Travel exemption for Prospective Marriage visa holders (subclass 300)
The Australian government has created several COVID-19 travel exemptions. The latest travel exemption was created for Prospective Marriage visa holders (subclass 300). This exemption allows eligible subclass 300 visa holder to travel to and enter Australia.
The requirements
Prospective Marriage visa holders may be considered for a travel exemption if:
- their subclass 300 visa has been granted, and
- their subclass 300 visa application was lodged at least 12 months before submitting a travel exemption request.
Results of the first General skilled Migration invitations
The Department of Home Affairs has issued the results of the first General Skilled Migration (GSM) invitation round for the 2021/22 Migration Program year that took place on the 26th of July:
- Visa Subclass 189:
- Number of invitations issued: 500
- Minimum points: 80
- Latest of effect: 07/2019
- Visa Subclass 491 (Family Sponsored)
- Number of invitation issued: 250
- Minimum points: 65
- Latest date of effect: 03/2021
It is unclear to which occupations the Department extended invitations but it is likely that it was a targeted invitation round with invitations only going to candidates with the critical skills necessary for Australia’s response to COVID-19.
The Department has also announced that the invitation rounds for visa subclasses 189 and 491 will continue on a quarterly basis for the 2021/22 program year with the next round expected in October 2021.
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