immigration

Brexit: Australian trade minister ‘can’t imagine’ visa-free travel deal with UK

13 January, 2020

‘Unfettered movement’ not likely to feature in post-Brexit talks, says Simon Birmingham

Australia has ruled out a post-Brexit trade deal involving visa-free travel and work arrangements with the UK. The country’s trade minister, Simon Birmingham, said he “can’t imagine full and unfettered free movement” would be on the table during negotiations.

“We’re not into full negotiating mode and we will have to see what the UK aspires to, but noting that work rights and movement of people in the UK has been a big part of the European Union debate, I would be surprised if complete liberalisation around migration and labour rights was on their agenda,” Birmingham said during an interview in London with the Sydney Morning Herald.

His remarks follow suggestions by the UK international trade secretary, Liz Truss, during a visit to Australia in September of a deal to allow British citizens to live and work in the country visa-free. Australia already has a free-movement deal with New Zealand. About 120,000 Australians live in the UK, while 636,000 UK nationals were granted tourist, business or temporary visas in Australia in the last financial year.

Australians can visit the UK for less than six months without a visa but British tourists need one to enter Australia.

Senator Birmingham said he expected possible tweaks to existing immigration rules to allow “more flexibility”, but stressed his priority was trade.

“Negotiations for an FTA [free-trade agreement] between Australia and the UK will prioritise enhancing trade with a market that is already our eighth-largest trading partner.

“Work and visa settings may also form part of discussions but it is important to appreciate that there is a huge spectrum of grey between the black and white of no movement or unfettered movement.

“Once talks are launched with the UK we will work through all of these issues in the usual way,” he said

The UK is Australia’s eighth-largest trading partner, with two-way trade valued at A$26.9bn (£14bn) in 2018. Britain is also the second-largest source of total foreign investment in Australia.

We are keeping abreast with all things Brexit so feel free Contact us for a confidential discussion.

Brexit will 'lower trade barriers with the UK'

What’s Happening With Immigration In New Zealand For 2020

12 January, 2020

What can we expect to see regarding immigration in the year to come in New Zealand?

One of the first immigration announcements is expected to be the government’s new two-year residence programme. It already lowered the target band of new residents to 50-60,000 and that may be changed again – and a cabinet paper suggests that it’s looking at prioritising certain categories, possibly such as skilled migrants, and capping others – such as partnership visas.

The government is also rolling out new employer-assisted work visas and regional workforce planning. The government wants to find ways of getting industry to attract New Zealanders into those jobs immigrants are doing, in return for a streamlined visa process. The first negotiations to make that happen are expected to be with the residential care and meat processing sectors, as industries that employ many immigrants.

Another change we will see this year is the refugee quota increasing to 1500 in July. Six new settlement areas have been to the existing ones for refugees – Ashburton, Blenheim, Levin, Masterton, Timaru and Whanganui – and a lot of work is going on there in increasing housing supply in those areas, and with the community and health sectors. Tackling worker and student exploitation and possible changes to Pacific immigration policies might also be looked at.

And apart from policy changes?

There’s a lot of operational challenges too: while the politicians may be focused on the future, the here and now will always raise its head. Last year it was the debacle of partnership visas, and visa processing delays caused by international branch closures.

How important a role will immigration play in this year’s election?

New Zealand has historically not had highly polarised debates about immigration.

Immigration came up at the 2017 election, after concerns that it was exacerbating housing supply and infrastructure problems. New Zealand First and Labour to a lesser extent campaigned then on lowering immigration. Whether they delivered on that – and whether voters liked how they did it – may be crucial. It can depend on how you cut the numbers – new resident numbers are the lowest since the turn of the century, while work visa numbers are higher than they have ever been, and net migration is still at historically high levels.

Labour may hope it can point to its work in tackling immigrant exploitation and reforming work visas. National has criticised the government on its record, including problems that visa processing delays have caused for the economy and businesses. If last year is anything to go by, New Zealand First will continue to press on with immigration as a key way to help bring home the vote. It claimed credit for high income restrictions introduced on immigrants’ parents and a tougher line on partnership applications. NZ First Minister Shane Jones recently suggested it may consider a population policy, after getting into a war of words with the Indian community.

“I’m on incredibly fertile ground for the party I represent,” he told RNZ. He said he was saddened by the “levels of verbiage that the Indian communal leadership have thrown at the party.”

If you are interested in migrating to New Zealand Contact us for a confidential discussion and refer family, friends and colleagues and be rewarded.

Visa changes to help end exploitation - Immigration Minister

So If I Emigrate To Australia Can My Parents Emigrate As Well

10 January, 2020

Visa Options For Parents To Reside In Australia

Leaving your parents when you move overseas is always concerning. One option is for them to emigrate as well. So let’s explore the possibility of this occurring if you emigrate to Australia.

Visitor visas

There are three- six- and twelve-month visitor visas available. As a short term option, it may be worthwhile investigating getting your parents over to Australia on a visitor visa. This will provide the opportunity to gauge whether it will be a good move for all parties concerned.

Permanent residence for parents of children in Australia

The only visa that will give a parent or parents permanent residence is the:

Contributory Parent Visa – The requirements for this visa are:

Half or more than half of the applicant’s children are resident in Australia as citizens or permanent residents
The sponsoring child is ‘settled’ in Australia

The 870 – Sponsored Parent Visa

This recently-added visa will require adequate health insurance and will allow up to a maximum of ten years of cumulative stay permitted (3+3 or 5+5 years). The parent or parents must leave Australia for 90 consecutive days before making the second application. People are not allowed to work on this visa.

The fine print

The parent must be sponsored by their child who is an Australian citizen or a permanent resident who has been usually resident in Australia for four years. Only two parents can be sponsored at any one time. The sponsor must have a minimum household taxable income threshold of $83,454.80 per annum.

No balance of family test will be applied, and no sponsorship bond will be required. The sponsored parents will be required to maintain adequate health insurance for the duration of their stay in Australia. The sponsors will be required to pay in full any outstanding public health debts incurred by their parent.

Are you ready to take the next step? By completing the free online visa assessment on the Migrate2Oz website, you will receive free advice on your visa eligibility, visa options and the next key steps.

The new Temporary Parent Visa (subclass 870)

Boundless Possible In Australia

9 January, 2020

Stick around for three years and become an Aussie

The Northern Territory (NT) in Australia has become a go-to destination for migrants wanted to become permanent residents of Australia. NT businesses sought to fill 520 positions with skilled migrants last year – a 263 per cent year-on-year rise after major changes to migration laws last year. The changes are the result of a deal between a population poor NT Government and the Australian Commonwealth Government.

Businesses in the NT facing a loss of staff can choose to employ the migrants if they cannot fill the vacancies with Australians, while skilled migrants can apply for permanent residency after working in the NT for at least three years. It is an opportunity bonanza for forward thinking individuals wishing to emigrate to Australia.

The NT Government is trying to boost the Territory’s flagging population with a range of measures including the Boundless Possible campaign, first home buyer incentives and industry development like onshore gas development. From the start of last year, the NT Designated Area Migration Agreement came into effect. Unlike the first agreement between the governments, this new agreement includes the permanent residency three years’ rule.

Local businesses have requested to fill 520 positions with skilled migrants in the first year of the new agreement, almost equalling the 573 positions sought for the entire four years of the first deal. So far, 52 local businesses have been endorsed by MigrationNT and have entered into Labour Agreements with the Department of Home Affairs. A further 37 businesses have received endorsement from MigrationNT and are working with Home Affairs in finalising Labour Agreements.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said his government advocated for the inclusion of the pathway to permanent residency in the second agreement, after listening to Territory business owners. “The Government’s number one priority is jobs for Territorians but access to, and retention of, a suitably skilled workforce is a key issue for many employers,” and “Every Territorian benefits when we attract more people to the Territory. More people means more jobs and a stronger economy, which means better schools, better hospitals and more police.” Mr Gunner said.

The new agreement identifies 117 shortage occupations, which employers can apply to fill with skilled international workers, up by 36 on the first DAMA. Employers who apply to fill positions with overseas nationals must first demonstrate they have been unable to fill the position locally.

Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alan Tudge said the Federal Government is committed to supporting the growth of regional Australia, which includes all of the NT. “Our first priority is always to fill jobs with Australians, but the immigration system can play an important role in helping to address regional skills gaps,” Mr Tudge said.

The “shortage” list includes accountants, bakers, farmers, baristas, child care workers, cooks, forklift drivers, mechanics, plumbers and truck drivers.

We are currently working with clients in the Northern Territory so don’t hesitate to Contact us for a confidential discussion and refer family, friends and colleagues and be rewarded.

BOUNDLESS POSSIBLE

Foreign Tradies Are Flocking To Australia

7 January, 2020

Foreign tradies are flocking to Australia to take thousands of jobs construction bosses can't get locals to fill

Visas for mechanics, chefs, carpenters and electricians rose by 34 per cent
The figure comes after the Government vowed to give locals first pick of all jobs
Immigration Minister Alan Tudge said there aren’t enough locals to fill positions

Foreign workers are flooding into Australia to take thousands of jobs construction bosses can’t get locals to fill. New figures reveal the number of Australians taking up trades has declined over the past six years, while more temporary skilled worker visas are being handed out than ever before.

Visas granted for mechanics, chefs, welders, carpenters and electricians rose from 7,200 to 9,200 nationally from 2018 to 2019. In Queensland, that figure rose from 880 to nearly 1,200 in the same time period. The statistics come after the government revamped foreign worker visas and vowed to give Australians first pick of all available jobs.

Opposition immigration spokeswoman Kristina Keneally asked why the Coalition were letting the number of people on foreign worker visas grow – particularly in Queensland.

‘It’s clear the Morrison Government’s changes to the 457 visa system two years ago were an attempt to cover up their failure to train Queensland workers for Queensland jobs,’ she said.

Labor education spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek said the Coalition had created a ‘serious tradie shortage’ in the state.

‘Scott Morrison’s cuts to TAFE mean Queenslanders aren’t being trained in these critical trades,’ she said.

Other members of the Labor party said the Coalition Government ‘failed to train Queenslanders’.

But acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge maintained bosses only hire foreign workers when they can’t find locals to do the job.

‘We don’t want to hold up major projects in Australia because of lack of qualified people,’ he said.

The number of foreign tradies being accepted into the country was much higher than other jobs including managers, community workers, administration and sales.

Australia faces skills shortage due to failed training

More Great News About Australian Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs)

6 January, 2020

BOOSTING AUSTRALIA'S POPULATION: DAMA II MARKS SUCCESSFUL FIRST YEAR

Northern Territory businesses sought to fill 520 positions with skilled migrants in 2019 – a 263 per cent year-on-year increase – following a major change to the NT’s Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA).

DAMA II, a bilateral agreement between the Northern Territory and Federal Governments, came into effect on January 1, 2019 with the inclusion of a pathway to permanent residency.

Unlike the first DAMA between the two jurisdictions, DAMA II visa holders can apply for permanent residency after working in the Territory for at least three years.

As a result of this inclusion, local businesses have requested to fill 520 positions with skilled migrants in the first year of DAMA II – almost equalling the 573 positions sought for the entire four years of the first DAMA.

So far, 52 local businesses have been endorsed by MigrationNT and have entered into Labour Agreements with the Department of Home Affairs. These businesses can now hire overseas workers in positions they have not been able to fill by Australians.

A further 37 businesses have received endorsement from MigrationNT and are working with Home Affairs in finalising Labour Agreements.

Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner said his government advocated for the inclusion of the pathway to permanent residency in the second agreement, after listening to Territory business owners.

“The Territory Labor Government’s number one priority is jobs for Territorians but access to, and retention of, a suitably skilled workforce is a key issue for many employers,” Mr Gunner said.

“That’s why our government fought hard for the inclusion of the pathway to permanent residency (PPR) in the DAMA II, to support our Territory businesses to fill job shortages with skilled international migrants and to keep workers in the Territory long term.”

The new agreement identifies 117 shortage occupations, which employers can apply to fill with skilled international workers, up by 36 on the first DAMA.

“We knew this new PPR and the addition of 36 extra occupations would appeal to Territory businesses and the huge increase in businesses seeking to fill positions with skilled migrants in the first year has proven it,” Mr Gunner said.

“Every Territorian benefits when we attract more people to the Territory. More people means more jobs and a stronger economy, which means better schools, better hospitals and more police.”

Employers who apply to fill positions with overseas nationals must first demonstrate they have been unable to fill the position locally.

“Our first priority is always to fill jobs with Australians, but the immigration system can play an important role in helping to address regional skills gaps,” Mr Tudge said.

“DAMA II provides a platform for local businesses to access the skills they need to meet their specific workforce requirements, where they have demonstrated Australians are not available to fill those jobs.

“Importantly, by giving local businesses the tools to attract skilled workers and boost the population of regional areas, we create more local jobs and a thriving economy.”

The first four year DAMA between the Federal and NT Governments commenced in 2015 and was the first in Australia where a broader range of shortage occupations was available than those identified in standard skilled migration programs.

DAMA II is a five year agreement between the two jurisdictions.

Australian DAMA Visa - TSS 482 to 186 visa PR - Age English Salary + Occupations - DAMA NT SA VIC

BLOG SERIES – WORKING IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (UAE) – PART 5

4 January, 2020

How to get an Emirates ID & Sponsorship?

This is necessary to complete your visa application process. It is basically a digital national identification system that is required for most transactions in the UAE. It is linked to your passport and visa – it is part of a national centralized system.

Once this done, you just have to wait till your employer completes the process, has the residence visa affixed on your original passport. This can take anywhere from five days to a month, depends on your employer. Once you have a visa, you can bring in your family dependent upon the required criteria being met.

Once you are done with your visa process, how can you get your family to the UAE?

Expatriate residents, can sponsor their families in the UAE provided they have a valid residency permit. Male residents who are employed in the UAE can sponsor their immediate family members, such as wife and children, subject to conditions, which include minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation. Since March 2019, the type of profession is no longer a condition for an expatriate worker to be able to sponsor his family visas.

Male residents who are employed in the UAE can sponsor their immediate family members, such as wife and children, subject to conditions, which include minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation. Now, an expatriate can bring over his family members to the UAE and sponsor their residence visas regardless of his profession, as long as he maintains the ‘income criteria’ or the minimum wage requirement, which is a minimum salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation

Further, if the father of the family is residing in the UAE and meets the conditions for sponsoring his children, the mother is not allowed to sponsor them. A resident sponsor has 60 days to apply for his dependents’ residence visa after they enter the UAE and modify their status from an entry permit holder to a resident visa holder. Family members are issued visas for one or two years depending on the nature of the work and employment contract of the sponsoring member.

Sponsored residents except adult males who are continuing their education and sponsored parents can enjoy the same visa duration as their sponsors. For adult males and parents, the residence visa is granted on a yearly basis regardless of the sponsor’s visa duration.

An expatriate resident may sponsor the residence visa for his wife and children if he fulfils the sponsorship requirements set by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). To sponsor his wife, the expatriate resident must prove an existing marital relationship by submitting an authenticated marriage certificate in Arabic or duly translated into Arabic by a certified translator.

In strict cases, a Muslim resident may be allowed to sponsor his two wives, if he meets certain terms and conditions set by the respective GDRFA.

An expatriate resident can sponsor his daughter/s only if she/they is/are unmarried, till the age of 18 years in case of a male child. Since October 21, 2018, students who graduate from their universities or secondary schools or complete 18 years of age will be granted a one-year residence visa, renewable for another year from the graduation date or on completing 18 years. For this type of visa, parents are not required to place bank deposits. The visa will cost AED100 for first time issuing and renewal. To avail of this service, parents must present duly attested graduation certificates from universities or schools, whether inside the country or abroad.

Important note: An expatriate resident can also sponsor his stepchildren, subject to GDRFA’s conditions, which include a deposit for each child and a written no-objection certificate from the biological parent. Their residence visas are valid for one year; renewable annually.

Required documents to sponsor your wife and children include:

Online application or through a registered typing office
Passport copies of the wife and children
Photos of the wife and children
Medical clearance certificate for the wife and children above 18
Copy of the husband’s employment contract or company contract
Salary certificate from the employer stating the employee’s monthly salary
Attested marriage certificate
Registered tenancy contract
Latest utility bill

How can you sponsor your parents?

An expatriate employee can sponsor his parents, which is for a year, by paying a deposit as a guarantee for each parent as stipulated by the respective immigration department. This is refundable. An expatriate employee cannot sponsor only one of his parents. He needs to sponsor both parents together. He also needs to provide proof that he is their sole support and that there is no one to take care of them back home. If one of the parents has passed away or if the parents are divorced, he has to show the related official documents as justification to sponsor only one of his parents

To sponsor parents, the employed expatriate resident must earn the minimum salary stipulated and obtain a medical insurance policy for parents with the minimum coverage stipulated for each, to be renewed each year. For example: GDFRA in Dubai stipulates a minimum salary of AED 20,000 or a monthly pay of AED 19,000 plus a two-bedroom accommodation to sponsor parents’ visa.

How can a woman sponsor her family?

In Abu Dhabi, a woman can sponsor her husband and children if she holds a residence permit stating that she is an engineer, teacher, doctor, nurse or any other profession related to the medical sector and if her monthly salary is not less than AED 10,000 or AED 8,000 plus accommodation. She needs to provide additional documents as stipulated by the respective authority.

In Dubai, if a woman is not employed in one of these categories, she may still get approval to sponsor her family if her monthly salary is more than AED 10,000 and with a special permission from the GDFRA. A single mother can sponsor her child. The authorities might ask for documents similar to those required to sponsor stepchildren.

What happens to your family’s visa/s if you quit or lose your job?

The family’s residence permits are linked to the residence permit of the sponsoring expatriate employee. If the sponsoring family member’s visa is cancelled, it requires cancellation of the visas of the dependents. Dependents are granted a 30-day grace period from the date of expiry or cancellation of their visa to obtain a new residence permit. If the employee fails to renew or cancel the visa of his dependents, the dependents would be deemed illegal residents and could be liable to pay a fine.

A great toll free number for MoHRE to have: 800-60

Issuing of ID Card for the First Time

Why Australia Is The Next Place To Expand Your Business

3 January, 2020

Australia's Dynamic Industries

The Australian Government welcomes foreign investment. As the Australian Government’s investment promotion agency, Austrade works to inform investors about growth opportunities in five areas which play to our strengths, jointly agreed by Australian and State and Territory Governments:

Agribusiness and food
Major infrastructure
Tourism infrastructure
Resources and energy
Advanced manufacturing, services and technology

Within advanced manufacturing, services and technology, Austrade focuses on highlighting growth opportunities for investment in Australian medical and materials sciences and technologies, and digital technologies.

Australia has achieved significant global success in the energy and resources, agribusiness, education, tourism and financial services industries.

The country is also developing and commercialising new disruptive technologies in a range of sectors, including agriculture, education, financial services and healthcare.

Australia is renowned for its resources sector, upon which Asia continues to rely to help fuel its industrialisation. Australian agricultural commodities and premium food are in high demand worldwide, as are its tourism, education, wealth management, healthcare and professional services.

Australia is:

the world’s largest producer of gold, iron ore and uranium
a major global producer of agricultural commodities
a leader in investment management, with the sixth largest pool of funds under management in the world
the world’s third most popular destination for students
the seventh largest international tourism market.

GLOBALLY SUCCESSFUL IN FIVE KEY INDUSTRIES

Australia is a major producer of in-demand agricultural commodities, premium food and natural resources. The nation is a leading destination for international tourists and students in tertiary education. It also has large, expanding, sophisticated financial markets, including the world’s sixth largest pool of managed fund assets.

A LEADER IN NEW TECHNOLOGIES

Australia’s transition to a services-based economy is driving the development of new technologies in agriculture, education, financial services and health, among other sectors. This includes the use of blockchain in finance, immersive simulation technologies in education, robotics in medical procedures and the Internet of Things in agriculture.

ABUNDANT RESERVES OF MINERAL AND ENERGY RESOURCES

Australia’s natural resources continue to be a vital contributor to the nation’s wealth. It has the world’s largest resources of iron ore, gold, lead, zinc, nickel, rutile and zircon, as well as the second largest bauxite, cobalt, silver and copper reserves. Australia also has the world’s largest uranium reserves and the second largest brown coal deposits, enabling it to play an important role in supplying the world’s energy needs.