Australia Important Visa Changes February 2024 | Australia Visa Update

The Australian government announced several immigration-related measures last year, like as ending the pandemic visa program and increasing the TSM threshold to $70,000.

Still, some of the largest shifts in recent Australian immigration history are expected to occur this year. The 190 Visa invitations and adjustments on visa processing times are only two of the significant changes to Australian visas that will take effect in February 2024 that are highlighted in this article. The following are some developments about Australian visas for February 2024:

1. New South Wales 190 Visa Invitation

In New South Wales, the Subclass 190 nomination process was recently held. To make sure that candidates match the skill requirements of the state’s economy, a selection-based invitation mechanism is employed rather than a direct application process for New South Wales nomination.

You must, at least, fulfill all requirements set forth by the Australian Department of Home Affairs for this particular Visa to be eligible for a nomination from New South Wales. To be eligible for this visa, you must possess a valid skills assessment from one of the skilled jobs. During this time, you must also remain onshore or offshore for a minimum of six months.

A lot of consideration must be spent when submitting an EOI for a New South Wales nomination under the Skilled Nominated Visa Subclass 190.

2. Update on Visa Processing Times

The Australian government asserts that it will expedite the approval process of non-resident visitors’ visa applications by adding more personnel to handle visa applications. Visas for students and temporary skilled workers are now given precedence. The following are the processing times for significant visa categories:

• 10 months for 190 skilled nominated visas
• 9 to 18 months for 491 skilled work Regional provisional visas
• 9 months for 858 Global Talent visas
• 42 days for student visas for postgraduate study

In addition, it takes 7 to 11 months for direct admission to the 186 Employer Nomination Scheme Visa and 12 months for the 189 Independent Visa. A student visa may take eight or nine weeks to process once the required medical examinations are submitted.

3. Australia New MATES Visa

A new program called MATES was created under the Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement (MMPA) to make it easier for Indian university graduates and early career professionals to relocate to Australia.

It also allows foreigners to live and work in Australia for up to two years without needing sponsorship. Those having a MATES Visa can relocate to Australia for employment purposes without the need for employer sponsorship.

The Matchmakers One of the primary benefits of a visa is that it offers a path to permanent residence in Australia. This implies that if you meet all the requirements and have lived and worked in Australia for a predetermined period on MATES, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency, which would allow you to stay there eternally.

4. Student Visa Rejection Rate Increase

More analysis reveals that the rejection rate increased from 22% in the first half of 2023 to 40%, raising concerns among students about their chances of remaining in Australia after graduation. These students are academically qualified for admission, but some universities are making the issue worse by rejecting admission offers to candidates they think would have trouble getting visas.

Conversely, the Australian government maintains that to protect jobs in Australia, new immigration laws are required. In the end, foreign applicants to Australian universities need to be aware of the difficulties in securing a visa as well as the most recent immigration regulations in the nation.

Looking to the future of 2024

We should expect to see a lot more announcements and changes about visas throughout the year as the Australian government tries to overhaul the current Visa system. You may rely on us to notify you as soon as there are any updates on modifications to Australian visa laws.

Go through the updates on the various Visa categories on the Australian Department of Home Affairs website to find out more about the possible effects of these changes on you.