Don’t Postpone Your Emigration Because of COVID-19!

Last week, our social media team asked our Facebook followers if they were delaying their emigration because of COVID-19. Everyone who responded said they had hit the pause button until further notice.

Is it possible to blame them?

Most people from other countries are still barred from entering Australia and New Zealand, and no one knows when this will change.

Having said that, we disagree that putting your emigration on hold is the best option.

This is why we say it:

1) The borders of Australia are OPEN to critical workers

Australia has opened its doors to critical workers on the new Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL), as well as individuals working in critical sectors or with critical skills:

List of Skilled Occupations for Priority Migration

The Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List is a new priority skills list developed by Australia that includes 17 occupations (PMSOL). The list’s purpose is to allow a small number of sponsored skilled workers into Australia to fill critical skill shortages in critical sectors.

The PMSOL applies to subclass 482, 494, 186, and 187 visas and includes employment in the following industries:

Either the CEO or the managing director (111111)

Project Manager for Construction (133111)

Engineering technician (233512)

Physician General (253111)

Local Medical Officer (253112)

Psychiatrist (253411) (253411)

Need for medical professional (253999)

Midwife (254111) (254111)

Certified Nurses:

Senior Care (254412)

Intensive Care and Emergency (254415)

Medical (254418) (254418)

Health Mental (254422)

Perioperative (254423) (254423)

Nec. Registered Nurses (254499)

Creator, Programmer (261312)

Program Engineer (261313)

Maintenance Coordinator (312911)

Exemption from travel requirements for those with vital skills or sectors

Australia is expanding travel exemptions to those who qualify and work in or possess certain key professions, such as:

Traveling to participate in the COVID-19 response at the invitation of the Australian Government or a State or Territory Government Authority

supplying vital medical supplies and providing emergency or specialized medical services, such as air ambulances and medical evacuations

With crucial competencies necessary to keep up the provision of necessary goods and services, such as in:

Technology in medicine

A necessary infrastructure

Telecommunications

Mining and engineering

Logistics in the supply chain

Senior care

Agriculture

A major industry

Manufacture of food

Maritime sector

Providing services where there are no accessible Australian workers but they are essential to Australia’s economic revival. Such sectors include, for instance:

Monetary technology

Expansive manufacturing

Production of movies, media, and television

New technologies

Providing essential knowledge in the disciplines of religion or theology

Individuals supported by the Australian Government or a state or territory government body whose entry would otherwise be in Australia’s national interest

2) Despite the border closures, you can finish necessary portions of your application for a skilled immigrant visa

First, let’s discuss why you would want to do that. It’s easy. You can submit your visa application as soon as the restrictions are lifted if you finish the necessary steps immediately. If you decide to wait and see what occurs first, you will be miles ahead of other migrants.

Our advisors always advise our clients to focus on the long term rather than the short term!

Let’s take a look at the important parts that you can cross off your to-do list. It is specifically the skills assessment, English test, and Expression of Interest for skilled migrant applications in subclasses 189, 190, and 491.

The skills evaluation is valid for two to three years, and the English test is valid for three years. Expressions of Interest are valid for two years from the date of submission if you score enough points.

While there is still so much uncertainty all around the world, we are sure to have more certainty over the 12 to 18 months and things should return to something that closely resembles our ‘old normal’. This includes Australian visa applications.

3) Australia’s immigration regulations may change, and you may be unable to apply for a visa

We’re not saying this to scare you. This has happened far too frequently in the past.

Consider the two-year increase in work experience requirements for employer-sponsored work visas to three years. Not to mention the increase in required points for the skilled migrant category from 60 to at least 65.

In the coming years, there will be fewer visas available for skilled migrants in the 2020-21 migration year.

In the 2019-20 fiscal year, for example, there were 16,652 allocated spots for the skilled independent visa. There are only 6,500 available spots for the 2020-21 school year. For the new migration year, both the skilled nomination visa and the skilled work regional visa saw significant decreases.

Furthermore, Australia is considering making English tests mandatory for the partners of Australians seeking permanent residency. If passed by parliament, this legislative change will take effect in the middle of next year.

If the Australian partner is a permanent resident, the requirement will also apply to the partner. Citizens would not be required to take an English exam.

Are you ready to begin your visa application?

If you have read all of this and believe that continuing with your visa application is the best option, please do not hesitate to contact our team.

Our advisors can determine your eligibility and create a personalized immigration plan for you. Our administrative team will then assist you in preparing your visa application for submission. We want you to realize your dream of living in Australia as much as you do, so we’re excited to walk this path with you!