woocommerce domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home/indianav/migratetosunnyaustralia.com/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6121The Department of Home Affairs has recently announced that they will be making changes to a range of family visa programs which will support applicants impacted by Covid-19 pandemic.
These changes will allow the grant of the applied visa to people who are currently in Australia and who are unable to travel out of the country due to COVID-19 related border closures.
Visas To Which These Concessions Will Apply
These travel concessions to allow applicants to remain in Australia to progress their visas will apply to the following Family Visa subclasses:
– Partner (subclass 309) visa
– Prospective Marriage (subclass 300) visa
– Child (subclass 101) visa
– Adoption (subclass 102) visa
– Dependent Child (subclass 445) visa
These travel concessions will be implemented in early 2021 and will benefit close to 4000 visa applicants, predominantly partner visa applicants who are in Australia.
This is an addition to the Government’s decision to nearly double the number of Partner visa places in 2020-21 to 72,300 and it is expected that nearly 75% of these will be for applicants who are currently onshore in Australia.
The changes are going to be temporary and will be reviewed in line with any changes to international travel restrictions of Australia.
This is in many ways is positive news for many intending visa applicants.
Some other substantial changes to be brought about in 2021 that will impact permanent partner visa applicants will be the introduction of English tests for grant of permanent visas.
Applicants will receive access to government funded English language program (500 hours of free English language classes) , and only after attaining functional level of English can their visas be granted.
The purpose of this change is to incentivise and help the migrants in developing English language skills which will assist them in assimilating in the Australian society.
Furthermore, the partner visa applications will also be split into a sponsor application and visa application and would require the sponsor application to be approved first and then only the visa application can be lodged. The purpose of this change is to ensure that a proper check is done with regards to the character of an Australian Citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen who wishes to become a sponsor.
Sponsors who have substantial criminal records or have committed acts of family violence might not get an approval for their sponsorship application.
No specific information has been made available as to when these changes are going to be implemented in 2021 and this adds to the uncertainty regarding the aforementioned changes.
How we can assist you?
In case your visa runs out before the temporary concessions come into force or should you wish to find out if you
qualify for the concession then, you may Contact us or book a consultation today with our Registered Migration Consultant Sunny Soni.
