Good news for subclass 457 visa holders wishing to apply for Permanent Residence

Visa Australia are happy to advise that the Department of Home Affairs (DoHA) have confirmed transitional arrangements for those 457 visa holders who were impacted following the recent reforms.

People who held, or had applied for, a subclass 457 visa on 18 April 2017 will be able to apply under the existing provisions of the Temporary Residence Transition Stream (TRTS) post 1 March 2018. This means:

  • For the occupation requirement, you are eligible if you have worked in the same occupation for the same employer as approved for your 457 visa. There is no occupation list for the TRTS
  • The age requirement will remain at less than 50 years of age; and
  • For the work experience requirement, you will be eligible if you have worked at least two out of the past three years on a 457 in your nominated occupation.

However, changes will be made to the subclass 186 and subclass 187 eligibility criteria that will be in place from 1 March 2018, including English language requirements and salary arrangements, with the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) to be introduced for subclass 186 and 187 visa from this date.

Our view on subclass 457 visa holders wanting Permanent Residence

This is great news as the announced reforms impacted many people who had already located, or were in the process of relocating, to Australia for skilled employment. Many had travelled with family members and it now gives them peace of mind on their eligibility to apply for a permanent visa, should they wish.

It also provides Australian employers who sponsor foreign nationals the ability to retain these skilled workers on a permanent basis. Many employers use the ability to sponsor an individual for a permanent visa as a retention tool. Where this option is taken away, many skilled workers may look elsewhere for global employment opportunities particularly across emerging occupations which are in high demand.

We also note that many 457 visa holders fill positions where they transfer their existing skills and knowledge to Australian workers across a wide range of industries. To have the ability for these people to remain here permanently is beneficial for the wider economy.

Our team of Registered Migration Agents and Immigration Lawyers have helped thousands of skilled migrants apply for skilled visas and permanent residence. If you are a skilled migrant wanting to start your visa application, please contact our team to discuss your migration options.

We can assist you with many other migration services including permanent residency, Australian citizenship, parent, family and partner visas and much more. Contact us to discuss your immigration plans today.

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