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Despite the continued uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, Canadian government is still holding Express Entry Draw which exhibits the actual example of Immigrants, who purely play a significant role in Canada’s economic growth.

The recent Express Entry draw held on July 23, 2020 witnessed an ITA’s issued to 3,343 candidates who had 445 points or more. IRCC in its 157^th Express Entry Draw limited the draw to invite candidates with active profile in Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program. However, Candidates from Federal Skill worker (FSW) and Federal Skills Trade (FST) were not considered. Candidates qualify for Canadian Experience Class Program if they have minimum of one year of full-time skilled work experience in Canada and must show proficiency in English or French equivalent to CLB 7 or higher.

With over hundred immigration pathways, Canadian immigration authorities have had a fair intake of immigrants over the past few decades. These immigrants are highly skilled and have positively contributed towards Canada’s economic growth.

While jobs in the Information Technology sector has been fairly contributing towards economic growth across the world, Countries like Australia, USA, UK, Canada France & Germany have been competing to have a competitive edge in the field of Artificial intelligence. In a recent study released by Centre of Security and Emerging Technology, Canada appears to be having a competitive edge over these countries because of its flexible immigration policy which attracts highly skilled foreign workers. An overwhelming amount of immigrants are gaining permanent residence with Canada work and Study experience. Talking of study let’s look at what to expect for the fall semester in the below section.

Fall Semester & what to expect in the coming days.

The outbreak of coronavirus has jeopardized the plans of students who are currently in process of completing their university degree and aspiring students who are yet to begin their student journey in Canada.

Earlier in March 2020, many universities across Canada made the decision to move the reminder of classes online. These universities however, have now announced that academic program will continue to be administered primarily online and also be offering courses with in-person components for labs and tutorials. Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has advised that the students with valid study permit that were approved before or on 18 March 2020 will be allowed to travel to Canada to resume their studies in fall 2020. While those students who did not receive a study permit by 18 March 2020 and most students who received their acceptance in April and May can still have some hope. IRCC states that it is continuing to process study permits, and has developed a two-stage process to allow students who were not issued study permits before or on 18 March 2020 to begin their studies online. After the first-stage approval, students will be assessed for eligibility that requires submission of biometrics, Police clearance certificate, etc. And once the final approval is granted, applicants will be allowed to travel to Canada, states IRCC. Students who have received first stage approval and hoping to take courses with In-person components should contact their universities for further information.

Canadian Citizenship by Descent recent changes.

The Canadian Federal Government recently changed the rules on Canadian Citizenship by descent. Before July 2020, only biological parents could pass down Canadian citizenship to their children born outside Canada. The new rule however, states that non- biological parents can now pass on their Canadian citizenship to their children born outside of Canada if they are the child’s legal parent at birth. The rule however, does not change for children born outside of Canada who are adopted by Canadian Citizen Parents after their birth.

To know more about Canadian visa news and updates, get in touch with us

Contact us on +966-547598555 / 966-569521000 / 966-541219841 or info@emigrantz.com

The assumption based on Australia’s budget outlook released in Canberra on Thursday indicates that the country will lift its border restrictions progressively from January 2021. This comes as a cue based on the economic outlook delivered by Finance minister Mathias Cormann and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg. The Treasurer, however, insisted that no decision has been made on opening the borders. But the budget forecast relies on the travel ban ending by start of January 2021. A two-week mandatory quarantine will still remain in place for all arrivals.

“This leads to resumption of arrivals by temporary and permanent migrants, but at lower levels overall than normal” the economic outlook statement says.

Key takeaway of the budget outlook

It is predicted that international migration is likely to fall from 232,000 in 2018-19 to 154,000 in 2019-20 and 31,000 in 2020-21. 

Australia’s Health Minister Greg hunt said from a Health perspective, the border closure will be constantly reviewed. However, Frydenberg acknowledged that only citizen, permanent Residents, and a small number of international students will be able to travel to Australia between July and December 2020 and insisted that Morrison government has not yet made any policy decisions regarding the opening of international borders, and said that most of the Treasury’s forecast on international border restrictions were made in dynamic conditions and are subject to change in accordance with evolving coronavirus situation.

Reopening of borders in January sounds optimistic

The assumption to reopen the borders in January sounds optimistic and Australia is anticipating a decent-sized migration program this financial year. It is believed that these assumptions are in place to facilitate the return of international students, 20 percent of whom are currently stranded overseas.

The January deadline comes as good news for all the aspiring Permanent Residents as this deadline could lead to recommencement of Permanent Resident visa processing. It is assumed that processing of Permanent Resident visa applications would resume by November-December and it is quite possible to witness a large sized migration program in the coming days.

Here’s what we would suggest the aspiring Australian Permanent Residents, start your visa application process to avoid any backlogs. Given the complexity of coronavirus situation we could expect changes in the policy as the situation subsides. 

To know more about Australian Permanent Resident visa and Student visa news and updates, get in touch with us.

Contact us on +966-547598555 / 966-569521000 / 966-541219841 or info@emigrantz.com

The Federal Lawsuit filed by Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology to stop the Department of Homeland Security from enforcing guidelines saw positive results following the dissent from the education communities. The Directive, however, was withdrawn by US Immigration and Custom Enforcement, which initially prohibited currently enrolled International students from taking an all-online course load in the fall. Harvard University in its recent announcement said that International first-year students will not be able to come to the campus due to federal visa restrictions.

On July 21, addressing the current students, Harvard Dean, Rakesh khurana, wrote that the reversal of the directive does not apply to the newly admitted international students requiring F-1 sponsorship. The guidelines issued by the ICE in March allowed currently enrolled International students to continue online, but it did not change the regulation to address new students.

According to ICE, “F-1 students enrolled in classes for credit or classroom hours, no more than the equivalent of one class or three credits per session, term, semester, trimester, or quarter may be counted toward the full course of study requirement if the class is taken online or through distance education and does not require the student’s physical attendance for classes, examination or other purposes integral to completion of the class”.

The possibility of offering courses in-person or through hybrid model that includes in-person instruction as a way to help first year international students to obtain F-1 visa was also explored, but was concluded not to be a suitable alternative said Khurana.

The prolonged travel bans, the unpredictability of current Government policies and the uncertainty of the Covid-19 crisis has jeopardize the path for International students’ ability to enter or leave the United States in the future. The current move from the Harvard makes more sense because it protects the International students from the possibility of coming to the United States only to be asked to return to their home country when local travel restrictions might make that impossible.

Harvard’s first-year International students have a choice of taking their course remotely online from home or choose to defer. The university has extended the deadlines for deferral for first-year international students to July 31 and has guaranteed all International first-year students housing when they can come to campus safely.

The International first-year students are now faced with a difficult situation. Will more universities from US follow the suit? Let’s wait & hope that things get better as Covid-19 situation eases.

To know more about Student visa news and updates, get in touch with us.

Contact us on +966-547598555 / 966-569521000 / 966-541219841 or info@emigrantz.com

The annual contribution of International students is roughly estimated around AUD $40 Billion annually which also supports 250,000 jobs. However, as a result of border closure due to Coronavirus crisis, it is estimated that 22% of university students still remain outside Australia.

The Australian government made an announcement to resume granting international student visa and allow current students to count online study while overseas. This announcement was made to boost the number of international students once borders reopens and ensure that Australia remains a priority study abroad destination as it emerges from Coronavirus crisis.

New Amendments for the Continuing students

The announcement from acting immigration minister, Alan Tudge, comes as part of five measures aimed at keeping international students in Australia amid concerns that some students won’t return to Australia once the pandemic subsides.Some of the key highlights of the changes include:

1. Current student visa holders studying online outside Australia due to Covid-19 will be able to use that study to count towards the Australian study requirement for a post-study work visa.
2. The government will recommence granting student visas in all locations lodged outside Australia. This means when borders re-open, students will already have visas and be able to make arrangements to travel.
3. International students will be able to lodge a further student visa application free of charge, if they are unable to complete their studies within their original visa validity due to Covid-19.
4. Graduates who held a student visa will be eligible to apply for a post-study work visa outside Australia if they are unable to return due to Covid-19.
5. Additional time will be given for applicants to provide English language results where Covid-19 has disrupted access to these services.

“These measures back the international education sector – our fourth largest export sector – and will assist its recovery. They will not only support the education sector, it will also have flow-on effects for many local communities and businesses, including accommodation services, tourism, hospitality and retail.” acting immigration minister Alan Tudge said.

Can Australia still remain an attractive destination for International Students?

Given the circumstances, these moves were fairly welcomed by universities and Educational Councils. But there are still issues that need to be addressed. While it’s great to see the changes for existing international students in providing certainty for their future plans in Australia, we need to understand what the changes mean for prospective students. We hope that new, as well as current students should be included in the amended arrangements for post-study work rights. It is still not clear that this is the case, and we continue to seek confirmation of this point. At this point many new students are going to be adversely affected by the Covid-19, and they should be treated the same as continuing students.

Australian universities estimate a drop of $16 billion in revenue due to Covid-19 related travel restrictions and further more Australia could see a sharp decline in International students arriving from China.

To know more about Australian Student visa news and updates, get in touch with us.

Contact us on +966-547598555 / 966-569521000 / 966-541219841 or info@emigrantz.com

The US student visa regulations in the light of coronavirus pandemic has left some undesirable consequences on aspiring students and International students who are already in the US. The Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) issued a notice to all International students studying in US to transfer to a school with in-person classes or leave the country if classes are delivered completely online.

The US government’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) continue to release guidance on student visa regulations which continues to update as per the Covid-19 situation. The concerns of international students such as International Travel Ban, economic impact on their financial aid or school sponsored work opportunities; lack of internship opportunities has grown bigger after SEVP announced that International students at colleges that provide Only-Online classes this fall will be forced to leave the US.

The New Rules for International Students in the US

The earlier rules provided protection for International students and supported them to remain in the country even if their classes were held online. The new rules, however, have been modified in the light of COVID-19 situation.  The new rules are outlined below:

• International students in the US that are attending schools that are operating entirely online, have an option, which is, not to take full online course load and remain in the country and the students can either transfer to a school that offers an in-person classroom setting or leave the country.
• International students are only allowed to take one online course or three credit hours.
• For students attending a school that offers a hybrid model of in-person and online courses may be allowed to stay in the country if they meet certain conditions. Students will need to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” certifying that the program is not entirely online, that the student is not taking an entirely online course load this semester, and that the student is taking the minimum number of online classes required to make normal progress in their degree program.

Here’s what International students and recent graduates should consider in the light of recent updated guidelines from the government.

1. Request a Temporary Absence
2. Remote Learning in the Summer
3. Taking Online classes in the Fall
4. Flexibility with Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Request a Temporary Absence

If students are not willing to enroll in online classes and are not taking full time course load, they will have to request a temporary absence. Such students should contact their Designated School Officer (DSO), who helps them in maintaining their legal status to study in the US.

Students taking an authorized temporary absence of less than5 months can have their record corrected in SEVIC to active status when they return and re-enroll in school.

Students outside of the US for more than 5 consecutive months will need to obtain a new form I-20 the certificate for Eligibility for nonimmigrant student status. They must also pay I-901 SEVIC fee again if the original visa is no longer valid.

Remote Learning in the summer

SEVP issued modified guidelines that permits international students to participate in remote learning remain valid through the summer session. F-1 students, who are out of United States but have attended a college or university that offers online or other alternative learning options, must participate in this program to remain in valid status. The students will be required to return to US once the college starts offering only on-campus classes.

Taking online classes in the fall

The guidelines for spring and summer courses online have changed. The US department of states will not issue visas to international students who have enrolled in institutions that offer full online course for fall semester. Students who are currently in the US and attend institutions that offer Online-only classes must return to their home country. These students can maintain their nomination status remotely from their home country.

Students attending schools that offer both online and in-person classes will be allowed to remain in US. The school must notify SEVP that student’s courses are not completely online. 

Flexibility with Optional Practical Training (OPT)

As per the new guidelines for the fall of 2020 international students who are currently in the US can retain their active status in SEVIS if they make normal progress in a program study, or are engaged in approved practical training, either as part of a program of study or following completion of a program of study. 

Optional Practical Training can either be paid job or a volunteer work or a combination of both. A student who drops below 20 hours per week of work hours might consider adding some volunteer hours.

Status of International students in Canada

Special considerations are being made by IRCC for students who wish to extend their status in Canada and avoid International travel. International students who are currently in Canada are encouraged to remain in Canada even if their courses are held online or In-person. Applications for student permits are accepted, however, you must delay your admission if the courses are offered online and must wait until the program has transitioned into an In-person classroom setting.

We recommend international students stay in direct and regular contact with their individual school’s international student services office and designated school official, and avoid relying on rumours.

To know more about Student visa news and updates, get in touch with us.

Contact us on +966-547598555 / 966-569521000 / 966-541219841 or info@emigrantz.com

The relaxation on Coronavirus restrictions comes as a hopeful sign as the Canadian economy is heading towards a recovery phase. Earlier the Economists expected a job loss of over 500,000 with a record high of 13.7%. However, the report from Statistics Canada suggests that, Canada added 290,000 jobs to the economy and the country has regained 10.6% of the Coronavirus related losses from earlier this year.

The Canada’s result suggests the economic crisis due to Corona virus lasted for just two months and the initial signs of recovery are mildly encouraging. As lockdown restrictions ease further, many businesses that were closed are slowly opening up and are operating at a reduced capacity. According to Statistics Canada report, Quebec registered 80% increase that saw a significant gain of 231,000 workers. Ontario on the other hand is also showing signs of recovery. With most of the provinces showing signs of positive job gains, the trend will be closely watched by the experts.

Visa Application Centers Reopening
A select number of Canadian Visa Application centers are being reopened and are operating with all the safety measures with limited staff and operations. Visa application centers are primarily providing services for Biometric Collections for Biometric instruction letter holders only and return of decision envelopes to applicants.

Disclose detailed Quarantine plan and ARRIVECAN App

Canada still has a Ban on all non-essential travel and the rule to self- isolate still remains. Initially the travelers were screened at port of entry and the information related to 14 days quarantine plan were filled in a form and handed over to Border Service officer. Health Canada launched the ArriveCan mobile App, available on iOS and Android, giving travelers the opportunity to input the quarantine details. As per Health Canada the app was launched to reduce wait times at Canadian Ports of Entry and limit the point of physical contact with the Border Service Officer. The input on the app contains the following information:

• Flight details of travelers arriving by air
• Name DOB of each Traveler
• Traveler’s destination in Canada and the address at which the traveler will be staying for 14 days
• Travelers email address and telephone numbers.

Health Canada notes that the data obtained from the app will be used by the public Health Agency of Canada to administer and enforce legislation and keep Canadians safe and healthy. The data furnished on the app will be used by Border Services Officers and Quarantine officers to support the health screening protocols and generate the summary of traveler information.

Road to Recovery

While it is no doubt that the recovery has begun, the coming days would see a significant change in the Canadian job market. Canada depends on the immigrants to strengthen its economy, while it is unlikely that Canada will meet its 2020 immigration level plan of inviting 340,000 new permanent residents. But, the recent draws suggest that the government will continue to work towards meeting those targets and speed up the economic recovery.

To know more about Canadian visa news and updates, get in touch with us

Contact us on +966-547598555 / 966-569521000 / 966-541219841 or info@emigrantz.com

The H-1B visa allowed US employers to temporarily employ foreign workers. While this saw a significant flow of foreign workers into the American economy, the recent move by President Trump to extend the ban on H-1B visas until the end of 2020 was contradicted by industrial experts. The Department of Homeland Security in its recent press release revised the definition of specialty occupation to focus more on getting the best and brightest foreign nationals via H-1B visa program, and revised the definition of employment and employer-employee relationship to better protect US workers and wages.

The US move to protect jobs for American citizens at time of economic crisis is understandable, but harsh. This approach however is stopping the flow of skilled IT professionals, Engineers, researchers, doctors, entrepreneurs and future executives. Canada for long has a reputation for openness and diversity. Canadian Government introduced programs such as Global Talent Stream, which encouraged innovative companies to demonstrate the acceptance of specialized skills and fast-track the entry of foreign workers.

Sharp increase in Enquiries

Canadian recruiting firms reported a sharp increase in enquiries over the news of proposed suspension. The American companies which want to hold on to certain key employees whose status in US might be uncertain because of the visa conditions are considering the Canadian options. Several Silicon Valley start-ups may shift part of their engineering teams to Canada following the suspension of H-1B visa. Due to tough H-1B visa norms, many US firms opened offices in Canada last year and are expanding their operations.

Canada presents itself as an alternative for the ongoing uncertainty in the H-1b visa stream. Several small businesses have been receiving applications from Immigrants in the US to work at the Canadian office.

Immigration and work permits

Between January and April 2020 Canada issued 76,000 work permits and more than 341,000 immigrants were welcomed in 2019. 70% if the engineers on H-1B visas are either moving back to their home countries or Canada. For several US companies having centers in Canada and being able to offer a position in Canada adds to their value proposition and employees are also encouraged to work remotely from Canada. This has helped them to hold on to key talent or to fill roles that cannot be filled locally.

Diverse Cities

Canada has some of the diverse cities in the world and their economy is driven by newcomers. There is a broader consensus across the political spectrum that Canada benefits from immigration as much as immigrants do from being in Canada.

Shortly after the visa suspension was announced, Canada’s immigration minister Marco Mendicino said, “We believe that immigration will spring our recovery out of this pandemic. We have a plan in place that looks to leverage the best and the brightest from around the world. We’ve got pathways like the Express Entry program, and the Global Talent Stream, which will help to bring entrepreneurs, engineers, and innovators.” To conclude Canada has been welcoming people from all over the world including those who no longer feel welcomed in America.

To know more about Canadian immigration news and updates, get in touch with us.

Contact us on +966-547598555 / 966-569521000 / 966-541219841 or info@emigrantz.com

1 July 2020 marked the beginning of the new migration programand the quotas for 189,190 and 491 was due to release from the Federal Government. This however, never happened because the Department of Home Affairs has not given the state governments their new General Skilled Migration quotas for the new migration year, thus, indicating that the GSM program will not open from 1 July 2020 as planned.

This comes as a massive setback for thousands of potential applicants who have prepared for a skilled visa application. There is no indication of when the program will open, since the State and Territories cannot open their programs until the Federal Government issues new invitation quotas. However, sighting at the Federal Government budget that is set to happen in October 2020, invitations quotas may be issued sometime in the month of October. Changes in the occupation list are still unconfirmed and it could be some time before the General Skilled Migration program opens again.

The online information provided by Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) for Registered Migration Agents (RMA) indicated that there State Authorities have not set a nomination ceiling for 2021 and the following states and territories have updated the following on their website:

Victoria

Victoria state nomination program will remain temporarily close.Westill await the Commonwealth Government’s allocation of state nomination places for 2020-21. Meanwhile, the applicants will not be able to apply for the following state nomination visas:

• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa
• Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa

Please check our website for regular update on 2020-21 Victorian state nomination program.

New South Wales

New South Wales is currently closed to applications for nomination under the Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491).

Nominations are expected to open once the Department of Home Affairs allocates the position for 2020-21 and the invitation rounds under the Skilled Nominated visa (190 Subclass) is also expected to commence at this time.

Things are fairly unpredictable at this stage. Please check our website for regular updates.

Tasmania

The applications for state nomination by Tasmania remain open and will continue to be considered, however, no nominations can be made in SkillSelect until quotas are allocated by the Australian Government for the 2020-2021 program year.

All eligible applicants cannot be guaranteed of nominations because Migration Tasmania

Queensland

“Business and Skilled Migration Queensland(BSMQ) has been advised by the Department of Home Affairs (HA) that it will not be in a position to open the 2020/21 migration program on 1 July 2020.

As a consequence, BSMQ’s business and skilled migration program will remain closed on 1 July 2020 until further notice. Please note:  BSMQ will not be accepting any Expressions of Interests (EOIs) submitted on Skillselect from 1 July 2020.  We will post an advice on this website, should the situation change.

BSMQ appreciates your patience in these challenging COVID-19 times. We thank you for your commitment to Queensland and look forward to opening the business and skilled migration program as soon as is possible.”

Australian Capital Territory

“The ACT Nomination Program (including the Canberra Matrix) will remain temporarily closed while we await the Commonwealth Government’s allocation of state nomination places for 2020-21.”

South Australia

South Australia Skilled and Business Migration programs are scheduled to re-open from early August. This will be dependent on the Commonwealth Government’s allocation of state nomination places for program year 2020-21.

Here’s what you need to know

Applicants who have lodged EOIs and have not been invited may be affected. However, those who already hold 189, 190 and 491 visas, and Applicants who have previously received invitations will not be affected.

We still encourage potential applicants to consider making the necessary preparations and when the program re-opens, you will be well equipped to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

To know more about Australia visa news and updates, get in touch with us

Contact us on +966-547598555 / 966-569521000 / 966-541219841 or info@emigrantz.com

Australia’s International borders will remain closed, even as Prime Minister Scott Morrison called on states to open internally.

In this article you will be gaining an update on Australian Immigration program for the year 2019-2020 as the program will be ending in June 2020.

The Global Talent independent visa

A lot of interest was seen in the Global Talent Independent visa in the last few months. There were about 5000 places available for this program, but as of January 2020 only 227 Global Talent Independent visas were granted. As the program year came to an End, people rushed to secure one of these spots for a fast track Australian PR visa. In an interview, Australia’s acting immigration minister Allen Tudge hinted at the potential developments in the Global Talent Independent programs in the post pandemic migration plans for Australia.

General Skilled Migration.

The last SkillSelect invitation rounds saw a significant fall in the numbers of invitations for 189 and 491 family sponsored visas.

Before the travel restrictions 1,750 invitations were issued for 189 subclass, and 300 invitations were issued under 491 family sponsored visas. The numbers however declined and only 50 invitations were issued in each of the subclasses after the travel restrictions were in place. The decline in the number of 189 invitations has put a great deal of pressure on the state nominate visas like the 190 and the 491. Applicants who normally opt for Employer sponsored visa are now targeting the General Skilled Migration visa program.

With travel restrictions in place 189 visa applications saw a huge backlog and a total of 10,837 undecided 189 visa applications lodged with Department of Home Affairs were reported at the end of 30-April-2020. A total of 6,030 invitations were issued for 189 visa for a period of 1-July-2019 to 30-April-2020. The significant drop in the number of invitations for the April round was primarily because the points, which was set at 95 for most occupations and 100 or more for things like Accountants.

State Sponsorship requirements

Let’s take a look at the state sponsorship requirement which is relevant to the 190 and the 491. The 491 is the popular visa of the time, this is because initially many people didn’t want to live and work in regional area and this left many slots available. For people who can’t qualify for other visas are now lining up to get the 491visa.

New South Wales.

NSW finallyopened for491 applications from the 15-june-2020 for 2 weeks ending on 26-june-2020. All state nominations applications were decided before the 30-June-2020. To be nominated the applicant must:

• Have an occupation on the NSW stream 1 occupation list
• Have been living in a designated regional area in NSW

When the applications first opened, the requirements were much stricter, which were eased after 4 days of its commencement. The NSW government was under pressure to use up their 491 nominations quota before the end of program year that is on 30-June-2020.

Norther Territory

The Northern territory has announced changes to their nominations criteria which will come into effect from the 1-july-2020. To be eligible for the 190 nomination northern territory graduates must firstly:

• Have completed 2 years of study in the NT
• Have lived in the NT for at least 6 months after completing their studies
• Demonstrate genuine effort to obtain employment in the Nominated occupation
• Show ongoing commitment to live and work in Northern Territory

NT graduates who have completed 2 years of study may still be eligible for 491 nominations if they are not able to meet all these requirements.

Offshore applicants

• Will only be nominated for a 491 visa
• Must have been working in the occupation for at least 1 year and
• Must have relevant Australian qualifications

Victoria

Victoria has reached its quota for the 190 and 491 visas and has closed its program. Applications received prior to the closure on the 28-may-2020 will continue to be assessed and priority is being given to occupations in sectors critical to the Corona virus response in allocating remaining nomination places. New applications will be accepted in the 2020-20201 program after the 1-july-2020

Queensland

Queensland has also announced closure of its 491 program from the 15-june-2020. Applicants who had been invited to lodge documents will still be processed up until the 30-June-2020.

If you have not received a nomination by the 30-june-2020, it will mean that you will need to submit a new EOI once the program opens again in the new program year in July.

South Australia

SA will close its state nominations applications for the 2019-2020 program year from 9:00 PM on Sunday the 28-june-2020

Applications for the 190 and the 491 skilled migration program for the 2020-2021 program year will be opened at the date to be advised.

Tasmania

The Tasmanian Government is taking a flexible approach to the state sponsorship for applicants affected by Covid-19 travel restrictions. Flexibility for applicants affected by covid-19 travel restrictions include:

• Online study accepted if the applicants were living and studying in Tasmania
• Tasmanian graduates stuck overseas due to travel bans will be considered for state sponsorship.

Graduates who have completed their study in Tasmania but are unable to return after travelling overseas are eligible for consideration if they are able to provide evidence that the course was completed in Tasmania and they were unable to return due to the covid-19 restrictions. They must show that they were genuinely affected by the travel restrictions and intend to return to Tasmania.

International students who are stranded overseas and are continuing to study remotely will be considered if:

• They have completed a 2 year course and returned to Tasmania when borders Re-open
• Lived in Tasmania for at least 12 months

Partner Visas

Currently there’s a backlog of up to 100,000 partner visas applications. Onshore partner visa applications are still being processed and there doesn’t seem to be much processing of the offshore partner visa applications at the moment. Unfortunately the subclass 300 perspective marriage visa applications for Fiancé’s are not being processed currently because Fiancé’s are not exempted from the Australian Travel restrictions.

Conclusion

As the Coronavirus is coming under control in Australia, restrictions are being eased and we are seeing many businesses look to rebuild, adapt and innovate. It is an exciting time of the year in relation to migration as Australia starts to recover from the Pandemic. English Test centers and Bupa visa medical services are now taking limited appointments. You may have to wait for few weeks or months to secure an appointment. The New Migration program will start on 01-July-2020 and more information will be released in the coming days.

To know more about Australia visa news and updates, get in touch with us

President Trump’s Executive order of extending the immigration ban until the end of 2020 has been subject to intense criticism by the Business leaders. A Vast majority of the US companies rely on employment based visas to support their operations. The Trump administration has argued that the Immigration Ban will free up to 525,000 jobs for Americans who have lost their jobs due to Corona virus Pandemic.

The new restrictions will affect the applicants of H-1B high-skilled visa, H-2B seasonal worker visa, L-1 executive visa, or a J-1 scholar visa, but food processing workers and healthcare professionals are exempted from the restrictions.

There may be a ban on immigration in US, but Canada continues to invite Immigrants.

While US views immigrants as a threat to American workers, Canada believes that Immigrants are job creators.  For what many see as a sluggish response from the US to ban immigration, many aspiring applicants are transitioning away from US and heading towards Canada.

Canada traditionally has been friendly towards immigrants and with strategic immigration policy; Canada had a fair intake of Immigrants that played a significant role in the development of Canadian Economy.

Like most countries Canada’s economy has been weakened by the pandemic but Canada continued to invite immigrants. “Marco Mendicino “in a recent interview expressed his views on immigrants and their role in economic recovery.  Mendicino stressed upon plans of attracting best and brightest from around the world through Immigration pathways like the Express Entry program, and Global Talent stream to bring, entrepreneurs, engineers, and innovators.

While travel ban was still in place, Canada invited new immigrants through Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program and other Permanent Resident program pathways. Frequent draws were held to avoid delay in processing the Permanent Resident application.

With over 100 combined Permanent and temporary resident options and various immigration streams for temporary foreign workers and international students, Canada is set to achieve the target of inviting 341,000 Permanent Residents by the end of 2020.

To know more about Canadian immigration news and updates, get in touch with us.