𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘 – 𝟭4𝘁𝗵 July 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟬 – 𝗔𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗔 𝗦𝗞𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗦𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗜𝗡𝗩𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡

The most recent selection of Expressions of Interest (EOIs) under the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family-Sponsored took place on 14th July 2020.

The table below shows the number of invitations issued in the SkillSelect invitation round and Point scores for the pro-rata occupations in the 14th July 2020 invitation round.

Find out how you may qualify for Australia permanent residence with us here.

To support South Australia’s economic and public health recovery, the Government of South Australia has been advised interim allocation in limited number for the State’s General Skilled and Business Migration Program for 2020/21.

South Australia’s program requirements and application processes for the General Skilled and Business Programs are currently being finalised, predicted to open in late August 2020.

Given the limited number of available nominations, applications will be prioritised according to:

1. High-quality applications within the Business Innovation and Investment Program, with those who have already lodged an ‘Intention to Apply’ given priority consideration.
2. Applicants critical to supporting South Australia’s response to the COVID19 pandemic, including individuals providing critical or specialist medical services, critical skills required to maintain the supply of essential goods and services; or delivering services in sectors critical to Australia’s economic recovery.
3. Early consideration to onshore applicants that satisfy the above criteria.

The full
nomination allocations for 2020/21 will be determined later in the year as part
of the 2020/21 Budget process.

Want to know if you are eligible for South Australia’s Nomination? Check here.

The total invitations for 189, 491, 190 and 485 was 28,904.  High threshold for invitations is due to the low number of invitations compared to previous years.

COVID 19 pandemic has had a significant impact on Australia 2019-20 Skilled Migration program.  The program year 2019-20 also saw the development and implementation of the new skilled regional visas and other significant changes on the Skilled Migration program.

Total invitations Skilled Migration 2019-20

The
Department of Home Affairs has provided the total number of invitations issued
in 2019-20 for different visa subclasses:

• Skilled Independent 189: 7,720
• Skilled Work Regional 491 (Family sponsored): 1,480
• Skilled Nominated 190: 11,499
• Skilled Work Regional 491 & Skilled Regional 489: 9,685
• Business Innovation & Investment 188: 3,612
• Business Talent visa 132: 793

SkillSelect points test – Minimum score

In April 2020, the minimum points score to apply for Skilled Independent 189 visa and Skilled Work Regional 491 (Family sponsored) visas was set to 95 points. However, on the last invitation round occurred on the 11th June 2020, the minimum points score went down to 85 points for the Skilled Independent 189 visa, and 70 points for visa subclass 491 (Family stream).

Check your eligibility for the upcoming 2020-21 Skilled Migration Program here.

Candidates in Express Entry pool may have the opportunity to be invited to apply for a provincial nomination from Alberta, and other provinces with Express Entry-aligned PNPs.

Selected candidates will be awarded an additional 600 CRS points toward their overall score, which boosts them to the top of the pool to be selected in a subsequent Express Entry draw.

Since COVID-19 became a public health crisis in Canada, only candidates within Alberta are being invited for a nomination.

AINP now requires candidates to meet the following criteria in order to receive a nomination:

• be currently working in Alberta, even if they are working from home;
• have a work permit authorizing them to work in their current job;
• have a job that is full-time, paid, meet the provincial minimum wage, exceed Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirements; and they must work in an eligible occupation.

Find out if you are eligible for Express Entry here.

Since March 4, IRCC had been restricting draws to candidates from No-Program Specific. However, on July 8, Express Entry returned No-Program Specific draws for the first time in more than four months.

IRCC has limited most draws to candidates in Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC), as most of these candidates are in Canada, and the country has obligations to meet annual provincial allocations through PNPs.

Canada is still processing immigration applications for Express Entry despite COVID-19, but processing delays should be expected.

Check your eligibility here today.

A video update from OCSC Global’s ex-clients, Andi Susanto (Left) & Parthiban R (Right). Enjoying their summer at the beach in Toronto, Ontario.

This makes us so happy. Our aim is to help our clients achieve their migration dreams.

Check your eligibility here today.

Canada welcomed 320,000 newcomers in 2018, and 341,000 immigrants in 2019, it is again targeting the admissions of 341,000 immigrants in 2020.

It is aiming to welcome an additional 351,000 in 2021, and another 361,000 in 2022. The plan provides Canada with the scope to welcome up to 390,000 immigrants in 2022.

Canada continues to increase its immigration levels to support its high living standards. The ageing of its society will weaken labour force and economic growth as its fiscal costs in areas such as health care rise. Delivering quality health care to its ageing population will become even more expensive.

Immigration will help to grow the size of Canada’s labour force, giving Canada a steady supply of people to contribute to its economy as workers, consumers, and taxpayers.

The country is poised to welcome some 3.5 million immigrants this decade, compared with 2.8 million between 2010-2019.

Find out if you are eligible for Canada Immigration Program.

VETASSESS is open for business and accepting skills assessment applications for Professional and Trade Occupations.

They also continue to offer Priority Processing and Skills Assessment Support services for professional occupations.

OCSC Global’s staff are working from home at this time and are processing application for skills assessment as usual.

Check your eligibility here.

Increased Federal Processing Fees – Effective 30th April 2020

IRCC has announced increases in the federal Permanent Resident Visa fees, to come into effect on April 30, 2020 (and be increased every 2 years thereafter).  The new federal application fees for provincial nominees are as follows:

• principal applicant: from CAD$550 to CAD$825
• spouse / common-law partner: from CAD$550 to CAD$825
• dependent child: from CAD$150 to CAD$225
• Right of Permanent Residence: from CAD$490 to CAD$500

Not sure if you are eligible? Calculate now

There are 2.17 million people presently in Australia on a temporary visa.

The changes announced in this article will help facilitate this for those who may be stood down or lose work hours as a result of the coronavirus. 

Visitor Visa Holders

• International tourists should return to their home country as quickly as possible

International Students Visa Holders

• Students are encouraged to rely on family support, part-time work & their own savings to sustain themselves in Australia
• Students who have been in Australia for 12 months or longer may be eligible to access their Australian superannuation
• The government will be flexible to International Students meeting their visa conditions due to pandemic
• Able to work up to 40 hours per fortnight
• Students working in major supermarkets, aged care or nursing can work for extended hours to support these critical sectors

Temporary Skilled Visa Holders

• Those who have been stood down, but not laid off, will maintain their visa validity & opportunity to extend their visa as per normal arrangements
• Businesses can reduce the hours of the visa holder without the person being in breach of their visa condition
• Able to access up to $10,000 of their superannuation this financial year
• Those who have been laid off due to coronavirus should leave the country immediately in line with existing visa conditions if they are unable to secure a new sponsor
• If a 4-year visa holder be re-employed after coronavirus pandemic, their time already spent in Australia will count towards their permanent residency skilled work experience requirements

Working Holiday Visa – Critical sectors only

• Some limited flexibility will be provided to
  support the critical sectors of health, aged and disability care, agriculture and food processing, and childcare
• Exempt from the six-month work limitation with the one employer
• Eligible for a further visa to keep working in these critical sectors if their current visa is due to expire in the next six months
• Those who cannot sustain themselves over the next 6 months should leave the country

Temporary Graduate Visa Holders

• Eligible to access their Australian superannuation if needed for support

Read the full announcement on Saturday, 04 April 2020 here.