There are some major changes Occurring in relation to General Skilled Migration to Australia at the moment. The visas that used to be used with the relevant subclass numbers are being retired:
Skilled – Sponsored (Residence) Visa (Subclass 886)
Skilled – Independent (Residence) Visa (Subclass 885)
Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 487)
From 1 January 2013, the Australian department of immigration will not accept applications for the visa subclasses above. However, these visa classes have been replaced by a number of other virtually identical visas which are now known as the ‘skill select’ system. The skill select system is designed to more efficiently identify people for migration to Australia and integration into the Australian economy. The new visas under skill select include:
Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa
Points-based visa is for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, a state or territory, or a family member. A visa holder can live and work permanently anywhere in Australia. Certain family members can be included in the application.
Skilled – Nominated (subclass 190) visa
This points-based visa is for skilled workers who are nominated by a state or territory. A visa holder can live and work permanently anywhere in Australia. Certain family members can be included in the application.
Skilled – Nominated or Sponsored (Provisional) (subclass 489) visa
This points-based visa is for skilled workers who are nominated by a state or territory or sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated area in Australia. The visa is valid for four years, and a visa holder must live and work in a specified regional area. Certain family members can be included in the application, including members not included in previous subclass 495, 496, 475 and 487 applications.
This visa allows holders of provisional visa subclasses 495, 496, 475 and 487 to stay in Australia for up to 48 months from the date their current visa was granted.
Subclass 457 visa
Work in Australia for up to four years. Bring your family to work or study in Australia. Travel in and out of Australia as often as you want. This is a sponsored visa. Before you can apply for the visa, your employer must:
become an approved sponsor
nominate you for a position.
Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)
This visa is for skilled workers from outside Australia or skilled temporary residents who live and work in Australia.
Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187)
This visa is for skilled workers from outside Australia or skilled temporary residents who live and work in regional Australia.
Business Talent (Permanent) (subclass 132) visa
The Significant Business History stream is for affluent owners or part owners of a business who want to have a major management role in a new or existing business in Australia. The Venture Capital Entrepreneur stream is for people who have obtained at least AUD1 million in funding from an Australian venture capital firm.
Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) (subclass 188) visa
The visa has three streams. The Business Innovation stream is for people who want to own and manage a new or existing business in Australia. The Investor stream is for people who want to make a designated investment in an Australian state or territory and want to maintain business and investment activity in Australia after the original investment has matured. The Significant Investor stream is for people who are willing to invest at least AUD $ 5 million into complying investments in Australia and want to maintain business and investment activity in Australia after the original investment has matured.
Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) (subclass 888) visa
The Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass 888) is the second stage of the Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188). You can apply for it after you have fulfilled the requirements of your provisional visa.
The Business Innovation stream is for people who continue to own and manage a business in Australia
The Investor stream is for people who want to maintain business and/or investment activity in Australia after the designated investment has matured. The Significant Investor stream is for people who are willing to maintain business and investment activity in Australia after the original complying investment has matured.
