Truth about Australia visas is out there

The Truth is out there. Just not always on news sites on the internet.

I’ve just spent the morning separating fact from fiction; sacred truth from scaremongering.

It all started when our editorial team picked up on a breaking story published on a number of global news sources today.

These articles were all claiming that ‘over 40,000′ foreign students currently based in Australia and holding a valid Australian visa, could find themselves unable to stay in the country following recent visa policy changes.

They even had a scary quote from leading migration expert, Dr. Bob Birrell of Monash University, Melbourne to stand up the headlines.

“The changes will make it much more difficult for those students to obtain permanent residency,” Birrell was supposedly on record as a harbringer of doom for Australian international students all over their adopted country.

But it’s time to tell it like it REALLY is. Applying for a visa is a complex, expensive and emotional process as it is, without adding misinformation into the mix. Please trust Global Visas with the following facts about new Australian visa rules:

Yes – there are changes to the Critical List, a priority processing list for certain professions.

Yes – certain vocational occupations like plumbing, welding and carpentry have been taken off the Critical List.

Yes - these vocational trades are still in demand in certain Australian states and territories which supersede the revamped Critical List.

Yes – vocational trades still qualify for permanent residency, but do note: once the target amount of Australian work visas is reached, no new Permanent Residency permits will be issued until the following year.

No – overseas students seeking a permanent Australia visa after graduating will not be deported and can still aply for permanent work visas.

Yes – policy changes will only affect processing times for Permanent Residency Australian visas.

So, do not let the policy changes stop a move to Australia. Even more relevantly, the changes certainly don’t mean you’ll have to leave the country or cut short your stay. And if you are an international student currently holding a valid visa and looking to live and work in Australia – ignore the balderdash and go for it!