Australia Increases Parent Visas to Help Boost Skilled Migration

16/05/2008 by Ajay Hasija

As a result of Australia's record skilled migration program, the increase of 4,000 allocations for parent visas appears to be part of a wider initiative to secure skilled workers in the country.

Chris Evans the Australian Immigration Minister has announced the increase as part of the new skilled migrant programs which seems to be successfully boosting the economy.

In a recent budget report Evans said that "the total number of Parent Visas available for 2008/09 will consist of 6,500 contributory Parent Visas and 2,000 Old Style Parent Visas". This is an improved figure from the current allocation numbers of 3,500 and 1,000

The budget also confirmed that the family stream in general will see an increase from 6,500 places to 56,500. Whereas figures show that overall permanent skilled migration will consist of 133, 500 places.

These proposed increases in the Migration Program from 2008-09 are expected to cost the Australian government an additional $1.4 billion over four years. This cost will count towards settlement services and ongoing core government services such as health, education and employment.

The family stream of Australia's Migration Program is one which enables immediate family members to reunite in the country. The stream consists of two strands; the parent category and the contributory parent category.

Erin Ryan an Australian Immigration worker at Global Visas says "Skilled migrants are much more likely to remain in the country if their parents and families are allowed to join them. Increasing the family stream is a great way of continuing the growth of skilled migrants."

In order to pass for either a temporary or permanent parental visa applicants will need to be judged upon a number of criterions. Such criteria take into consideration a wealth of factors from age to health and character

Applicants will also need to meet the balance of family test, this means that they will need to show that they have an equal or greater number of children living in Australia than in their home country and can meet both the relationship and sponsorship requirements needed.

digg this | Post to Del.icio.us | Furl It | Stumble it! | Reddit | Add this post to Technorati Favorites | Save to Yahoo MyWeb | Share on Facebook

See more news