Upcoming Immigration Changes 2019

2019 will see many changes introduced to the Australian Skilled (GSM) , Employer Sponsored visas (ENS) and Family Visa Program. The Migration updates and changes in 2019 page is updated on a regular basis.

Skilled visas points test: changes will come into effect from November 2019 which will enable some applicants to earn additional points where the partner has competent English.

The new sponsored family visa and approval of family sponsor changes commence on 17 April 2019

The new changes to Sponsored family visa’s, which is likely to include partner visas, is scheduled to commence on 17 April 2019. This may have the following affect on prospective partner visa applicants: Sponsorships lodged first and approved before Partner visas can be lodged.

New legislation has recently been introduced that will significantly impact whether an Australian Partner visa application can be lodged whist the applicant (partner or spouse) is in Australia.

The new regulations mean that partner visa sponsorship applications would need to be lodged under stricter criteria and approved before the overseas partner visa application could be lodged.

The new 2 step process will delay the lodgement of the overseas partner application and require the overseas partner to have a valid visa until a visa application for the overseas partner can be lodged.We recommend taking advantage of the deferral of the new regulation and lodge their sponsorship and partner visa application prior to the 17 April 2019 changes.

The change of Partner Visa will require the sponsor, and not just the applicants, to be assessed as well.

These key changes amends the Migration Act 1958 to establish a sponsorship framework for the sponsored family visa program to: establish a sponsorship framework for the sponsored family visa program to:

• separate sponsorship assessment from the visa application process for family sponsored visas;
• require the approval of persons as family sponsors before any relevant visa applications are made;
• impose statutory obligations on persons who are or were approved as family sponsors and provide for sanctions if those obligations are not satisfied;
• facilitate the sharing of personal information between parties identified in a sponsorship application;
• enable the refusal of a sponsorship application and the cancellation or barring of a family sponsor in certain circumstances;
• enable the regulations to prescribe details for, and in relation to, the operation of the sponsorship framework; and make consequential amendments.