Australia has lowered the age limit for skilled immigrant spouses, according to the SBS, which immigration agents believe will hit older visa applicants they believe are at a serious disadvantage.
The latest series of changes introduced to permanent skilled immigrants` visas have lowered the age limit for skilled immigrant spouses to 45, and applicants under 45 can apply for additional points on the scoring test.
Previously, ordinary skilled immigrants` spouses and de facto partners could apply for an additional 5 points if they were under the age of 50.
The reforms introduced last week will apply to the independent technology visa subcategories 189 and 190, effective July 1, 2018, and the township skilled immigrant visa subcategory 489. In recent years, Indians have become the largest group in Australia to obtain two permanent visas, 189 and 190, while the 489 visa category is a temporary visa but has permanent residency.
In an amendment to the immigrant legislation last July, the maximum age for visa applicants to receive additional points "when invited" fell from 50 to under 45. At that time, however, the maximum age at which skilled immigrant spouses applied for additional points was not reduced.
In an explanatory statement, the Ministry of the Interior said the amendment was intended to correct the "omissions" in order to align the conditions under which major applicants for visas and their spouses of skilled immigrants would apply for additional points.
It`s good for the Australian economy.
Reducing the maximum age at which visa applicants and their spouses can apply for extra points is good for the Australian economy, the Home Office said. Because those older immigrants come to Australia after employment participation rate is lower. The agency cited the findings of the Productivity Commission as saying that the migrants "will use government-subsidized health care and support services, leading to higher costs."
"according to the findings of the Productivity Commission, this revision is appropriate, that is, applicants for skilled immigration visas can apply for additional points only if their spouse is under 45 years of age."
"older applicants are locked out of the door."
Ms. (Seema Chauhan), who has worked as an immigration agent on the Gold Coast for more than a decade, agrees that older immigrants do struggle to find meaningful jobs in Australia.
"my personal experience is that immigrants in this age group are already struggling to get good job opportunities. So it`s the only logical thing to align the maximum age at which a spouse applies for an extra bonus with the principal applicant, or else it would be unusual. " She told SBS.
If you want to obtain a permanent skilled immigrant visa, applicants need about 70 points to succeed. These scores are mainly from the applicant`s age, educational level, work experience, English proficiency and so on. Applicants between the ages of 26 and 32 receive the maximum age score. If the applicant receives a state nomination, additional points can be added.
Melbourne-based immigration agent Karla (Mamika Kalra) said it was rare for applicants over 45 to get a permanent visa.
"they have to get the highest scores in English, work experience and education, plus extra points in order to succeed, but there aren`t many applicants with such an advantage." She said.
Zhaohan said that for older applicants, each point will have a significant impact on the results of their visa applications.
"after the age of 39, the general score will only drop, and very few applicants over the age of 40 will be eligible for the score test. If people over the age of 45 do not receive these points, the number will fall further." "older applicants are locked out," she said.
