Yesterday, Prime Minister Thabo announced on the FACEBOOK that the 457 work visa had been abolished. Some details of the replacement visa (TSS) were released at a later press conference. But more details are expected to wait until July 1. The following editor summarizes all the facts:
1. New visas from March 2018: temporary skills shortage (TSS) visa will replace 457.
2. The TSS visa count is divided into two visas for two years and two visas for four years.
3. Visa applicants have at least two years of working experience (which means that newly graduated students will not be able to apply).
Employers must carry out labor market tests to prove that their companies need to bring in overseas employees.
5. A two-year TSS visa can only be renewed once in China (no permanent residence visa may be applied for).
6. A four-year TSS visa can be applied for a permanent residence visa after 3 years (previously 2 years).
7. The Immigration Board will collect the tax number of the applicant in order to inquire about the tax status of the applicant.
The applicant must provide proof of non-crime.
9. The English language proficiency requirements of applicants will be improved (previously IELTS 4 5, 4 year TSS visas may be 4 6).
10. The list of new employer-guaranteed temporary visa positions has been reduced from 651 to 435 occupations.
11. Applications that have already been submitted will be rejected if the occupation is not on the new list. It has no effect on what has already been signed.
It is rumored that the prime minister`s move is to save low approval ratings. But the new deal lacks more detail. Maybe when the details come out, you may find that the policy is similar, because the prime minister has to take care of business owners, who want to bring in cheap labor from abroad.
