Details of the reform of the technology visa program, which will take effect in 2018, are being released since the cancellation of the 457 temporary skilled labor visa. The Federal Department of Immigration (DIBP) recently confirmed that Australia will introduce some transitional arrangements for the 457 visa program, which officially ends in March next year.
457 visa officially retiring in March next yea
The Australian Forum reported Tuesday that the Immigration Department has revealed that the 457 temporary technical visa will be formally withdrawn from the historical arena in the first two weeks of March 2018 and replaced by two new visas, one for a two-year period and the other for a four-year period. It is reported that the two new visas will be linked to the short-term technical career list (STSOL) and medium-and long-term strategic technology list (MLTSSL). (DoE), the federal employment department, updates two lists every six months, and the next assessment is in January 2018.
A job on the short-term technical career list can only apply for a two-year temporary technical visa and has only one domestic renewal opportunity. DIBP also stresses that this opportunity will no longer apply if the visa needs to be renewed overseas. By contrast, jobs on the medium-and long-term strategic technology lists are eligible for a four-year visa, and only this list and its visa program can apply for permanent residency in Australia after three years.
457 transition to permanent residence details announced
It is reported that from March 1, 2018, only work on the medium-and long-term strategic technology list will be granted direct entry visas for the employer nomination Program (ENS) and the Regional guaranteed Migration Program (RSMS). At the same time, the reformed permanent resident rule means that the eligibility cycle required for the transition from temporary residents to permanent resident (TRT) will be extended from the current two years to three years. The application age will be reduced from the current 50-year-old limit to 45.
However, some transitional arrangements will be put in place for those who already hold or have applied for a temporary technical visa before April 18 and wish to take permanent residence through the temporary resident transition project (TRT). These transitional policies include that the age of applicants for permanent residents will remain unchanged at the age of 50, and that their job requirements will not be limited as long as the applicants have the same position on their 457 visa and are employed by the same employer.
Is the new visa unfriendly to Australian employers?
Previously, 457 temporary technology visas were popular among Australian employers, but the new two visas would mean higher costs for them. It is unclear whether employers will eventually reduce the availability of these visa positions.
At the same time, Australian employers are also required to pay job seekers a market salary and meet the temporary skilled migrant income threshold (TSMIT). It is reported that in April 2016, the annual salary threshold was set at 53,899 yuan (Australian dollar, the same below). Australian employers must also provide evidence that they cannot find Australians to fill these gaps.
In addition, since March 2018, Australian employers have been required to pay taxes to the Australian skills Foundation (SAF). For enterprises with annual turnover of less than 10 million yuan, employers have to pay 3000 yuan a year; for all other enterprises, they need to pay 5000 yuan a year.
