Hong Kong Passport Holders and State/Territory Nominated SC190/491/188/132 Update
Hong Kong Passport Holders
The Department of Home Affairs has released a legislative instrument to extend temporary skilled and temporary graduate visa holders to a visa period of 5 years between the 9 July 2020 to 8 July 2025 if the primary visa holder held a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China passport when the visa was/is granted.
Secondary visa holders (partners and children) visas will also be extended to 8 July 2025 regardless of the passport they held. (For example, if the main applicant holds a HK passport and their dependant partner holds a Canadian passport they will also get the extended visa period).
State and Territory Nominations – SC190/491/188/132
As we have previously published, the Department of Home Affairs have allocated a small amount of places to the Australian States and Territories for the Nominated (subclass 190) visa, the Regional Skilled (subclass 491) visa, the Business Innovation & Investment (subclass 188) visa and the Business Talent (subclass 132) visas.
Below is a table that outlines the updates from the relevant Australian State and Territories:
|
State/Territory |
Subclass 190/491 |
Subclass 188/132 |
|
ACT |
Different criteria apply to applications lodged before and after 1 July 2020 and after 18 August. Please refer to ACT Website. |
Currently Suspended |
|
South Australia |
Will commence reviewing EOI’s and issuing invitations from 31 August 2020 |
From 7 September 2020 ‘Intention to Apply’ submissions will be reviewed and invitations will be issued to submit nomination applications will be issued. |
|
Victoria |
Currently preparing to re-open its visa nomination program with new policies and nomination criteria. It is recommended that applicants submit their EOI’s and are up to date. |
No announcements made |
|
Tasmania |
No announcements made apart from the statement that ‘nominations will focus on the state’s public health system and economic recovery. |
No announcements made |
|
New South Wales |
No announcements made |
No announcements made |
|
Queensland |
No announcements made |
No announcements made |
|
Northern Territory |
Nomination program for 2020-2021 has not been opened however it is continuing to accept nomination applications. All applications are closed to offshore applicants. |
No announcements made |
|
Western Australia |
No announcements made |
No announcements made |
Ethos Migration Lawyers will continue to provide further information as it becomes available.
If you have any questions please feel free to call our office on 1300 083 843 or submit an online enquiry.