As we draw closer to 1st July 2024, we note the significant change to the Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417) for UK passport holders regards to Work Requirement Waiver: Starting July 1, 2024, UK passport holders need NOT fulfill specified work criteria for their second or third visa applications. However, this may offer a unique opportunity for Working Holiday Visa applicants to apply for a Subclass 482 visa or even permanent residency.
As per the Department of Home Affairs recent update, ALL 482 visa holders (including short-term) will have access to Permanent Residency after 2 years.
Permanent Residency pathways are available to short-term 482 visa holders through the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the Employer Nomination (subclass 186) visa.
Permanent Residency pathway for short-term 482 visa holders after 2 years
Permanent Residency pathways available to short-term 482 visa holders through the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the Employer Nomination (subclass 186) visa. This stream is open to ALL Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa holders whose employers wish to sponsor them and will no longer be restricted to 482 visa holders with occupations on the Medium and Long-term Skilled Occupation List (MLTSSL). In addition to all 482 visa holders having access to permanent residency, the length of time in which an applicant will need to hold a 482 visa in order to access PR has also reduced.
NOTE: To prevent inefficiencies and additional costs, the department will consider 186 applications in the TRT stream where lodgement has occurred a few days prior to the applicant meeting the ‘Work Experience Requirement’.
These changes aim to expand pathways to permanent residence for temporary skilled sponsored workers, providing more equitable access and certainty to TSS visa holders and their employers. This a welcome update for employers as well as they will now have a wider range of occupations available for permanent employer-sponsored pathways, helping alleviate skills shortages.
The Government is also removing limit on the number of 482 visa applications in the short-term stream that a visa holder can make in Australia.
Much of our migration practise is about positioning; positioning is then about pathways.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.