The Victorian Skilled and Business Migration Program (SBMP) is making a number of program changes to its skilled visa nomination processes, which will take effect on Monday 10 September 2018.
1. Streamlined pathway for 457 visa holders
The current 457 streamlined processing pathway will be removed. Eligible 457 visa holders with occupations on the Victorian nomination occupation list may still be eligible to apply for Victorian visa nomination and retain existing alternate pathways to permanent residency.
2. Pathway for International PhD graduates
The current pathway for International PhD graduates will remain. However, there will be a change to processing times from the current fast-tracked two-week processing service to a new standard 12 week processing time. The 12 week processing time will be applied across all skilled visa nomination applications bringing this pathway in-line with the rest of the skilled migration program.
3. “Invitation Only” procedures will be expanded across relevant industry groups
An “Invitation Only” application procedure will continue to be applied across three industry groups:
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Information & Communication Technology,
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Building & Engineering and
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Nursing,
with 457 visa holders and applicants holding valid job offers now subject to this procedure. High calibre applicants in these industry groups, will continue to get invited periodically.
Skill demand will continue to inform the number of invitations issued, which remain dependent on the number of available nomination places provisioned to Victoria by the Commonwealth under the General Skilled Migration Program.
If the above changes affect you and if you feel you need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us for a consultation.
Immigration Australia 