Australian Immigration Daily News

Whilst February is expected to be generally a quiet month in migration, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection has nonetheless made a number of important changes to arrangements which may impact current and prospective visa applicants as well as visa holders. 

Prospective as well as existing visa applicants should review these changes and where appropriate discuss with a migration agent whether any of the changes impact their initial immigration strategy.

Prospective applicants – Approved forms

Important updates have been released which specify the approved forms, classes of applicants, and the place and manner for making an application for the following visas:

a) Investor Retirement (Class UY) visa;

b) Retirement (Temporary) (Class TQ) visa;

c) Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) (Class GA) visa;

d) Temporary Work (International Relations) (Class GD) visa;

e) Temporary Activity (Class GG) visa; and

f) Training (Class GF) visa.

Existing Visa Holders – Amendments to cancellation powers

Migration Amendment (Character Cancellation Consequential Provisions) Act 2017. An Act to made amendments relating to visa cancellation powers.  

Working Holiday Visa Applicants – Changes to eligible countries - Vietnam

This instrument amends the Arrangements for Work and Holiday and Working Holiday Visa Applications 2017/003 to specify Vietnam as eligible country, enabling Vietnamese passport holders to make an application for a Work and Holiday (Temporary) (Class US) visa, specifies for Vietnamese applicants the place and manner for making an application for a Work and Holiday (Temporary) (Class US) visa, and specify the educational qualifications to be held by a Vietnamese applicant at the time their application.

Visitor Visa Applications – changes to schedule 1

The new instrument specifies, for applicants of a Visitor (Class FA) visa, the approved form, place and manner for making an application, and the travel agents that must be used by an applicant intending to travel to Australia from the People’s Republic of China as a member of an organised tour.  

Subclass 461 visa – Changes to schedule 1

This change is of a particular importance as it makes amendments to schedule 1 criteria (i.e. lodgement procedure). The new instrument also specifies new arrangements for Other Family Visa Applications and New Zealand (Family Relationship) Visa.

Subclass 408 visa – Further information on criteria relevant to the grant

The new instrument now specifies specifies matters for the making of an application for a Temporary Activity (Class GG) visa and particular criteria relevant to the grant of the corresponding Subclass 408 (Temporary Activity) visa.  

More amendments are anticipated and we will keep you updated. If you have any questions or need further information on these February changes, please contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or +61 2 8293 6500.