Australian Immigration Daily News

Throughout this week in the media, Hong Kong has been in the spotlight over the political unrest with the Mainland China. Migration Alliance has been bringing readers up to date information on the current situation as it unfolds.

Below is a summary of what we know, and we do know so far about the new streamlined visa arrangements:

Announcement:

• Hong Kong citizens who hold a Skilled or Graduate Visa will be able to extend their stay by five years, followed by a pathway to Permanent Residence (PR). This is effective immediately. 

Clarification still required:

• At this stage we do no know if any additional criteria will apply to extend the 485 (Skilled Graduate Visa. The legislation is likely to become available later in the year.  The budget will be handed down in October this year.

Announcement:

• Current or future Student Visa holders from Hong Kong will now also be able to stay for five years after graduating, followed by a pathway to PR. 

No further information is available: 

At this point we do know fully understand how this will work in practice.  Whether this will be done via the General Skilled Migration Program or managed by States and Territories.  We also do know what occupations will be available and in fact if an occupation list will be a determining factor in granting PR

Announcement:

A new five-year temporary skilled visa and pathway to PR will be available for future skilled migrants from Hong Kong. Applicants will need to be suitably skilled and qualified according to an updated skills list and labour market testing. 

Further clarification required:

It is assumed that his will be secondary sub stream of the visa purely based on the mention of regional areas.  Perhaps there will be further concessions available (e.g transitioning to PR after 3 years)

Other Important News
 

• Hong Kong-based businesses wishing to establish their business in Australia will also be welcomed to help boost job creation.   This may create further opportunities within the skilled and sponsored migration market. 

Summary

We are receiving further information, however, there is no legislation to support how all of the above will work in practice.  Accordingly, practitioners should be mindful when providing advice in relation to this arrangement and understand what we know and what we dot know fully understand.