Australia, Canada & New Zealand Immigration News - August 2020 Issue #2

Australia, Canada & NZ Immigration News

August 2020 Issue #2

In this issue:

• ACCI urges the Australian government to reopen skilled immigration
• Australia’s graduate work visa scheme attracting international students
• Original language test results to be excluded from selected Canadian immigration programs
• Canadian pathways to permanent immigration for tech workers
• Canadian PM looking to welcome more immigrants from Hong Kong
• UK to introduce new points-based immigration system
• Other Global News
• eduaid celebrates 20 years of excellence!

Australian Immigration

ACCI urges the Australian government to reopen skilled immigration

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has called on the country’s government to allow more skilled migrants back into Australia, with necessary quarantine arrangements in place. 

In its migration and population policy update, the ACCI urged the government to improve the process for skilled migrants to enter the country, following Australia’s travel ban in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic. 

The update addressed how the current crisis has effectively halted Australia’s migration program and caused significant economic and fiscal consequences. 

It also encouraged the government to allow temporary skilled migrants who have left the country to be allowed back into Australia. 

The update comes in the wake of calls by Australian universities to bring international students back to Australia and allow them to finish their degrees. 

You can find out more about skilled migration to Australia by clicking here. 

Australia’s graduate work visa scheme attracting international students

In a recent announcement, the Australian government said it would resume granting visas to international students. 

This means when Australian borders are reopened for travel, many international students will already have Australian visas to enter the country. 

International students can then apply for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), which will allow them to stay in Australia after graduation and gain work experience for up to four years.

Current and new students who are studying online with an Australian university from overseas due to the COVID-19 pandemic will also be able to benefit from this visa. 

Canadian Immigration

Original language test results excluded from selected immigration programs

Four immigration programs to Canada will now accept copies of the language test results instead of the originals.

In an announcement, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) clarified that immigrants can now provide copies of their language test results for the Start-up visa program, Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) program, Rural Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) program and Agri-Food Pilot (AFP) program. 

Candidates applying for these immigration programs need to meet the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) requirements specific to each program to proceed with their immigration application. 

Canada’s pathways to immigration and permanent residency for tech workers

The Canadian tech sector has boomed significantly in recent years and continues to grow strongly with renowned companies actively recruiting international talent despite the coronavirus pandemic. 

To support the growth of its ICT sector, Canada offers several permanent and temporary residence pathways for skilled foreign individuals. 

Key pathways to Canada for tech workers include:

• Express Entry
• Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
• Start-up Visa
• Global Talent Stream

For more information on pathways to permanent residency in Canada, click here.

Canada considering welcoming more immigrants from Hong Kong

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently announced that Canada is exploring possibilities of how to welcome more immigrants from Hong Kong. 

Speaking to reporters, Prime Minister Trudeau said his government will look to improve immigration from Hong Kong and add to the 215,000 Hong Kong-born Canadians residing in Canada (as of the 2016 census).

Residents of Honk Kong will have the option of Family Class immigration if they have close relatives living in Canada, while those without any relatives in the country can apply for skilled migration either through Express Entry or the Provincial Nominee Programs.

The Express Entry manages the Federal Skilled Worker Program, which will invite skilled immigrants who rank highest in Canada’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which is based on factors such as age, education, work experience and language skills.

Candidates with the highest CRS scores will receive an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residency.  

United Kingdom Immigration

The United Kingdom to introduce a new points-based immigration system

The UK has launched a new points-based immigration system which will be effective from 1 January 2021.

Under this new immigration system, points will be assigned to applicants for specific skills, qualifications, shortage occupations and salaries. 

Applicants with the minimum number of points scored will then be awarded visas to travel to the UK. 

This new system will treat both EU and non-EU citizens equally and is expected to transform the entire process for immigrating to the UK.

Visa Highlight – Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) Visa (subclass 188)

The subclass 188 visa is for successful business people and entrepreneurs who are looking to own and run, develop or significantly invest in a business in Australia. 

It is a provisional visa, with pathways to a permanent business visa to Australia. 

There are five different streams under this visa: Business Innovation Stream, Investor Stream, Significant Investor Stream, Premium Investor Stream and Entrepreneur Stream. 

You can find out more about this visa, its requirements and benefits by clicking here. 

Other Global News

Lebanon

Beirut rocked by massive explosion causing hundreds of casualties

A massive blast sent shockwaves across the Lebanese capital Beirut, killing more than 130 people and injuring 5,000 others.

The disaster was preceded by a huge fire at the Port of Beirut located on the city’s Northern Mediterranean coast. 

Shortly afterwards, a massive explosion took place which sent heavy tremors to the outskirts of the city.

At least 137 people have been killed and more than 5,000 others wounded, as rescue operations continue. 

Lebanese President Michel Aoun cited unsafe storage of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate as the reason behind the explosion.

Buildings nearby were levelled, and extensive damage was suffered throughout the city, which has left as many as 300,000 people homeless, according to Beirut’s governor Marwan Aboud. 

Lebanon’s cabinet declared a two-week state of emergency in the wake of the devastation suffered by the capital.

South Korea

South Korea ranks second for GDP growth rate among major global economies

South Korea has ranked second for GDP growth rate among the financial heavyweights of the world, behind only China. 

Despite the South Korean economy declining by 3.3 per cent on-year during the second quarter, its GDP still outgrows every other country in the world except for China. 

According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), South Korea’s second-quarter GDP growth rate was the second-highest among all of its 13 member states – including the USA, France, Germany, Spain and Italy. 

South Korea’s Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki hailed the country’s ability to successfully minimise the economic damage of the coronavirus pandemic, which was a massive boost to the GDP growth rate. 

In addition to a declining numbers of new coronavirus cases, South Korea’s top trading partner China was also able to drive up its economic growth rate, which further aided the South Korean GDP growth. 

China

Beijing’s crackdown on Hongkongers expected to drive migration to Australia

Following Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s safe-haven visa package for Hongkongers looking to leave China, immigration to Australia is expected to surge significantly. 

Australian universities have already experienced a significant increase in interest from Hongkongers desperate to escape from the political turmoil in China.

In addition, Hongkongers are also looking at skilled and business visa options for immigrating to Australia. 

eduaid celebrating 20 years of excellence!

eduaid Immigration Services have entered its 20^th year of successful operations, and is celebrating two decades of excellence in providing immigration services!

After starting its journey back in 2000, eduaid has grown rapidly and garnered a widespread reputation for proper and legitimate immigration services, precise process management and unparalleled customer services.

With the love and admiration of our happy and satisfied clientele, we continue to grow, and strive to make our operations better than ever before!

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