New Rules for 482 Visa Holders to Permanent Residency
How Do the New Rules Accelerate the Process?
What to Do if Your Occupation Isn’t on the Skilled Occupation List
Work and Holiday Visa Program Updates for 2024-2025
In the past, only those holding a Subclass 482 visa in the Medium-term stream could apply for permanent residency (PR) via the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the Subclass 186 and Subclass 187 visas. However, recent changes in immigration regulations have expanded eligibility, allowing all 482 and 457 visa holders, regardless of stream, to apply for PR through the TRT stream.
How Do the New Rules Accelerate the Process?
Reduced Work Experience Requirement
The new regulations have reduced the work experience requirement to two years. Previously, applicants needed to hold their Subclass 457 or 482 visa for three out of the last four years before being eligible to apply. Under the revised rules, the requirement is now just two years (excluding unpaid leave), significantly speeding up the timeline for eligible applicants.
Occupation List Requirements Removed
Another important change is that applicants no longer need their occupation to be on the Medium- and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or Regional Occupation List (ROL). While the nominated occupation must still fall within the same ANZSCO unit group as when the visa was originally granted, it doesn’t need to be on any specific occupation list for TRT stream applications. This ensures that even if an occupation is removed from the list, visa holders can still pursue permanent residency.
What to Do if Your Occupation Isn’t on the Skilled Occupation List
If your occupation isn’t currently listed, don’t be discouraged—there are still several strategies to pursue:
Explore Alternative Titles for Your Occupation
Your job might be listed under a different title than what you're familiar with. To find the correct match, try searching for your occupation using its ANZSCO code, which provides official titles and descriptions for similar roles.
Focus on Your Skills, Not Just the Job Title
When applying for PR, your work experience often holds more value than the exact job title you’ve held. By reviewing the ANZSCO job descriptions, you can determine if your skills are transferable to other roles listed on the occupation list.
Have Your Qualifications Recognized in Australia
The process of getting your overseas qualifications recognized in Australia can be challenging. In some cases, it might be more practical to apply for a lower-ranked position that still leads to PR. For example, overseas-trained Dentists sometimes apply as Dental Technicians, which can be a strategic move to meet PR requirements.
Seek Expert Guidance
If your occupation isn’t on the Skilled Occupation List, navigating Australia’s visa process can be complex. Seeking advice from a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer can help you explore alternative visa pathways or related occupations that might still qualify for PR.
Work and Holiday Visa Program Updates for 2024-2025
Australia has introduced key changes to its Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462) program, providing new opportunities and expanded access for citizens of several countries.
Updates for UK Citizens
UK citizens now enjoy greater flexibility under the Work and Holiday Visa program. The changes include:
Age Range Extension: The eligible age range has been extended from 30 to 35 years, allowing more UK citizens to apply.
Removal of the ‘Specified Work’ Requirement: Previously, to qualify for a second or third visa, applicants had to complete certain tasks like fruit picking, construction labor, or mining in regional areas. This requirement has now been removed, making it easier for UK citizens to extend their stay without fulfilling these work conditions.
These updates are designed to encourage more UK citizens to participate in cultural exchange and work opportunities while exploring Australia.
Updates for Citizens of China, Vietnam, and India
Starting from 2024-2025, the Australian Government will introduce a pre-application ballot process for the Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462) program for citizens of China, Vietnam, and India. This new ballot system is intended to:
Manage Demand: The visa program has high demand in these countries, and the ballot will help regulate the number of applications.
Streamline Processing Times: By controlling the volume of applications, the Australian Government aims to improve processing times, making the system more efficient for applicants.
This change is expected to provide a fairer and more transparent method for accessing the limited number of available visas under this program.
Updates for Philippine Citizens
For the first time, Philippine citizens are now eligible to apply for Australia’s Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462). This change offers young Filipinos between the ages of 18 and 30 the opportunity to:
Work Short-Term Jobs: Filipinos can now take up short-term employment to fund their travels around Australia.
Explore Australia: The visa allows for a blend of work and holiday, enabling Filipinos to freely explore the country during their stay.
If you are having a hard time planning your pathway to Australia, the best thing to do is ask for assistance from certified migration experts. At Think Visa, we specialize in processing visas in these complex situations. By ensuring that all the essential documents, our team of skilled migration consultants can help you get through the process. Start your migration process with people you could trust.
