The Australian Department of Home Affairs released news over the weekend that they are planning to expand pathways to permanent residency through Subclass 186 visa (Temporary Residence Transition) (“TRT”) by the end of 2023.
The released information is as below:
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Subclass 186 visa (TRT) pathway will be available to all Subclass 482 visa holders regardless of occupation
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Eligibility for the TRT stream will be reduced from three years to two years of employment with the sponsoring employer
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Applicants will need to continue to work in the occupation nominated for their Subclass 482 visa(s)
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Applicants will still need to meet all other nomination and visa requirements for the Subclass 186 visa (TRT)
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To facilitate these pathways, the Government is also removing limits on the number of Short-term stream Subclass 482 visa applications that visa holders can make in Australia. This is an interim measure to assist those currently onshore who would normally need to go offshore to make further visa applications.
The new PR pathway is very similar to the pre-2018 requirements for Subclass 186 visas (TRT), with the occupation lists removed and reducing the sponsored employment period back to 2 years. The Department has indicated that these changes will occur by the end of 2023 and have not provided a commencement date. The legislative requirements have also not been released. We’ll provide further information when details are available.
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MARN: 0101248