Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has announced to scrap the 457 visa program popular among temporary foreign workers. The 457 visa is a skilled migration visa that allows skilled workers from overseas to live and work in Australia for up to four years.
This visa requires the applicants to first obtain the sponsorship from an approved employer in Australia. However, now this visa has been banned for new applications by Australian PM. The new visa scheme replacing the popular 457 visa program will be announced soon by the government.
Key Factors behind 457 Visa Ban by the Government
This decision form Prime Minster Turnbull is being seen as the reaction to rising pressure from One Nation as well as Labor party in Australia. Prime Minister Turnbull indicated that the visa program was being abolished considering the benefit of Australian workers. As per him, the government doesnt want that jobs are offered to overseas workers, overlooking the local Australians. It is being seen as part of government Australian first policy. Australian workers must get priority for jobs in Australia, affirmed by Turnbull.
Two New Visa programs to Replace 457 Visa
Government has announced to launch two new visa programs to replace the existing 457 visa program. The 457 visa will be replaced by a new 2 year visa program, which has been specially designed to hire best and brightest from overseas as per the interest of country.
The occupations in the occupation list for temporary work visa are also being cut down by 200 occupations. The new visa categories being introduced will need past work experience of the applicants.
A second visa is will be a four year visa that requires highly skilled candidates, with excellent proficiency in English. The applicants under this category will also have to go through thorough criminal checks and verifications. As per Prime Minister Turnbull, The new system would be 'manifestly, rigorously, resolutely' conducted in the national interest to put Australian jobs first
The two-year visa holders wont be allowed to apply for permanent residency in Australia. However, people at now in Australia on 457 visas would not be affected by the new changes. The same existing visa conditions will be applied to them.
The 457 visa program is used by more than 95,000 temporary foreign workers. The majority of the 457 visa applicants are Indians, followed by United Kingdom and China.
What are the alternate options to get work or PR visa in Australia?
Well, the aspirants of Australia immigration and PR can still apply for other General Skilled Migration visas. These are the point tested skilled visas that allow the applicants to live and work in Australia on temporary as well as on permanent basis. Lets take a look at the key GSM visas in Australia.
You may get in touch with a trusted Australian Visa Consultancy firm to confirm further details and apply for the most relevant visa to move to Australia on work or PR Visa.
Please fill in the fields below .
Monday to Friday - 10 AM to 6 PM
Saturday - 10 AM to 5 PM