Australian Immigration, Travel and COVID

Australian Immigration and COVID

The COVID pandemic has undoubtedly shaped Australia’s 2020-21 migration programme. Below, our migration agent Darren Chatt MARN:0211214 outlines some changes we have seen during the COVID pandemic.

If you need advice on Australian Immigration and COVID, you can complete our online visa assessment or book a consultation with Darren.

Applying onshore is an advantage

Travel restrictions and mandatory quarantine requirements remain active in Australia. Consequently, most visa holders cannot currently enter Australia, including Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) and Prospective Marriage (subclass 300) visa holders. This may explain why the Department of Home Affairs is prioritising onshore applicants.

At Visa Go Australia we have been particularly busy with multiple requests and visa grants for our onshore partner visa clients. Some of our clients have received their visas in just half the processing time stated on the Department website.

In addition to faster processing, some onshore applicants have first access to state nomination. Those applying for state nominated skilled visas (subclass 190 and 491) may have noticed that their options are very limited or non-existent if applying offshore. Many states have only reopened to onshore applicants and those nominating PMSOL occupations.

Working in a ‘priority’ occupation

The Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) identifies Australia’s current skill shortages; occupations which Australia needs to rebuild its economy post-COVID.

Those nominating PMSOL occupations are being priority processed by the Department. For example, we had a recent 190 visa grant for a client who applied as a qualified Midwife.

There are currently 18 occupations on the PMSOL, but these are subject to change and grow as Australia exits recession. Since the list was introduced in September, Social Worker (272511) has been added. The current list is made up of healthcare, IT and construction workers.

Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL):

Chief Executive or Managing Director (111111)
Construction Project Manager (133111)
Mechanical Engineer (233512)
General Practitioner (253111)
Resident Medical Officer (253112)
Psychiatrist (253411)
Medical Practitioner nec (253999)
Midwife (254111)
Registered Nurse (Aged Care) (254412)
Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) (254415)
Registered Nurse (Medical) (254418)
Registered Nurse (Mental Health) (254422)
Registered Nurse (Perioperative) (254423)
Registered Nurses nec (254499)
Developer Programmer (261312)
Software Engineer (261313)
Social Worker (272511)
Maintenance Planner (312911)

The above list is subject to change – we recommend checking the Department website for the current PMSOL.

Visas are still being processed

In our offices we have seen an abundance of visa grants over the past few months! These include partner, parent and skilled visa clients. Our migration agent Darren Chatt explains,

“I am advising my skilled clients to complete their skills assessment and English test so they are first in the queue for an invitation when the states re-open. Fortunately, most skills assessments and English test are valid for 2-3 years. The demand for skilled visas far outweighs the number of visas available, and it requires real patience, commitment, and knowledge to successfully complete the process. In my 19 years of practicing as a registered migration agent, this is certainly the most challenging time for applicants to secure a visa. However, the fact remains that Australia will need skilled migrants to rebuild their post-COVID economy and applicants need to present the strongest applications for when opportunities arise.”

The best way to secure a visa is to seek professional advice, to ensure you submit a complete application. Australia’s migration program is extensive and dynamic, which is why using an experienced migration agent can give you the best chance of emigrating.

Book a visa consultation today.

COVID is impacting Australian Visas and Travel

January 7, 2021/by Kimberley Chatt

Visa Go Australia

5.0

Based on 16 reviews

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I would highly recommend visa go.
Darren always took the time to answer any questions and help me through the process.
Within weeks he had my partner visa submitted and now I have my permanent residency!
I couldn’t thank Darren and the team enough 👍

Chris Lobb

23:35 19 Feb 22

Visa Go Australia are experts in their field.
My case officer, Sue, has been very professional and knowledgeable throughout the process providing great customer service, from providing the documents required to promptly replying to all queries.
So, to Darren, Kimberley and Sue, thank you all for your support to achieve my Visa.

Rosie Whitmarsh

09:38 16 Dec 21

Good and efficient services, clear information on what documents to provide and quick answers to my questions. Got two visas approved with Kimberleys help 😊.

Lesley Botschuyver

03:09 17 Oct 21

Visa Go Australia provided amazing service when applying for a partner visa. They provide great support and advice throughout the process to ensure your application is done perfectly. Kimberley was always very patient answering my questions, and following up on things I missed. I would highly recommend Visa Go to anyone applying for an Australian visa.

Rebecca Wolody

10:01 07 Oct 21

Visa Go were fantastic at helping me secure my partner visa . The whole process was very simple and well explained - and I got the permanent residency after only a few months which was amazing. Kimberley was very helpful and supportive throughout the process and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone!

Sam Hodson

11:11 17 Sep 21

Kimberley and Darren helped myself and my partner with our Australian residencies and we couldn’t be happier. Even through lockdown Kimberley was attentive and on the ball at all times, my visa process took no time at all! I’ve already recommended friends to visa go as they truly know what they are doing and are there to help and make the process as straight forward as possible. Highly recommend!!!

Mary Pegasiou

21:20 16 Sep 21

I used Visa Go to apply for my Partner Visa and I have been super impressed with the service and turnaround time. Kimberley was very thorough with her communication and kept us updated through out the whole process. I can’t recommend the service enough!

Jacob Forrest

14:06 20 Jul 21

My agent with Visa go was Kimberley Chatt. She was fantastic the whole way through. Always had very professional and prompt responses whenever I had a query. I felt like she went above and beyond to help me understand each step of the process. I now have my permanent partner visa in Australia and couldn't be happier. She turned what can often be a long arduous ordeal into a streamlined easy process. I would highly recommend this agency to anyone looking to immigrate to Australia. Thanks again Kimberley!

Ross Findlay

09:00 25 Jan 21

My Husband and I used Visa Go Australia to support us through our Visa process. Our Visa advisor was Sue, Sue was great from start to finish, always so helpful and replied to our emails and calls so quickly.
Our visa process took 11 months (as expected for the visa we applied for) and Sue kept us on track and up to date all the time, extremely organised and always happy to help and provide us with her support.
I highly recommend Visa Go Australia, we couldn't imagine trying to go through this process without Sues help and guidance. Samantha Mills

Samantha Mills

20:05 17 Dec 20

Visa Go provided an excellent service. They were professional, helpful and efficient throughout the visa process and Sue, my designated migration agent, always had words of encouragement to help deal with the tedium of the paperwork. I am a professional and I thought using a migration agent was probably unnecessary. I thought I could manage the paperwork process myself. However, it quickly became clear to me that an agent's assistance was very necessary. Visa Go's knowledge was invaluable and I have no hesitation in recommending their services.

Lorna Balfour

11:07 17 Dec 20

Using Visa Go Australia was the BEST decision we made when planning for our move to Australia. My husband is British and needed an offshore 309 spouse visa. Sue made our life so much easier supporting us every step of the way. I was impressed with her knowledge, every question I had was answered quickly and with confidence. There is a huge amount of time and effort your agent does in the background so that you don't have to. I always felt like a priority and that I was in the safe hands of an expert. Not to mention how kind and friendly the agents are. I would highly recommend this company to anyone - 5 star service!

Lisa Garside

19:48 05 Dec 20

Amazing Darren and deanne changed our lives helping us Emmigrate to a new country.

John Docherty

15:17 19 Aug 20

Visa Go Australia were integral in getting our visas granted, without them the whole process would have been so difficult for us to get everything right, they were always so happy to help no matter how silly the question. They split the process up in to manageable chunks and made sure that we were always ready for the next step which really minimised the stress of it all.
Can't thank Darren and Kimberley enough.
Calam, Charlie and Rory

Chaz Manning

20:16 19 Jul 20

Me and my partner Cynthia have successfully been granted our partner visa for Australia and could definitely not have done it without all of the never ending help from Sue. Any visa process is always stressful, yet they helped so much with any problems we had along the way. I can't recommend this company enough! If you're worried about applying for a visa, you can rest assured that with their experience and knowledge, partnered with how lovely they always are even with the smallest of questions that you will be having your visa granted in no time with minimal stress!
Thank so much for all your help!
Jonas & Cynthia

Jonas Forshaw

12:02 27 Jun 20

We were recently granted a PR Visa and the work that Sue puts in in the background is commendable. Darren and Sue have been great to work with over the last 2 years and we were kept up to date the whole way.
I would highly recommend anyone applying for a visa to do it through them.
They made sure we had all the information at every step of they way and nothing was ever a problem if I called or emailed.
Thank you so much to all of the team!
Denny, Victoria and Caitlyn

Victoria Pullinger

09:12 31 May 20

I can not recommend these enough, was with us all the way, even when things got frustrating, no fault of the company, just how long the process takes. You do have to be patient and understand they have to wait on the migration department. It is worth using an agent. They completed a PMV300 for us and are now doing the next stage. It really does unburden a lot of stress during what is a stressful time. Even long after I was given advice and guidance when the job had already been completed. Honest, reliable and understanding. Thank you and keep well all. Marie & Jodie

Marie Curly-Locks

23:10 14 May 20

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