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Australia will give more “Global Talent Visas” to Highly Skilled Immigrants

More visas are available for highly skilled migrants in Australia.

The Australian government has recently announced the increase in the quota of the “Global Talent Independent (GTI) program”.  It has tripled the number of places for this stream available for the migration year ending June 2021. The government is working to build the success of the Global Talent Independent (GTI) program through a new ‘complete government’ Global Business and Talent Attraction Task Force. Which will integrate existing government programs to create incentives for doing business in Australia. The task force focuses on businesses with a focus on more than 250M businesses and HK-based businesses.

The Global Talent Program offers a permanent visa for the candidates of 7 specified sectors, to live and work anywhere in Australia–with applicants receiving a personalized service to guide them through the process. Applicants can also apply with their immidiate family members. Individuals granted a visa under the Global Talent Visa Program do not require a travel exemption.

Instead of 5,000, the new quota has been set as 15,000 for GTI visa. The Morrison (Australian prime minister) government has released the 2020 budget, including a commitment to the 2020-21 migration program. The program is set annually, with the total places available capped at a ceiling of 160,000 for 2020-21. 

Australian immigration minister Mr. David Coleman announced a new permanent residency visa program called the “Global Talent Inddependant Program” on the 4th of November 2019. The program is designed to help grow the country’s innovation and tech economies. 

What can you do in Australia on this visa?

This permanent visa program allows you to:

  • work and study in Australia
  • stay in Australia permanently
  • sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence in Australia
  • if eligible, apply for an Australian citizen

How does the program work?

This new PR program works in a unique and different way. In order to be successful, one will have to go through the following:

1- Be a professional from one of these sectors;

FinTech
AgTech
MedTech
Cyber Security
Quantum Information/Advanced Digital/ Data Science and ICT.
Space and Advanced Manufacturing
Energy and Mining Technology

2- Is able and likely to earn more than AUD153,600 (minimum threshold) salary annually. This threshold is changed every year on July 1 under the Fair Work high-income threshold system.

3- Has a referral from any of the following;

  • a Global Talent designated officer
  • an organization or an individual with a national reputation in the same field as the candidate

4- Individuals must:

  • have a recognized organization or individual in Australia nominate them as global talent, in the same field as the applicant
  • still, be prominent in their field of expertise
  • prove they are internationally recognized with evidence of outstanding achievements
  • have no difficulty obtaining employment in Australia or becoming established in their field
  • provide evidence that they would be an asset to Australia, in their area of expertise

How to find a designated Global talent officer in your region?

Currently, Global Talent officers have been appointed in London, Shanghai, Singapore, and Washington DC. During the Covid-19 phase, the work is being done within Australia.

How to apply for Visa/PR?

There are several steps to follow to apply for this visa. To begin with the visa application, one can follow the instructions as follows:

  • Submitting an expression of interest (EOI) using the Global Talent contact form.
  • If you meet the program parameters, you will receive a unique identifier. You must get a nomination form a designated nominator by filling in this form.
  • You will be contacted if your EOI has been successful.

Once all the above-mentioned requirements are done, you will be able to apply for permanent residency in Australia through a different process.

After having a referral from the designated bodies (nominator), you will be able to apply under the ‘Distinguished Talent Visa’ stream through subclass 124 or subclass 858. Both the referee and the visa applicant will use the same portal“ Global Talent Form“ for referring or applying for PR respectively.

How much does this program cost?

Applying for the visa under subclass 124 or subclass 858 will cost you from AUD4,110 alone for visa processing fees. The usual expenses such as foimmi.homeaffairs.gov.au/…/distinguished-talent-124r character certificate and medical examination are not included.

Processing timings

There are no set aside processing timings for this new visa stream, but applications will receive the highest priority processing. Highly skilled migrants in selected industries will receive a fast-tracked process to permanent residency in Australia.

Contacts for information

For  further details, one may contact:

Prospective applicants from other regions should contact GlobalTalent@homeaffairs.gov.au.