Australian subclass 139 visa to cease 1 July 2006

[Guest lholmes]

The Australian Government has announced significant changes to its subclass 139 visa, commonly known as the Skilled, Designated Area-sponsored (SDAS) visa.

Starting from 1 July 2006, incidentally the same day changes are being introduced for Australia's Working Holiday Maker visa, the subclass 139 SDAS will be replaced by a two-stage visa process.

 

The visa will not be points tested.

 

To be eligible for the first provisional portion of the new visa, known as the subclass 496, SDAS (Provisional) the visa applicant will need to:

 

be under 45 years of age

have a good level of English

have recent work experience

be sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated area of Australia; and

have skills and qualifications assessed by a relevant assessing authority as suitable for an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL).

Once the Provisional visa has been granted the holder must retain that visa for at least two years. The applicant must also have complied with the conditions set out in the SDAS (Provisional) visa.

 

SDAS (Provisional) visa holders should apply for a SDAS visa on or before the expiry date of their SDAS (Provisional) visa.

 

To apply for the Residence portion of the visa, applicants must:

 

have held the SDAS (Provisional) visa for at least two years

be sponsored by an eligible relative

have lived in a designated area for two years

have worked full time in a designated area for 12 months; and

have good English skills

The applicants may be inside or outside Australia when applying for and granted a SDAS (Residence) visa.

 

For further details, please visit

http://www.visabureau.com/australia/news/27-06-2006/australian-subclass-139-to-cease-1-July.aspx