Australian visa tweak likely to hit Indian migrants the hardest

Source: SBS, 16/04/2018

Migration agents are predicting the government`s decision to merge a
new visa for New Zealanders with the Skilled Independent (subclass
189) program will negatively impact Indian migrants.

The change, which was first announced in 2016, gives a pathway to
permanent residency to up to 10,000 Kiwis annually who have been
residing in Australia for at least five years.
But there are fears the move will result in fewer overseas applicants
receiving visas under the skilled independent program.
According to the ABC, the government decided to open the new visa
pathway to Australian-based New Zealanders without increasing the
total number of visas under the scheme.
Applicants from India received the most number of visas under the
skilled independent program in 2016-17.
In 2017, out of 42,422 places, Indian-born migrants claimed 14,484 of
those visas. Migration agents say they feel that with the new Kiwi
visa being merged into the program, Indian applicants stand to lose
the most.
“It’s very simple, Indians have been receiving the most number of
visas, any change would affect them the most,” says Yatharth
Bharadwaj from Lotus Migration in Adelaide.
Many prospective Indian migrants are already feeling the pinch
because of the reduced number of occupations for independent and
state nominated visas.
The news comes after The Australian reported last week that Home
Affairs Minister Peter Dutton tried to convince his cabinet
colleagues to cut Australia’s immigration intake by 20,000.
Mr Bharadwaj says some of his Indian clients in particular
occupations are facing a long wait for an invite from the Department
of Home Affairs to move their visa application forward.
“A lot of Indians apply in accountancy and IT. But the department
isn’t issuing invites to them. In some cases the required points go
as high as 80-85,” he said.
Applicants can apply for skilled permanent visas if they have a
minimum of 60 points for their educational qualifications, work
experience, English proficiency etc. The department issues invites
to applicants based on merit.
India is a huge source of immigration to Australia. Almost a quarter
of 457 temporary skilled visas were issued to Indian workers before
it was abolished last month.
Last year, applicants from India topped the list of nationalities
with 38,854 visas (21.2 per cent) out of total 183,608 visas granted
under Australia’s immigration program. In 2015-16, a total of 40,145
visas were granted to Indians.