Visa hopefuls have been left disappointed after Queensland temporarily shut down their general skilled migration program, within two days of making it available, due to 'unprecedented demand.'
On Monday 29 July 2019, Business and Skilled Migration Queensland (BSMQ) announced the program was open and was accepting expression of interest (EOI). By 5 pm on Tuesday 30 July 2019, the program was closed.
"Due to the unprecedented demand of the skilled program, the BSMQ skilled program is temporarily CLOSED," Migration Queensland shared on its website.
"Expressions of interest (EOI's) submitted for SkillSelect after 5.00pm AEST 30 July 2019 will not be considered at this time."
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The state government has specified that the program will not open soon.
"Due to this demand, it is unlikely that the subclass 489 program will reopen (for skilled applicants) due to the closure for nominations on 10 September 2019 (to be replaced by the new subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa)," the statement read.
The subclass 190 program will, however, reopen in due course.
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'Devastating news for hopeful applicants'
"This has been devastating news for a lot of applicants who had high hopes and were expecting to lodge their expression of interest soon," says Queensland-based migration expert Suman Dua.
But not all hope is lost, Ms Dua says.
"They have closed temporarily and will reopen again for the new regional visa subclass 491 and for subclass 190. Right now their priority is to nominate for subclass 489 visa as 10th September is the last day that states can issue invites."
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According to migration and education expert Chaman Preet, this indicates the rise in demand for state nomination programs across the board.
"Queensland has a requirement of being living and working in Queensland in the nominated occupation for the last 6 months to be eligible for state nomination if the applicant is onshore. It comes as a surprise that the allocated seats were so quickly exhausted given the strict requirements for onshore applicants."
"It is an indication that future visa aspirants need to plan and act today," says Chaman Preet.
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