Migration agent Imran Lakhani believes the Pakistani community won't be affected as much because Pakistan very few people apply for this visa category from Pakistan as compared to other countries.
The Australian government has abolished the 457 visa program and replaced it with new streams, but this measure is not going to affect a lot of Pakistani immigrants, according to a migration agent Imran Lakhani.
Mr Lakhani stresses that while the government has introduced “changes in bulk”, there is no need to panic for the Pakistani community as very few people from the country used to apply for a 457 visa.
“Pakistan is not even among the top 15 countries whose citizens received a 457 visa prior to the introduction of these changes," Mr Lakhani tells SBS Urdu.
Pakistan is not even among the top 15 countries whose citizens received a 457 visa prior to the introduction of these changes
According to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, the 457 visa will be replaced with the completely new Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) visa in March 2018.
The occupation lists that underpin the 457 visa will be significantly condensed from 651 to 435 occupations, with 216 occupations removed and access to 59 other occupations restricted.
The Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL) will also be renamed as the new Short-term Skilled Occupations List (STSOL) and will be updated every six months.
The maximum duration of 457 visas for occupations that are on the STSOL will be two years while occupations on the MLTSSL will still be issued a visa for a maximum of four years
The other occupations list used for skilled migration, the Skilled Occupations List (SOL) will be renamed the new Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
This list will contain occupations that have been assessed as being of high value to the Australian economy and aligning to the Government’s longer term training and workforce strategies.
The maximum duration of 457 visas for occupations that are on the STSOL will be two years while occupations on the MLTSSL will still be issued a visa for a maximum of four years, Mr Lakhani explains.
According to the department, if you already hold a subclass 457 visa, you will not be impacted by these removed occupations unless you apply for a further subclass 457 visa or are changing your occupation or employer.
You can play the audio to listen to Mr Lakhani’s complete interview in which he also answered questions from the audience.
Further information can be found at Department of Immigration and Border Protection’s website.
