Independent Australia | 16 November 2022
Home Affairs is desperately trying to cope with a huge surge in overseas student visa applications, many lured by the prospect of unlimited work rights. Dr Abul Rizvi reports.
AFTER FORMER Prime Minister Scott Morrison famously told temporary entrants in Australia to ‘go home’, denied most universities JobKeeper and denied any real support for temporary entrants who were stuck in Australia, many commentators considered Australia would struggle to attract overseas students once the pandemic was over.
Those commentators failed to take into account the attraction of unlimited work rights for students that former Immigration Minister Alex Hawke would subsequently provide. While Hawke’s policy would trash the reputation of Australia’s international education industry, it would also generate a massive increase in offshore student visa applications from students more interested in work than study.
Since international borders reopened, student arrivals and departures have accelerated quickly.
The 97,350 excess of student arrivals over departures in the period December 2021 to March 2022 was to be expected given the number of students that had been prevented entry during the pandemic. While there is a traditional net outflow of students in June, this did not happen in June 2022 — there was instead a small excess of arrivals over departures.
There was the traditional excess of student arrivals over departures in July and August 2022 and a non-traditional excess of student arrivals in September 2022 — traditionally a month when there is an excess of departures over arrivals.
But movements data can often disguise what is really happening. Offshore visa application numbers give us a better indication of the level of interest in studying/working in Australia while grant rates tell us how the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) is managing the caseload.
Offshore student visa applications vary considerably from month to month. June is traditionally a strong month for offshore student visa applications while July, August and September are traditionally low application months.
In 2022, offshore student applications in June, July, August and September set new records by a significant margin.
In June 2022, there were 42,700 offshore student visa applications with the next highest number of June applications being 34,343 in June of 2018. In July 2022, there were 30,801 offshore student applications with the next highest July figure being 25,152 in 2019.
In August 2022, there were 25,580 offshore student applications with the next highest August figure being 19,201 in 2018. In September 2022, there were 24,344 offshore student applications with the next highest September figure being 18,142 in 2018.
In every month from June to September 2022, the number of offshore student visa applications has exceeded the previous record for that month by at least 5,000.
But this isn’t converting to similar records of offshore student visa grants because grant rates have fallen significantly, particularly in September.
It is likely that the lower grant rates are partly due to the DHA finding increased levels of fraud in the caseload as well as a shift in source countries. DHA may also be making greater use of the “genuine temporary entry” requirement as a basis to refuse applications.
For a department under severe resource pressure as well as pressure to speed up processing, a large caseload with low grant rates due to either fraud or use of a subjective criteria like “genuine temporary entry” represents a major waste of resources. DHA desperately needs to find a different way to manage the offshore student visa caseload.
It may be hoping the recently announced review of the migration system may find a solution. In this regard, the Albanese Government has announced Australia will return to restricted work rights for overseas students from 1 July 2023.
That is the right thing to do if we want our international education industry to focus on the delivery of quality education. But there needs to be a clear transition plan that alerts students and agents to the change, explains how limited work rights will be enforced and helps students who have become reliant on unlimited work rights to manage the transition.
www.samigration.com
The West Australian | 16 Nov 2022
Australia’s immigration system is not working for migrants, business, or the country, Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil warns.
She said a four-month review — announced by the Federal Government last week — to look into the nation’s migration system would focus on speeding up visa processing times for bringing in skilled workers.
There are more than 800,000 migration and temporary visa applications still waiting to be processed as the country battles with a skills shortages crisis.
Last week, The West Australian revealed the extent of the shortages in WA, with almost 1000 nursing positions and more than 5000 mining-based jobs advertised in the State each month.
Childcare workers make up about 710 vacancies a month, with the day-to-day trades also feeling the heat being mechanics, electricians and construction workers.
Ms O’Neil said a series of proposals for bringing in skilled workers, such as getting rid of the skills list and introducing minimum salary thresholds would be considered as part of the review.
“(Our) system is genuinely in a state of disrepair. It has no strategy — we have got enormous complexity in the system. (There’s) literally hundreds of different visa categories and sub-categories,” Ms O’Neil told the ABC’s Insiders on Sunday.
“It’s expensive, it’s complicated, it is bureaucratic. It’s not working for migrants, for business, or for the country. When we look at Australia’s future we have really big challenges we are facing.”
The Labor Minister said most of the past decade the conversation had been about how to keep people out of Australia.
“We are in a global competition to attract the talent that we need for the future with the US, Canada, New Zealand and all the other countries rolling out the red carpet,” she said.
“It can take two or three years to get a visa to come here and then we will only let you stay for a couple of years and then send you back again.
“We have to think about this as a competitive mindset where we want Australians to be a destination of choice and that’s not what the migration system is doing at the moment.”
Ms O’Neil also reaffirmed a decision to scrap temporary protection visas, but would not yet commit to a timeframe for when and how it would take place.
“We have a number of people living in Australia on temporary protection visas who have been here for more than a decade,” Ms O’Neil sad.
“We are working through it slowly and carefully.”
Under the terms of reference, the goal of the review is to “develop a holistic strategy that articulates the purpose, structure and objectives of Australia’s migration system to ensure it meets the national interest in the coming decades”.
An interim report will be given to Ms O’Neil on February 28 and will contain priority recommendations for next year’s Federal Budget in May.
www.samigration.com
Business Tech | 16 Nov 2022
The days of citizenship-by-investment schemes in Europe may be coming to an end, warns immigration specialist, Sable International.
Citing statements from Portugal’s Prime minister, António Costa, earlier in November, the group warned that these types of investment plans’ days may be numbered after he revealed that his administration is re-evaluating its Golden Visa Programme.
Costa said that the programme has likely served its purpose and is no longer justified at this time. Evaluations on the programme are ongoing.
“When you are making an evaluation, you consider all the possibilities. And after the evaluation is completed, decisions are made, and possibilities become decisions. We are currently evaluating whether the golden visas make sense,” he said.
According to Sable, the reason for the introduction of the Golden Visa in 2012 was to support the recovery of the Portuguese economy, especially the real estate sector, following the financial and debt crisis that started in 2007.
“Under this Golden Visa Portugal programme, investors from non-EU countries can obtain Portuguese residency in exchange for a capital investment. Over the last ten years, Portugal has granted 11,180 residence permits to wealthy foreign citizens in exchange for investments totalling approximately EUR 6.5 billion,” it said.
The majority of the funds – primarily from South Africa, Brazil, and China – were invested in real estate.
“Part of the programme’s success lies in the fact that foreigners can invest the entire amount – there is no government contribution – and can obtain residency in an EU country by absence, with only 35 days spent in Portugal over five years. It is also one of the more affordable EU programmes, with qualifying property investment starting at only EUR 280,000,” Sable said.
While the prime minister’s comments have sparked concern among investors, Sable said that even if the Portuguese government cancels the programme, no new legislation can be applied retroactively, and all investors and applicants already registered for the programme and in the middle of the process are therefore protected from the termination of the programme.
“If you are still in the process of finalising your investment, you can be confident that no official end date has been announced and that you can still submit your Golden Visa application to the Portuguese authorities.
“However, we advise you to start the process sooner rather than later, before the programme terminates,” it said.
The group also warned that the move by Portugal may be part of a wider move away from Golden Visas in the European Union.
“The news comes after the EU Commission and Parliament voted in favour of proposed changes imposing restrictions on Golden visas in March 2022,” it said.
These changes include:
Sable said the proposed changes are important because they are focused on preventing people that are involved in money laundering, tax evasion, and other crimes, from benefiting from such visas.
“Since its launch in 2012, the Portuguese Golden Visa has been one of the world’s most successful residence-by-investment initiatives, largely due to its minimal residency requirements and flexible pathway to citizenship.
“This is one of the main reasons why the EU Parliament has long criticised the Golden Visa and passport schemes, claiming that they are a shortcut to EU citizenship based solely on financial considerations,” the group said.
While the Prime Minister’s comments may be taken as an indication that the Golden Visa’s days are numbered, no legislative decree to this effect has been issued, nor has the formal termination of the programme been announced.
“If you were considering investing in the programme, there is still time to ensure you don’t miss out,” said Sable.
TDPel Media | 16 Nov 2022
Visa-Free Countries for Holders of a Nigerian Passport:
Visa-free refers to the capacity to travel to foreign nations without requiring a visa. The sole document necessary for admission and exit is a valid passport.
Or, we can say that “Visa Free for Nigerians” is a program that allows Nigerian people to travel to nations where a visa is not required for Nigerian passport holders. In other words, Nigerians do not require a visa to access visa-free countries or territories.
Countries that offer visa-upon-arrival or e-visas for Nigerians require the visa to be obtained before to arriving at the port of entry. The nations listed below are visa-free for Nigerian passport holders.
There are 47 nations that do not require a visa as an essential travel document, including the following:
List of Visa-Free Destinations — Travel from Nigeria without a visa
Visa-Free, eVisa, and Visa-On-Arrival Countries for Nigerians in Africa
Benin
Burkina Faso
Cameroun
Cabo Verde
Chad
Comoros
Côte d’Ivoire
Djibouti
Ethiopia
This is the Gambia
Ghana
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Kenya
Lesotho
Liberia
Madagascar
Mali
Mauritania
Mauritius Mozambique * Niger
Rwanda
São Tomé and Príncipe
Senegal
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Somalia
Togo
Uganda
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Visa-Free, eVisa, and Visa-On-Arrival Countries for Nigerians in Asia
Iran
Kyrgyzstan
Maldives
Timor-Leste eVisa, Visa on Arrival and Visa Free Countries in North and South America for Nigerian Citizens
Antigua and Barbuda
Barbados
Dominica
Fiji\sHaiti
Christopher and Nevis
Suriname
Oceania eVisa and Visa-Free Countries for Nigerian Citizens
Fiji
Micronesia
Tuvalu
Vanuatu
In addition to paperwork and locations, there are a number of other things that should not be overlooked during departure preparation, including:
What are the advantages of visa-upon-arrival?
When traveling abroad, it takes a great deal of time to apply for visas, obtain permits, repeatedly visit the embassy, and take care of everything. Thus, visa on arrival has numerous advantages. For instance, you are not need to apply for a visa in advance at your home country’s embassy or consulate. All the work will be completed at the airport upon arrival in the nation. On the other hand, little documents are required. Consequently, the danger associated with visas upon arrival is relatively low.
Reservations for Transportation and Lodging
After deciding on a location, the next step is to acquire transportation and lodging tickets. Depending on the option made, the date and cost can be modified to accommodate the travel budget.
Travel insurance
When traveling with travel insurance, some individuals will feel more at ease. Before leaving, a travel insurance policy can be purchased online or offline. Here, you may view the selection of available insurance options.
Country of Destination Knowledge and Travel Planning
It is no longer difficult to collect accurate data. Before the day of travel, it is advisable to gather all pertinent information on the target nation. Basic information about travel places, cuisine, and other forms of amusement. Don’t forget to check for a contact number that can be used in case of an emergency.
Convert to the Currency of the Destination Country.
In addition, the difference in currencies must be addressed in preparation for bringing the currency of the target country upon arrival. Although this form of card may now be used for payment in a variety of nations, there is no harm in earning cash in the local currency.
Discover the Transportation Model of the Destination Nation
Each country’s unique transportation systems must be mastered. Understanding existing transportation will facilitate the desire to circumnavigate the country of goal. Learn how to pay for transportation, routes, and schedules, among other things.
Collection of Objects
Carrying an excessive amount of goods can undoubtedly hinder travel. It is preferable to select products to be transported based on the environment, weather, and other requirements. Focus on minimizing your valuables.
Prepare English or the Destination Language (Basic Conversation)
Language barriers will also factor into the dynamics of international travel. It will be easier for visitors to communicate with locals if they learn a bit of the destination’s native language. If the local language is deemed too challenging, at least become conversant in basic English, which is an international language.
www.samigration.com