Advice From Migration Agents: Australia Citizenship Changes for Kiwis

July has brought a number of changes to migration laws and regulations and professional migration agents appreciate that this has lead to a great deal of confusion. One particular area that has been affected is citizenship and permanent residence for New Zealanders. The Subclass 189 new visa for the New Zealand Stream came into effect from the 1st July 2017 and here are some details about what you need to know.

Criteria:

As with any visa, there is qualification criteria, and you may need help from migration agents. Australia 189 visa requirements are fairly specific, but it is always a good idea to seek professional advice. The basic criteria for this visa includes;
Applicants need to be normally resident in Australia and in the country on or before February 2016. You must have been resident for a minimum of five years before lodging your application.
As a primary applicant, you must hold a 444 Visa and have earned a minimum of the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) for five years before lodgement unless you are exempt. Secondary applicants and any dependents can hold any type of visa or an A, B or C Bridging Visa.
Unlike many other types of visa, the 189 has no age limits, but you may need to comply with other character and health requirements.

Benefits:

The 189 visa allows for primary applicants to include dependents on their application. There are fees and charges associated with lodging an application that will increase if secondary applicants or dependents are included. However, if you are granted an 189 visa, you will become a permanent resident of Australia and enjoy all of the advantages of residency. This includes work or study in Australia, enrollment in Medicare and the ability to sponsor any eligible relatives for their own permanent residence.
Additionally, unlike many of the citizenship changes affecting other holders of permanent resident visas, the citizenship requirements for 189 subclass visas will be just one year of permanent residence only.

Lodging an Application:

The 189 subclass visa is now open for applications. The visa was launched from 1st July 2017 and immediately available to applicants. While the application process may appear straightforward, it is a good idea to consult professional migration agents. This can help you to avoid delays in your application and minimise the risk of your application being denied.

If you are considering an 189 or other visa and need assistance from migration agents, Australia applicants should contact us. We are reputable migration agents, you can rely on to help you through the visa application process. Our agents are also available to answer any queries you may have about this or any other visa application.

Need Professional Help With The Application Process?

The Visa application process is difficult. It is common for self-prepared applications to get rejected. We know how important it is that your application is approved and we are here to make sure that it does.

If you would like to have your application managed by experts who can get you the best outcome, then call 888 Migration Services and talk with us about how we can help.