UK Immigration Rules: March 2026 Statement of Changes - Key Changes You Need to Know

On 5th March 2026, the Home Office published its latest Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules. This is one of the most significant packages of rule changes in recent months, touching almost every area of the immigration system. Unless otherwise specified, all changes are to come into effect from 26th March 2026. Here are the key aspects you need to know about.

1. The 'Visa Brake' - Restrictions on Student & Skilled Worker Visas

From 26th March 2026, a targeted 'Visa Brake' will see Student visa applications refused for applicants who are nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan and Skilled Worker visa applications refused for applicants who are Afghan nationals. This is a direct response to the rising proportion of asylum claims linked to these visa routes.

The Government describes the brake as 'temporary' and to be kept under review but there is no defined end date. Applications submitted before 26th March 2026 are unaffected.

2. Skilled Worker Route - Important Updates for Employers

Two key changes affect the Skilled Worker route:

• Pay period compliance: From 8th April 2026 sponsors must ensure that sponsored workers are paid the required salary in each pay period, not just on an annual average basis. UKVI will no longer need to wait a full year before taking compliance action. Employers should review payroll processes immediately.
• Prison Officers: In response to short-term prison capacity pressures and to ensure adequate prison staffing, transitional arrangements are being introduced from 8th April 2026. The transitional arrangements include a relaxed skills threshold for migrants in the UK who are switching from other migration routes, such as the Graduate visa, before 1st January 2027. A lower salary threshold of £31,300 will also apply until 31st December 2027. These arrangements will only apply to migrants applying for permission to stay for up to three years. Dependants who are already in the UK can apply for permission to stay in line with the main applicant but no new dependants may enter under these arrangements.

3. Global Business Mobility - Good News for Businesses

Two positive changes for internationally mobile workforces:

• Global Business Mobility Secondment Workers: The minimum overseas employment period is reducing from 12 months to six, giving businesses greater flexibility to deploy talent to the UK temporarily under high-value contracts (£50m+).
• India Trade Deal: New provisions will implement the UK-India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, enabling Indian contractual service suppliers and independent professionals to access the UK for up to 12 months at a time. This is expected to come into force by end of March 2026.

4. Global Talent Route - Expanded and Simplified

Two welcome developments:

• Introduction of a new design pathway covering additional roles not previously accessible through this route, fulfilling a White Paper commitment.
• Simplification of the appointments fast-track option following agreement with the British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering and Royal Society, clarifying eligibility for PhD-level roles at approved UK HEIs and research institutes.

5. EU Settlement Scheme - Changes for EU Citizens & Family Members

Those with leave under the EUSS should note:

• A new suitability ground under Appendix EU tackles fraud where an EEA citizen sponsor is found to have assisted another person in obtaining EUSS status fraudulently.
• Expired biometric residence cards can now be used as proof of identity where they’re within 60 months of the expiry date (previously 18 months), making it easier for non-EEA nationals to apply digitally.
• Under Appendix EU (Family Permit), EUSS Family Permit applicants must now provide the sponsor's Unique Application Number to demonstrate they are a "relevant EEA citizen" and evidence of the authenticity of the family relationship up front. Applications lacking this will be rejected as invalid.

6. English Language Requirements - B2 Uplift Coming (but not until 2027)

The English language requirement for settlement will rise from B1 to B2 (CEFR) across a wide range of routes, including Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Scale-Up, Innovator Founder, Long Residence, UK Ancestry and others.

This change implements a commitment from the May 2025 White Paper "Restoring Control over the Immigration System" and aims to improve integration for those building their lives in the UK.

The language requirement changes do not come into force until 26th March 2027, giving those on a settlement pathway time to prepare. However, affected individuals should plan now as B2 is a meaningfully higher standard.

7. Dependent Family Members - Key Updates

• Children joining relatives: Following the Court of Appeal case of Kone, R (On the Application Of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2025] EWCA Civ 1653, the Rules clarify that a dependent child cannot settle where one parent is British/settled and the other has only temporary leave. Settlement requires both parents to be settled or British, or the resident parent to have sole responsibility. The definition of eligible 'relative' has been tightened to 'close relative.'
• Domestic Abuse victims' dependants: Maintenance, accommodation requirements and English language/Life in the UK test requirements are removed for adult dependent children aged 18+ under Appendix Victim of Domestic Abuse, aligning their treatment with younger children and parents.

8. Visa-Free Access Withdrawn - Nicaragua & Saint Lucia

With immediate effect from 15:00 GMT on 5th March 2026, nationals of Nicaragua and Saint Lucia now require a visit visa to travel to the UK. ETA eligibility for these nationalities has also closed. A six-week transition period applies for confirmed bookings made before the announcement, running until 15:00 BST on 16th April 2026.

The decision reflects concerns about misuse of visa-free access - 83% of Nicaraguan nationals arriving as visitors made asylum claims at the UK border between 2022 and 2025. For Saint Lucia, the additional concern is its Citizenship by Investment programme, which has enabled individuals to obtain Saint Lucian passports and use them to access the UK visa-free before claiming asylum or working illegally.

9. Identity Re-use - Simpler Application Process

Through a change to Rule 34(5)(a), applicants who previously enrolled biometrics at a VCAS centre will be able to re-use their identity in subsequent applications via the Generic Identity Document Verification (GIDV) app, which biometrically compares the image they enrolled under controlled conditions and is already stored on the Immigration and Asylum Biometric System (IABS). This will avoid the need to attend in person or produce an in-date passport and will streamline the experience for repeat applicants.

10. Ukraine Permission Extension Further Extended

Reflecting an announcement made by the Home Secretary in Parliament on 1st September 2025, from 8th April 2026 the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme will allow eligible individuals to apply for an extension of 24 months. Applicants can now also apply up to 90 days before their permission expires (previously 28 days), providing greater certainty for Ukrainian nationals during the ongoing conflict.

11. Asylum & Refugee System

Refugee leave is reduced from five years to 30 months for those who claimed asylum on or after 2nd March 2026, with the option to apply for further leave before expiry. Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children are exempt from the reduction for now.

What Should You Do Now?

Many of these changes require prompt action. If you or your business may be affected - whether as a sponsor, an applicant on a settlement pathway, an EU national with family members, or an individual from a newly visa-restricted country - our team are happy to assess your position ahead of the 26th March 2026 implementation date.

UK IMMIGRATION NEWS – February 2026

UK Government Proposes Major Overhaul of Settlement Rules

The Home Office is coming to the end of consultation on major changes to the pathway to settlement in the UK. These proposals are the most significant reform to settlement rules in over a decade, affecting hundreds of thousands of people currently in the UK on temporary visas.

The Core Principle: Settlement Must Be Earned

Under the proposed 'earned settlement' system, migrants would no longer be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain once they reach five years of lawful residence. Instead, migrants must demonstrate significant contribution to British society through four key pillars: character, integration, contribution and residence.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood emphasised that settlement should be "a privilege that must be earned" rather than an automatic right. The Government argues this approach is necessary following unprecedented migration levels between 2021 and 2024, during which time approximately 2.6 million people arrived in the UK.

Fundamental Changes to Qualifying Periods

The most significant proposed change is extending the standard qualifying period from five to ten years for most migration routes. This baseline could then be adjusted upwards or downwards based on individual circumstances.

For refugees, the eligibility period would be extended to 20 years, although reductions could be granted for those who meet specific criteria. Resettled refugees would begin at ten years, aligning them with other planned migration routes.

Notably, the Government proposes applying these changes retrospectively to everyone currently in the UK who has not yet obtained settlement. If that proposal is confirmed it would mean that many individuals expecting to qualify under the current rules could face significantly longer waiting times.

Which migrants are exempt from the proposed changes?

Several groups would be exempt from these changes:

• Those already holding settled status (including EU Settlement Scheme and Windrush Scheme grants)
• Dependants of British citizens
• Hong Kong British Nationals (Overseas) - maintaining their current five-year pathway
• Global Talent and Innovator Founder visa holders (potentially retaining accelerated routes of three years)

Mandatory Requirements for All Applicants

To qualify for settlement at any time, applicants must meet four core requirements:

1. Clean character - meeting suitability requirements with no criminal convictions (the Government expects applicants with a criminal record to be unable to settle)
2. English language proficiency - demonstrating competency at B2 level (upper intermediate) under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
3. Life in the UK test - successfully passing this test
4. Economic contribution - having earned above £12,570 annually (the current income tax and National Insurance threshold) for three to five years, with no outstanding NHS, tax, or other government debt

Earning Reductions: Paths to Earlier Settlement

The proposals include several ways to reduce the ten-year baseline:

Income-based reductions

• Seven-year reduction for earning over £125,140 annually for three years before application
• Five-year reduction for earning over £50,270 annually for three years before application

Other qualifying reductions

• One year for advanced English language ability (C1 level)
• Five years for employment in specified public service occupations (likely covering health and education professionals on national pay scales)
• Three to five years for community work and volunteering
• Seven years for three years of continuous residence as a Global Talent or Innovator Founder visa holder

Penalties and Extensions

The qualifying period would be extended for:

Public funds claims

• Five-year penalty for claiming benefits for less than 12 months
• Ten-year penalty for claiming benefits for more than 12 months

Immigration non-compliance

• Up to 20 years for illegal entry
• Up to 20 years for entering on a visit visa and switching status
• Up to 20 years for overstaying by six months or more

These penalties could result in qualifying periods of up to 30 years for some individuals.

Specific Impact on Lower-Skilled Workers

A significant proposal focuses on workers in roles below RQF Level 6 (Bachelor's degree equivalent). The Government is consulting on establishing a baseline qualifying period of 15 years for this group, instead of the usual ten years.

This would particularly affect those who arrived on Health and Care visas between 2022 and 2024. Home Office forecasts suggest 462,000 individuals from this route alone are expected to seek settlement between 2026 and 2030, with 384,000 having arrived specifically as Senior Care and Care Workers.

The Government's analysis indicates that median salaries for these workers ranged between £23,000 and £26,000 in 2023/24, considerably lower than the UK median of £37,000. Officials contend that lower-skilled migrants with dependants are likely to incur higher fiscal costs, which they say would justify more rigorous settlement criteria.

Changes to Access to Public Funds

A contentious aspect of the proposals is the potential removal of access to public funds at the point of settlement, such as benefits and housing assistance. Under this option, new migrants granted settlement would need to wait until they acquire British citizenship before being able to access certain benefits.

This represents a fundamental shift in what settlement means, potentially creating a three-tier system: temporary visa holders with no recourse to public funds, settled persons with no recourse to public funds and British citizens with full benefit entitlements.

Implications for Dependants and Children

The proposals would significantly alter how dependants qualify for settlement. Adult dependants of economic migrants would no longer automatically gain settlement alongside the main applicant. Instead, they would need to fulfil requirements based on their own circumstances, potentially leading to families with different immigration statuses and timelines.

The Government recognises that some requirements cannot be met by children but is considering an age cut-off after which young adults must prove their eligibility, even if they arrived as children.

What Happens Next?

As the consultation period closes, the Government is planning to implement changes from April 2026. Before implementation, publication of a summary of responses, together with economic and equality impact assessments, is anticipated.

Affected individuals and organisations should start evaluating how these proposals could impact them, especially those on Skilled Worker routes below RQF Level 6 who may encounter longer routes to settlement.

UK IMMIGRATION NEWS FLASH – 10th September 2025

ILR/Settlement period debate

The freshly appointed Minister of State (Home Office), Alex Norris had an eventful first day in the job on Monday, facing a lively three hour debate in Westminster Hall on two petitions relating to the retrospective extension of the period for obtaining Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) from five to ten years for those on the Skilled Worker and Hong Kong British National Overseas (BNO) visa routes, as outlined in the Government’s immigration White Paper introduced on 12th May.

While the Minister's reply gave little away beyond acknowledging that a public consultation will be forthcoming, a number of MPs delivered impressive testimonies representing constituents with countless stories of the amazing contributions skilled workers and BNO visa holders are making in their communities — and the anxieties and uncertainties they now face due to these proposals. The debate reminded us that real people would be affected by this policy.

Ben Goldsborough, the Member for South Norfolk who opened the debate, succinctly outlined the threefold challenge facing changes to the path to settlement for Skilled Worker visa holders:

1. The fairness of amending ILR criteria for those already here on this route, many of whom are merely months away from completing their five years;
2. The increased risk of exploitation of migrant workers, should bad employers become emboldened by a longer route to settlement; and
3. Recognition of the significant contribution skilled workers make to British society — they were invited here because of the need for their skills, they are in work, they pay taxes, pay the Immigration Health Surcharge and have no access to public funds.

Regarding the second petition on Hong Kong BNO visas, the Member emphasised Britain's moral obligation to keep its word to these individuals. He recognised that the scheme was created in response to Beijing's national security laws, which repressed and eroded the free speech and civil liberties once enjoyed by Hong Kong society and Britain offered them sanctuary in response.

A particularly resonant quote came from Steve Witherden, MP for Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr: "We recently witnessed a rise in anti-migrant rhetoric and assaults on asylum accommodation, home to many families and children. At a time when far-right groups are exploiting fear, weaponising misinformation and stoking division, our Government should be pushing back firmly and proudly, not forcing some of the most vulnerable in our society to live in limbo for a decade. What we need are shorter, more affordable routes to settlement, not simply because it is the right thing to do but because it strengthens our communities, supports our economy and ensures that children can grow up safe, secure and with hope for the future."

A date for commencement of the consultation has yet to be finalised but this is certainly a hot topic with significant public interest and we will continue to follow developments closely.

AUSTRALIAN IMMIGRATION NEWS FLASH – 1st July 2024

Here is a summary of the key immigration updates that take effect today, 1st July 2024. This includes some that weren't expected – and please also note that the potential changes to the eligible skilled occupation lists for short term work visas (that were anticipated) have not been announced yet.

The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold ('TSMIT') has increased from $70,000 to $73,150. This does not include Superannuation or any other non-monetary benefits, such as accommodation or a car. Employers must pay such benefits in addition to the TSMIT.

This increase applies to applications for nominations lodged on or after 1st July 2024. Nominations lodged prior to 1st July 2024 and not yet decided will be assessed against the TSMIT in force at the time of application.

To provide increased mobility to Temporary Work (Sc 457) visa holders, Temporary Skills Shortage (Sc 482) visa holders and Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (Sc 494) visa holders, current and future holders of these visas will now be granted a maximum period of 180 consecutive days (an increase from the previous 60 or 90 days) in which they may cease to work in accordance with the normal visa requirements, to enable them to seek an alternative sponsoring employer or depart Australia. Any periods where the visa holder ceased employment prior to 1st July 2024 does not count towards the 180 consecutive days.

During this period, a visa holder may work while they pursue the alternative sponsorship arrangements, including for alternative employers and in occupations other than those for which their visa was granted. The visa holder can also choose not to work during this period.

Under the instrument, the proposed total period of time in which a visa holder may cease to work during their visa validity period must not exceed 365 days after the commencement of the Instrument. Any periods where the visa holder ceased employment prior to 1st July 2024 does not count towards the maximum 365 days.

These amendments are retrospective and apply to visas granted before, as well as on or after, 1st July 2024.

The Migration Amendment (Family Violence Provisions for Partner Visa Applicants) Regulations 2024 includes amendments relating to existing or intended partners and prospective partners, as well as updating the language relating to family violence.

• Removes the requirement under Sc 309 and Sc 100 to be in Australia at the time of decision to access the provisions for death of sponsor or the child of relationship. Applicants can now access these provisions even if they have not entered Australia since lodging the visa application.
• Replaces the requirement under Sc 309 and Sc 100 to be in Australia at the time of decision to access the family violence provision, with a requirement to have entered Australia since lodging the visa application.

• Removes the requirement for a Prospective Marriage (Sc 300) visa applicant to continue to be sponsored at the time of decision where the relationship has ended in one of the relationship cessation provision circumstances (death of the sponsor, having a child of the relationship and family violence).
• Family violence provisions have been extended and can now be accessed by Sc 300 visa holders and certain former Sc 300 visa holders who did not marry their sponsor, as the wording has been updated to include a prospective spouse
• Sc 300 holders and certain former holders can apply for and be granted a Partner (Sc 820/801) visa under the child of relationship provision.
• Prospective Marriage (Sc 300) visa applicants can now be granted this visa inside Australia. The Sc 300 visa can now be granted onshore or offshore but must still be applied for offshore.
• Ensures review rights are maintained for Sc 300 applicants and are applicable to refusals made before, on or after 1st July 2024.
• Removes requirements for all Partner (Sc 820/801) applicants to demonstrate 'close business, cultural or personal ties' to Australia where their sponsor has died.

The Migration Amendment (Workplace Justice Visa) Regulations 2024 introduces a new Workplace Justice Visa ("WJV") under the Subclass 408 Temporary Activity visa stream. This pilot program allows temporary migrants to remain in Australia for six to 12 months to undertake workplace justice activities. To qualify, migrants must have certification regarding their workplace exploitation matter from a participating government entity or accredited non-government party. WJV holders can work during the visa period, and family members may also apply for a WJV.

There is no visa application charge for the WJV.

The Skilled-Recognised Graduate (Sc 476) visa is closed to new applications, with effect from 1st July 2024.

Onshore applications for a Student (Sc 500) visa or a Student Guardian (Sc 590) visa cannot be lodged if the applicant holds one of the following visas:

• Temporary Graduate (Sc 485)
• Visitor (Sc 600)
• Electronic Travel Authority (Sc 601)
• Medical Treatment (Sc 602)
• e-Visitor (Sc 651)
• Transit (Sc 771)
• Maritime Crew (Sc 988)
• Diplomatic Temporary (Sc 995) – primary visa holders only
• Temporary Work (International Relations) Sc 403 – Domestic Worker (Diplomatic or Consular) stream
• Domestic Worker (Temporary)– Diplomatic or Consular (Sc 426)

The Temporary Graduate visa streams have been re-named to reflect the levels of study:

Post-Vocational Education Work stream (formerly Graduate Work stream)

• For associate degree, diploma, or trade qualification holders.
• Maximum eligible age of 35 (50 for Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders).
• Stay period of up to 18 months (up to five years for Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport holders).

Post-Higher Education Work stream (formerly Post-Study Work stream)

• For degree level or higher qualification holders.
• Maximum eligible age of 35 (50 for Masters (research) and doctoral degree graduates and Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders).
• Stay periods of:
• Bachelor degree – up to two years;
• Masters (coursework and extended) – up to two years; and
• Masters (research) and doctoral degree (PhD) – up to three years (up to five years for Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders).
• The restrictions that were in place for applicants whose first student visa was granted because of an application made before 5th November 2011 have been removed.

Stay periods for Indian nationals under the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement ("AI-ECTA") remain as follows:

• Bachelor degree – up to two years
• Bachelor degree with first-class honours in STEM – up to three years
• Masters – up to three years
• Doctoral degrees (PhD) – up to four years.

As always, our ASG Team is available if you or your clients have any questions.

AUSTRALIAN IMMIGRATION NEWS FLASH - 29th May 2024

From 1st July 2024 the TSMIT will increase from $70,000 to $73,150. New nomination applications from this date will need to meet the new TSMIT of $73,150 or the annual market salary rate, whichever is higher. This follows the substantial increase from July 2023.

Employers, please note that this change will not affect existing visa holders and nominations lodged before 1st July 2024.

AUSTRALIAN IMMIGRATION NEWS FLASH - 15th May 2024

Australia’s Budget for 2024-25 has just been released and, from a migration perspective, has put forward the current Government's proposals for the future trajectory of Australian migration.

On 14th May 2024, the Australian government announced that the Permanent Migration Program for 2024-25 has been set at 185,000 places, with approximately 71% (132,000 places) allocated to the Skilled Stream. The Family Stream, which will comprise approximately 28% of the program, will predominantly be made up of Partner visas of up to 52,500 places. The Employer Sponsored Stream has 44,000 places, which is an increase from the 2023-24 planning level of 36,825 places. Allocation for the Skilled Independent Stream has decreased to 16,900, which could be alarming for those who had hoped to achieve permanent residence through this pathway.

Key reforms include:

• Allocating $18.3 million over four years from 2024-25 to reform Australia's migration system further, focusing on education for migrant workers about workplace safeguards and data-matching pilot projects to mitigate exploitation.
• Adjusting visa programs, such as introducing a visa pre-application process for the Work and Holiday Visa Program for China, Vietnam and India, as well as implementing a new Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme ("MATES") for Indian nationals.
• The Government will introduce a visa pre-application process for the capped Work and Holiday Visa Program for China, Vietnam and India from 2024-2025. A fee of $25 for the ballot (indexed to the Consumer Price Index in subsequent years) will be implemented.
• MATES introduces a fresh avenue for 3,000 Indian graduates and early career professionals (aged 18 to 30 years, upon application) with expertise in specific fields, not yet announced. This initiative allows them to reside and work in Australia for a maximum of two years. The visa incurs a pre-application (ballot) fee of $25 and an application charge of $365, subject to future indexing based on the consumer price index.
• Launching a new National Innovation Visa to attract exceptionally talented migrants driving growth in sectors of national importance. This will replace the current Global Talent Visa (subclass 858) from late 2024.
• The Business Innovation and Investment visa program ("BIIP") will cease and refunds of the visa application charge will be provided from September 2024 for those who wish to withdraw their BIIP applications.
• The Government will also reduce the work experience requirement for the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa from the current two years to one year, for all applicants, with effect from 23rd November 2024. However, the process of nomination could become stricter, with many occupations likely to come off the skilled occupation list. This proposal currently includes occupations such as Customer Service Manager, ICT Project Manager, Café or Restaurant Manager, Public Relations Manager and Production Manager (Mining). Please contact us for more details on occupations which are potentially going to be taken off the Skilled Occupation Lists.
• Addressing backlogs in migration-related judicial reviews and establishing the Administrative Review Tribunal to replace the Administrative Appeals Tribunal ("AAT").
• Enhancing settlement services for migrants and refugees and providing support for individuals affected by the Hamas-Israel conflict.
• Additionally, investments are being made in cyber security, with initiatives aimed at strengthening critical national infrastructure and countering foreign interference.

Some of these reforms are expected to take effect as early as 1st July 2024. As always, our ASG Team is available if you or your clients have any questions.

AUSTRALIAN IMMIGRATION NEWS FLASH - 27th April 2024

In recent days, the Australian Department of Home Affairs has made several significant announcements, marking a shift in Australia's migration landscape. Last week, adjustments were made to the English language requirements for the Student and Temporary Graduate Visa Streams. Additionally, the introduction of the Pacific Engagement Subclass 192 Visa ("PEV") was announced. The PEV will be a pathway for obtaining permanent residence for eligible visa holders from certain Pacific Island countries and Timor Leste.

These reforms are aligned with the Migration Strategy released on 11th December 2023, which addresses the need to overhaul the existing system and ensure that permanent skilled migration contributes to long-term prosperity. The Strategy emphasises the importance of, "planning migration to get the right skills in the right place."

One of the key changes outlined in the Migration Strategy is the transformation of the current Temporary Skills Shortage visa program. The Government plans to introduce a new four year 'Skills in Demand' visa, aimed at providing workers with more flexibility to change employers and offering clear pathways to permanent residence. It is expected that this visa will replace the Temporary Skills Shortage (subclass 482) visa. Notably, visa holders will have 180 days (instead of the current 60) to find a new Australian sponsor, if their employment relationship with their current sponsor ends. To facilitate this process, there is a proposal to mimic the UK and create a Public Register of Sponsors.

Employers will also welcome the introduction of a trailing fee system, replacing the upfront nomination and Skilling Australians Fund ("SAF") Levy. This change aims to improve small business access to the migration system and will end the current unfortunate system, wherein both the application fee and the payable-upfront SAF levy are forfeited in situations where a Nomination application has been refused.

Furthermore, the Migration Strategy outlines plans to introduce new visa pathways within the Skills in Demand Visa framework. These could be as follows:

• Specialist Skills Pathway – targeting highly skilled migrants in various occupations with a minimum salary threshold of AU$135,000.
• Core Skills Pathway – available to applicants in occupations listed on the new Core Skills Occupation List, with salaries above the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold ("TSMIT" – currently AU$70,000). Certain trade occupations may also be eligible. A draft CSOL has been put together, which can be accessed here https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/topics/migration-strategy/draft-core-skills-occupations-list-csol-consultation. However, the final draft may include additional occupations in order to comply with Australia's international trade obligations.
• Essential Skills Pathway – a regulated pathway for lower-paid workers with essential skills, focusing on sectors critical to Australia's 'quality of life', such as care and support workers.

Other proposed changes include the indexation of income thresholds, a tripartite approach to identifying skills needs involving government, industry, and unions, streamlining of Labour Market Testing processes, and the establishment of service level agreements and modernised accreditation pathways.

Some of these reforms are expected to take effect as early as 1st July 2024. As always, our ASG Team is available if you or your clients have any questions.

AUSTRALIAN IMMIGRATION NEWS FLASH - 9th November 2023

We have some exciting news to share that will make a significant difference in the lives of temporary skilled workers in Australia. Pending regulatory approval, with effect from 25th November 2023, the Australian Government is introducing changes to the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) (subclass 482) and Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (subclass 186) visas. These changes aim to simplify the path to permanent residency, providing more clarity and ease for everyone involved.

Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa: Removing Restrictions

One of the most notable changes for Short-term stream TSS visa holders is the removal of limitations on the number of applications that can be made within Australia. This alteration, effective for new TSS visa applications submitted after 25th November 2023, ensures more flexibility for those seeking to extend their stay in the country. However, Short-term stream TSS visa holders whose second two-year visas will expire before 25th November will still need to travel outside Australia to apply for a third short-term stream TSS application, while offshore.

Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (subclass 186) Temporary Residence Transition Stream: Simplified Requirements

Changes to the TRT stream Permanent Residence nomination requirements include:

• Employers will now be able to nominate holders of all streams of TSS visas for PR, including Short-term and Labour Agreement streams.
• The requirement for nominated occupations in the TRT stream to be assessed against a skilled migration occupation list is being removed. However, the nominated occupation must still be listed in the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) and the nominated worker must continue working in the nominated occupation for their TSS visa(s).
• The period of time a TSS visa holder must work in their nominated position or occupation to be eligible for employer nomination in the TRT stream is being reduced from the current period of three out of four, to two out of the three years before nomination.

These changes will apply to new ENS and Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme nomination applications as well as applications that have been filed but where no decision has been made before 25th November 2023.

Further changes to TRT stream visa application requirements include:

• Adjustments to age exemptions for regional medical practitioner applicants and high-income earners aged 45 years and over, allowing for a two-year pathway.
• Conclusion of COVID-19 related age exemptions due to the introduction of the two-year pathway.

These changes are a positive step forward in providing more equitable access to permanent residency for all TSS visa holders, paving the way for a brighter and more stable future for them and their families.

As always, our ASG Team is available if you or your clients have any questions.