While there are still Tier 2 visa routes (such as the minister of religion and sportsperson visa) available, the General category of the former UK work visa has been replaced with the Skilled Worker visa. 

Both visas are intended to enable workers in skilled positions to immigrate to the UK. The Skilled Worker visa has lowered the requirements for entry in many areas. Overall, the Skilled Worker visa provides an easier route to working in the UK for those outside of the EU, as all nationalities undergo the same selection process and apply for the same visa. 

Mandatory requirements for the Skilled Worker visa

The Skilled Worker visa is points-based, with points being awarded for meeting particular criteria. Prospective workers need to reach a minimum of 70 points, 50 of which are received from three mandatory factors. These factors include:

• A job offer from an approved company 
• A job at an appropriate skill level
• Speaking English at the required level 

Nationals from a majority English speaking country do not need to prove their knowledge of English, many will obtain 10 “free” points. The rest of the points are “tradeable” and look at factors such as salary, the demand level for the position, and whether the position requires a PhD. These tradeable factors are where the requirements between the old Tier 2 and the Skilled Worker visa start to change. 

Skilled Worker visa’s new skill level and its benefits

The Tier 2 visa scheme required that the role was equivalent to a role at RQF level 6, equivalent to Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) levels 7 and 8. This was limited to bachelor’s degrees, and honours degrees, graduate certificates and graduate diplomas. The Skilled Worker visa lowers this requirement to RQF level 3, the equivalent of AQF level 4, a certificate IV. The certificate IV loosely translates to a “range of specialised knowledge and skills in a carried context”. There are sites about the AQF 4 qualification level and the difference between a certificate III, certificate IV and a diploma, if you are uncertain. 

The new salary requirements for the Skilled Worker visa 

The generic salary requirement has been lowered from £30,000 to £25,600. Applicants will need to earn the going rate for the position, or the minimum salary requirement of £25,600, whichever is higher. If an individual earns less than £25,600, they may still qualify if they can claim tradeable points for their salary, for example by having a PhD or being a new entrant (as defined by the UK Home Office).

Removal of the cooling off period

Previously, if you held a Tier 2 visa and left the UK, you would’ve had to wait 12 months before you were able to apply for another Tier 2 visa to return to the UK. This was known as the “cooling off” period. The Skilled Worker visa is not subject to a cooling off period, and does not place a limit on the amount of times the visa can be extended. After five years, you may be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR). Should you not qualify for ILR, or do not wish to apply, you may continue to extend your Skilled Worker visa.

Those who have come to the UK on an Intra-company Transfer (ICT) visa, can now look for work with other companies who can sponsor migrant workers. Similarly, the cooling off period no longer applies and what’s more, the application can be made from within the UK. 

Recent graduates can take a similar path to work in the UK. If you are currently on a UK Student visa and have graduated, you can apply for a Graduate visa that will allow you to work at any skill level. The Graduate visa is valid for two years (three years for PhD students). During this time, you can look for work that will allow you to be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa. This pathway isn’t subject to a cooling off period and because they studied at UK institutions, their English proficiency is already proven.

Other benefits to the Skilled Worker visa

Removal of Resident Labour Market Test

UK employers no longer need to conduct a Resident Labour Market Test before employing migrant workers. This means companies no longer need to advertise job posts for 28 days in the UK before being able to accept applications from foreign nationals. 

No cap on the number of applications

Unlike the Tier 2 General visa scheme, there is no limit on the number of people who can apply for a Skilled Worker visa from outside of the UK per year.  

More work opportunities

The main benefit of the change in the skill level requirement is the access to jobs previously excluded from the Tier 2 visa scheme. The lowering of the skills level allows UK companies to source a range of technical skills from abroad, such as companies dealing exclusively with roles at RQF levels 3-5. The lower salary threshold opens more possibilities of working in the UK, similar to the change in skill level. The skilled worker eligible occupation list includes careers such as woodworkers, sales administrators, metal machining jobs, amongst others. An increase in the candidate pool can lead to both an easier recruitment process and an increased output quality. 

Finding visa information is difficult and figuring out which is the best for you is even more challenging. Contact our parent company, Sable International, to get in touch with our team of immigration and visa specialists. We can help you with your specific situation and get you to the UK effortlessly.

The post The new UK Skilled Worker visa vs the Tier 2 visa: Differences and benefits appeared first on Australian Times News.

If you are not careful, however, you might end up paying more than you should. Fees charged for sending money overseas can be high. If you are sending money from Australia, it is worth investigating various providers to make sure you get the best deal.

How to choose a forex provider:

Before you choose a forex broker, you should figure out what your needs and goals are. There are many factors worth considering. One factor that is often overlooked is the benefit of using a local Australian forex broker for your Australian money transfers. 

Why use an Australian forex broker? 

Many large, multinational, forex brokers are based in the USA, which introduces a frustrating and large time difference. This can prove more than a simple inconvenience if something goes wrong, as you will not be able to resolve issues in real-time. The resulting delays can also have costly knock-on effects, like bookings being cancelled and deposits lost.

Having someone local who you can get on the phone with can make a huge difference to your peace of mind.

Your forex broker should always meet these standards:  

1. Ensure your brokers are fully licenced and registered
   
   Before you give a broker any money, you should ensure they are fully licenced and registered with the correct regulatory institutions. A professional-looking website does not always translate to regulation with the relevant authorities – so it’s best to get the registration number and do your research. You don’t want to take any chances when it comes to your finances.
   
   Australian forex brokers should have an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) issued by ASIC to deal in foreign exchange and be registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as an authorised payment institution. 
   
   Furthermore, any online portal should also use Secure Socket Layer (SSL) 128-bit encryption to protect your transaction details. This 128-bit encryption is the latest and strongest data encryption technique commercially available for securing information between you and the broker.
   
   
2. Ensure your forex brokers offer a range of services
   
   You ideally want to use an international payment specialist that provides access to a wide range of currency tools in addition to offering simple transfers from point A to point B. 
   
   Exchange rates fluctuate constantly, sometimes by 2% or 3% in a single day. Keeping an eye on the rate can be time-consuming and confusing if you’re not familiar with the currency market. Some forex providers will monitor exchange rates on your behalf and keep you informed of the latest developments so you can make your transfer at the optimal time.
   
   You preferably want to work with a provider who offers services related to stop-loss, limit orders and forward contracts. Forward contracts can be a particularly good hedging tool when looking at currency pairs. The interest rate differential between two currencies means that forward points can be assigned when booking it in advance. As such, you can book a transfer up to a year in advance, better than what the spot rate is that day. 
    
3. Consider the customer service
   
   Forex trading occurs 24 hours a day, so customer support should preferably be available at any time. You’ll also want to make sure that the forex specialist offers direct access to the customer service team (of real people) so that you don’t get stuck talking to a chatbot or receiving automated email replies when you have a business-critical query. 
   
   Many larger forex companies have almost non-existent customer support and have thousands of clients left with problems if their account gets closed without warning or their money does not arrive, and they have no one to turn to. 
   
   A quick call to a broker can give you an idea of the type of customer service they provide and average wait times. However, sometimes the forex broker you deal with will be helpful and efficient during the account opening process but will then offer terrible after-sales support. Check reviews online and testimonials from clients to make sure the company has a long-standing track record of great, personalised customer service. 

Make the best decision when sending money oversea

Whether you want to send money to South Africa from Australia, send funds to the UK, or anything in between, at the end of the day, you want your money transfers to be done at the best possible rate and as quickly as possible. Working with an expert can ease stress levels and save you money in the short- and long-term.
Sable International is known first and foremost for its incredible customer support, with over 97% of customers on reviews.io recommending the company. Sable International has offices in Australia and can help with all your forex needs quickly and efficiently.

We are based in Australia and offer a full suite of foreign exchange services to suit your needs. For a free forex consultation, call us at +613 (0) 8651 4500 or email us on forex@sableinternational.com to get started.

The post Why you need to use Australian forex brokers for sending money overseas appeared first on Australian Times News.

Australia continues to be the destination of choice for many expats

Australia’s high quality of life, prosperous economy, diverse population, excellent healthcare and world-class education system continue to make it one of the most popular countries for people looking to settle abroad. 

In 2018, there were 7.3 million migrants living in Australia, making up 29% of the country’s total population. People born in England continued to be the largest group of overseas-born residents, accounting for 4.0% of Australia’s total population.

Permanent residency and citizenship continue to rise

In the period 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019, 127,674 people became citizens of Australia through residency (also referred to as conferral by the Australian government) – an increase of 58.3% from the previous year. In the same period, 238,300 people became Australian citizens.

Moving to Australia: How you can make a permanent move Down Under

Before you can obtain Australian citizenship, you must first become a permanent resident. Permanent residency allows you to live in Australia indefinitely and leave and re-enter the country as often as you wish. You’ll also enjoy many of the rights and privileges of citizens, such as access to free or subsidised legal and health services. 

Permanent residency is a five-year visa, but what’s great about this visa is that even when it expires, you’ll still be allowed to stay in Australia indefinitely without breaching immigration regulations.

While there are Australian visas that are temporary and can eventually lead to permanent residency and citizenship, there are some that can fast-track the process. 

If your goal is to live in Australia permanently and become a citizen, these are the visas you should apply for.

Employer-sponsored visas

To be eligible for these visas, you need to find an Australian-based employer that will sponsor you. Employers can only sponsor you if they can’t find an Australian citizen with the skills and experience needed for the job. When you receive a sponsorship, you can only work for the employer who sponsored you.

Temporary Skilled Shortage visa (subclass 482)

The Temporary Skilled Shortage visa (TSS) has a short-term stream and a medium-term stream. To qualify for permanent residency, you must work in an occupation on the medium-term stream for three years. 

Jobs on the short-term stream are only eligible for a two-year visa and will not allow you to qualify for permanent residency. Should your occupation fall on the short-term list, it is possible to extend your stay for another two years. Your employer will need to submit a new nomination and you will have to apply for a new visa.

Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)

This is a permanent visa, which means that you’ll be a permanent Australian resident the moment your visa is granted. There are three streams under this visa, all of which allow you to:

• Stay in Australia indefinitely
• Work and study in Australia
• Enrol in Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare scheme
• Bring your relatives with you 
• Travel in and out of Australia for five years
• Apply for citizenship, if eligible

Temporary Residence Transition stream

You’ll need to apply for this visa if you’re already in Australia on a medium-term 482 visa and have worked for your employer for at least three years. Your employer will need to sponsor your application for permanent residency.

Direct Entry stream

You can apply for this stream if you work in an occupation on the medium-term stream and have an employer willing to sponsor you. Usually you are living outside of Australia or have only briefly worked in Australia. As part of your application, your skills will be assessed to ensure they meet the standards of the occupation you’re applying for. You’ll need to receive a positive skills assessment to apply for this stream. 

Agreement stream

You’ll be eligible for this stream if you’re currently working or will work for an employer under a labour agreement. Labour agreements allow approved businesses to sponsor skilled overseas workers when there isn’t a suitable Australian candidate and standard temporary or permanent visa programmes are not available. 

Skilled visas

 The skilled migration visa for Australia works on a points-based system. Points are awarded based on your age, qualification, experience and English language skills. Your eligibility for the visa is determined by your occupation. Having an occupation that is in demand gives you the greatest visa options. 

Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)

This is a permanent resident visa and one of the most sought-after visas because it allows you to live and work anywhere in Australia. To be eligible you must be under 45 years of age, score at least 65 points on the immigration points test and have an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). 

Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)

To be eligible for this visa, you must be nominated by a state or territory government. To be nominated or invited to apply, you must first submit an expression of interest to the specific state or territory you want to work in (e.g. New South Wales or Queensland). 

You must be under 45 years of age, score at least 65 points and have an occupation on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). 

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)

This visa allows you to live and work in specific regional areas in Australia for up to five years. To apply, you will need to be sponsored by an eligible relative or nominated to apply by a state or territory government agency. 

If you’re being sponsored by a relative, they can be one of the following: 

• A parent
• A child or stepchild
• A sibling, including adopted and step siblings 
• An aunt, uncle, adoptive aunt, adoptive uncle, step-aunt or step-uncle
• A nephew, niece, adoptive nephew, adoptive niece, step-nephew or step-niece
• A grandparent
• A first cousin

Your relative must also: 

• Be 18 years old or older
• Reside in a designated regional area in Australia* 
• Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen
• Be you or your partner’s eligible relative

*Regional Australia is defined as: South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria (except the Melbourne metropolitan), Queensland (except the greater Brisbane area) Northern Territory and New South Wales (except Sydney).

The cut-off age for this is 45 years. As with the other skilled visa, you must score at least 65 points or more and your occupation must be on the list of eligible occupations. After three years of living on the 491 visa you can apply for permanent residency. 

Business visa routes

There are various options for individuals wanting to establish a business or invest in Australia. 

Overseas business sponsorship

If you own a business, you can move Down Under by expanding your business to Australia. This is done by applying for an overseas business sponsorship as well as the 482 visa. The process from your first application through to obtaining Australian citizenship comprises four stages.

Stage 1 – Become an overseas business sponsor 

This stage is a three-step process. You’ll need to:

• Apply to be an overseas business sponsor
• Nominate a position within your new Australian business
• Apply for your TSS 482 visa 

You can bring your family with you to Australia by including them on your visa application. Once you’ve been granted your TSS 482 visa, you can move to Australia and establish the Australian branch of your business. 

Stage 2 – Become a standard business sponsor and get Australian permanent residency

To make the transition from a temporary residence visa to a permanent residence visa, your Australian-based company must first obtain a standard business sponsorship. 

Stage 3 – Become a permanent resident on the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)

You’ll move onto this stage once you have lived and worked in Australia for three years. 

When applying for your permanent visa, you will need to show that your Australian business can meet its obligation of paying staff members and other statutory requirements. You must also show that you’ve lived in Australia and worked for your sponsoring business for three years. 

Stage 4 – Apply for Australian citizenship

Once you’ve lived in Australia for the qualifying period and met all the requirements, you can apply for citizenship.

Business Talent (Permanent) visa (subclass 132)

The Business Talent (Permanent) visa is suited to business owners, investors or property developers. In the last 20 years, the Australian property market has provided an average capital growth of 6.8% a year. A growing economy and population have led to a huge demand for houses.

Sable International has created a special programme that helps entrepreneurs meet the requirements of the Business Talent visa and start a business. The programme requires that you form or join a property development company that will allow you to build and sell property in Australia. With the assistance and guidance of our team in Australia, you can continue to buy, develop and sell property within your own company.  

To be eligible for the Business Talent visa, you must:

• Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
• Be nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency
• Be invited to apply for the visa
• Have the required funding or assets

This visa has two streams: 

• The Significant Business History stream, which allows experienced business owners to start a new or existing business in Australia
• Venture Capital Entrepreneur stream, which allows you to start a new or existing business if you have sourced venture capital funding from a member of the Australian Investment Council (AIC), in the Venture Capital Membership category

Significant Business History stream

To be eligible for this stream, you must: 

• Be under the age of 55* 
• Have an overall successful business career
• Have a genuine intention to establish a qualifying business in Australia, or participate in an existing business
• Be committed to the business in a manner that benefits the Australian economy
• Have a total net asset of at least AU $400,000 as the ownership interest in one or more qualifying businesses for at least two of the four fiscal years immediately before you are invited to apply
• Have an annual business turnover of at least AU $3 million for at least two of the four fiscal years immediately before you are invited to apply
• Have total assets of at least AU $1.5 million that can be transferred to Australia within two years of the 132 visa being granted 

*This requirement can be waived by a state or territory if your proposed business offers substantial economic benefit to the nominating state or territory.

Venture Capital Entrepreneur stream

To qualify for this stream, you need to source venture capital funding from a member of the Australian Investment Council (AIC), in the Venture Capital Membership category. You must: 

• Have agreed with a venture capital firm to provide capital funding for either an early phase start-up, commercialisation of a product, development of a business or the expansion of a business
• Have at least AU $1 million in funding from a venture capital firm
• Have a genuine intention to establish a qualifying business in Australia, or participate in an existing business
• Be committed to the business in a manner that benefits the Australian economy

How to get Australian citizenship

Obtaining citizenship through residency is also sometimes referred to as by conferral. This route applies to:

• Australian permanent residents aged 18-59
• Children aged 16 or 17
• Children 15 years or younger applying with a parent or guardian
• Partners or spouses of an Australian citizen

To qualify through this route, you must fulfil the following residency requirements: 

• Have lived in Australia for four years
• Have been a permanent resident for at least 12 months
• Have not spent more than 365 days outside of Australia in the past four years
• Have not spent more than 90 days outside of Australia in the past 12 months

You also need to meet the following criteria:

• Pass the Australian citizenship test (unless you are over the age of 60)
• Be a permanent resident at the time of application and decision
• Satisfy the residence requirement
• Be likely to reside, or to continue to reside, in Australia or to maintain a close and continuing association with Australia
• Be of good character

Other pathways to Australian citizenship

Descent

If one of your parents was an Australian citizen at the time of your birth, you can claim Australian citizenship. You’ll be entitled to citizenship irrespective of your country of birth or if your parent has lost their citizenship.

Birth

If you were born in Australia between 26 January 1949 and 20 August 1986, then you could be eligible for citizenship. People born after 20 August 1986 do not automatically become Australian citizens as the status of their parents dictates whether a claim can be made.

Adoption

To qualify, at least one of your parents must have been an Australian citizen at the time of your adoption. You must be able to show that you were fully and permanently adopted under either the Hague Convention or a bilateral agreement and that you are of good character.

If you’re interested in finding out more about gaining Australian citizenship and exploring your visa options, get in touch with Sable International’s Australian immigration agents at migration@sableinternational.com or on +61 (0)3 8651 4500.

The post Eight ways you can get Australian permanent residency and citizenship appeared first on Australian Times News.