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The Prime Minister for Australia, Scott Morrison, has recently announced special ‘safe haven’ visa arrangements will be put in place to provide opportunities for Hong Kong passport holders to remain in or migrate to Australia.
This follows the introduction of China’s new far-reaching national security laws which appear to breach the Sino-British joint declaration signed following Britain’s handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997.
Confirmation of the actual visa types and requirements is not currently available, however, the PM has stated that:
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- Temporary graduates and skilled workers currently in Australia will be eligible for an additional five years of work rights in Australia, with a pathway to permanent residency at the end of that period.
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- International Students will be eligible for a five year graduate visa once they have completed their studies, also with a pathway to permanent residency.
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- Â The waiting time to transition to permanent residency will be shorter for applicants working and/or studying in regional Australia, becoming eligible after only three years.
Indications are that applicants will need to meet certain requirements in order to apply for a permanent visa, though details are not yet available.
The Australian Government will also enhance efforts to attract skilled workers and businesses from Hong Kong. In particular, there will be incentives for businesses wishing to relocate to Australia, along with visa support for their key staff.
With expertise in Skilled, Student, Graduate, and Business migration, Acacia Immigration is here to support Hong Kong passport holders and their families who wish to secure their futures in Australia.