Migration Expert encourages prospective skilled migrants to Australia to begin the migration process now

Migration Expert Is Encouraging Prospective Skilled Migrants to Begin the Migration Process as Priority Processing and Tighter Entry Requirements are Introduced. End Quote

There are several steps in the skilled migration process and it's important that the client understands exactly what needs to be done at each stage. There have been a lot of changes to the immigration legislation and processing priorities recently. We've been busy obtaining sponsorship and selecting the most appropriate occupation for our clients while lodging skills assessments and visa applications to make sure our clients continue to qualify before the introduction of these changes.

(1888PressRelease) December 25, 2009 - Migration Expert has been busily encouraging its clients to finalised their skills assessment and visa applications prior to the introduction of changes that will make it more difficult to qualify for a Work Visa to Australia from 01 January 2010.

"Traditionally, we've found that most of our clients want to start the migration process at the beginning of the New Year", says Migration Expert's Australian Manager of Migration Services. "There are several steps in the skilled migration process and it's important that the client understands exactly what needs to be done at each stage. There have been a lot of changes to the immigration legislation and processing priorities recently. We've been busy obtaining sponsorship and selecting the most appropriate occupation for our clients while lodging skills assessments and visa applications to make sure our clients continue to qualify before the introduction of these changes."

Amongst the most critical changes to be introduced from 1 January 2010 will be the increase in the minimum requirements for English language ability, qualifications and relevant work experience. Prospective migrants who nominate a trade occupation will now be required to meet a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 in each of the four test components. Those who nominate a general professional occupation will be required to possess a qualification equivalent to an Australian Bachelor degree and at least one year of work experience in their field during the last five years.

The General Skilled Migration Program includes a number of skilled independent and skilled sponsored visas that are designed to address skill shortages while meeting the needs of the Australian economy. The current skilled visa requirements have been revised to ensure a better correlation of qualifications and employment readiness for those who are granted a visa under the General Skilled Migration Program and do migrate to Australia.

Currently, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship is allocating visa applications in the following order:
• Applicants sponsored under the Employer Nomination and Regional Sponsored Migration Schemes;
• Applicants sponsored by a State/Territory Government and who have an occupation on the Critical Skills List;
• Applicants sponsored by an Australian family member and who have an occupation on the Critical Skills List;
• Applicants not sponsored but who have an occupation on the Critical Skills List;
• Applicants sponsored by a State/Territory Government and do not have an occupation on the Critical Skills List;
• Applicants who have an occupation on the Migration Occupations in Demand List; and
• Applicants sponsored by an Australian family member and do not have an occupation on the Critical Skills List.

All other applicants will be allocated in the order in which they are received. Whilst the visa application and processing times can be quite long, Migration Expert is able to assist their clients by choosing the best skilled visa and occupation to apply under. Furthermore, a registered migration agent can ensure that the visa application is prepared and lodged correctly to minimise any further delay once lodged.

For further information and advice on skilled visas and migrating to Australia, contact Migration Expert by visiting www.migrationexpert.com/australia

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