September 2020
Special Arrangements for Hong Kong Passport Holders
Following the Australian Government’s announcements on 9 July 2020 regarding special arrangements for Hong Kong passport holders, there are now Regulations to implement some of the the policy changes.
The amendments extend temporary skilled and temporary graduate visas for five (5) years from 9 July 2020, to provide a new end date of 8 July 2025 if the primary visa holder held a Hong Kong passport when the visa was granted.
Hong Kong passport is defined to mean a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China passport. These passports are available to citizens of the People’s Republic of China who are permanently resident in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
The associated visas of family members, who satisfied the secondary visa criteria, are also extended to 8 July 2025, regardless of the passport they hold.
The amendments also provide that, from 9 July 2020, grants of Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visas to Hong Kong passport holders and family members will be for a period of five years.
The same five year visa period, for grants of Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visas, is being implemented under existing regulations.
According to the Explanatory Memorandum, these amendments support and encourage skilled workers from Hong Kong and Hong Kong graduates to remain in Australia or relocate to Australia (subject to the lifting of COVID-19 travel restrictions). The amendments provide a benefit to both the visa holders and to their Australian employers.
The Australian Government also announced on 9 July 2020 that there will be a permanent residence pathway at the end of the five year visa period for Hong Kong passport holders, however that is not covered by these amendments and according to the Explanatory Memorandum, will be developed at a later stage.
For more information about Hong Kong Passport Holders, please contact Melbourne’s best immigration lawyers at Erskine Rodan & Associates.
