Australia and New Zealand Immigration News

A new report proposes an overhaul to Australia's immigration detention process, recommending that refugee applications be processed within 90 days or the immigration minister forced to explain the delay. The final report, submitted by a Parliamentary Committee inquiry into the immigration system, details 31 recommendations regarding processing timeframes, staff training, and health services.

Australian Immigration and Citizenship Minister Chris Bowen announced on 2 April measures that will assist in matching Australian employers with skilled workers in the US to fill skill shortages in key sectors. The new measures will allow for much faster processing of skills assessments. Their hope is to lure more American plumbers, electricians and construction workers to immigrate to Australia.

Immigration New Zealand announced on 2 April that health checks for international students immigrating to study in New Zealand will be relaxed later this year.Immigration Minister Nathan Guy stated the changes would take effect from July 2012. The changes include foreign students no longer needing to provide full medical assessments; Also health screening of partners or dependent children will be limited to serious conditions.

Under new rules, immigrants convicted in New Zealand of minor offences such as various traffic violations may not be granted further visas to remain in the country. From 26 March 2012, Immigration New Zealand said their immigration officers will now be able to decline subsequent visas for those that commit minor offences.Rob Stevens, a spokesman for Immigration New Zealand, said it would also apply to offences such as burglary, shoplifting, drink-driving, disorderly behaviour and possessing or cultivating cannabis.

Changes to the Australian visa application process for asylum seekers will combine two separate visa processes into one and come into effect 24 March 2012. Australian Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Chris Bowen stated that the new Protection Visa process would combine separate processes for boat and air arrivals into a single system for all asylum seekers.

Australia's Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) announced on 19 March further changes to student visas including streamlined visa processing and other changes that are intended to go into effect on 24 and 26 March 2012.The proposed changes are part of stage two of the Australian Government's response to the Knight Review of the student visa program. Stage one was implemented last November.