Immigration updates for Australia, the Philippines and Vietnam
Asia-Pacific
Australia: Travel restrictions changes
The Australian Government has further amended entry and travel restriction. From July 6, 2022:
- Travelers entering Australia do not need to provide evidence of vaccination status.
- Travelers entering Australia do not need to complete the Digital Passenger Declaration or Maritime Travel Declaration.
- Travelers leaving Australia will not be asked to provide evidence of their vaccination status.
- Unvaccinated visa holders do not need a travel exemption to travel to Australia.
- Masks are still required on flights travelling to Australia.
It is important to remember that airlines, vessel operators and other countries may have specific requirements that travelers need to comply with.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Australian Government.
Changes to visa fees
Effective July 1, 2022, the Australian government has increased Visa Application Charges for most visas by 3%, rounded to the nearest AUD 5. The changes include:
- The Temporary Skills Shortage (Subclass 482) visa – short-term stream – AUD 1,330 (up from AUD 1,290), Dependent over 18 AUD 1,330 and child under 18 AUD 335
- The temporary Skills Shortage (Subclass 482) visa – medium term stream – AUD 2,770 (up from 2,690), Dependent over 18 AUD 2,770 and child under 18 AUD 695
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa – Subclass 494 – AUD 4,240 (up from AUD 4,115), Dependent over 18 AUD 2,120 and child under 18 AUD 1,060
- Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) (Subclass 400) – AUD 325 (up from AUD 315), Dependent over the 18 AUD 325 and dependent under the age of 18 AUD 80
- Temporary Work Activities – Subclass 407 – AUD 325 (up from AUD 315), Dependent over the 18 AUD 325 and dependent under the age of 18 AUD 80
- Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) – AUD 4,240 (up from AUD 4,115), Dependent over 18 AUD 2,120 and child under 18 AUD 1,060
In addition to these increases, from July 1, 2022, the Australian government will also increase fees for certain applications to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) from AUD 3,000 to AUD 3,153 for applications made to the AAT on and from July 1, 2022.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Australian Government.
Philippines: Change of Bureau of Immigration Commissioner
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has released a Department Order No. 299 advising of a new Officer in Charge (OIC) for the Bureau of Immigration. Mr. Rogelio D. Gevero Jr. will replace Mr. Jaime H. Morente. Mr. Gevero will be the OIC until July 31, 2022, or until there is a notified appointed replacement.
In accordance with this change, all letters addressed to the Commissioner shall be addressed to Mr. Gevero with effect from July 11, 2022.
This advisory is being circulated to advise on this and other changes of personnel in different divisions. The changes in personnel may result in possible delays to the processing of both ongoing and new applications that will be submitted during this transition period.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Department of Justice.
Vietnam: Delays in the immigration process
Due to the continually changing government regulations, the process to legally work in Vietnam is challenging. The Work Permit in Vietnam is issued by the Department of Labor, Invalid and Society. The paper permits employment in Vietnam for up to 24 months legally and the work permit must be renewed when it is still valid for at least five days but no more than 45 days before expiry.
Among recently faced challenges:
- There has been a tightening of processing for all employers. Immigration processes are changing on an almost daily basis. Different processes for different locations.
- Delays in the notification of additional documentary requirements with these requests usually only provided at the end of each review period. It is now almost a given that additional supporting documents will be requested. For certain “difficult” nationalities there will always be more documents needed.
- Delays and additional layers of management within the authorities.
- Changes to the need for original documents that have been legalized with originals retained.
- Changes to the way in which dependents arriving independently are being processed with the P/App needing to complete the full WP/TRC process before they arrive or needing to leave and re-start.
No source available at the time of writing.
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Debra Jane Beynon, Regional Immigration Manager (APAC).
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