Australia Working Holiday Visa changes are now effective

Australia has introduced a few changes to the Subclass 417 (Working Holiday) and Subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) Visas for the new program year. The changes have come into effect from 1st July 2019. 

Australia has expanded the WH program to include more countries. It has also reduced the amount of paperwork needed to obtain this Visa. 

Here are the changes to the Australia Working Holiday Visa: 

1. New countries 

The Australia Working Holiday Visa is now available to citizens of Greece and Ecuador. Applicants who are between the ages of 18 and 30 can now apply for the Subclass 462 Visa. Eligible candidates should have completed at least 2 years of Undergraduate study. They will also need to provide a letter of support from their respective Govt. These applicants also need to provide evidence of functional English. 

1. Increase in age limit 

Australia has increased the upper age limit for French citizens to 35 years for the Subclass 417 Visa. Canada and Ireland are the other two countries that enjoy a higher age cut-off. 

1. Less paperwork 

Applicants who are citizens of Spain, Portugal, and Austria no longer need to provide a letter of support from their Govt. Applicants who are citizens of Vietnam, Turkey, Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia can now submit their applications online, as per SBS News. 

1. Visa extension for a third year 

Eligible applicants would now be able to apply for visa extension for a third year. In order to be eligible, applicants should have worked for at least 6 months in a regional area of Australia. This extension is applicable, however, only if you have obtained a second Subclass 417 or Subclass 462 Visa. 

Y-Axis offers a wide range of visa services and products for aspiring overseas immigrants including Australia General Skilled Migration Program via RMA, Australia Skilled Regional Visa, Australia Temporary Skilled Work Visa, and Australia Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485. We work with Registered Migration Agents in Australia. 

If you are looking to Visit, Study, Work, Invest or Migrate to Australia, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Consultant. 

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