What is the impact of COVID-19 on ACT nomination

Despite the global effect of COVID-19, ACT State Sponsorship draws continue to be held as per schedule. While the latest one was held on March 25, the next draw is expected to be either on or before April 9.

In terms of Australia immigration, ACT Stands for the Australian Capital Territory [ACT].

The Australia Capital Territory, or ACT as it is more commonly referred to, is a self-governing territory that can be found in the southeast of the Land Down Under.

Canberra, also the capital city of Australia, is the only city that can be found in ACT.

The Australian Capital Territory [ACT] offers territorial nomination to skilled overseas workers under the skilled migration streams as follows:

Skilled Nominated [permanent] subclass 190

Skilled regional [provisional] subclass 491.

With effect from January 1, 2020, ACT guidelines for State Sponsorship have been changed.

Do keep in mind that if you intend applying for an ACT nomination, you will have to first clear the eligibility requirement as laid down by the Department of Home Affairs. Currently, you will have to score 65 in order to be considered eligible to apply.

Secondly, you must complete your SkillSelect. By SkillSelect is implied the official portal of the Australian government’s Department of Home Affairs. It is through SkillSelect that a businessperson or a skilled worker wanting to Migrate to Australia from overseas can submit an Expression of Interest [EOI].

There is no fee for submitting an EOI at SkillSelect.

Once you have established your eligibility and lodged an EOI, you can proceed by applying for ACT nomination through a 2-stage process:

STAGE 1: -        Completion of Canberra Matrix. A score-based matrix that allots points based on – demonstrated economic benefit or contribution, and/or a genuine commitment to be included in the ACT community. -        Can select ACT 190 / 491 nomination. -        Candidates with the highest rank in each of the streams are shortlisted and invited to apply.

STAGE 2: -        If invited to apply, completed online application to be submitted within 14 days. -        Service fee to be paid. -        Documents to be attached as proof of – eligibility, and Canberra Matrix score claimed.

With the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, speculation is indeed rife as to the future of Australia immigration in general in the coming months, and ACT State Sponsorship in particular.

The latest draw to be held under ACT nomination took place on March 25. While 62 invitations were issued for Act 190, 103 invitations to apply were issued for ACT 491 nomination.

The next draw is to be held on or before April 9.

Let us see the impact of COVID-19 on ACT State Sponsorship.

While all applicants looking for ACT 190 / 491 nomination must meet the stipulated eligibility criteria on the date of the submission of Canberra Matrix, those applicants that have been impacted by COVID-19 can request for a waiver.

The ACT 190 / 491 nomination waiver for COVID-19 will be a waiver of the eligibility criteria of “continuous employment” in certain circumstances. These circumstances include:

• Loss of job, unpaid leave, reduced work hours;
• Inability to return to Canberra on time due to the travel ban; or
• Self-isolation.

Do keep in mind that if you are requesting for a COVID-19 waiver in view of any of the above-mentioned conditions, the request must be submitted in writing, supported by proper documentation, and be attached with the application.

While the COVID-19 might have impacted immigration to a certain extent, there is no need to get downcast about it. Keeping in view the widespread pandemic, governments the world over are offering special waivers and deadline relaxations to applicants.

If you are looking for ACT nomination, this is probably the best time to begin with your preparations in all earnest.

With a comparatively fewer number of people applying owing to the confusion and misinformation about immigration policies and processes due to COVID-19, those who apply now definitely have an edge over the others that might be applying later.

All the best!

For expert assistance, get in touch with us today.

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

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