The state of South Australia is to introduce application fees later this year for both skilled and business visa nomination applicants.
It says that this is part of an effort to reduce the number of non-genuine applications, including duplications which slow processing times. An exact date has not yet been announced but it will be sometime after the middle of March.
Immigration experts are advising those considering an application to make one as soon as they can or face having to pay hundreds of dollars in fees.
‘Migrants play an integral part in growing South Australia’s economy, by boosting productivity and strengthening our skills base. To help ensure continued improvement in the assessment of applications, Immigration SA will introduce application fees later this year for both skilled and business nomination applications,’ a spokesman for Immigration South Australia said.
‘We believe the introduction of fees will reduce the number of non-genuine applications, including duplications which slow processing times. Immigration SA encourages prospective migrants to submit applications before application fees are introduced sometime after 15 March 2015,’ he added.
Under the new payment model the fee for a state nominated skilled 190 permanent visa will be $200 and for a state nominated skilled 489 regional provisional visa it will also be $200.
A Business 188 provisional visa will cost $500, business permanent 888/892/893 visas $750, a business 132 permanent visa also $750 and a business retiree 405 application $500. There will be no charge for an Employer Nominated RCB advice by the State Government agency.
‘The introduction of fees will enable Immigration SA to continue to provide services for applicants who are looking to settle in South Australia,’ the spokesman pointed out, adding that no fee will be charged for local South Australian employer sponsored applications.