Australian visa changes in 2020 and their impact on international students and skilled migrants

After a tumultuous year of changes to visa rules, international students and skilled migrants are heading into 2020 facing an uncertain future. Migration agents say the effects of the latest overhaul of Australia's migration program, including the introduction of two regional visas, are just beginning to be felt. For more information listen to this audio report presented by Preetinder Singh Grewal.

Source: SBS

Most recently, the federal government introduced two new regional visas in November as part of its promise to reduce congestion in major cities.

While the federal government announced the regional push, it is largely up to the states to implement it, as state sponsorship is required for the majority of places.

For successful applicants, it’s a daunting road ahead to permanent residency.

Migration agents believe potential international students who planned to settle in the same country they study would now think twice about choosing  Australia.

That story by Rosemary Bolger for SBS News, produced by Preetinder Singh Grewal for SBS Punjabi.