Regional Refugee Visa

 NSW provide regional Visa’s to refugees.

 

Having been introduced last year, the regional refugee visa will be an option for refugees who are prepared to study or work outside Sydney, Wollongong and also Newcastle. Not only will this new scheme offer security to asylum seekers but also will provide labour to our rural regions.

Current statistics show that there are 32,000 asylum seekers in Australia that are waiting on the final decision on their future, most are living on bridging visa’s and are living in local communities. Out of that figure only 25% are living in regional areas. The new scheme would see this figure significantly increase and boost the regional areas with skilled workers who may not have ever re-settled there. The visa’s, which are an alternative to a protection visa, will allow refugees a 5 year visa and an option to live in regional areas.

NSW Premier Mike Baird welcomes the scheme “AS Australia’s economic powerhouse, NSW has an obligation to open it’s arms to those who are genuine refugees” Mr Baird said in a statement.

The regional refugee visa scheme will start in July 2015 and many rural areas are already welcoming asylum seekers as many of the smaller towns struggle to get workers to their towns. While there may be no guarantee of permanent residency, workers will be able to apply for an onshore visa granted they stay off welfare for a minimum of three and a half years.

 

If you have any further questions regarding the new scheme, please get in touch with us by email visa@phillipsilver.com.au or phone on (02) 97085954