Significant Investor – changes afoot

The DIBP website now has further information about the  temporary suspension of the SIV programme from 24 April 2015 to 30 June 2015:

  • all new nominations will be suspended;
  • prospective SIV applicants can still lodge Expressions of Interest after 24 April, but they will only be able to be nominated from 1 July 2015 and will be subject to the new complying investment framework;
  • the new complying investment framework is still being finalised
  • those who have already been invited to apply for an SIV will not be impacted;
  • existing SIV applications and those who have already been invited to apply prior to the suspension will continue to be processed under the current regulations;
  • Visa processing and visa grant will continue to occur between 24 April 2015 and 30 June 2015 for anyone who has already submitted an application, or who has been nominated prior to 24 April 2015 and then submits an application before 1 July 2015. The current rules (pre 1 July 2015) will apply to them.

Biometrics

The following is an extract from the DIBP policy manual:biometric

DIBP is responsible for identifying each person who crosses Australia’s border. This role is unique among Australian Government agencies. It involves establishing the identity of people born outside Australia (that is, non-citizens), to a sufficient standard to grant permission to enter and remain in Australia for the period of time and purpose authorised by their visa. The department fulfils this responsibility to ensure it can effectively deliver Australia’s visitor, migration and citizenship programmes, while preventing the entry of persons who may seek to threaten the national interest.

When short, medium and long-term visits and migration to Australia are reduced to core elements, they are about identity and intent. Is the person who they say they are? Are they coming to Australia for the lawful purpose authorised in their visa?

The department has a national responsibility to ensure that high standards of integrity apply to identifying non-citizens. Accurately establishing identity is the prerequisite for all security, character and immigration checks. There may be serious consequences if the department gets identity “wrong”.

To achieve these objectives, Australia is increasingly using biometric data in visa processing. Not all visa applications and not all visa applicants are subjected to biometrics. There is a current list of countries to which it applies and to the visa subclasses to which it applies on the DIBP website. See also the following: http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/biometrics/offshore/