Visa rules are not changing

Letter to the Editor - The Age
30 July 2003

Dear Sir/Madam

In his Chatroom item, Visa battle brewing (Tuesday 29 July), Stan Beer reported that the Department was tightening the rules for the Temporary Business (Long stay) visas.

There is no intention to change the rules of the 457 visa as suggested. The rules are clear.

This visa allows businesses to bring skilled overseas workers to Australia to meet their special skill needs. This visa is not for companies to bring people to Australia on the basis of possible work in the future.

Once the project for which the person was recruited is completed, the person should depart Australia. This is the basis on which the sponsorship is agreed.

If companies do not conform to these requirements, they will lose their right to sponsor people from overseas. This is not new.

Roger Wheatley
Acting Director
Public Affairs
DIMIA