Australia and NZ are both touting a residency 'fast track' – but how fast are we talking?

Australia and NZ are both touting a residency 'fast track' – but how fast are we talking?
"Fast track" applicants often wait for over a year to get a visa - is it really a fast track? (Source: Getty)
Jem Traylen
Fast-tracked pathways to residency are a myth, but the process isn’t much better across the Tasman, says veteran immigration adviser Iain MacLeod.In May, the government announced a “green list” of highly skilled occupations that from September would be offered a “straight to residence” fast track, but MacLeod told BusinessDesk what they are really getting is a place in a very long queue.MacLeod pointed to the one-off 2021 residence visa which the government promised would be a fast track to residency but so far onl...

More Policy

Cuts should start at the top – NZ Initiative
Policy

Cuts should start at the top – NZ Initiative

We should be more like Norway, where ministers only get one portfolio each.

Jem Traylen 26 Mar 2024