Starting Monday, the Australian government has opened a new visa category for Indians. Under the Migration Amendment Instrument, Indians can now go to Australia, take vacations, and work simultaneously. This will be available to 1,000 young Indians every year and is being dubbed the Work and Holiday Visa or Backpacker Visa. While Western countries are hesitant about migration and immigrants, Australia's Backpacker Visa is welcoming young people. So, isn't this country worried about illegal immigrants?
The decision was made under the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, which was implemented at the end of 2022. This agreement removed up to 80% tariffs on Australian exports and promoted mutual assistance in various sectors. The new visa program is now part of this agreement, aiming to strengthen ties between the two countries and promote cultural exchange. Young Indians can explore local traditions and cultures, and understand international markets while temporarily working to cover their daily expenses.
According to the Australian Home Ministry, India has been included in the Subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) visa program. China and Vietnam have also been recently added, along with the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia.
Source: aajtak
With this amendment in the Migration Act, Indian passport holders aged 18 to 30 are now eligible to travel and work in Australia. However, they must meet certain conditions, such as knowing basic English or having enough arrangements to cover living expenses in Australia. They should be healthy and have no criminal records. The most significant change is that applicants from India will no longer need to provide proof of support from their government, a requirement still held for applicants from most other countries.
The Australian Home Ministry says there will be a lottery system for Indian citizens. Applicants will need to register, and then a lottery will determine which 1,000 people get the opportunity to go to Australia each year.
The age limit for India is 18 to 30 years, while for France, Canada, and Ireland, it has been increased to 35 years. If Indian candidates are not selected by the age of 31, their names will be automatically removed from the list.
In addition to Australia, several other countries also offer Work-Holiday Visas, such as New Zealand, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany, Ireland, Singapore, France, and South Korea. Each country’s Work-Holiday Visa policy varies based on bilateral agreements. However, currently, almost all these countries offering special visas are primarily providing this opportunity to neighboring or Western countries.
Source: aajtak
Recently, many Western countries, including the USA, have raised the issue of immigrants. They argue that the growing number of migrants is threatening their identity and causing dissatisfaction among locals over resource distribution. However, during this high time, Australia is adopting a liberal visa policy. So, does this country not face threats from illegal immigration?
Australia has about 7.5 million immigrants, including around 800,000 Indians, who contribute to its economy as skilled labor and workers. However, illegal immigration is still an issue here. According to the Department of Home Affairs, over 100,000 people are currently living unlawfully in Australia, compared to about 60,000 in 2018. So, Australia isn’t unaffected by this.
To prevent undocumented arrivals, the Home Ministry has employed several strategies, such as stopping people offshore or deporting them after detention. If someone enters Australia illegally, they will be detained. These detention centers are not just on the mainland but also in Papua New Guinea and Nauru.
