- Indian graduates can apply to work in Australia for up to 8 years
- 3,000 annual spots will be available for young professionals in India
- Australians aiming to conduct research in India can now apply for an S-5 visa
From 1 July 2023, Indian graduates from Australian tertiary institutions can apply to work in Australia for up to 8 years. The new visa rules are the result of a bilateral agreement signed between India and Australia last month.
According to the report, the main feature of this agreement is the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-Professionals Scheme (MATES). Under the scheme, 3,000 annual spots will be available for young professionals from India which will allow them to spend two years in the country without needing sponsors for a visa. Australians aiming to conduct research in India as part of a migration agreement can now apply for an S-5 visa which allows them to stay in India for up to three years or for the duration of their research project.
MATES visa is a temporary visa program that accommodates recent pass-outs or graduates with degrees in specific fields of study from established and recognized Indian universities. Fees and visa processing time for MATES visa are yet to be announced. Fields eligible for MATES visa include engineering, mining, financial technology, artificial intelligence, information and communication technology, agricultural technology, renewable energy.
Eligibility for MATES Visa
Candidate age should be less than 31 years to get MATES visa. Must be a graduate from a recognized and verified university. Should be a recent pass-out and should be in the early stages of their career.
From 1 July 2023 qualified international higher education graduates will be granted work rights for an additional two years after study. This extension will allow eligible international higher education graduates an additional two years on their temporary graduate visa (subclass 485). This extension is in addition to the existing additional one to two years of work rights for eligible students studying and working in regional areas.
