Australia scraps 457 visa schemes
Q. Which country has announced sweeping changes to its citizenship laws, scrapping 457 visa schemes for foreign workers?- Published on 24 Apr 17a. Australia
b. New Zealand
c. UK
d. All of the above
ANSWER: Australia
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has announced sweeping changes to Australia’s citizenship laws, introducing tighter requirements for new applicants.
This is a move that follows the scrapping of the 457 visa schemes for foreign workers.
Under the new reforms, the applicants must be permanent residents for at least four years — three years longer than at present — and must be committed to embrace “Australian values.
Prospective citizens will have to pass a standalone English test that will focus heavily on respect for women and children, with possible questions about child marriage, female genital mutilation and domestic violence.
The test will have questions assessing an applicant’s understanding of and commitment to shared Australian values and responsibilities
