James Skinner
James is the Founder & Chief Executive of
CANZUK International in Vancouver, Canada
Recent polling indicates that Australians are in favour of visa reforms with the United Kingdom as the ratification of the Trade (Australia & New Zealand) Bill draws close in the UK parliament.
The Bill is legislation that allows the United Kingdom to ratify and implement free trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand, and acts as a stepping stone towards future CANZUK-orientated trade and mobility arrangements.
Following CANZUK International’s submission to the UK government calling for greater visa access and freer movement to be afforded to Australians and Britons as part of the trade deal, recently commissioned polling also shows that Australians support the measures.
Following CANZUK International’s submission to the UK government calling for greater visa access and freer movement to be afforded to Australians and Britons as part of the trade deal, recently commissioned polling also shows that Australians support the measures.
Of 1,203 Australian adults surveyed between February 1st and February 7th, 2023:
• 78% agreed that visas and work permits should become part of future negotiations to advance the Trade (Australia & New Zealand) Bill, with the intention of improving reciprocal visa access for Australian and UK citizens
• 87% agreed that pathways for spousal sponsorships should be improved between Australia and the United Kingdom, given the lengthy periods of time that families are separated because of visa processing timelines
• 88% agreed that qualifications of skilled professionals should be recognized in both countries as a means to solve skills shortages and ease examination and cost burdens on those looking to emigrate to either country
The poll results will be published in full by CANZUK International in the coming days, and reflect the growing support for visas and work permits to be expanded between the two Commonwealth countries.
The polling results come shortly after reports of the Australian government considering raising the age limit for UK citizens obtaining working holiday visas, and New Zealand citizens also receiving easier pathways to citizenship.
CANZUK International welcomes the polling results and will continue to engage with UK and Australian trade and immigration officials to pursue further advancements towards reciprocal visas and work permits.
• 78% agreed that visas and work permits should become part of future negotiations to advance the Trade (Australia & New Zealand) Bill, with the intention of improving reciprocal visa access for Australian and UK citizens
• 87% agreed that pathways for spousal sponsorships should be improved between Australia and the United Kingdom, given the lengthy periods of time that families are separated because of visa processing timelines
• 88% agreed that qualifications of skilled professionals should be recognized in both countries as a means to solve skills shortages and ease examination and cost burdens on those looking to emigrate to either country
The poll results will be published in full by CANZUK International in the coming days, and reflect the growing support for visas and work permits to be expanded between the two Commonwealth countries.
The polling results come shortly after reports of the Australian government considering raising the age limit for UK citizens obtaining working holiday visas, and New Zealand citizens also receiving easier pathways to citizenship.
CANZUK International welcomes the polling results and will continue to engage with UK and Australian trade and immigration officials to pursue further advancements towards reciprocal visas and work permits.
Heading photo: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty Images
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