Demand for Oz visas hits high

Demand for Australian working visas has hit a new high, with almost 1,000 Irish emigrants granted permits in the space of just one month.

According to new figures, 970 Irish citizens received four-year temporary residence visas in July, which represents an 8.1% rise on the same period last year.

Ireland is the third highest recipient of “457” visas, which are offered to skilled workers and their dependents, sponsored by an Irish company. In July Irish nationals received 9.3% of the total worldwide allocation, behind the UK at 22.6% and India at 19.6%.