Malaysians among applicants affected as Australia slows Work and Holiday visa processing

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 19 — Australia has temporarily halted processing of first-time Work and Holiday visas for Malaysians, according to ABC News. Malaysia is one of 24 countries whose applications have been paused, though Australia's Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke did not specify the reason for the delay. The subclass 462 visa permits Malaysians aged 18 to 30 to stay in Australia for up to 12 months to work and study, with the country allotted a yearly cap of 1,100 visas.

Home Affairs stated that pausing applications helps distribute visa requests evenly throughout the year, especially when a country is near its annual grant cap. However, the specific reason for Malaysia's pause remains unclear. Prospective applicants should monitor the department's website for updates. Some who submitted applications in early July were still waiting for decisions by mid-August, according to ABC.

Experts believe the slowdown might be part of Australia's broader strategy to manage net overseas migration.