How To Become an Australian Permanent Resident (Migrant)

Australian migrants are permanent residents of Australia that hold migrant or permanent resident visas and may live and work in Australia indefinitely. While migrants are not citizens, they do have the option to become citizens after meeting the residency requirement. There are several ways to immigrate to Australia—through family, employment, refugee or humanitarian status.

What are the benefits of having Australian PR Visa?

The Permanent Residence (PR) Visa of Australia allows its holder to live, work and study without any limitations in the country given for a period of five years. High standard of living and a laid-back lifestyle with a strong economy makes every immigrant around the world to immigrate to Australia.

Following are some of the major benefits of having Australia visa:

• A PR visa allows its holder to live in Australia indefinitely. Once a PR holder, they can have unlimited travel without any restriction to and from the country.
• A PR visa can also pursue higher education in Australia. If in some cases because of additional expenses, PR visa holders are in need of funds – there are certain educational loans that are available for them.
• To avail the benefits of Social security, PR visa holders need to hold on to it for a minimum of 2 years. Under Social security following benefits are covered – sickness, unemployment and student benefits that are being offered by Australia’s Social Security Department.
• PR visa holder’s children who are born in Australia are given the Australian citizenship
• PR visa holder can also sponsor the application of their relative for permanent residency only if the applicant meets certain residence and support assurance pre-requisites.
• Unlike Canada PR visa holders, Australia visa holders have the right to apply for professions like migration agent or any government position.
• The Government of New Zealand has a special agreement with the Australian government that allows the permanent residence of Australia the right to travel to New Zealand and can also apply for a NZ visa.

What are different programs for Skilled Australia Immigration?

Australian Skilled Worker program was replaced by General Skilled Migration programs or Skillselect in 2012-2013. Via the Skillselect program applicants are able to apply for a Permanent residence visa as a skilled worker applicant based on their credentials like educational qualifications, work experience and language proficiency in English language.

Skillselect program is a point-based program that has a total 5 visa subclasses with 65 points being the minimum requirement to be eligible for Australia immigration as a skilled worker. These subclasses of visas are as follows:

Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)

What is a Skilled Independent Work Visa (Subclass 189)?

Work and live in Australia with this permanent resident work visa. Certain foreign-national skilled workers, who hold occupations on Australia's Skilled Occupation List, may be eligible for a Subclass 189 visa. This visa requires the applicant to complete a skills test and be sponsored by an employer or family member or nominated by a state or territory government.

An additional path to permanent residence for New Zealand citizens

On July 1 2017, this additional path became a new stream within the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa making it easier for New Zealand citizens who have been living in Australia to become permanent residents.

You must meet the following requirements in order to apply:

• Hold a Special Category (subclass 444) visa
• Have been living in Australia continuously for five years and started that period before February 19, 2016 prior to applying
• Meet the taxable income requirements
• Meet the health requirements
• Meet the character requirements

What Are the Benefits of a Skilled Independent Work Visa (Subclass 189)?

The Skilled Independent Work Visa offers all the benefits of Australian permanent residence for you and your family.

• Work and live in Australia indefinitely
• Opportunity to study in Australia
• Enrol in Medicare, Australia’s state-run healthcare program
• Opportunity to apply for Australian citizenship
• Sponsor relatives for permanent residence
• Travel in and out of Australia as you please

How Can I Apply for a Skilled Independent Work Visa (Subclass 189)?

Step 1: Check if your occupation is on the skilled Occupation List

This visa is only available to people who can fill a position on this list.

Step 2: Ensure you meet all the eligibility requirements

You must meet the following requirements in order to apply:

• Under age 50
• Basic English skills
• Meet the health requirements
• Meet the character requirements
• Do not have any outstanding debts to the Australian government
• Willing to sign the Australian Values statement

Step 3: Complete a Skills Assessment

You must complete a Skills Assessment and obtain an acceptable score in order to be eligible for the Subclass 189 visa. Your score must be met that is specified on your letter of invitation (step 5). Instructions on how to get a proper Skills Assessment can be found on the DHA website.

Step 4: Submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect

Next, you will need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through Skill Select. The SkillSelect program will ask you a number of questions related to your background, skills, and relevant work history. Your EOI will be seen by the Australian authorities as well as available to Australian employers who may be looking for someone of your skill-set to hire.

If you obtain a nomination or sponsor and your EOI meets the requirements of the visa, you are invited to apply for the 189 visa.

Step 5: Find a sponsor or obtain a government nomination

The Skilled Independent Work Visa (subclass 189) requires you to be sponsored by an employer or family member or nominated by a state or territory government. Once you find a suitable sponsor, they will send you a letter of invitation to apply for the visa.

If you do not have an eligible relative or employer to sponsor you, you may be able to find an employer through the SkillSelect program. This program matches skilled workers with employers looking for foreign-national workers. A state or territory government may also nominate you through this program.

Step 6: Have your sponsor complete necessary paperwork

Once you find a sponsor, you will need to have them nominate you for the visa. You can often apply for this visa at the same time your sponsor lodges their applications.

Employers can complete the employer nomination application online through the DHA.

Step 7: Apply for the Skilled Independent Work Visa (subclass 189)

After you find an employer and get a nomination, you can apply for the 189 visa online through the DHA.

Step 8: Wait for a decision

It can take several months for the DHA to make a decision on your visa application. In 2016, the processing time for the 189 visa was 3 months.

Step 9: Receive your visa and start working

Once your application is approved, you will receive your visa and can start work in Australia.

Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)

What is a Skilled Nominated Work Visa (Subclass 190)?

Work and live in Australia with this permanent resident work visa. Certain foreign-national skilled workers who hold occupations on Australia’s Skilled Occupations List may be eligible for a Subclass 190 visa. This visa requires the applicant to complete a skills test and be nominated by a state or territory government.

What Are the Benefits of a Skilled Nominated Work Visa (Subclass 190)?

The Skilled Nominated Work Visa offers all the benefits of Australian permanent residence for you and your family.

• Work and live in Australia indefinitely
• Opportunity to study in Australia
• Enrol in Medicare, Australia’s state-run healthcare program
• Opportunity to apply for Australian citizenship
• Sponsor relatives for permanent residence
• Travel in and out of Australia as you please

How Can I Apply for a Skilled Nominated Work Visa (Subclass 190)?

Step 1: Check if your occupation is on the Skilled Occupation Lists

This visa is only available to people who can fill a position on this list.

Step 2: Ensure you meet all the eligibility requirements

You must meet the following requirements in order to apply:

• Under age 50
• Basic English skills
• Meet the health requirements
• Meet the character requirements
• Do not have any outstanding debts to the Australian government
• Willing to sign the Australian Values Statement

Step 3: Complete a Skills Assessment

You must complete a Skills Assessment and obtain an acceptable score in order to be eligible for the Subclass 190 visa. Your score must be met that is specified on your letter of invitation (step 5). Instructions on how to get a proper Skills Assessment can be found on the Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA) website.

Step 4: Submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect

Next, you will need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect. The SkillSelect program will ask you a number of questions related to your background, skills, and relevant work history.

Step 5: Obtain a government nomination

The Skilled Nominated Work Visa (subclass 190) requires you to be nominated by a state or territory government. Once you submit your EOI, it will be viewable by government authorities looking for prospective workers with your skill set. If a government decides to nominate you, you will receive a letter of invitation to apply for the 190 visa.

Step 6: Apply for the Skilled Nominated Work Visa (subclass 190)

After you find an employer and get a nomination, you can apply for the 190 visa online through the DHA. You will need to include certain documents with your application.

Step 7: Wait for a decision

It can take several months for the DHA to make a decision on your visa application. In 2016, the processing time for the 190 visa was 3 months.

Step 8: Receive your visa and start working

Once your application is approved, you will receive your visa and can start work in Australia.

Graduate temporary Visa (Subclass 485)

What is a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)?

Work in Australia on a temporary basis after you have completed your studies at an Australian educational institution. This visa is divided in two types:

• Graduate Work stream: intended for students who graduate with a qualification within the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). This visa is granted for a maximum of 18 months.
• Post-Study work stream: intended for students who graduate with a higher education degree from an Australian institution regardless of their field of study. This visa can be granted for a maximum of four years and it is only available for students whose first student visa was granted on or after November 5, 2011.

What Are the Benefits of a Temporary Graduate Visa?

The Temporary Graduate Visa offers the following benefits for you and your family:

• Work and live in Australia on a temporary basis to gain valuable experience in your new profession
• Travel in and out of Australia as you please

Who Can I Apply for a Temporary Graduate Visa?

1. You must meet the following requirements in order to apply:

• Under age 50
• Competent level English skills
• Meet the health requirements and have medical insurance in Australia
• Meet the character requirements
• Do not have any outstanding debts to the Australian government
• Hold an eligible visa:

2. You are the primary holder of a student visa

3. Your student visa has recently expired within the last six months and you are now on on a Bridging Visa A or Bridging Visa B

In addition you must not have had an Australian visa application refused or cancelled since you last entered Australia. Some student visas may have no further stay conditions attached to the visa. For the majority, you can still apply for a temporary graduate visa unless you are an AusAID or defence sector sponsored student.

• Skilled Nomination or Sponsored visa (Provisional) (Subclass 489)
• Skilled Regional Visa (subclass 887)

To be able to apply for these different types of sub-classes for Visa, candidates need to meet the requirements that are distinct for each visa.

What are the steps to immigrate to Australia from India?

The Australia immigration process is a legal process that allows the applicants to apply for an Australia visa. An ideal application takes around 9 to 12 months for processing. There are 6 steps for Australia immigration 2019 for Indians to follows in 2019:

Step 1: Assessment of Studies and Work Experience

Applicants have to get their educational qualification accredited by the assessing bodies. These assessing bodies vary from the occupation of the applicant, they will determine that the applicant’s educational qualifications and work experience are equivalent to the Australian standards. Once they are successfully assessed, the applicant is issued a letter of accreditation. Taking about the fees charged by the assessing bodies, most of them charge around AUD$800.

Step 2: Proof for Language Proficiency

Australia requires candidates to have fluency in English language. For this candidates need to take the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). IELTS test the candidate’s English knowledge in categories: Speaking, Reading, Writing and Listening. Candidates need to score at least 6 per band to meet the minimum requirement for the visa.

Step 3: Submit Expression of Interest (EOI)

On landing the letter of accreditation, candidates need to submit their Expression of Interest (EOI) for applying for a visa with the help of Skillselect. After this candidate needs to be invited by the government to apply for the visa.

Step 4: State Nomination

In case the applicant has applied for a state nominated visa, the next step is to apply for the state nomination. Requirement for state nomination is different as are the application procedures.

Step 5: Visa filing

Visa application needs to be submitted with the candidate’s professional and work experience documents, certified translations and other required documents.

Step 6: Medical Examination and Police Clearance

For entering the country, applicants and their dependents need to comply with strict health and character requirements. Applicants need to take the medical examination that needs to be done with a local doctor registered with Australian embassy.