How To Become a Permanent Resident of Australia
Are you intending to move to Australia permanently? To do this, you need to apply for a permanent Australian visa. If your application is successful, you will be able to live, work, study, and travel in Australia. However, the process can be tedious and complicated, but with the right information, it can be straightforward.
In this article, we will tell you the different programs you can apply to gain Australian permanent residency. Let’s jump right into it.
Apply For the Work-Stream Visa
Employment Nominated Visa (Subclass 186)
If you want to become an Australian permanent resident through an Employment Nomination visa, you need to be sponsored by an Australian employer. This means receiving a job offer from an Australian employer. However, if your job nomination was not lodged with your visa application, you will need to apply for the visa within 6 months of being nominated for the job.
Besides the job offer, you need to score a minimum of 65 points on the eligibility assessment. This means you need to possess the necessary qualifications and at least 3 years of experience in the nominated occupation. Also, the job you’re being nominated for needs to be on the Skilled Occupation list. Beyond that, you should be below the age of 45 years to qualify for this visa — unless you’re exempted.
As proof of proficiency in English, you’re required to score a CLB 6 on IELTS, 30 bands in PTE, or 32 bands in TOEFL. You are also required to take and pass a medical examination. Similarly, you shouldn’t have any serious criminal record that could disqualify you.
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
With the Skilled Independent visa, you don’t need a sponsor or nominator to be a permanent resident of Australia. However, you need to fill out an expression of interest and wait for an invitation. In addition to that, you need to prove that you have the relevant occupation on the Skilled Occupation list.
Beyond possessing the skills on the occupation list, you need to be issued with a skills assessment from the relevant skills authority in Australia. For instance, if you’re an accountant, your skills will be assessed by the Institute of Public Accounting. But for other occupations, you can check out the list of assessment authorities.
You also need to get a minimum of 65 points in the points test. Most likely, you will be awarded more points if you’re proficient in English, and you have at least three years of working experience with a university degree. To find out if you’re eligible, you can use the points calculator.
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
The 190 visa is a skill-based visa that allows a state to nominate you to work and live in South Australia. To be nominated, you need to prove that your occupation is on the Skilled Occupation list. But unlike the 189 visa, it’s more diverse since it has 215 more occupations.
Apart from the territorial criteria that vary from state to state, the 190 visa takes into account the immigration department requirements. More succinctly, you need to score a minimum of 65 points, which entails having fluency in English, a valid skills assessment in your nominated profession. If you’re under 45 years, it could also work to your advantage.
If you meet all the qualifications, you can submit an expression of interest via Skillselect. Next, you will receive a notification to apply for the sub class 190 visa if your application is approved. However, if you want to migrate to Northern Territory or Tasmania, you can apply directly for nomination.
Apply for the Family Stream Visa
If you have a family member that is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, a Family sponsored visa might be your easiest pathway to Australia. For that to happen, you need to be sponsored by a close family member — this could be your partner, parents, children, adopted kids, or stepchildren. In addition to that, citizens and permanent residents can sponsor a caregiver or relative who is dependent on them.
Apply For the Business Stream Visa (Subclass 888)
If you would like to start a business in Australia, you could apply for permanent residency. However, you first need to submit an expression of interest and get nominated by the state or territorial government. This means you first need to hold a Business Innovation and Investments (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) before you can apply for the 888 visa. Besides that, you’re required to have a running business or startup in Australia.
Another thing to note is that the 888 visa includes a Business Innovation stream, Investor stream, Significant investor stream, and Entrepreneur categories. Each stream has its requirement to be met for the permanent residency application. For instance, the Innovation stream requires visa owners to manage the business and reach eligible annual turnover rates.