Australia is one of the prime destinations that attract people who want to have better career opportunities, a high living standard, and an environment with people who are so welcoming. One of the most sought-after ways of making Australia your home is through the Permanent Residency (PR) visa.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on the easy process to get an Australia PR Visa, requirements for eligibility, and the resultant benefits.
What is an Australia PR Visa?
A PR visa allows an individual to stay, work in, and study in Australia on a permanent basis. He can enjoy rights and privileges of citizenship of Australia along with the rights of health, education, and other social security benefits. After a certain period of stay under the PR visa, he is eligible to apply for Australian citizenship.
Types of PR Visas in Australia
There are several pathways to get a PR visa in Australia. Here are the main types:
- Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189): This is a point-based visa for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, state, or family member. You need to score enough points based on age, education, work experience, and English language ability to qualify.
- Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190): This is also a points-based visa but requires a nomination by an Australian state or territory government. It is ideal for people whose skills are in demand in specific regions of Australia.
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491): This is a temporary visa leading to PR for skilled workers who are nominated by a regional area of Australia. You can apply for PR after fulfilling the residency requirements in the regional area.
- Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186): This visa allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia permanently after being nominated by an Australian employer.
- Family-Sponsored Visas: If you have a close family member who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you may be eligible for a family-sponsored PR visa.
Eligibility Criteria for Australia PR Visa
To qualify for an Australia PR visa, you need to meet specific requirements. The key criteria include:
- Points Test: Australia uses a points-based system for skilled migration. You need a minimum of 65 points to apply. Points are awarded based on factors such as age, work experience, qualifications, English proficiency, and other factors like Australian work experience or education.
- Occupation in Demand: You must have an occupation that is listed on Australia’s Skilled Occupation List (SOL). This list includes professions that are in high demand in Australia.
- Age Limit: You must be under 45 years of age at the time of your application to qualify for most skilled visas.
- English Proficiency: You must demonstrate your English proficiency through tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE. Higher English scores can give you more points on the points test.
- Health and Character Requirements: All applicants must meet certain health and character requirements. You may need to undergo a medical examination and provide police clearance certificates.
Step-by-Step Process to Apply for Australia PR Visa
Now that you know the basic requirements, let’s walk through the steps to apply for an Australia PR visa:
1. Check Eligibility and Points
You must check if you are eligible and score enough points to apply. For one, you have the Australian government points calculator to find out how many points you score. One must ensure that their occupation falls within the Skilled Occupation List.
2. Take an English Proficiency Test
If your first language is not in English, you may have to take some test, and most probably it would be IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE. The score varies with the type of visa; however, generally speaking, the more points you score in the test, the more points you can gain overall.
3. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
Once you are eligible, apply for an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect-an online system by which the Australian Government manages visa applications. You’ll need to share information about your skills, work experience, and qualifications. Your EOI will rank with regards to the points you have. If you score at least a minimal number of points, you will most probably receive an invitation to apply for a visa.
4. Get Your Skills Assessed
In Australia, most of the skilled visas require that you have your skills assessed by an appropriate body in Australia. There is an assessing body for every occupation-for example, Engineers Australia assesses engineering visas while the Australian Computer Society assesses IT professional visas.
5. Wait for Invitation to Apply
The waiting game begins after submitting the EOI, and you wait for an invitation to apply for the visa. Invitations are released based on the points score, demand for your occupation, and slots available in your particular occupation category.
6. Apply for the Visa
If you receive an invitation, you will have 60 days to apply for the PR visa. You must submit all necessary documents, including proof of identity, education, work experience, skills assessment, English test results, and other supporting documents.
7. Medical and Police Checks
You will also undergo a medical examination that will establish your health requirements. For example, you shall be required to present police clearance certificates in case you have stayed in any country for more than 12 months at any given time in the last 10 years.
8. Receive Your Visa
Application processing and approval would translate to the approval of an Australia PR visa. Time taken in processing varies according to the subclass of the visa and the complexity level in your application, but usually, it takes an average of 6 to 12 months.
Benefits of Holding an Australia PR Visa
Getting an Australia PR visa comes with several benefits:
- Work and Live Permanently: You can live and work anywhere in Australia without any restrictions.
- Healthcare Access: PR visa holders can enroll in Australia’s public healthcare system (Medicare).
- Education: You and your children can access government-funded education and may qualify for student loans.
- Pathway to Citizenship: After living in Australia for a few years, you can apply for Australian citizenship.
- Family Sponsorship: You can sponsor eligible family members to join you in Australia.
Final Thoughts
Getting an Australia PR visa could open many more doors for the future. These steps will ensure you get a clear view of the entire Australia immigration process and apply for Australia immigration and requirements for a potential applicant in order to qualify. It just requires patience and preparation.
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