Australia is a popular destination for people seeking a new life, better opportunities, and a high quality of living. One of the key steps in making this move permanent is obtaining a permanent visa. Permanent visas allow individuals to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely, and often come with the possibility of eventually applying for Australian citizenship. In this article, we’ll explore the various types of Australian permanent visas, their requirements, and the application process.
Skilled Migration Visas
Subclass 189 – Skilled Independent Visa
The Subclass 189 visa is a points – tested visa designed for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer or a state/territory government. To be eligible, you need to have an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list, such as software developers, registered nurses, or engineers. You must also score enough points based on factors like your age, English language proficiency, work experience, and educational qualifications. For example, if you’re under 33 years old, you can get 30 points for age. Proficient English (IELTS 7.0 or equivalent) earns you 20 points. Usually, a total of 65 points is the minimum requirement, but it can be higher depending on competition.
The application process starts with getting your skills assessed by the relevant assessing authority for your occupation. After that, you submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the SkillSelect system. If you’re invited, you can then lodge your visa application. The processing time can vary, but generally, it can take several months to over a year.
Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated Visa
The Subclass 190 visa is similar to the 189, but it requires nomination by an Australian state or territory government. This means that you need to meet the specific requirements of the state or territory that nominates you. Some states may have additional criteria, like having a certain amount of work experience in a particular field or a connection to the state, such as having studied there.
Once nominated, you still need to meet the general skilled migration requirements, like having an occupation on the skilled occupation list and meeting the points test. The advantage of this visa is that it gives you an extra 5 points in the points test. After getting nominated, you follow a similar process as the 189 visa, starting with an EOI in SkillSelect and then lodging the full visa application if invited.
Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (leading to permanent residency)
The Subclass 491 visa is a pathway to permanent residency for skilled workers who are willing to live and work in regional Australia. It can be either state/territory – nominated or family – sponsored. To be eligible, you need to have an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list, meet the points test (usually a minimum of 65 points including the 15 – point bonus for this visa), and meet the requirements of the sponsoring state/territory or family member.
This visa is provisional for 5 years. During this time, you must live, work, and study in a designated regional area. After meeting certain conditions, such as working in a skilled occupation in the region for a specified period (usually 3 years) and earning a minimum income, you can apply for permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa.
Employer – Sponsored Visas
Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)
The Subclass 186 visa allows Australian employers to sponsor skilled workers from overseas to work for them permanently. The employer must first nominate the employee and prove that there are no suitable Australian citizens or permanent residents available to fill the position. The nominated employee needs to have the relevant skills and qualifications for the job. For example, if it’s a job in construction management, the nominee should have a degree in construction management and relevant work experience.
There are different streams within the 186 visa, such as the Direct Entry stream for those with at least 3 years of work experience in the relevant occupation, and the Temporary Residence Transition stream for those who have previously held a temporary work visa in Australia and worked for the same employer for a certain period. The employer needs to meet certain obligations, like paying the employee a market – rate salary.
Subclass 187 – Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSM) (for regional areas)
The Subclass 187 visa is for employers in regional Australia to sponsor skilled workers for permanent residency. Similar to the 186 visa, the employer must nominate the employee and show that there are no local candidates for the job.
The main difference is that the job must be located in a regional area outside of major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
The employee also needs to meet the skills and qualifications requirements for the job. There are also different streams within this visa, and the employer has obligations regarding the employee’s salary and working conditions. This visa helps to address the skills shortage in regional areas and promotes development outside of the major urban centers.
Family – Sponsored Visas
Subclass 100 – Partner Visa (Permanent)
The Subclass 100 visa is for partners (married or de – facto) of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. To be eligible, you need to prove that your relationship is genuine and stable. This can be done through providing evidence such as joint bank accounts, shared living arrangements, and statements from friends or family who are aware of the relationship.
The application process usually involves two stages. First, you can apply for the Subclass 309 (provisional) partner visa. After living together in a relationship for a certain period (usually 2 years), you can then apply for the Subclass 100 permanent visa. The processing time can be long, sometimes taking over a year, as the Department of Home Affairs carefully assesses the genuineness of the relationship.
Subclass 804 – Aged Parent Visa
The Subclass 804 visa is for parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents who are of a certain age (usually 65 or older in most cases). To be eligible, the parent must meet the balance – of – family test, which means that at least half of their children (or more) are Australian citizens or permanent residents living in Australia.
The application process can be complex and may require significant financial evidence to show that the parent will not become a burden on the Australian social security system. There is also a long waiting list for this visa, as the number of available places each year is limited.
Business and Investment Visas
Subclass 188 – Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) Visa (leading to permanent residency)
The Subclass 188 visa is a provisional visa that can lead to permanent residency for business owners, investors, and entrepreneurs. There are different streams within this visa, such as the Business Innovation stream, the Investor stream, and the Significant Investor stream.
For the Business Innovation stream, applicants need to have a business background, a viable business plan for Australia, and meet certain points requirements related to their business experience, assets, and innovation. In the Investor stream, applicants are required to invest a certain amount of money (usually AUD 1.5 million) in eligible Australian investments. The Significant Investor stream has a much higher investment requirement (AUD 5 million). After meeting the conditions of the provisional visa for a specified period (usually 4 years), applicants can apply for the permanent Subclass 888 visa.
Subclass 891 – Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) Visa
The Subclass 891 visa is the permanent version of the business and investment visas. To be eligible, applicants must have held a relevant provisional visa (like the Subclass 188) and have met the conditions set during that period. This includes meeting business performance targets, maintaining investments, and other requirements depending on the stream of the provisional visa they held.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Australia offers a diverse range of permanent visas to suit different individuals and their circumstances. Whether you’re a skilled worker, an employer looking to sponsor talent, a family member of an Australian resident, or a businessperson or investor, there’s likely a visa option for you. However, the application processes for these visas can be complex, often requiring detailed documentation and meeting strict criteria. It’s important to thoroughly research the visa that best fits your situation, understand the requirements, and be prepared to provide all the necessary evidence. Seeking professional advice from a registered migration agent can also be extremely helpful in navigating the visa application process. With the right approach and preparation, obtaining an Australian permanent visa can open the door to a new and fulfilling life in this beautiful and prosperous country.
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