PERMANENT RESIDENT VISA – AUSTRALIA

With its rising demand for skilled professionals, Australia issued nearly 190,000 PR visas in 2015-16. Further good news for aspiring immigrants is Australia’s intention to introduce enhanced pathways to permanent residence for postgraduate research graduates with STEM and ICT qualifications.

PR Visa categories and the application process

Currently Australian PR visas are issued under five different categories, from which you have to select one based on your qualifications. After you decide on visa category, you have to select an occupation from a Skilled Occupation List (SOL). Next is the application. It begins with your submitting an online Expression of Interest (EOI) through the SkillSelect system, which covers profile information like age, language proficiency, work experience, education and so on. You will be ranked on each of these factors and your score will determine your chances of receiving an invitation to apply for a visa. Upon receiving an invitation to apply, you will also have to submit travel and education documents, medical and character certificates, English language proficiency test results and a Skill Assessment Report by a relevant assessing authority. The chart below gives you a quick idea of the process.

HOW WE CAN HELP

Having successfully overseen the complete life-cycle of Australian PR Visa processing for numerous clients, we can help with:

• Checking your eligibility criteria (includes age, educational qualifications, spouse qualifications and so on).
• Putting together the documents required to establish your credentials.
• Giving you expert guidance on the role/job you are best suited for under Australia’s Skilled Occupation List (SOL).
• We could also help you:
  • Zero in on the best job opportunities, including registering with the job bank to identify and apply for relevant positions
  • Advice you on getting reference letters, as required under immigration rules.

THE BENEFITS OF BEING A PERMANENT RESIDENT

• You can live, work and study in any Australian state for an indefinite period of time.
• You can enjoy many of the rights and privileges that Australian citizens do, including:
  • Access to free or subsidized legal services.
  • Healthcare benefits.
  • Retirement benefits.
  • Free education for your children.
  • Visa-free travel to a number of countries.
  • The right to apply for Australian consular assistance overseas.
• You can travel, live, work and study in New Zealand, after approval from the government of New Zealand.
• You are allowed to leave and enter Australia frequently within the initial period of five years. This can be further renewed, if you meet the criteria.
• After spending initial years on permanent residency status, you can apply for citizenship.
• You can sponsor your relatives to Australia, Subject to fulfilling residence criteria and assurance of support requirements.
• If your children are born in Australia, they will have the status of Australian citizens by birth.