A Comprehensive Guide to Permanent Relocation to Australia from India

Australia is one of the leading destinations in the world for Indian skilled workers planning to migrate to Australia from India. The Indian-born population is the third-largest migrant community in Australia after the United Kingdom and China, equivalent to 8.8 percent of Australia's overseas-born population and 2.6 percent of Australia's total population. The government of Australia offers several visa categories for qualified professionals attracted to Australia for its high quality of life and excellent career opportunities.

Australia's permanent Migration Program comprises both economic and family migration. They are the primary gateways to permanent residence in Australia. It includes the Skill stream, Family stream, and Business streams.

The Australian government also grants permanent residency to foreign nationals based on humanitarian grounds as well. But this can only happen in exceptional cases. 

Skill stream visas

The skilled stream visas are for foreign nationals who have the skills and the potential to contribute to the economy of Australia. The major categories are described as follows:

 

1.    Business Innovation and Investment

2.    Distinguished Talent

3.    Employer-Sponsored

4.    Global Talent (Independent)

5.    Regional

6.    Skilled Independent

7.    State/Territory Nominated.​

 

General Skilled Migration Program for Australia

The General Skilled Migration program aims to address the problem of the skills shortage in Australia and boost the skill level of the country's labor force. It permits immigrants with skills and talents to permanently relocate to Australia and contribute to its economic prosperity and development.

Here are the three visa categories under General Skilled Migration Program (GSM):

•         Skilled Independent visa subclass 189
•         Skilled Nominated visa subclass 190
•         Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa subclass 491

 

Let's talk about them in detail:

Skilled Independent visa subclass 189- It's a permanent residency visa that allows you to live and work anywhere in Australia. The visa does not require any sponsorship by an Australian employer, relative, state, or territory government.

Eligibility Criteria

·        Be under 45 years of age

·        Score at least 65 points in the assessment grid

·        Have previous work experience in a nominated occupation on Australia's Skilled Occupations List

·        Have proficient English language skills

·        Must have a skill assessment by a designated authority for that occupation

·        Be invited to apply for the visa

·        Meet health and character requirements

 

Skilled Nominated visa subclass 190- As the name suggests, the visa requires you to secure a nomination first by an Australian state or a territory government. It is also a permanent residency visa.

 

 Eligibility Criteria

 

•         Be under 45 years of age
•         Score at least 65 points in the assessment grid
•         Have previous work experience in a nominated occupation on Australia's Skilled Occupations List
•         Must have state or territory nomination
•         Have proficient English language skills
•         Must have a skill assessment by a designated authority for that occupation
•         Be invited to apply for the visa
•         Meet health and character requirements

 

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa subclass 491- The subclass 491 is a provisional visa meant for skilled workers who want to live in regional Australia. The visa is valid for five years.

 

Eligibility Criteria

 

•         Be under 45 years of age
•         Score at least 65 points in the assessment grid
•         Have previous work experience in a nominated occupation on Australia's Skilled Occupations List
•         Must have state or territory nomination
•         Have proficient English language skills
•         Must have a skill assessment by a designated authority for that occupation
•         Be invited to apply for the visa
•         Meet health and character requirements

Is Australia immigration on your mind? You can connect with us on 8595338595 or drop an email at web@visaexperts.com. We will provide your evaluation results and chart out the best immigration pathway for you. 

Skilled Visas are Pathway to Permanent Residency in Australia

 Undoubtedly, Australia has one of the most popular immigration systems globally, offering 1 60,000 permanent residency visas every year. Although the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the flow of new immigrants, those already onshore can avail these pathways and become part of Australia’s prosperous economy.

Skilled immigration pathways such as Subclass 190 visa/189/or 491 are sought-after streams inviting highly-skilled foreign workers in Australia. The General Skilled Migration Program is designed for individuals looking to migrate to Australia permanently.

The General Skilled Migration is a points-tested stream and the most popular visa application pathway for skilled workers. SkillSelect is Australia’s point-calculator system that allows foreign nationals to apply for a permanent residency in Australia via skilled visas such as Skilled Independent Visa subclass 189. Applicants must demonstrate sufficient qualifications, work experience, language skills to qualify for a skilled migrant visa.

As the name suggests, skilled workers with experience in in-demand occupations can apply to Australia based on their skills through skilled migration visas. It means an Australian employer need not sponsor them to have the visa.

Skilled Migrant Visas for Australia

There are different types of skilled migrant visas available for Australia. The most widely known Australia General skilled migration visas include the following:

· Skilled Independent Visa subclass 189

· Skilled Nominated Visa Subclass 190

Both visa categories grant permanent residency to the visa holder

The Skilled Independent Visa subclass 189 is available for applicants who do not require sponsorship by an employer nor a state or territory government in Australia.

The Skilled Nominated Visa subclass 190 is ideal for candidates who already have sponsorship from an Australian state or territory government.

A temporary point-tested skilled migration visa is also available, known as Skilled Regional Visa subclass 489 that allows the holder to live and work in Australia for up to four years. The visa requires sponsorship either by a state or territory government. Having a close connection in the designated area can also get you the visa.

Occupations Eligible for a Skilled Migrant Visa

There are two types of skilled occupation lists relevant to the general skilled migration. One is the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) for applicants applying for the Skilled Independent Visa. The other is Consolidated Sponsor Occupation List (CSOL) for those seeking Skilled Nominated Visas in Australia.

Interestingly, the majority of occupations in the SOL are the same as the CSOL. It means that a candidate seeking a skilled nominated visa can also meet the point test for either of the lists. However, it is advisable to check the list of individual states to get a clear idea of Australia PR process.

Kick-start your Australian immigration process today. Call our expert immigration agents to determine your best way forward.

Short on Points for the Subclass 189 Visa? Try These Alternatives!

Professionals from a broad range of occupations that are in-demand across Australia can achieve permanent residence through the most popular visa pathway for foreign skilled workers – the Skilled Independent Subclass 189 Visa. However, this is also a highly selective route, and only the most qualified candidates are chosen to apply for permanent residence through this visa.

This is a points-tested visa i.e. eligibility is determined through a point allocation system. Only the highest-scoring aspirants are invited to apply for the visa, which implies that many candidates do not make the cut. A minimum of 65 points are required to submit an Expression of Interest for the visa, but the cut-off for being invited to apply could be 65 points, or go up to 80 points, or higher.

So, for those who have a very low point score, it is wise to seek other options for claiming more points or selecting an alternative visa pathway that has better chances of visa approval. Fortunately, there are two more points-tested visa categories, which also

Skilled Nominated Subclass 190 visa

Australian state and territories nominate foreign workers for permanent residence through this visa. Nominations are issued to workers who have the skills and qualifications required in the local labor market of these states and territories, and who can satisfy other state-specific criteria. Being nominated for this visa adds 5 points to the candidate’s score.

Once nominated by the state or territory, the nominee can apply for permanent residence to the federal immigration department. Typically, the immigrant is obligated to reside in the nominating state or territory, at least for the first two years of landing in Australia. Family members can accompany the applicant to Australia.

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Subclass491 Visa

Through this visa, the governing agencies of Australian states and territories nominate foreign skilled workers who can fulfill the labor market requirements of a designated regional area, and meet other visa-specific criteria. The aspirant may also be sponsored by an eligible relative living in Australia. Being nominated or sponsored for this visa adds 15 points to the candidate’s score.

The visa holder can live in the designated regional area for up to five years and apply for permanent residence after living and working in the regional area for three years. So, while this visa initially grants temporary residence, it also opens up a pathway to permanent residence. Family members can accompany the applicant to Australia.

To check your eligibility for these visas (or the Subclass 189 visa) and understand the detailed nomination criteria for each state and territory, seek the trusted guidance of seasoned immigration consultants with more than two decades of experience. Contact Visa Experts to gain reliable support at every stage of the process, from selecting an immigration pathway to preparing a compelling visa application!

 

What is the working for Australia point’s calculator?

If there is anyplace worth travelling and settling then Australia tops the charts with its high standard of living, first class education, unparalleled healthcare services as well as many other such amenities, that make it a wonderful, safe and secure place to reside in along with you and your family members.

But to be able to clear the process and get an invitation to apply for permanent residence, you need a minimum pass mark that is calculated on the Australia point’s calculator. Being a hub for overseas applicants to discover employment opportunities, this island continent is a melting pot of diverse cultural and religious backgrounds wherein people come together to give Australia the character and substance that it is very well supposed to have.

Once you become a permanent resident of Australia via any of the pathways for General Skilled migration (Subclass 189 visa, 190 skilled visa, 491 skilled regional (provisional visa) are very viable for you as they give you enough space to make the choice as per your needs, requirements as well as the employment opportunities that are suitable for you.

Scoring on the Australia PR point system involves being able to score on multiple parameters of Age, English language skills, Skilled employment experience, Educational qualifications, Specialist education qualification, Australian study requirement, Professional Year in Australia, Credentialed community language, Study in regional Australia as well as Partner skills. Also an age between 25 to 33 years can fetch you up to 30 points, so keep in mind at what point of your age or career move will you be applying for Australia PR visa.

A proficient or superior level of English can do wonders to your overall score chart, with a score top up of between 10 to 20 points. An overseas skilled work experience of between a whopping 5 to 8 years can surely plummet your score by 10 points, and anything more than 8 years is like bonus with 15 points being added to your kitty. With a Doctorate from an Australian educational institution or a Doctorate from another educational institution, that is of a recognized standard. You stand of gaining 20 points straight.

For more information on working of the Australia point’s calculator, you can get in touch with our certified immigration consultants.

How Marital Status Impacts Your Score under the Australia Points Calculator

In November 2019, the Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA) updated the point allocation system which determines the eligibility of candidates under certain skilled visa categories – known as ‘points-tested’ visas. While points for a spouse/de-facto partner’s qualifications were available in the previous point system as well, the new Australia points calculator redefined point allocation under these factors, and introduced new criteria – wherein points can also be awarded for being unmarried.

Married Applicants

If an applicant for a points-tested visa has a spouse or de-facto partner (who is also an applicant for the same visa), the primary applicant can claim up to 10 points – provided the spouse/de-facto partner:

·        Is under 45 years of age

·        Has competent English language skills

·     Has nominated an occupation that features on the same skilled occupation list as the applicant’s nominated skilled occupation, and has a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for that occupation. The assessment must not be for a Subclass 485 Visa.

If the accompanying spouse/de-facto partner only fulfils the English language requirement, but not the age or skill requirements, 5 points can be availed by the primary applicant. Under the previous Australia immigration point system, this provision did not exist.

If the spouse/de-facto partner is a permanent resident or citizen of Australia, the applicant can gain 10 points. However, in this case, points cannot be claimed for fulfilling the age, language or skill requirements.

Unmarried Applicants

If the applicant is single, 10 points will be added to the total score. This criteria did not exist under the previous system.

These criteria are applicable to candidates under three General Skilled Migration visa:

·        Subclass 189 – Skilled Independent Visa

·        Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated Visa

·        Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa

It is important to note that there are several other point allocation parameters. Marital status and partner skills are only two of the many factors that are considered to evaluate an applicant’s eligibility for a particular visa.

Thus, a candidate’s marital status can influence their overall point score in a significant manner, and impact the probability of receiving an invitation to apply for the visa from DHA. Those applying for points-tested skilled visas must take into account the updated selection criteria of the Australia points calculator, accordingly calculate their expected score, and take steps to enhance eligibility.

How to Obtain State Nomination for Western Australia Migration

Although it is the largest Australian State, Western Australia (WA) has a disproportionately small population of 2.5 million people. This is a major reason for prevalent labor shortages and job vacancies in various local industries. Foreign workers – as well as international graduates from WA colleges/universities – who have the necessary skills and qualifications to occupy jobs that cannot be filled by the domestic population, can pursue Western Australia Migration.

The most popular pathway for long-term relocation to WA is to be nominated for a particular visa by the local government. Nominees can subsequently apply for the relevant visa to the federal immigration authority – Department of Home Affairs (DHA). In order to qualify for nomination, foreign nationals must fulfil the eligibility requirements of the WA government, as well as those of the DHA.

One of the major conditions is that the applicant’s primary skilled occupation must feature on the relevant SOL List Australia. Certain occupations may require registration or licensing. There are also other requirements related to English language skills, work experience, job offer and education. Eligibility requirements depend on the stream and visa that the candidate is applying for.

Aspirants can explore two visas for immigration to WA via state nomination. Both of these are points-tested visas, i.e. eligibility of candidates is determined by a point-based system.

Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190): The WA 190 Visa allows foreign skilled workers nominated by a state government to permanently live and work across Western Australia. Being nominated for this visa grants 5 additional points to the candidate.

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491): The recently launched Subclass 491 Visa WA allows foreign skilled workers who are nominated by the state authority, or sponsored by an eligible relative, to live and work in a designated regional area of WA for up to 5 years. Currently, all areas in WA are considered ‘regional’. An applicant under this visa can claim 15 points for state nomination. After three years of living and working in the state, eligible visa holders can apply for permanent residence.

Eligible aspirants – who have a score of 65 or more points – can submit an Expression of interest (EOI) via SkillSelect, indicating their interest in being nominated by WA, or any state/territory. This EOI is accessible to the state government agency, which identifies and invites the highest-scoring candidates to apply for nomination. Candidates must submit the application within 28 days. If nominated, they can apply for the relevant visa to DHA.

Upon arriving in the state, the visa holder must register their arrival with Western Australia Migration Services, have sufficient funds to cover the settlement cost and living expenses in Australia for at least the initial three months, commit to living and working in WA for at least two years, and fill a settlement survey at six-month intervals within this two-year time span.

Why are visa experts in Bangalore the best immigration consultants?

Be it Canada, Australia, USA or Europe, if you are looking to immigrate to any of these overseas destinations than a procedure is all that can make or break your way in to these supercharged immigrant friendly nations. And when you are Indian IT professional, vying to reach new heights of exposure in any of these nations owing to their developed and progressive nature, then the best course to take is to get a consultation from certified and trusted visa experts in Bangalore who make your immigration their commitment and responsibility. All you need to understand is the importance of an immigration counselor in making your relocation to your big move.

With so many Indians planning to move to these nations, owing to the high demand of skilled workers in their diverse sectors you do require the best in the industry to provide you with the right direction to your dreams. If you have decided with which course you would like to pursue then no body but only the best immigration consultants in Bangalore can help you tailor your immigration plan to a perfect fit.

But when you can do it yourself why do you require the assistance and guidance of immigration experts? That is what we are here to tell. Whether you have chosen to migrate for permanent residency via the Canada Express entry route or provincial nominee program or seek to move to Australia through Subclass 190 Independent Visa or Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) visa or Subclass 491 visa, what you require is an immigration advisor by your side.

The most important reason you must hire immigration experts is that with them You avoid mistakes and glaring errors in your visa application submission. There are instances wherein when you submit visa application on your own, mistakes and errors in filling the form become obvious. This can lead to rejection or delays. This mostly happens when the reviewer while application evaluation finds any mistake or feels that they require further clarification for their claim.

For more information on why you must hire an immigration consultant and that too authorized, get in touch with our visa experts in Bangalore.

The Latest Canberra Matrix Invitation Rounds Invited 344 Candidates

Canberra – the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) – nominates eligible registrants under the Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) Visa. Eligibility is determined through Department of Home Affairs criteria, and a score-based Canberra Matrix – which allocates points to each candidate based on demonstrated economic contribution and commitment to the ACT community.

Highest scoring candidates who can fulfil the minimum score requirement – which varies with each invitation round – are invited to apply for nomination. The online application, supporting documents and service fee must be submitted within 14 days of receiving the invitation.

On 9th October 2019, 220 invitations were extended to candidates who scored 130 to 70 points in the Canberra Matrix, or submitted a 65 point Matrix on or before 31st July 2019.

On 27th September 2019, 124 invitations were extended to candidates who scored 120 to 70 points in the Canberra Matrix, or submitted a 65 point Matrix on or before 1st July 2019.

A Comprehensive Guide to Australia PR Visa

Australia is an awesome country to migrate, and why not. Australia is one of the strongest economies of the world, and is considered to be the most immigrant-friendly nation, which is quite evident in the number of immigration intake the country has every year. People often migrate to Australia for a number of reasons such as higher living standards, promising employment opportunities, better education, free society, and many more. Every year, millions of people across the globe apply for Australia PR visa under various pathways or visa categories. No matter how enthusiastic candidates may seem, it’s always advisable to get the hang of Australia PR visa, and what it actually
takes to be a resident of Down Under.

How to Strengthen your application for the Australia PR process

Australia PR process sorts a vast number of immigration aspirants who ardently seek the coveted Australia PR visa; which allows access to living, working and enjoying social benefits in the Land Down Under. Skilled migration to Australia requires a minimum point score of 65, which is based on various eligibility criteria. To compensate for any deficiencies, aspirants can take certain steps to strengthen their application by enhancing their Australia PR points score.

How to acquire an Australia PR visa in just 6 to 9 months

There’s no easy way of getting an Australia PR visa but however to acquire a permanent residency of any country, one needs to follow the immigration process of the particular country he/she is applying to. Without any exception, Australia has a set of rules in this regard. Hence to know how time-consuming it gets to acquire the coveted Australian PR, totally depends on the fact that how prepared you are and how strong your application is.