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!

 

How to Apply for the Fastest Australia PR Visa Pathways

The process of applying for and securing permanent residence in Australia can take several months, or even years. Since a vast number of applications are submitted under each visa category, the processing time is longer, which causes a delay in announcing the outcome of applications. However, there are certain Australia PR Visa pathways that have a relatively fast processing time, and allow candidates to attain permanent resident status within one-two years. 

Among the fastest routes to PR status are two of the General Skilled Migration visas, which are meant for people who want to migrate as skilled professionals, to be employed in occupations that are facing a shortage of local Australian workers: 

Skilled Independent Visa: for foreign workers who can meet labor market requirements across Australia. The processing time for applications under this Australia immigration pathway is broadly 15 to 25 months. 

Skilled Nominated Visa: for foreign nationals who have the skills required to meet the labor market requirements of specific Australian states and territories, and are nominated for PR by the governing agencies of these states and territories, based on their skills. The processing time for these visa applications is 14 to 17 months. 

Note: These processing times are valid as of July 2021. The estimated processing time is updated routinely.

The detailed eligibility requirements for each visa are different, but candidates under both categories have to score at least 65 Australia PR points based on their age, education, work experience, English language skills, single status or skills of an accompanying partner, and various adaptability factors. Being nominated by a state or territory governing agency adds 5 points to the score. 

Scoring 65 points does not guarantee visa approval. Only the highest-scoring candidates are invited to apply for the Australia PR Visa. By seeking the guidance of India’s most trusted immigration consultants at Visa Experts, aspirants can calculate their point score, find solutions to claim more points, choose the appropriate visa for their occupational profile, and prepare a complete visa application – which is free of errors, and thus prevents delays 

How the Canada PR Eligibility Calculator Works

Foreign workers who want to permanently live and work in Canada are evaluated for immigration based on their potential to join the Canadian workforce. The most popular route to PR is the Express Entry System. Since a very broad range of occupations are in-demand in Canada, an Express Entry candidate’s employability is determined by several selection factors under the Canada PR eligibility calculator, also known as the Comprehensive Ranking System.

At the initial stage, an aspirant simply submits an online Expression of Interest under a relevant category or ‘stream’ of the Express Entry System. The Canada PR requirementsare different for each stream. This EOI contains details regarding the candidate’s skills and qualifications. Based on the information recorded in the EOI, the candidate is allocated a point score.

Points are granted on the basis of human capital factors such as age, English and/or French language proficiency, education and Canadian work experience (if any); as well as skills transferability, and the skills of an accompanying spouse/common law partner (if applicable). Work experience gained outside of Canada counts towards skills transferability.

Under the Canada PRpoints system, extra points can be claimed if candidates fulfill any of the additional factors which are not mandatory, but can considerably enhance the point score. These factors include obtaining a provincial nomination, getting a valid job offer from a Canadian employer, completing a post-secondary credential from a Canadian educational institution, showcasing adequate French language skills, or having a sibling who is a Canadian PR holder or citizen.

Ultimately, only the highest-scoring candidates who meet the point cut-off are invited to apply for permanent residence through regular invitation rounds. The point cut-off changes with each round of invitations. Finally, within 90 days of receiving an invitation, candidates must submit a complete PR application to the federal immigration department – including fees and supporting documents to validate the information provided in the EOI.

Since the point score is the major determining factor of success in this process, it is important to claim as many points as possible under the Canada PR eligibility calculator. To calculate your point score and check eligibility for permanent residence, seek authorized representation for lawful migration to Canada – only at Visa Experts.

Which Canada PNP Program is Right for You?

Provinces and territories in Canada, with the exception of Quebec and Nunavut, run Provincial Nominee Programs, through which they nominate eligible foreign workers for permanent residence under various categories or ‘streams’ – provided they have the skills and qualifications required to meet local labor market requirements. Each Canada PNP program stream has different eligibility criteria and procedure for nomination.

Broadly, foreign workers are nominated either through base nomination streams or enhanced nomination streams. In case of base nomination streams, the candidate first verifies eligibility for the stream, then submits an application to the province, and receives a nomination certification if the application is approved. Once nominated, the candidate applies for permanent residence to the federal government.

Enhanced nomination streams are connected to the federal Express Entry System. These streams are meant for people who have filed an Express Entry profile. The provincial government searches through the Express Entry pool of candidates to select eligible foreign workers, and invites them to apply for provincial nomination. If nominated, 600 points are added to the candidate’s Express Entry point score, which practically guarantees an invitation to apply for PR to the federal government.

Some provinces have special requirements for different categories. For instance, the Alberta PNP nominates Express Entry candidates who have 300 or more points, as well as foreign workers who have a valid job offer from an employer in the province. Saskatchewan has its own point-based selection system, through which it determines the eligibility of candidates. 

Similarly, the ManitobaPNP also has its own point system and nominates foreign workers who have a connection to Manitoba through the support of relatives or friends in the province, prior work experience or education in Manitoba, or are invited through strategic recruitment initiatives. Some provinces like British Columbia and Ontario also have specific programs for in-demand occupations, such as tech-sector workers.

Before proceeding with the application process, it is important to select an ideal province or territory, and an eligible stream. To understand the detailed nomination requirements for your desired province and territory, and identify the most ideal Canada PNP program category for your unique profile, seek the trusted guidance of India’s most experienced consultants at Visa Experts, who offer authorized representation for lawful migration to Canada.

Now is the Best Time for Canada Immigration – Here’s Why!

 In recent years, Canada has remained the most popular choice among people seeking a higher quality of life overseas – owing to its multiculturalism, rewarding job opportunities, social security and welcoming immigration policy. While migration levels fell during the pandemic, experts predict a boom in Canadaimmigration over the coming years.

Firstly, the Canadian government has already set a very high target of welcoming more than 400,000 new permanent residents every year from 2021 to 2023, which has provided hope to a lot of prospective immigrants, especially since many applicants have been granted PR throughout the pandemic. Canada is already on track to meet the target for 2021, and is focusing on immigration as a crucial tool for post-pandemic economic recovery. So, the future is bright for immigrants in Canada!

Second, there are a plethora of immigration pathways for skilled workers, entrepreneurs, investors, and so on. There are more than 104 immigration programs for those who can contribute to the Canadian economy by participating in the workforce, managing local businesses, etc. Each of these has different Canada PR requirements, and aspirants simply need to identify the correct pathway for their unique profile.

Finally, the pandemic has highlighted the benefits of access to safety and healthcare in developed economies. Since Canada is one of the few countries that regularly welcomes foreign workers, there is bound to be an increase in the number of applications from developing countries post-pandemic. To gain the first movers advantage, it is wise to start planning for a Canada PR Visa before the applications pile up and competition increases.

The process involves several stages – choosing an appropriate visa pathway, meeting the detailed eligibility criteria, collecting the required documents, preparing a complete application package, paying the fees and adding accompanying family members (if any) to the application. It is in a candidate’s best interest to seek authentic guidance from a legitimate source. The consultants at Visa Experts provide strong support at every step, with the services of an authorized representative – to help aspirants lawfully pursue Canada immigration.