GENERAL SKILLED MIGRATION VISAS
Subclass 491
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa
This visa is for skilled people nominated by a state or territory government, or sponsored by eligible relatives to live and work in regional Australia.
Provisional Resident (5 years).
Skilled workers.
- +15 points for nomination.
- Live, work and study in a designated regional area of Australia for 5 years;
- Apply for permanent residence after 3 years if eligible;
- Travel to and from Australia as many times as you want, while the visa is valid.
Subclass 190
Skilled Nominated Visa
- This visa lets nominated skilled workers live and work in Australia as permanent residents.
Permanent Resident.
Skilled workers.
- +5 points for nomination.
- Live, work and study everywhere in Australia permanently after the first 2 years residing in the sponsoring state or territory;
- Apply for Australia citizenship if eligible;
- Enrol in Australia’s public health care scheme, Medicare;
- Sponsor your relatives to come to Australia;
- Travel to and from Australia for 5 years. After this time, you will need a Resident Return Visa (RRV subclass 155 or 157) to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident.
Subclass 189
Skilled Independent Visa
- This visa lets invited skilled workers live and work permanently in Australia, without a sponsor or nominator.
Permanent Resident.
- Invited workers;
- Eligible New Zealand citizens and eligible Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport holders.
- Live, work and study everywhere in Australia permanently;
- Apply for Australia citizenship if eligible;
- Enrol in Australia’s public health care scheme, Medicare;
- Sponsor your relatives to come to Australia;
- Travel to and from Australia for 5 years. After this time, you will need a Resident Return Visa (RRV subclass 155 or 157) to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident.
GENERAL CONDITIONS
Be invited to apply;
Have a suitable skills assessment: skills assessment must have been obtained in the 3 years before the date of your invitation;
Meet the skills requirement: occupation must be on the list of eligible Skilled Occupations for the respective visa;
Be aged under 45 when you are invited to apply for the visa;
Be able to score 65 points or more;
Meet the competent English level (main applicant);
Meet the functional English level (additional applicant, family members 18 year-old or older);
Have paid back the debt to the Australian government;
Sign the Australian values statement (if you are 18 years of age or older).
Besides, with the 189 Visa, you do not need any sponsorship. However, when applying for 190 and 491 Visas, you need the nomination from the State or territory government agency. Sponsorship from an eligible family member is also acceptable to 491 Visa.
Furthermore, with 190 and 491 Visas, there are specific requirements of the State you apply that you must meet.
PROCESS
CHECK
Check your occupation on the skilled occupation list, you have to pass a relevant skills assessment by a relevant skills assessment authority (from 65 points).
SUBMIT
Submit an expression of interest (EOI*) in SkillSelect.
WAIT
Wait for invitation to apply for the visa.
GATHER
Gather your documents.
APPLY
Apply for a visa within 60 days of invitation.
In general, the process to apply for visas including
Check the occupation on the Skilled Occupation list of respective visa: identify and research the ANZSCO** code of that occupation, then check its assessing authority. The standards of SA include qualifications and working experience.
Contact the assessing authority to submit an application. They then check whether you meet the standards they set for your occupation.
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
- Submit an EOI*.
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
- Submit an EOI*;
- A state or territory government agency may nominate you for the visa.
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491)
- Submit an EOI*;
- Receive nomination from State or territory government agency by being invited to apply for state sponsorship, or;
- Advise in your EOI if you will be sponsored by an eligible relative.
- Personal documents: identity card, birth certificate, passport, marriage/divorce documents, driver license, … .
- Police certificate.
- English language certificate.
- Education documents: Bachelor’s/Master’s degree, transcript, … .
- Employment documents: reference letter, labour contract, payment evidence, skill assessment, … .
- Medical checkup;
- … .
After receiving the invitation, you have 60 days to apply for the visa. The decision is in writing:
- If your visa is granted, you will be told: your visa grant number, the date your visa starts, and your visa conditions, if applicable;
- If your visa is refused, you will be told: the reason for refusal, whether you have a right to a review of the decision.
Note
The application charge will not be refunded if your application is refused.
(*) An expression of interest (EOI) is a step that shows your interest in applying for a visa. In this step, you have to submit your information to the Australian Government to get the invitation to apply for a visa.
(**) Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO): ANZSCO is the skill-based classification used to categorise all occupations and jobs undertaken for profit in the Australian and New Zealand labour markets. The ANZSCO provides information on the skill level of jobs, qualifications and/or experience needed to work in occupations.
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Created: 03 November 2022