Study in Australia as a Pathway to Permanent Residency
Australia has always been a popular study-abroad destination among international students for not only their exceptional quality of higher education but for the possibility of obtaining permanent residency in the country as well. Though there are other options to get PR in Australia, a student visa to permanent residency is one of the most common migration pathways and is preferred by many.
After graduating, students apply for a post-study work visa. This visa allows them to work for up to four years in the country after completing their study. During this time, you can work and gain experience to apply for a PR visa like subclass 190. Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) is a state-nominated permanent visa for skilled migrants that allows you to live and work in Australia. To know more about subclass 190.
What are the Conditions to get a Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)?
The Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) is an Australian visa that allows skilled workers who have been nominated by a participating Australian state or territory government to live and work permanently in Australia. To be eligible for the 190 visa Australia, applicants must meet a set of conditions and requirements. As of my last update in September 2021, here are the general conditions:
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Occupation in the Skilled Occupation List (SOL)
You must have an occupation that is on the relevant Skilled Occupation List for the Subclass 190 visa. The occupation should match your skills, qualifications, and work experience.
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Invitation
You must receive an invitation to apply for the visa. To get an invitation, you need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect and meet the points requirement for the Subclass 190 visa. Points are awarded based on factors such as age, English language proficiency, work experience, and education.
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Nominated by a State or Territory
You must be nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency. Each state or territory has its own list of in-demand occupations and nomination criteria. Meeting the state or territory’s requirements is crucial for obtaining a nomination.
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Age Limit
There is usually an age limit to apply for the Subclass 190 visa. Generally, you must be under 45 years of age at the time of invitation.
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Skills Assessment
You must have your skills assessed by the relevant assessing authority for your occupation. The skills assessment ensures that your qualifications and work experience meet the required standards for your chosen occupation.
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English Language Proficiency
You must meet the English language requirement set by the Australian government. This usually involves providing evidence of your English language skills through tests like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or CAE.
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Health and Character Requirements
You and any accompanying family members must meet health and character requirements. This typically involves undergoing health examinations and obtaining police clearance certificates.
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Meet the Points Test
As mentioned earlier, you need to score a minimum number of points on the Points Test to be eligible for the Subclass 190 visa. Points are awarded for various factors, and the total points required can change based on the demand for certain occupations.
How to Apply for a 190 Visa?
To apply for this state-nominated visa, you must receive an invitation from a state or territory. Ensure you have 65 or more points for the invitation, as this visa operates on a point-based system. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Confirm your occupation is on the current state list under subclass 190. Since the list changes annually, ensure your occupation is still eligible.
Step 2: Submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect to the Department of Immigration and Border. Your EOI will be visible to state and territory governments, and if your skills align with their needs, you may be nominated for the visa by a government agency.
Step 3: You must have a suitable skill assessment at the time you are invited to apply. Make sure your skill assessment must be obtained within the 3 years before the date of invitation.
Step 4: SkillSelect will estimate your points score based on the claims made in your EOI. You must have an estimated score of at least 65 points to be invited to apply for this visa. If you are nominated you will receive an invitation to apply for this visa.
Step 5: If you received an invitation to apply for a subclass 190 visa, you have 60 calendar days to apply for the visa. Remember that you can’t extend this time so ensure that you have everything ready.
Step 6: To support the claims you make in your EOI, you will need to provide documents and show you meet the other visa criteria. List of the documents you will require:
- Identity Document (e.g. a national identity card or passport)
- Police Certificate
- Proof of English Language Proficiency
- Expression of interest documents: you need to provide evidence of the skills you claimed to have in your expression of interest. This means you must submit any document that proves your work experience, your educational qualifications, your professional experience in Australia, and so on.
- Skilled assessment documents. You are required to submit a copy of your skill assessment report
- If someone helps you with your application, please submit either form 956 or form 956a.
For your partner/spouse include:
- Their identity documents
- Marriage certificate or divorce certificate
- Proof of registered relationship
- Proof of your partner’s functional English
For your dependents under 18
- Birth certificate or family book
- Parental consent form 1229
- Statutory declaration
For your dependents over 18
- Identity documents
- Documents about other relationships
- Form 47a
- Proof of dependency
- Proof of a functional English
Step 7: To apply for this visa log in to your SkillSelect account and click on the ‘Apply for visa’ button. This will take you to the online system ImmiAccount. Log in or create an ImmiAccount. Attach your documents, and pay your application charger, your application will not process until you pay the first installment of the visa application charge. After you pay the fees and apply you will receive your Transaction Reference Number (TRN).
And this is it. If you are granted a bridging visa you will receive notification of your visa grant.
Conclusion
In conclusion, pursuing education in Australia not only offers a high-quality academic experience but also serves as a viable pathway to permanent residency through the Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190). Navigating this journey involves meeting essential criteria, such as securing a suitable skill assessment, obtaining a nomination from a state or territory, and accumulating a minimum of 65 or more points on the Points Test. Aspiring applicants should diligently follow the outlined steps, ensuring their documentation aligns with the visa requirements. Successful candidates, once granted an invitation, have a 60-day window to submit their application, underscoring the importance of timely and thorough preparation. By adhering to these guidelines and providing comprehensive documentation, individuals can enhance their prospects of realizing their Australian dream and obtaining a pathway to permanent residency.
