How to become an Australian Permanent Resident (Migrant)
The process
for becoming a Permanent Resident (Migrant) in Australia involves 5 steps:
STEP 1 -
Find the right visa for you
You can
immigrate permanently to Australia
through either the family, or employment visa programs. These visas will allow
you to work and live indefinitely in Australia
Family-Based Permanent Residency
If you have a member of your family unit that is an
Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident, you may be eligible to
immigrate to Australia.
Migrant visas are available for:
¨
Partners
¨
Fiancé(e)s
¨
Children
¨
Dependent
relatives
Work-Based Permanent Residency
There are several pathways to Australian permanent residency
through the worker category. The migrant worker categories are:
¨
Employer
Sponsored Workers - When an Australian employer (government or private)
sponsors a foreign national to work in Australia.
¨
General
Skilled Migration - For people that are not sponsored by Australian employers
but possess a skill valued in Australia.
¨
Skill
Select - For workers possessing certain skills that Australia is in need of.
Migrants
are not citizens. However, once you satisfy the residency test you can apply to
become a citizen.
The Australian Department of Home
Affairs (DHA) has a great tool to help you find which visa is right for you. https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1?
STEP 2 - Check if you meet the visa requirements
The
DHA website lists the eligibility requirements that you need to satisfy for
each type of visa. For example, you may be required to have a relative that is
an Australian citizen; skills that are on the published lists of skills which
are in demand; a qualified sponsor; be under a certain age etc.
STEP 3 – Apply for an Australian Permanent Residency Visa *
After
you’ve found the right visa and have checked you meet all the eligibility
requirements, you can apply for it. Make sure the entire application is fully
completed before submission.
Applications
are available for download or to apply online at the DHA website. Most
applications require you to submit supporting documents and an application fee.
* It is important
to note that this can be a complex, time consuming and expensive process. We
specialise in simplifying and streamlining it for you as well as maximising
your chance of success!!
STEP 4 – Wait for a decision
The
processing times for different types of visa application varies significantly.
Average processing times are published on the DHA website. You may have to wait
several weeks, months or years for a decision to be made on your application
depending on the type of visa.
STEP 5 – Obtain the Visa
If
your application is approved, you will receive your migrant visa and can live
and work permanently in Australia.
Australian migrant visas are issued in increments of five years, subject to
renewal. As long as your visa is valid, you may enter and leave Australia
freely. The benefits of permanent residency include:
¨
Right
to work
¨
Right
to apply for citizenship
¨
Right
to public education
¨
Right
to sponsor relatives to immigrate to Australia
¨
Right
to travel freely between Australia
and New Zealand
without a visa
5STAR Student Services looks forward to helping you find
the right visa and submitting your application to maximise your chance of
migrating to Australia!!
MARN 1802311.