Australia IMMIGRATION

Australia Immigration. The name of Australia has been taken from the Latin word Australias, which means southern, legends of an unknown land of the south. Thousands of immigrants settle in this country every year, and all the locals consider Australia a “lucky country” characterized by its political stability, pulsating economy and high standard of living that is envied by many. Australia is also famous worldwide for its stunning landscapes and among all those who apply for Australian immigration. Australia is undoubtedly one of the most promising countries in the world to live and do business. The country certainly has an enviable reputation as it provides an exceptional standard of living. Thousands of people move through Australia immigration every year to work, study, tour, or permanently live there.

About Australia Immigration

Skilled Worker Visa

Effective July 1, 2018, the new points system has been announced for the below-mentioned Skilled Migration Visas. The Qualifying Score is now 65 points for Skilled Subclasses:

  1. Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
  2. Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
  3. Skilled Work Regional Provisional Visa (Subclass 491)

Occupation Lists:

The Skilled Occupation List (SOL) is being replaced by the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). The current Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) is relevant for applicants for:

  • MLTSSL is for 189, 489 Family-Sponsored and State Sponsored Visas 190 and 489 State Sponsored.
  • 5 years is the maximum visa period granted under Subclass 491.

Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL) has been replaced by the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). The current Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) is relevant for applicants for:

  • Points-based skilled migrants who a state or territory government agency nominates under a State Migration Plan.
  • STSOL is for Only State Sponsored Visas 190 and 491(State Sponsored only).

Regional Occupation List (ROL) has been introduced for State Sponsored Visas under Subclass 491.

The current Regional List (ROL) is relevant for applicants for:

  • Points-based skilled migrants who a state or territory government agency nominates under a State Migration Plan.
  • ROL is only for State Sponsored Visas available under Subclass 491(State Sponsored only).
  • 5years is the maximum visa period granted under Subclass 491.

Department of Home Affairs introduced ANZSCO w.e.f July 1, 2010. Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) is a system to collect, publish and analyze occupation statistics across government agencies. The department is introducing it as the new standard to capture occupation information in all visa, settlement and citizenship programs.

NOTE: The department of Immigration & Border Protection (DIBP) and Australian States/ Territories accept the following English Language Proficiency Tests:

  • Pearson Test of English (PTE- Academic)
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language – Internet-Based Test (TOEFL- iBT)
  • Cambridge English: Advanced (CEA)
  • Occupation English test (OET)

General Skilled Migrant Program

Australia’s economy remains one of the strongest in the world, offering millions of jobs every week, making it an extremely preferred destination for highly skilled young people. It also shows that Australian employers require a skilled workforce to achieve organizational goals.

The eligibility of skilled migrants, who desire to immigrate to Australia, is assessed on a point-based system. In this system, points are awarded after considering the aspirant’s age, work experience, qualifications and language proficiency.

The applicants need to satisfy the following threshold requirements:

  • Submit an expression of interest (EOI).
  • Have an occupation that is on the relevant skilled occupation list.
  • Be under 45 years of age at the time of invitation.
  • Meet the threshold English language requirement of competent English.
  • Have a suitable skills assessment for that occupation.
  • Be able to score at least 65 on the points test.

Study Visa

Our one-stop education service is for students seeking an Australian student visa. Our team of expert consultants provides students with services like visa processing, eligibility assessment and application processing – services that help them get through the entire Australian Student Visa process hassle-free.

 

Australia combines contemporary cities, majestic landscapes and a well-acknowledged education system. Australia is among the world’s leading countries to live and pursue tertiary studies.

 

Australian Student Visa Requirements

When applying for a student visa, you will have to provide evidence of the following:-

  • Financial requirements – evidence of sufficient funds to cover tuition, travel and living expenses. If you have dependents (spouse and children) travelling with you, you will have to show evidence of being able to cover living expenses for all.
  • English proficiency – All students must prove their proficiency in the English language via a good IELTS/TOEFL score.
    • IELTS (Academic module): Overall score of 6.0 band with no band less than 5.5 for Bachelor’s degree
    • IELTS (Academic module): Overall score of 6.5 bands with no band less than 6.0 for Master’s degree, some universities except the profile with 5.5 band in any subtest with ELICOS.
  • Health requirements – Some students may undergo medical checkups to show good health. You need to submit your test reports with a doctor’s prescription claiming your good health if asked.
  • Character requirements – All students applying for the Student Visa to Australia are assessed against the character requirements, which include a criminal record check and getting a police clearance to ensure they do not have a substantial criminal record.

 

Document Check List

While applying for a Student visa to study in Australia, ensure the following is in your document file.

  • Visa application form
  • Visa application fees
  • Electronic Confirmation of Enrollment (once your consultant has applied to institutions)
  • IELTS result (average score 5.5 Bands)
  • Prior academic study documents
  • Any prior work experience
  • Statement of purpose
  • Evidence of financial ability

 

Advantages of Study Visa

There are several advantages to Australian Student Visa.

  • Study – Of course, it allows you to take up tertiary studies in the country and gain knowledge.
  • Work – While pursuing education in the country, you can work 40 hours per fortnight during regular semester classes and work full time during vacations.
  • Post-Study Work – Australia allows students 31 years and above to legally work and apply for permanent residency.
  • Visitor – While your study in Australia, your close family members as dependents can also stay with you.
  • A spouse can also accompany (spouse must be graduated)

 

Rejection of Student Visa

All students wanting to study in Australia have to undergo an assessment under Genuine Temporary Entrant to check whether prospective students are genuinely coming to pursue education or using the visa for other personal purposes. Here is a list of factors studied by the immigration officers of Australia before considering or rejecting the application:-

  • Previous study record and relevance of course applied
  • Previous immigration history
  • The gap between previous studies and the intended study
  • The reason behind choosing the intended course, institutions and Australia for studies
  • Financial background
  • The economic, social and political background of the native country

 

We process:

  • Higher Education Sector
    • 75% of applications in 29 days
    • 90% of applications in 53 days

Your application can take longer processing time if:

  • you do not fill it in correctly
  • you do not include all the documents we need or if any other information is required
  • it takes us time to verify your information

We can’t process your application if you do not pay the correct visa application fee. We will notify you if this is the case.

 

Student visa (Subclass 500)

Visa File Cost: Non-Refundable application fee paid by credit card (AUD 575) Additional Applicant, if:

  • Above 18 (AUD 430)
  • Below 18 (AUD 140)

 

Working Rights

Student visa holders can work for a maximum of 40 hours per fortnight when their course is in session and once it has commenced.

A fortnight means 14 days starting on a Monday.

 

If you are under 18, you must prove you have either:

  • Nominate a student guardian
  • Nominate a parent, legal custodian or relative over 21 as your student guardian. This person must have a visa to stay in Australia for the duration of her student visa or until you turn 18.

Family Visa

The Australian Family migration stream intends to reunite immediate and extended family members with their eligible Australian relatives.

 

Family Spouse Visa

A Family Spouse Visa allows a married partner (opposite or same-sex) to join their spouse in Australia. The sponsor should be Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. This temporary visa is issued for 2 years, after which the relationship will be re-examined. The applicant is issued a permanent visa if it is considered genuine. Upon approval, the applicant is permitted to live, study and work in Australia.

 

Prospective Marriage Visa

Applying for an Australian Prospective Marriage visa allows the applicant to visit Australia to marry their fiancé(e), Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.

It is a temporary visa valid for 9 months. Visa holders should intend to marry their fiance(e) within 9 months. Post-marriage, an applicant can apply for an Australian Spouse visa if they wish to remain in Australia permanently with their spouse.

 

Aged Parent Visa

An Aged Parent visa permits retirement-aged parents to permanently join their children living in Australia. The applicant should have been living in Australia on a valid temporary visa. The sponsor (read children) should be eligible Australian, or New Zealand residents settled in Australia. Male applicants should be at least 65 years of age, while female applicants should be at least 63 years of age. Once approved, they are allowed to live, study and work in Australia,

 

Parent Visa

A very popular migrant visa, Parent Visa, enables parents to join their children in Australia permanently. The child should be an eligible sponsor for the parents. However, applicants must have at least half of their children living legally and permanently in Australia. Upon approval, the applicant is entitled to live, study and work in Australia permanently.

Business Visa

A business visa offers several advantages, including a Work permit visa of up to 4 years and the applicant’s immediate family members listed on the application to live, work and study in Australia with them. We have a team of expert consultants that guide you through processes like process and visa application, eligibility assessment, and ensuring that the visa application is submitted and processed successfully within an appropriate period for you to travel to Australia easily.

With a comprehensive economic policy framework, Australia offers a highly competitive market with a sound, stable and modern infrastructure that is an ideal destination for investment. The two major reasons make Australia a favoured destination for doing business.

 

Business and Investor Migrants

Visas fall into two main categories:

  • Provisional visas are the pathway to permanent residency in Australia
  • Permanent residency visas allow migrants to live and work in Australia

There are several visa options for new businesses and investors:

  • Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) (subclass 188) visa
  • Business Talent (Permanent) (subclass 132) visa

Existing business and investor visa holders may be eligible to apply for one of the following visas:

  • Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) (subclass 888) visa
  • Business Owner (Residence) (subclass 892) visa
  • Investor (Residence) (subclass 893) visa

 

PROVISIONAL VISAS

Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) (subclass 188) visa

The Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) is part of the Business Innovation and Investment Programme.

You must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect and be nominated by a state or territory government or Austrade on behalf of the Australian government before being invited to apply for this visa.

The visa( Subclass 188) includes four streams:

  • Business Innovation stream: for people with business skills who want to establish, develop and manage a new or existing business in Australia. Applicants must be nominated by a state or territory government.
  • Investor stream: for people who want to make a designated investment of at least AUD 1.5 million in an Australian state or territory and maintain business and investment activity in Australia. Applicants must be nominated by a state or territory government.
  • Significant Investor stream: for people willing to invest at least AUD 5 million into complying significant investments in Australia and want to maintain business and investment activity in Australia. Applicants can be nominated by a state or territory government or Austrade on behalf of the Australian government.
  • Premium Investor stream: for people willing to invest at least AUD 15 million into complying premium investments in Australia and want to maintain business and investment activity in Australia. Austrade must nominate applicants on behalf of the Australian government.

Holding this visa is the first stage before becoming eligible to qualify for a Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass 888).

 

Business Innovation stream-Subclass 188

  • A genuine and realistic commitment to be involved as an owner of a new or existing business in Australia.
  • State or territory-sponsored provisional visa with no minimum English requirement.
  • Be less than 55 years of age
  • An overall successful business career.
  • Net business & Personal assets (Net-worth ) of $800,000.
  • A Business turnover of $500,000.
  • 65 points are required for Qualifying.

 

Queensland

In addition to the DIBP criteria, applicants seeking Queensland state nomination must meet the following requirements:

In addition to the DIBP criteria, applicants seeking Queensland state nomination must meet the following requirements:

  • An investment of AUD$500,000 in the proposed business if intending to establish a business in Brisbane or the Gold Coast.
  • An investment of AUD$300,000 in the proposed business if intending to establish a business in other regions of Queensland.
  • Be less than 55 years old.
  • Preference will be given to investment in businesses in the agribusiness, tourism infrastructure, resources, infrastructure and education and training sectors, particularly in regional Queensland.

 

NSW Criteria

In addition to the DIBP criteria, applicants seeking NSW state nomination must meet the following requirements:

  • You must demonstrate that you meet the Commonwealth Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) criteria for the Business Innovation & Investment visa by providing sufficient documentary evidence to prove eligibility.
  • You are aged less than 55 years at the time of application.
  • If you want to migrate to SYDNEY, your business must have an annual turnover (refer to point 2 above) of at least $1.0 million.
  • To migrate to SYDNEY, you must have net personal and business assets (refer to point 3 above) of at least $1.3 million.

You must provide a full resume of your business career and responsibilities demonstrating a successful business career.

You must provide a Business Commitment (see NSW Business Commitment template) for a profitable business in NSW demonstrating sound knowledge of the Australian market, providing details of research activities that you have undertaken and an evaluation on how your proposed business or investment will perform in the NSW context. The ownership share must be at least 51% with a turnover of less than A$400,000 per annum, or 30% of a business with a turnover of more than A$400,000 per annum, or 10% of a publicly-listed company.

Your Business Commitment must include at least $300,000 in business investment if your business will be in REGIONAL NSW. Your Business Commitment must consist of at least $500,000 in business investment if your business is in SYDNEY. Your Business Commitment cannot be in one of the excluded industry sectors3 if your business will be in SYDNEY.

You must provide evidence of the availability of funds for settling and living expenses for at least 1 year.

 

Suppose DIBP has previously refused to grant you a business skills, business employment or Business Innovation & Investment visa or has cancelled such a visa. In that case, NSW may not sponsor you for a provisional visa unless you can show mitigating circumstances.

  1. The ownership share must be at least 51% with a turnover of less than A$400,000 per annum, or 30% of a business with a turnover of more than A$400,000 per annum, or 10% of a publicly-listed company.
  2. Investment in business must be in property, plant & equipment, inventory, or; goodwill (if Purchased).
  3. Excluded sectors include Cafes & Restaurants (ANZSIC H4511); Takeaway Food Services (H4512); Supermarket & Grocery Retail Stores (G4110); Fruit & Vegetable Retailing (G4122); Specialized Food Retailing (G412); Newspaper & Book Retailing (G4244); Clothing Retailing (G4251); Footwear Retailing (G4252); Other Personal Accessory Retailing (G4259); Houseware Retailing (G4213); Manchester & Other Textile Goods Retailing (G4214); Other Electrical & Electronic Goods Retailing (G4229).

 

Victoria

In addition to the DIBP criteria, applicants seeking Victoria state nomination must meet the following requirements:

To be eligible for visa nomination by the state of Victoria, you will need to:

  • Meet the DIBP eligibility requirements for this visa; and
  • Have a genuine commitment to remain in Victoria and to engage in ongoing eligible business activity within 23 months of visa activation; and
  • Agree to transfer no less than A$600,000 net assets (of which A$400,000 will be available for business) to Victoria within 23 months of visa activation.

 

PERMANENT RESIDENCY VISA

Business Talent (Permanent) (subclass 132) visa

There are two streams under visa subclass 132:

  1. Significant business history stream:
  2. Venture capital entrepreneur stream:

 

DIBP Requirements

You can get this visa if you are nominated by a state or territory government agency and are invited to apply by the minister.

 

You must also either:

  • Have net business and personal assets of at least AUD1.5 million and an annual business turnover of at least AUD3 million if you intend to apply for the visa in the Significant Business History stream, or
  • Have obtained at least AUD1 million in venture capital funding to start the commercialization and development of a high-value business idea in Australia if you intend to apply for the visa in the Venture Capital Entrepreneur stream.

 

Note: New South Wales (NSW) is now closed to applications for nomination under the Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP).

NSW has exhausted its allocation of nomination applications this program year.

NSW can only accept emailed applications for the BIIP once the new program year commences 1st July 2020. It includes the:

  •     *Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) and
  •    *Business Talent visa (subclass 132) visas

Travel / Visitor Visa

Australia is a unique and diverse country in every way – culture, population, climate, geography, and history. It has a culture that is as broad and varied as the country’s landscape and has been playing host to several tourists and business people for years. Whether you happen to be a tourist wishing to travel and explore the colours and excitement of Australia or you are a professional wanting to do business in the country, the first step to visiting Australia lies in obtaining a valid visa to enter and spend time in Australia.

 

There are a number of travel visas available for visiting Australia:

  • Australian Short Travel Visa
  • Australian ETA visa
  • E- Visitor
  • ETA Business Visitor

 

Basic Eligibility Criteria:

To be eligible for a tourist visa, the applicant must satisfy the following conditions:

  • Genuine intention to visit
  • Must satisfy health requirements
  • Must satisfy character requirements
  • Demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to support their travel.
  • Applicants who apply for a visa must be outside the country at the time of grant.
  • Applicants in Australia (applying for a visa extension) must be inside the country at the time of grant.

 

Visa Processing Time

Depending on the risk level of the visa application, the processing time for an Australian tourist visa can take anywhere from 1 working day to 1 month.

The basic documents required for an application are:

  • Form 1419 Application for a Visitor Visa – Tourist Visitor Stream
  • Application charge.
  • Notarized copy of all pages of current passport, including the bio data page, alterations page and back page of the passport
  • The application includes two recent passport-sized photographs (45 mm x 35 mm) of each person.
  • These photographs should only be of the head and shoulders against a plain background.
  • Print the name of the person on the back of each photograph
  • Financial Documents
  • Employment Details
  • Health and Character documents

 

Extension

People in Australia who want to apply online to extend their stay for tourism purposes are required to meet all of the following conditions:

  • Hold a substantive visa
  • Not have condition 8503 ‘No further stay’ imposed on your current visa or have been granted an 8503 waiver
  • Meet all the eligibility criteria for this visa.

 

Cancellation or Rejection

Even if your application gets rejected or is cancelled, you always have ways to re-represent your case under Australian migration law. In case of refusal or cancellation, you can try applying again with a different representation of your case or in a different subclass.

Immigration in Australia

Australia Immigration with Immigration Highway
Immigration in Australia with Immigration Highway

Our Most Frequently Asked Questions!! (FAQ)

What is the minimum validity period for applying for an Australian Visa?

Visa TypeValidity Period
Visitors3 , 6 or 12 months
Business VisitorsMinimum 1 year
StudentMinimum 1 year
Temporary WorkMinimum 1 year

What is the procedure for an Australian visa renewal?

The renewal process is pretty simple. All you need to do is connect to the nearest Australian Visa office and appoint an interview. Furnish all the desired documents to support your situation and pay tax at the time of new visa allotment.

What is a point check?

A point check is a transparent and objective method of selecting migrants with skills and attributes needed in Australia. The Ministry of Immigration and Citizenship has scaled the point check to a minimum of 60. The higher the points, the better your chances of getting through the immigration process.

What are the fee charges involved in Australian Immigration process?

The cost of a Visa changes frequently. It may depend on the date of your application receipt. If there is an increase in the immigration fees between the date of your lodging and receipt of the application, you will have to pay the new application fee.

What is the eligibility criteria for Australian visa?

Every visa types have it’s own eligibility criteria. However, generally Australian visas ask for the following:-

  • Age – 50 years or below
  • English – Proficiency in the English language is required. IELTS score may also be required.
  • Occupation – disclose occupation and annual income, if applicable
  • Sponsored – A sponsor letter from an Australian employer/university/consultant/business firm may be required.

How long does it take to process Australian Immigration?

Visa TypeAverage Processing Minimum Time (Approx)
Visitors1 month
Business Visitors1 month
Student5 to 10 weeks
Temporary Work1 month

Who can migrate to Australia?

Anyone who fulfills the requirements of the program can migrate to Australia.

 

Do I have to pass any evaluation?

In order to apply for a visa, you must complete a skill assessment by furnishing specific diplomas/documents honoured by the Australian Immigration Department and pass the English proficiency test. You will also have to undergo police verification and medical tests, which are a part of the Australian Immigration process.