We’ll guide you through the eligibility criteria, application steps, and tips for obtaining an Australian PR Visa from India. Australia is an ideal place for Indians who seek to stay abroad. Its standard of living is high and job prospects are diversified along with some of the finest health care and education. Among all the popular routes to Australia, one that is always in demand is Australian Permanent Residency (PR) Visa. With an PR Visa, you can live, work, and study anywhere in Australia indefinitely, and it brings you one step closer to obtaining Australian citizenship.
What is an Australian PR Visa?
An Australian PR visa allows its holder to stay in Australia for an unlimited period of time since the rights and privileges shared between the citizens of that country are enjoyed by most with it. The PR Visa holders can sponsor relatives and make them come to Australia. They can enroll their dependents in Medicare; the healthcare program in Australia and also apply for Australian citizenship upon time.
The PR visa is usually granted for five years, and you may then renew it or apply for citizenship. There are three pathways for an Australian PR: Skilled Migration, Family Sponsorship, and Business or Investment Migration.
Skilled Migration is the most popular pathway, which is designed to target those with particular skills needed in Australia’s labor market. Skilled migration visas are issued through a points-based system; that is, the applicant will be assessed by such factors as age, education, work experience, and English language skills, among other qualifications.
Key Eligibility Requirements for an Australian PR Visa
To be eligible for the PR Visa, you need to find out if your profile suits the requirements of a particular visa subclass. Listed below are key requirements.
- Age: You have to be under 45 years at the time of submitting your application. The younger you are, the higher points you score under the points-based visa.
- Skill Assessment: Your skills should be in demand in Australia. For each occupation, there is an assigned assessment body. To apply, you would require a positive skill assessment by the relevant body for your occupation. For example, engineers would require a skills assessment from Engineers Australia.
- English Language Proficiency: You will be required to show your English proficiency through exams like IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL. Higher points mean you score and your chances of getting the Australian PR are boosted upwards.
- Work Experience: Having more relevant experience in the employment area for which you seek the PR Visa makes you qualify for many more points. The years the more in occupation, the easier it will be for you to get eligible for this PR Visa.
- Health and Character Requirements: Applicants must meet specific health and character requirements. You will be required to undergo a health examination and obtain a police clearance certificate from your country of origin as proof that you have a good character and meet Australian standards.
- Points Requirement: Most experienced migration visas demand that you score at least 65 points in the Australian PR points test. The more points, however, the better your prospect for getting an invitation to apply for the Australian PR.
Step-by-Step Procedure to Obtain an Australian PR
The process of getting an Australian PR from India is simple but needs careful attention to details. Here is the step-to-step process:
Step 1: Select the Appropriate Visa Subclass
Australia has various visa subclasses under the Skilled Migration category, namely:
- Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189: This is a points-based visa that does not need sponsorship by a state, territory, or family member.
- Skilled Nominated Visa Subclass 190: This is a points-based visa that requires nomination by an Australian state or territory.
- Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional Visa: It allows the skilled workforce to live and work in regional Australia.
One needs to select the right subclass so that their PR Visa application goes successful.
Step 2: Points Test
Calculate your points from age, education, language proficiency in English, and work experience. The more extensive your score is, the more possibilities you have of getting an invitation to apply for a PR Visa of Australia. You can find a points calculator that can be located on the website to get an estimate of your score.
Step 3: Get Your Skill Assessment
The relevant authority that is concerned with giving you a positive skill assessment would assess your skills. For example, for an accountant, this could be CPA Australia or CAANZ. A successful skill assessment is one of the preconditions of an Australian PR.
Step 4: EOI submission
Once you have all the relevant documents and done your calculation, you can apply through SkillSelect, an online portal with an Expression of Interest or EOI. It is one of the key stages in an Australian PR Visa process, for it would be an avenue where the Australian government would measure your intent to migrate to the country.
Step 5: Wait for Invitation to Apply
In case your EOI has the minimum qualifying points and you have an in-demand occupation, then you can get ITA for the Australian PR. After receiving the ITA, you would be able to submit your PR Visa application in 60 days.
Step 6: Gather Required Documents and Apply
Once you receive the ITA, prepare all documents required for your application, which include your skill assessment, English test results, identity documents, police clearance, and health certificates.
Step 7: Wait for Visa Approval
For processing an PR visa, it would take somewhere between 6 to 12 months on average. But other documents or interviews would also be asked from you, and when your visa is granted, then you are given the notice and become free to settle or work in Australia permanently.
Tips for a Successful Application of an Australian PR Visa
- High Points Score: One needs to score the highest points in each of the fields. For example, he/she can gain substantial points on the basis of their language proficiency in English.
- Right Occupation: The occupation selected by the applicant must fall under the Skilled Occupation List and must also be accessible under the nominated occupation list for the Australian PR Visa subclass under which one is applying.
- Prepare all Documents: The documents should be valid and updated, especially when one sends a final application after getting an ITA. This saves time and has more chances of getting one’s application approved.
Applying for an Australian PR from India is a serious commitment that requires proper preparation. With all eligibility requirements satisfied, a high score in the points test, and following each step with utmost care, the chances of successfully getting an Australian PR would increase. The Australian PR visa offers a great opportunity for a new career path, a good quality of life, and even becoming an Australian citizen. So, get ready to take this dream-changing step by planning from now and making your own dream come true about migration to Australia!