Immigrate to Australia: Visa Types, Eligibility Criteria, Application Process

Australia immigration is expected to surge from 395,000 in 2022 to over 400,000 in 2023. Immigration to Australia is open for foreigners with various types of visa, namely Australia student visa, Short-stay work visa, Business visa and Skilled person visa among others. In the 2023-24 permanent migration program, 30,375 places are reserved for skilled independent visas in Australia. If you are looking to move to Australia, check out the following types of visa available for students.

Immigrate to Australia: Visa Types

Graduate or Student Visa: Australia student visas are of 2 types, Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485 and Student Visa Subclass 500. Students interested in experiencing Australia's high standard of education can submit a student visa application (500). Student visa requirements depend on the institution of higher learning and the applicant's citizenship.

Short-Stay Work Visas: A specialist work visa (400) can be issued to individuals who possess highly specialized skills that are difficult to come by in Australia and who are required to carry out highly specialized work in Australia for a brief period of time, typically in order to fulfill a contract between an international supplier and an Australian company.

Business Visa: Subject to achieving specific residency, investment, or business turnover conditions, the Business Innovation and Investment Programme visas provide a direct track to permanent residence after three years. For five years, the first visa will remain valid.

Skilled Person Visa: You can apply for a skilled visa using the points system if you have a talent and wish to live and work in Australia.

Need assistance with choosing an Australian visa type? Check out the following video on the different types of visa in Australia:

Process of Immigration to Australia from India

The requirements for Indian candidates wishing to immigrate to Australia are:

• Score: a score of at least 65 on the Points Grid.
• Age: Below 45 years.
• English Language Proficiency: IELTS, PTE or equivalent exam scores (Varies by level).

• Assessment of Skills: Australia's accredited agencies assess skills.
• Occupation: Occupation ought to be on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupations List (PMSOL) or Australia's Skilled Occupations List.

Australia Immigration Application Steps

To apply for permanent residency in Australia, there are numerous steps to be followed by the interested candidate. The steps are as follows:

• Step 1: Check your eligibility. Finding a suitable skilled immigration programme and confirming that you match the requirements listed under the particular programme type are the first steps in preparing your application. There are many sorts of PR visas that allow people to move permanently to Australia, including business, professional, and family sponsorship visas. For the best chance of avoiding visa refusal, choose your visa type carefully. 
• Step 2: Check your English language proficiency. In the absence of successful English language test results, your PR application is void. In Australia, the three most common exams to demonstrate English language proficiency are IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE. In order to apply for a PR visa to immigrate to Australia, a person must have the minimum required band score or points.
• Step 3: The following and most important stage is to have Australian Immigration approve your credentials and professional experience. A recognized organization called Skill Select evaluates your academic credentials to ensure that they are equivalent to those in Australia. Your Skillset must be included in your EOI (Expression of Interest) in order for your application to be accepted.
• Step 4: Registering your EOI is one of the essential procedures in applying for an Australia PR visa. It represents your desire to work and live in Australia and support the local economy by offering your priceless talents.
• Step 5: Your likelihood of receiving an Australian PR rises when your application receives an invitation to apply (ITA), which is given to applicants with higher EOIs.
• Step 6: Once you've accepted the invitation, you must submit an online visa application. After receiving an ITA, you will have 60 days to gather your paperwork and submit a residence application. When submitting your application, be careful to provide exact information.
  After reviewing your application for processing, the immigration authorities will give you a notification confirming receipt of your visa application. During this period, all you need to do is wait patiently for the result. Australian Immigration will then decide whether to approve or reject your application. If your application is approved, you'll receive a permanent resident visa for Australia.
• Step 7: Without supplementary documents proving your fitness and eligibility to be an Australian Permanent Resident, such as a police clearance certificate or a medical certificate, your application will be considered incomplete.

Immigrate to Australia with Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189)

The Skilled Independent visa, also known as Visa Subclass 189, is a type of visa intended to entice invited individuals with certain skills that the larger Australian society needs. You will be able to live, work, and study permanently anywhere in Australia if you meet the conditions.

If the Skilled Independent subclass 189 visa is approved, you may sponsor your family members' entry and exit from Australia for a period of five years. A subclass 189 visa currently costs AUD 4,240. There are extra costs for each family member included on the application, and this cost only covers the primary applicant. The Home Affairs website has a Visa Pricing Estimator that you may use. A family member above the age of 18 will currently pay AUD 2,020, while a child under the age of 18 will pay AUD 1,015. 

Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) Processing Time

25% of applications: 3 Months
50% of applications: 5 Months
75% of applications: 5 Months
90% of applications: 5 Months

Immigrate to Australia with Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190)

For professionals who desire to live and work in Australia, Visa Subclass 190, generally known as the Skilled Nominated Visa, is available. It is a perpetual visa that entitles you to indefinite residency in Australia.

The primary visa applicant is required to:

• Possess a job listed on the relevant skills list
• Possess an appropriate skills evaluation for the job in question
• Be invited to apply for the visa
• Comply with a points test

A specific cost structure is linked to the Skilled Nominated Visa starts from AUD4,240.00 

Immigrate to Australia with Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 489)

A skilled regional visa (subclass 489) permits holders to reside in a certain regional area. This visa, also known as the Extended stay route, enables you to extend your current visa by an additional four years and stay in Australia. Subclass 489 is a temporary and extended visa that has four years added to the commencement date of a subclass 475, 487, 495, or 496 visa. 

Successful candidates are permitted to live, work, and study in designated regional areas around the country during this 4-year term. This visa stream is advantageous to both qualified immigrants and Australian communities since certain skilled occupations are in high demand throughout rural Australia.

Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 489) Processing Time

25% of applications: 42 Months
50% of applications: 45 Months
75% of applications: 49 Months
90% of applications: 53 Months

Australian PR Application Points Table

Expression of Interest (EOI)

Australia's online application process is called SkillSelect. It is designed for business and skilled migrants. This mechanism is available to everyone who wishes to apply for a skilled visa in Australia.

A skilled worker or business person from abroad who wishes to immigrate to Australia should submit an expression of interest (EOI) through SkillSelect. For Australia's skilled migration stream, the candidate must submit an Expression of Interest via SkillSelect. It is an application for pre-visa information to the Australian government and authorities. 

Invitation to Apply

You will receive an invitation from SkillSelect. The invitation expires if you don't apply for a visa within 60 days after that.

Australia Migration Program Planning Levels

The Permanent Migration Program will assist in the following while Australia is creating a local pipeline of highly qualified workers:

• Develop resiliency
• Increase productivity and 
• Aid in the net-zero emissions transformation of our economy.

The permanent migration program for 2023–24 acknowledges the significant contribution that all migrants contribute to societal cohesiveness. It focuses on enhancing ties among Australian families and communities.