What: Partner visas are available for partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents and eligible New Zealand citizens. If you are in a genuine, exclusive relationship with an Australian, you may be eligible for a Partner visa.
How: Visa applications are made up of a two-stage process; temporary (provisional) and permanent. Most applicants are eligible for permanent residence 2 years after lodging their application, provided that their relationship is ongoing. Couples can be married or in a de-facto relationship. Same-sex and heterosexual couples are treated equally under Australian migration law.
Relationships are assessed carefully with relevant factors including; your living arrangements, how finances are shared, how your relationship is viewed by the public and other factors. In addition to the this, visa applicants are required to be of good character and pass a health examination. Australian partners are also required to submit a separate sponsorship application.
Processing times for Partner visas can be long, and is dependent on if the application is lodged inside our outside of Australia.
There are three (3) Partner visas available:
Subclass 820/801 Partner visa – if you are in a genuine relationship with your spouse or de facto partner and reside in Australia, then you can apply for this visa. A bridging visa is granted if your current visa is due to expire, and full work rights are granted. You are also have access to Medicare upon application
Subclass 309/100 Partner (Provisional) visa – if you are in a genuine relationship with your spouse or de facto partner and are overseas, then you can apply for this visa.
Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage visa – for couples who intend to get married in Australia. Applying from outside Australia, holders are required to marry within 9 months of entering Australia. Following the marriage onshore Partner visa applications (subclass 820/801) is lodged
What: The Skilled Migration Program is designed to attract migrants who make a significant contribution to the Australian economy. Covering a wide range of positions, areas and regions. The main benefit of GSM visas is that visa holders are free to pursue employment without depending on a Sponsor.
Why: The Skilled Migration Program is designed to fill positions where no Australian workers are available. Skilled migrants have very high participation rates in the workforce, helping to stimulate economic growth, which results in more jobs. The Skilled stream also plays an important role in regional development through providing skills and labour which can’t be sourced locally, as well as encouraging investment and promoting local spending in regional areas.
How: The first steps in applying for Skilled visas involve selecting the most suitable occupation for you, undertaking a Skills Assessment, sitting an English exam and gathering evidence of work experience and academic qualifications.
It must be important to point out that skilled visas can only be applied for with an invitation from the Department of Home Affairs. Via a system called Skill Select, candidates submit Expressions of Interest (EOI). Candidates are rated through a point-based system with points being awarded for factors such as age, English skills, work experience, qualifications and other reasons.
A minimum score of 65 points is necessary for an EOI to be considered. However, due to the limited number of visas (or invitations) available each year, a higher score is often required to secure an invitation to apply for a Skilled visa. Candidates are given 60 days to lodge a visa application following the invitation.
General Skilled Migration visas are:
(Subclass 189) Skilled independent visa: The most sough alter visa subclass, granting permanent residency immediately it also allows holders to full rights to live and work in Australia. A sought after and competitive visa, highest Points Score are required to receive an invitation. Not limited to one region or area, you can apply for invitation from within or outside of Australia.
(Subclass 190) Skilled Nominated visa– A permanent visa requiring Nomination by an Australian State or Territory. In addition, you will need to meet each State or Territories own eligibility criteria to be invited. An example of eligibility criteria are living and working in the State or Territory you intend on applying to.
(Subclass 491) Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa – A temporary 5-year visa with a path to permanent residency after three (3) years of holding the visa. Requiring nomination by an Australian State or Territory, or an eligible Australian relative. Visa holders are required to live and work in Regional Australia for the temporary visa and for two (2) years while holding the permanent visa.
What: If you find yourself seeking professional development then a Training Visa (subclass 407) could be an option. Available in a wide range of occupations, including Engineers, Health professionals, Scientists and Cooks, the lower skills requirement makes the Training Visa an option for those not eligible for a sponsored or skilled visa. The purpose of your training could be professional registration, enhancing skills or obtaining expertise to be utilised in your home country
How: The visa can be up granted for up to 2 years in length and is subject to your training needs. A two stage process requiring visa and nomination applications are necessary. A range of requirements apply to training providers, including an approved Temporary Activities Sponsorship and the process relies on being nominated but your employer.
A detailed and specific structured training program is typically required detailing the applicant’s needs. Acceptable training includes hands-on, employment based and classroom training. The purpose of your training could be professional registration, enhancing skills or obtaining expertise to be utilised in your home country.What
What: If your child is a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, you may be eligible for a Parent visa. There exist varous options and they’re dependent on age, overall cost and processing time amongst others. They may also be classified on the basis of non-contributory and contributory., as well as being temporary or permanent visas upon grant.
Most Parent visas are subject to the Balance of Family test and the Australian child is required to lodge a separate Parent Sponsorship application.
What to consider when applying:
Eligibility Criteria – To be eligible for most parent visa, you must pass the Balance of Family test and meet age requirements. The Balance of Family test considers the number of settled Australian and non-Australian children in the family.
Fees – visa application fees will vary significantly amongst the different visas. More affordable and you face extended processing times, on the other hand, Contributory Parent visas such as the subclass 143 visa, offer shorter processing times for a high fee.
Work Rights and Access to Social Benefits – carefully consider what are the parent’s needs. Some parent visas give holders access to Medicare and permission to work, while others will not.
There are a range of other visas which we have not covered in detail. Please contact us to see if we can assist you with any questions you might have. Below are few more we can assist with:
(Subclass 461) New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa – this visa is for a person who is not a New Zealand citizen but is a member of a family unit of a New Zealand citizen. This includes de facto partners or spouses of New Zealand citizens. It lets you live and work in Australia for five years.
Subclasses 155 and 157 Resident Return visa – If you are an Australian permanent resident, this visa allows you to enter and leave for up to 5 years
Subclass 188 Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa – This visa allows you to own and manage a business in Australia, conduct business and investment activity in Australia or undertake an entrepreneurial activity in Australia
Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa – if you have completed two (2) years of study within Australia, which must have either an eligible vocational course or a University study, then you may be elgibile for a temporary visa which is elgiible for 18 months to 4 years
Subclass 500 Student visa – if you plan on studying or are looking for a pathway to residency, a student visa may be your option. Eligible for up to 4 years, this visa allows you to also work in addition to study.
