AUSTRALIAN IMMIGRATION

 Immigrating to Australia

Australia is another destination where several people from the Indian subcontinent have started to immigrate to.

Guide to Australian Immigration – Information on Australian Visas

Types of Visas for traveling to Australia:

√ Visitor Visa √ Work Visa √ Business Visa
√ Student Visa √ Family Visa √ Retirement Visa

Visitor Visa for Australia

 

Those of you wishing to travel to Australia for tourism or business need a valid entry permit or a travel visa to enter Australia.

Applications for a short time tourist visa can be made online for a valid entry permit from Electronic Travel Authority using the online Australian government website. Online applications for tourist visas for Australia are accepted from citizens of the following countries:

Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Republic of San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, USA, Vatican City State.

Citizens of other countries need to file paper applications by filling the required visa application forms. Short travel visa application guide and forms should be obtained from the Australian consulates in your country of residence.

Australian work visas - How to apply guidelines and information

Work Visa for AustraliaAustralia

Australia allows its employers to seek Temporary or Permanent visas to sponsor skilled workers from overseas.

The Temporary visa is the most common one and allows holders to live and work in Australia for a period of three to four years. This is also a step to get a permanent visa at a later stage.

Qualify for a skilled worker visa to Australia: There are several Australian immigration companies that offer an assessment online, for those people wondering if their skills will meet the requirement for a skilled worker visa applicant for Australia.

This online test takes about two or three minutes and gives you an idea of the points you would score based on some answers you provide. This is a free service provided by some consultants specializing in Australian immigration.

A brief description of the method for getting a residence visa for Australia is that applicants first need to get their skills assessed by the an assessment agency in Australia. Once a favorable assessment of your skills is received applicants can submit an application with the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Australia. The next step is to get a police clearance and finally a health examination before being issued with residence visas.

There are several types of work visas issued by Australia.

Types of work visas issued by Australia

 

SKILLED INDEPENDENT VISA: This type of visa is for those individuals who have skills that are of a category that are required in Australia and are not readily available. If you have a unique skill that will help the Australian economy then you may qualify under this type of visa without relying on sponsorship from family members who may be already living in Australia.

To qualify under this category, in addition to your unique skills you must meet specified age requirements, have sufficient command of the English language as well as work experience in your field.

The pass mark you should be able to obtain is presently 120 points. Many immigration consultants provide free assessments for skilled applicants online and can guide you whether you qualify under the skilled visa category and can get the required 120 points.

SKILLED SPONSORED VISA: This category requires fewer points than the Skilled Independent Visa and is for those applicants who already have a family member in Australia willing to sponsor them.

The family member must be in a permanent resident or an Australian citizen.

EMPLOYER NOMINATION SCHEME: Australian employers can hire skilled workers from aboard if they are unable to find suitable talent in Australia for their business requirements. In short, if you have special skills and an Australian employer wants to hire you then this class of visa would be the route to take.

Employers wishing to bring staff from overseas have to seek approval as a business sponsor. A business will be approved for a specified number of temporary business entrants over a 2 year period.

The approval procedure requires that Employers nominate each of the positions they wish to fill with a temporary resident. The nomination must relate to an occupation which meets a minimum skills threshold. The nominated position must also be paid a minimum salary level, specified in a Gazette Notice for this Visa.

Those interested in settling in Australia should check out the advertised jobs for Australia and directly approach employers by submitting resumes.

Many immigration advisors who operate from Australia may be able to help skilled workers contact suitable employers for the applicants field of work.

Another method would be to contact employment agencies located in Australia.
(This website does not endorse any particular consultant or advisor so shop around and select someone you are comfortable with.)


WORKING HOLIDAY VISA FOR AUSTRALIA

This type of visa is for people who are between 18 and 30 years of age. This visa opportunity can only be used once by applicants. This is NOT a work visa but a type of tourist visa that allows such visa holders to work to supplement their holiday in Australia.

This type of visa is valid for up to 12 months from the date of entry and is a multiple entry visa that allows you to leave and return to Australia during the validity of the visa.

Countries eligible for this type of working holiday visa:

If you are from Belgium, Canada, Republic of Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan and United Kingdom you may be eligible to apply for a Working Holiday visa

Currently, the Work and Holiday visa arrangement is also available for people from Chile, Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey and the United States of America.

Bangladesh Citizens - Good News!

Australia has signed a Work and Holiday visa arrangement with Bangladesh. This arrangement is not yet in effect, therefore, people from Bangladesh cannot apply for this visa at present.

In the near future the commencement of this arrangement will be announced by the Australian government. Keep an eye on news reports when Bangladesh citizens can begin applying for Australian working holiday visas.

Indonesia Citizens

Indonesian citizens may also in the near future be able to apply for Australian work visas. While still not in place the Australian government is reported to be signing an arrangement with Indonesia.

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Business Visa for Australia

If you already run a business and want to start a business in Australia then this type of visa, known as the business owner visa is for you. Even if you are just a part owner of a business at present you may be able to qualify. Applicants must be under 45 years of age and be able to have knowledge of the English language and have sufficient funds to finance their business in Australia.

 


Along with the required forms filled by visa applicants for an Australian business visa, a detailed business proposal plan should also be submitted so as to show the authorities that the applicant is capable and committed to establishing his business in Australia. It may be advisable to contact migration consultants in Australia for help in filling for business visas.

Family members of business visa applicants are also permitted to accompany business visa holders. Initially the business visa is issued for a four year period. Business visa holders may qualify for permanent residence in Australia after two years.

Investor Visa for Australia

Where there is money, there is always a way. The main motive of providing investor visas is job creation in host countries. If you have the capability to invest 1,500,000 Australian dollars, then the investor visa may be available to you. Applicants should not be more than 45 years of age and have workable knowledge of the English language. A successful business background also helps.

Retirement Visa for Australia

While almost all Australian visas stipulate applicants must not be over 45 years of age. There are some exceptions that allow applicants who are between 45 and 55 years to qualify for special visas provided they accept certain conditions, like moving to certain areas etc. For applicants over 55 years of age, the Australian retirement visa is the only choice. The catch being that such persons must have significant assets to invest in Australia. Initially Investor retiring visas are issued for four years and can be renewed as long as you meet the Australian government’s criteria.

Applicants for Investor Retirement Visa must be over 55 years of age and should not have any dependants other than their spouse.

Student Visas for Australia

To qualify for a student visa, you must be enrolled in a registered course in a recognized educational facility. Applicants should have workable knowledge English as well as sufficient funds to finance their stay and studies for the duration of their course. Student visa applicants also need to arrange for health care insurance coverage.

Student visa holders may work 20 hours a week part time during their study term and full time during their vacation periods. Student visa holders planning to work abroad, please our student visa and work page

After graduating student visa holders may be able to apply and get permanent residence visas.

Family Class Visa for Australia

Under this category, Spouses, Fiancé (e) s, Aged Parents or remaining relatives where a majority of family members are already settled in Australia, are issued visas.

Parent visas are controlled by some sort of quota system where only a certain number of visas under this category are issued every year. Family class visas apply only to those applicants who have family members already settled in Australia as permanent residents or citizens of Australia.

Australia to establish migrant assessment centre in India

The Australian government is all set to ease out the evaluation of the skilled migrant workers by setting up assessments centers in India and other countries.

Electricians, cable jointers, power line persons, plumbers, motor mechanics, refrigerator and air conditioner mechanics, carpenters, joiners and bricklayers from India, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Britain and the Philippines will benefit from the service.

Australian Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Joe Hockey on June 26, 2007 said, "The new service means more certainty for migrants and employers. It comes as a result of extensive consultation with industry and state and territory governments."

Applications from prospective migrants will be accepted from Sep 1, 2007.

"During the second half of this year all prospective migrants with trade skills will be tested to agreed Australian standards before migrating," said Kevin Andrews, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship.

"The new service will include an assessment of qualifications, skills and licensing requirements to make it easier for skilled migrants to work immediately upon arrival in Australia. This will also assist in meeting industry demands," Andrews said.

Australia's skilled migration program is designed to attract young, highly skilled people, with a high level of English language skills.

Currently, people applying as skilled migrants have to send their paperwork, including details of their training and qualifications to Australia for assessment. Under the new system, these assessments will be carried out in their home country.

In recent years, skilled labor shortages, especially in the resources and construction sectors, have been a significant constraint on the Australian economy.

Skilled migrants have filled about a third of the 460,000 jobs created over the past two years. On average, the addition of a migrant to the workforce creates one additional job.
The Australian migration program is point-tested with a strong focus on attracting skilled people and those who agree to live in regional areas. The number of Indian migrants jumped to 11,286 in 2005-2006; from 3,700 in 1995-96.

People applying for skilled migration qualify for 15 extra points if their nominated occupation is on the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) at the time when their application is assessed. The MODL includes managers and administrators, professionals in the fields of building and engineering, accountants, medical and nursing, hospitality, textile, clothing and hairdressing.

For complete details on immigrating to Australia visit the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship website.