If you’re looking to move to Australia permanently, you’ll may need to go through the process of becoming a permanent residency. Though it may seem complicated, it can be a straightforward process with the right resources.
In this article, we will walk you through everything you need to know about getting permanent residency in Australia. We’ll discuss the different types of visas available, their eligibility requirements, and what to expect after you’ve been granted residency.
Let’s get started!
What is permanent residency?
Permanent residency is a status granted to people who are not Australian citizens, but who are allowed to live and work in Australia indefinitely. The status is valid for five years.
Permanent residents are given most of the same rights and privileges as Australian citizens, including access to free healthcare and education.
You can apply for permanent residency through several different visa programs. The most common are skilled independent visas, family reunion visas, and business or investment visas.
What can I do as a permanent resident?
As a permanent resident, you are free to live and work anywhere in Australia. You can also study and access most social security benefits, and can sponsor eligible family members to come and live in Australia.
However, there are some rights and privileges that permanent residents do not have. For example, you cannot vote in Australian elections or hold certain government jobs.
You also don’t have an automatic right of entry into Australia and may need a visa to travel overseas.
Easily become an Australian citizen through permanent residency.
Permanent residents who have lived in Australia for at least four years can apply for Australian citizenship. Once you become a citizen, you will have all the rights and privileges of any other Australian citizen.
If you’re interested in becoming an Australian citizen, the first step is to make sure you meet the basic eligibility requirements.
You must be over 18 years of age, satisfy the residency requirements, and have good character.
You will also need to pass a citizenship test, which covers topics like Australian history, values, national symbols, and culture.
Once you’ve met all the requirements and passed the test, you can apply for citizenship by filling out an application form.
How can I prepare to become a permanent resident?
There are a few things you can do to make the process of becoming a permanent resident go as smoothly as possible.
First, make sure you meet all of the health requirements. These include having a medical examination (X-ray, tuberculosis test, etc.), as well as being vaccinated for certain diseases.
Second, make sure you meet the character requirements. This includes things like having a clean criminal record and being of good moral character.
To do this, you will need to provide a background check or criminal history from any country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years, as well as get a letter of reference from an employer who can attest to your good character.
Finally, you will need to have functional English language proficiency. This means being able to speak, read, listen, and write in English at a level that is sufficient for everyday life in Australia.
To prove your language proficiency, you will need to score at least 4.5 bands in IELTS, 32 bands in TOFEL iBT, 30 bands in PTE, or 147 bands on CAE language test.
These are just basic requirements, but additional requirements may apply depending on your occupation and visa categories.
If you can meet all of the requirements, you’re already on your way to becoming a permanent resident of Australia!
How can I obtain permanent residency status in Australia?
Here are the most common ways to obtain permanent residency status in Australia:
Work-stream permanent residency visas
There are 43 options available for work-stream permanent residency, each with its own set of requirements.
You can take a short survey to determine which route is best for your circumstances. Different visa options have different requirements, so it is important to choose the right one for your situation.
For example, if you choose the ”skilled/highly specialized work” category, you’ll find four options:
- Skilled Independent visa: This visa is for skilled workers who have been invited to apply for permanent residency. They must score at least 65 on the points test to be eligible for this visa.
- Skilled Regional visa: To apply for this visa, you must have been living and working in a specified regional area of Australia for at least 12 months.
- Distinguished Talent visa: This is for people with ‘world-class’ talent or ‘exceptional’ talent in the fields of science, research, sport, the arts, or business.
- Global Talent visa: This is a new fast-track visa for highly skilled and talented workers to come to Australia to work in areas of specific need. To be eligible for this visa, your nominator must have a national reputation in your area and be an Australian Permanent Resident, Australian citizen, or an Australian organization.
Family-stream permanent residency visas
There are also permanent residency visas available for people who have family members already living in Australia. The requirements and eligibility criteria vary depending on the specific visa category, but generally speaking, you will need to be sponsored by a close relative who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
There are also 37 different permanent residency options available for family-stream migrants. You can take a short survey to determine which route is best for your circumstances.
For example, if you choose the ”Join my partner/spouse” category, there are two routes to take depending on your relationship status:
- Prospective Marriage visa: This is a temporary visa (stay in Australia for 9 and 15 months) for people who want to come to Australia to marry their fiancé.
To apply for this visa, you must be aged 18 years or over and be sponsored by an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- Partner visa: This is a permanent visa for people who are in a relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
This program allows you to stay temporarily in Australia while your application is processed. If your application is successful, you will be granted a permanent Partner (Migrant) visa.
There are many other family-stream visa options available such as Carer visa, Parent visa, Partner visa, and Remaining relative visa. Different visas have different requirements and eligibility criteria, so it is important to choose the right one for your situation.
You can use the Department of Home Affairs Immigration Wizard tool to help you find the right visa for your circumstances. You can also contact a registered migration agent for professional advice on which visa is best for you.
Express Entry PR can help you with all aspects of your visa application, from start to finish including paperwork, answering questions, and providing guidance and support throughout the process.
Visit our website to learn more about our services and how we can help you.
Business or investment-stream permanent residency visas
There are also permanent residency visas available for people who want to live in Australia for business or investment purposes. The requirements and eligibility criteria vary depending on the specific visa category, but generally speaking, you will need to own or invest in a successful business that would flourish in Australia.
There are five main types of business or investment-stream permanent residency visas:
- Business Innovation Stream: This visa is for people who want to establish or develop a business in Australia. To be eligible, you must be nominated by a state or territory and show an ongoing business involvement in Australia.
- Investor Stream: This visa is for people who want to make a designated investment in an Australian state or territory and live in Australia as a business owner or investor. To be eligible, you must be nominated by a state or territory government and hold a designated investment of AUD$1.5 million for at least four years.
- Significant Investor Stream: This stream is designed to attract high-net-worth individuals who have held a complying investment of at least AUD5 million for four years.
- Premium Investor Stream: To be eligible for the PIS, applicants must hold a complying investment for at least AUD 15 million for at least 12 months.
- Entrepreneur stream: The entrepreneur stream is for people who have been nominated by a state or territory government and want to establish, develop, and commercialize an innovative idea in Australia.
To be eligible, you must have lived in Australia for at least two years before applying and have held a provisional visa during that time.
These are just a few ways to obtain permanent residency in Australia, though there are dozens of other streams that you may explore. If you are unsure about which visa is best for you, visit Express Entry PR today and we can help you figure it out.
These processes can take time, Express Entry can help!
Whichever pathway you choose, be sure to visit Express Entry PR website for advice and assistance with your application.
We can guide you step-by-step on how to start the next chapter of your life in Australia and can offer a wealth of other information that will be helpful if you’re considering making the move to the land down under. So head over to our website and get started today!