Sign In Sign-Up

Welcome!

Close

Would you like to make this site your homepage? It's fast and easy...

Yes, Please make this my home page!

No Thanks

  Don't show this to me again.

Close

PERMANENT VISAS

· General Skilled Visas

Those eligible for skilled visas must be under 45 years of age and have a skill which is listed in the Australian Government’s “Skilled Occupations List”. A good level of English language proficiency is also required. An applicant is required to have a diploma, degree or trade certificate and some years of recent work experience in their skilled occupation. This type of visa is based on a points system and the applicant is required to reach a certain number of points in order to qualify.

There are two main kinds of General Skilled Visas. 1) An applicant can apply for a skilled independent visa if they reach the qualifying number of points in their own right. 2) A skilled Australian sponsored visa is available for many applicants who are unable to reach the required number of points but who have a close family member in Australia (mother, father, brother sister, uncle or aunt) who is either an Australian permanent resident or citizen. This family member can act as a sponsor for the applicant.

Many students, who have completed an Australian degree, diploma or trade certificate, can apply for a skilled visa immediately after successfully completing their studies without the requirement for work experience. Some of these students can also apply for a temporary visa, allowing them to remain and work in Australia, whilst their permanent resident visa is being processed.

· Family Visas

The family visas are for applicants with family in Australia who are able to sponsor them for a permanent resident visa.
The main visas in this category are spouse, parent, remaining relative and child visas.

· Business Visas

Business visas are for applicants who have had a successful business for at least four years in or outside Australia or who have held a position as a senior executive in a large corporation or are able to invest a certain amount of money in Australia.

These types of visas also follow a points system which is very different from the points system used for the skilled visas. The business visa points system focuses mainly on the business e.g. turnover, labour costs, net worth etc.
  
· Refugee and Humanitarian Visas

These types of visas are available for people who are persecuted in their home countries, for example politically or religiously, and who meet ‘refugee’ criteria.

Last modified on Sunday, 31 August 2003