Why Apply for Permanent Resident (PR) in Australia?
Author : Irish Expert | Published On : 29 Apr 2024
Applying for Permanent Residency (PR) in Australia offers a multitude of compelling reasons. PR in Australia grants individuals the invaluable opportunity to establish roots in a country known for its high quality of life, diverse opportunities, and welcoming environment.
One of the primary motivations for pursuing PR in Australia is the abundance of employment opportunities across various industries. Australia’s thriving economy and strong job market provide PR holders with access to a wide array of career prospects, enabling them to pursue their professional aspirations without the constraints often associated with temporary visas.
Beyond employment, PR in Australia also ensures access to world-class healthcare and education systems. PR holders benefit from Australia’s universal healthcare scheme, Medicare, which provides affordable medical services and prescription medications. Additionally, Australia boasts prestigious universities and educational institutions, offering PR holders and their families access to quality education and lifelong learning opportunities.
Another compelling reason to apply for PR in Australia is the country’s commitment to fostering multiculturalism and diversity. With a rich tapestry of cultures, languages, and traditions, Australia celebrates its multicultural identity, providing an inclusive environment where individuals from diverse backgrounds can thrive and contribute to society.
Moreover, PR in Australia serves as a pathway to citizenship, offering PR holders the opportunity to become Australian citizens after meeting residency requirements. Australian citizenship grants individuals full participation in civic life, including the right to vote, run for public office, and access consular assistance when travelling abroad.
Additionally, PR in Australia affords individuals and their families the peace of mind that comes with stability and security. Australia is renowned for its political stability, safety, and well-developed infrastructure, making it an attractive destination for those seeking a safe and prosperous environment to call home.
The decision to apply for PR in Australia is driven by a combination of factors, including employment opportunities, access to healthcare and education, cultural diversity, the pathway to citizenship, and the promise of stability and security. By obtaining PR in Australia, individuals open doors to a brighter future filled with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Process for PR in Australia
The process for obtaining PR in Australia typically involves several steps:
- Eligibility Assessment: For an Australia PR from India, assess if you meet criteria like occupation, age, English proficiency, education, and work experience. Verify eligibility for your visa subclass before applying.
- Choose the Right Visa Category: Australia offers various visa subclasses for PR, such as skilled migration visas, family visas, business visas, and humanitarian visas. Choose the visa subclass that best fits your circumstances and goals.
- Submit Expression of Interest (EOI): To secure Australia PR from India, submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through Skill Select online. Detail your skills, work experience, and other pertinent information for visas like subclass 189 or subclass 190.
- Receive an Invitation to Apply: If you meet the criteria and are selected from the pool of candidates, you will receive an invitation to apply for the PR visa. This invitation is based on factors such as your occupation, points score, and other eligibility criteria.
- Submit PR Visa Application: To apply for Australia PR from India, gather supporting documents showcasing skills, work experience, English proficiency, health, and character. Upon receiving an invitation, proceed with your visa application.
- Medical and Police Checks: Application for an Australia PR from India, medical exams and police clearance certificates are required. Ensure you and any included family members meet Australia’s health requirements and provide clearances from countries lived in.
- Wait for a Visa Decision: After submitting your application, you will need to wait for a decision from the Department of Home Affairs. Processing times can vary depending on factors such as the visa subclass, the completeness of your application, and the volume of applications being processed.
- Visa Grant: If your application is successful, you will be granted a permanent residency visa for Australia. This allows you and your eligible family members to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely.
- Initial Entry: Once your visa is granted, you will typically have a specified period (usually around one year) to make your initial entry into Australia. This activates your PR status.
- Compliance with Visa Conditions: After obtaining PR, you must comply with the conditions of your visa, including residing in Australia for a certain period, to maintain your PR status and eventually become eligible for citizenship.
It’s essential to carefully follow all instructions and meet all requirements throughout the application process to maximize your chances of success in obtaining PR in Australia.
Eligibility criteria for Australia PR from India
The eligibility criteria for PR in Australia vary depending on the visa subclass you are applying for. However, some common eligibility requirements include:
- Skill Assessment: If you are applying for a skilled migration visa, such as the skilled independent visa (subclass 189) or the skilled nominated visa (subclass 190), you must have your skills evaluated by the appropriate assessing authority for your occupation. This assessment confirms that your qualifications and work experience meet Australian standards.
- Age: Most skilled migration visas have age requirements. Generally, applicants must be under a certain age limit, typically between 18 and 45 years old, at the time of invitation to apply.
- English Language Proficiency: Adequate English language skills are usually required for skilled migration visas. You may need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency through tests such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic.
- Occupation Skills List: Your occupation must be on the relevant Skilled Occupations List (SOL) or Consolidated Sponsored Occupations List (CSOL) for the visa subclass you are applying for. These lists specify the occupations in demand in Australia.
- Points Test: Skilled migration visas often require applicants to meet a minimum points score based on factors such as age, English language proficiency, skilled employment experience, qualifications, and other factors relevant to the Australian labor market.
- Health and Character Requirements: All visa applicants, including dependents, must meet Australia’s health and character requirements. This typically involves undergoing medical examinations to ensure you do not have any health conditions that could be a threat to public health or require significant healthcare resources. You must also provide police clearance certificates from each country you have lived in for a certain period of time.
- Nomination or Sponsorship: Some skilled migration visas, such as the Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190), require nomination by a state or territory government or sponsorship by an eligible relative living in Australia.
- Other Specific Requirements: Depending on the visa subclass, there may be additional eligibility criteria, such as having a certain level of work experience, meeting minimum income thresholds, or having certain qualifications recognized by relevant Australian authorities.
It’s essential to carefully review the eligibility criteria for the specific visa subclass you are interested in and ensure that you meet all requirements before submitting your application for PR in Australia.
Time taken to obtain PR in Australia
The time taken to obtain PR in Australia can vary depending on various factors, including the visa subclass, individual circumstances, processing times, and the completeness of the application. Here’s a general overview of the time frames involved:
- Skill Select Invitation: For those seeking Australia PR from India, the processing time for skilled migration visas like Subclass 189 or 190 varies. Factors like occupation demand and points score influence the invitation timeframe, ranging from weeks to months.
- Visa Application Processing: Once invited to apply, the processing time for the PR visa application itself can vary depending on the visa subclass and the complexity of the case. Processing times are subject to change and are updated regularly by the Department of Home Affairs. As of recent updates, processing times for skilled migration visas can range from several months to over a year.
- Health and Character Checks: Applicants are required to undergo medical examinations to meet Australia’s health requirements. The time taken for these checks can vary depending on the availability of medical appointments and any additional tests or assessments required. Similarly, obtaining police clearance certificates from relevant authorities may also vary in terms of processing times.
- Documentation and Information Gathering: The time taken to gather and organize all required documentation and information for the visa application can also impact the overall processing time. It’s essential to ensure that all documents are accurately prepared and meet the specified requirements to avoid delays.
- Visa Grant and Initial Entry: Once the visa application is approved, the applicant will receive a visa grant notification. The time taken to receive this notification can vary. Upon visa grant, the applicant typically has a specified period (usually around one year) to make their initial entry into Australia to activate their PR status.
Overall, the time taken to obtain PR in Australia can range from several months to over a year, depending on various factors. Applicants need to stay informed about processing times, carefully follow all instructions, and ensure that their application is complete and accurate to minimize delays in the process.
Approx. Fees to Consider for Applying for PR in Australia
Government visa application charges:
- Primary applicant: AUD 4,240 (approx.)
- Additional adult applicant (over 18): AUD 2,120 (approx.)
- Dependent child (under 18): AUD 1,060 (approx.)
Other costs:
- State nomination fee (optional): AUD 300 (approx.)
- Police checks: variable
- Medical examinations: variable
- Migration agent fees (optional): variable (typically range from a few thousand to ten thousand dollars or more)
Total estimated cost: The total cost can vary depending on your situation, but expect it to be somewhere in the range of AUD 4,000 to AUD 10,000 (approx.) for the visa application charges alone. If you factor in other expenses, the total cost could be significantly higher.
Summary
PR in Australia offers indefinite residence rights. Eligibility hinges on factors like skills, age, and English proficiency. Applicants submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via Skill Select, await an invitation, and then lodge a visa application. Successful applicants gain PR status, enabling them to live and work in Australia permanently.
