Have you made up your mind about getting an Australian PR (Permanent Residency) and migrating to Australia? If yes, then this article is specially for you. In this article we explain all the steps involved in the Australian PR process.
Read details about Australian PR here.
The PR application process can be split into two main phases:
Before Submitting Expression Of Interest
1. Check Occupation List
Since this is a skills-based visa, you first need to check whether your skills are in demand in Australia. For this purpose, the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) is used to determine eligibility for skilled immigration to Australia. In order to qualify for skilled migration to Australia, you must nominate an occupation from the SOL. You need to nominate an occupation code from the list that most closely matches with your occupation.
Click here to check whether your occupation is listed on the Skilled Occupation Lists.
2. Skills Assessment
After nominating an occupation on the SOL, you need to get your skills assessed. For this, an Australian assessing authority will assess your relevant education and professional experience. Your skills assessment should be completed before you apply for the visa. Skills Assessment normally has a separate fee, and can take up to 4 months.
Click here to know more about various Assessing Authorities in Australia.
3. English Language Test
If you are applying for Skilled Migration, you will need to prove your English language ability. There are 2 different levels of English language ability which are relevant:
- Superior English: 20 points in GSM points test
- Proficient English: 10 points in GSM points test
English language score directly impacts your overall point score that is why it is important.
Acceptable English Tests
IELTS is the most common test for proving English language ability. The Department of Immigration normally accepts both tests – Academic as well as General Training versions. However, some skills assessing authorities require applicants to take the Academic version. You will need to obtain a minimum score in each band of the IELTS (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking) in a single test.
Alternatively, the Occupational English Test (OET) is accepted as an evidence of proficient levels of English.
*Only medical and allied health professionals need to take the OET.
Other tests that are also accepted are the Pearson Academic Test of English (Pearson PTE), Cambridge Test of English and TOEFL Internet Based Test (TOEFL iBT).
Competent English
For most skilled visas, you will need to show at least Competent English to meet the threshold criteria. If you hold a passport from any of the following countries, you can establish competent English ability without taking the English test:
- Canada
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Ireland
If you do not hold a passport from the above countries, you need to sit for the IELTS test and provide evidence that you have the necessary English language skills.
4. Submit Expression Of Interest (EOI)
This is the first step of actually applying the visa – you need to express an interest in applying for a PR. An EOI is submitted online in SkillSelect. SkillSelect is a centralised service that helps you to submit an EOI and track all updates regarding your application. SkillSelect provides other important information like occupation ceilings and past and upcoming invitation rounds.
While submitting an EOI you need to provide personal details, details about education and occupation (evaluation of skills assessment) and evidence of English language ability.
5. Wait for Invitation
After submitting the EOI, your wait time for getting an invite depends on how many points you have, along with the occupation that you have applied for.
Certain occupation categories (For e.g. IT professionals) often see more applications than others (for e. g. Speech and Audio Therapy professionals) and hence the wait time associated is more for them.
*Wait times are very dynamic and vary every year.
After receiving the invite, you get 60 days to lodge the application.
Click here to know more about what to do when you receive an invitation.
6. Health Check
You will need to undergo a health examination as part of the visa application process.
Click here to know more about health requirement for Australian PR visa.
You need to arrange for a health examination through a centralised system called eMedical.
Click here to know more about arranging a health examination.
7. Character And Police Certificate Requirements
As part of your visa application, you might be asked to provide a police clearance certificate or other evidence to satisfy the character requirements. Everyone who wants to enter Australia must be of good character and will be assessed against the character requirements.
You will be asked to provide police certificates for each country you have lived in for 12 months or more, over the last 10 years (calculated immediately before the time the visa application is lodged).
Know more about Character And Police Certificate Requirement.
8. Visa Grant
After you provide the necessary documents, a nominated case office will closely scrutinize your case. Your permanent residence visa will be granted, if all your documentation is correct and complete.
*You will receive the communication in an e-mail.
The visa grant letter mentions other conditions of your visa (like Initial Entry Date and other provisions).
In this article we have tried to divide the entire visa process into easy-to-understand steps.
Do you have any specific questions about any step in your visa process?
