Australian Permanent Resident Visa & Citizenship in Melbourne

Streams of Permanent Residence Visa Australia

There are 3 different streams that you can use, as per your eligibility when applying for a permanent residency:

1. Family-stream permanent residence visa:

   You can apply for this visa if you are the child, parent or dependent relatives of an Australian citizen, permanent residence visa holder or an eligible New Zealand resident. This visa helps you live permanently in Australia with your family member.

2. Work-stream permanent residence visa:

   You need the sponsorship of your employer to apply for this category of a permanent visa. The visa allows applicants to add their family members and dependents in the application.

3. Business or Investment-stream permanent residence visa:

   You can apply under this category if you are or intend to run an existing or set up a new business in Australia. You can also use this visa if you are investing a minimum threshold amount as an investment in Australia.
   You should have held the provisional visa subclass 188 for at least 1 year before you can apply for this visa.

There are various eligibility requirements that you need to meet before you can apply for an Australian PR, such as:

1. You should be less than 45 years of age
2. Demonstrating a likelihood to live in Australia or maintain a close link
3. You score 65 points or above in the score table
4. You have had no visa breach in the past
5. You clear the character and health test
6. You can competent level proficiency in English
7. You do not owe any debt to the Australian government

Please note that these are general eligibility conditions. To find out the detailed eligibility requirements that are decided based on the stream, such as the 186 permanent residency visa that you are applying for, you need to discuss your application with a visa agent. Our licensed visa agents can advise you on how best to apply for an Australian permanent residency visa.

Rights and Privileges of Permanent Residency Visa Holders

Securing an Australian Permanent Residency (PR) Visa comes with a set of rights and privileges which are distinct from citizenship. There are various rights and privileges that come with the permanent residency visa, such as:

1. You can live in Australia on a permanent basis
2. You can work, study and travel in Australia without restrictions
3. You can apply for bank loans
4. You can buy any property across Australia
5. You will have the option to apply for Australian citizenship, provided you meet the eligibility criteria.
6. You can register for Australia’s national healthcare system
7. You can sponsor eligible relatives’ visas or PR applications
8. You have the freedom to travel to and from Australia throughout the duration of your travel authorisation.
9. You can attend free English language classes
10. You can work in New Zealand

Here is the table for the Point Grid and corresponding points for every classification:

Call our permanent residence visa specialist for consultation and guidance if you feel that you don’t meet the required score or get confused.

What is the Processing Time of a Permanent Residence Visa Australia?

The processing time of a permanent residence visa application depends on various factors such as:

• Complete application
• Error-free application
• Inclusion of all required documents
• Available yearly slots
• Time taken by external agencies for clearance (like Police)
• Quick revert to queries for additional information

It is important to apply with a zero-error application and to timely respond to all queries by the Department of Home Affairs for additional information. The slots available in a particular year and the applications already in the queue are also key factors determining the time to process the application.

A visa agent can help you by checking with the immigration authorities and giving you periodic updates on the status of your application.

Documents Checklist for a Permanent Residence Visa Australia

Here is a list of documents that you require when you are applying for a permanent residence visa:

• Application form
• 2 passport size photos
• Birth certificate
• Character and police clearance certificates
• English proficiency test scores
• Educational assessment
• Proof of nomination (if applicable)
• Spouse skill documents (if applicable)
• Any visa category-specific support documents

Cost of a Permanent Residence Visa Australia

Please note that this cost is subject to change by the immigration department. Always check the Department of Home Affairs website or with your visa agent before applying.
There are associated costs for skills assessment tests, English language proficiency tests, Police clearance, medical tests etc.

How to Apply For an Australian Permanent Residency Visa?

Here are the steps you need to apply for an Australian Permanent Residency visa:

1. Step 1: Check your eligibility:

   You must check your eligibility and evaluation score before applying for a permanent residency. You should also collect all your required documents that strengthen your PR application.

2. Step 2: English proficient test

   Get your test scores for English proficiency. This is an important requirement for anyone trying to obtain permanent residency and later Australian citizenship. You can use the test scores of any of the Standard English language tests such as IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE or CAE.

3. Step 3: Skill assessment test:

   If applicable, get your skill assessment done. The designated skill assessment authority tests your skills based on your education, work experience and evaluates the same as per Australian standards.

4. Step 4: Register for EOI:

   Register for an ‘Expression of Interest’ at the Skill Select website. Choose your category and carefully fill in all responses to the questions in different fields.

5. Step 5: ITA:

   Once you have met the criteria and are eligible to apply, you will get an Invitation to Apply or ITA for a permanent residency in Australia.

6. Step 6: Submit your PR application:

   Within 60 days of receiving the ITA, you must apply your PR application with all relevant documents related to your work experience, family details, immigration documents, etc.

7. Step 7: Answer the queries:

   The immigration department may ask you for additional queries depending on your case and documents. Ensure that you answer them with correct information on a timely basis.

8. Step 8: Get your visa results:

   You are awarded permanent residency in Australia based on your eligibility and the availability of slots or quota status of a given year.