General Skilled Visa

Australia Skilled Visa

Australia has a well-managed and effective general skilled migration program that allows skilled professionals to migrate to the country. The program accepts over 100,000 skilled migrants annually, contributing to more than 50% of the total intake of immigrants.

The general skilled migration program is a point-based system that awards points to applicants based on various factors such as their age, qualifications, work experience, language abilities, relative or state nomination, and other relevant factors. The program is designed for qualified professionals who possess the skills required in Australia, which could contribute positively to the country’s economic growth.

The program is managed through the ‘Skillselect System’, where aspiring migrants lodge an expression of interest first and must meet the basic requirements to apply for a visa. The system utilizes a ranking system to invite candidates to apply for visas based on their scores in the points test. The minimum threshold point score required for eligibility in the general skilled stream is 65.

There are three Visa categories in general skilled migration program.

All three visa subclasses under the general skilled migration program have basic requirements, including age, English language proficiency, work experience, skill assessment, and more. Applicants must meet these requirements to be eligible for the visa.

Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)

The Subclass 189 Visa is a permanent visa that allows holders to remain in Australia indefinitely. There are unlimited work rights under this visa, and holders can apply for Australian citizenship after meeting residency and other relevant requirements. However, there is no relative or state sponsorship under this subclass, and the applicant must choose an occupation from the relevant list only for this occupation. This visa allows the applicant to live and work anywhere in Australia.

Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)

The Subclass 190 Visa is also a permanent visa like Subclass 189. However, the applicant is nominated by a state or territory under the ‘State Migration Plan.’ The applicant must be nominated by a participating state or territory before they can apply for the visa. The applicant nominates an occupation from the participating state’s occupation list under this visa subclass. After the applicant has been granted this visa, he or she has an obligation to live in the state that sponsored him/her.

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491)

The Subclass 491 Visa is a temporary visa granted for five years. After three years and meeting residency and work-related requirements, the applicant can apply for permanent residency. A state and/or a relative can sponsor the applicant for this visa. If the applicant has been sponsored by a state, then he/she is required to live and work in the state that sponsored him/her.

In conclusion, Australia’s general skilled migration program is a highly competitive initiative that enables skilled professionals to migrate to the country. The program is well-managed, and the point-based system ensures that applicants are awarded visas based on their skills and experience. The Subclass 189 Visa, Subclass 190 Visa, and Subclass 491 Visa offer different options for skilled professionals, depending on their needs and circumstances.

If you are looking to migrate to Australia under the General Skilled Migration Program, then you can undertake a Points Test Calculator provided on our website to see if you are eligible. You can later Book an Appointment with us from our website for a further assessment.

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General Skilled Visa