How to Migrate Overseas to Australia? How to Get an Australian Green Card*

Australia is a dream destination for many immigrants, especially those with professional skills who are seeking a better life. With beautiful natural landscapes, abundant social welfare, excellent education, and healthcare systems, Australia ranks among the highest in the world for quality of life.

For many, obtaining a permanent residency through skilled migration is a life-changing opportunity. Skilled migration not only allows you to enjoy the Australian lifestyle, but also provides a legal path to permanent residency, offering a brighter future for yourself and your family. This article will detail how you can successfully migrate to Australia and obtain a green card through skilled migration.

Types of Skilled Migration in Australia and Basic Requirements

Skilled migration is a preferred option for those seeking to immigrate to Australia using their professional skills. The Australian government offers several skilled migration visas to cater to different types of applicants, including the Independent Skilled Migration, State-Sponsored Skilled Migration, and Regional Skilled Migration. Below is an introduction to these visa types and their basic requirements:

Independent Skilled Migration (Subclass 189 Visa)

The Independent Skilled Migration Visa (Subclass 189) is a permanent visa that requires no sponsorship from a state government or employer. It is suitable for applicants with skills that are in high demand.

Applicants must meet the score requirements through the Australian points-based migration system, usually requiring professional skills, appropriate age, good English proficiency, and recognized qualifications and work experience.

1.Independent Skilled Migration (Subclass 189 Visa)

The Subclass 189 visa is a permanent visa that does not require any state government or employer sponsorship. It is suitable for applicants with skills in high-demand occupations. Basic requirements for applying for the 189 visa include:

Occupational Requirement: The applicant’s occupation must be listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and meet the relevant skills assessment standards.

Age Limit: Applicants must be under 45 years old at the time of application.

English Proficiency: Applicants must have at least a score of 6 in each component of the IELTS exam (or an equivalent level in other recognized tests).

Points System: Applicants must score at least 65 points in the Australian points-based system to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). Points are awarded based on factors such as age, English proficiency, work experience, and qualifications.

2.State-Sponsored Skilled Migration (Subclass 190 Visa) The Subclass 190 visa is suitable for applicants who are willing to be sponsored by a specific state or territory. Basic requirements for applying for the 190 visa include:

Occupational Requirement: The applicant’s occupation must be on the state or territory’s occupation list, which may differ from the MLTSSL.

State Government Sponsorship: Applicants must receive sponsorship from a state or territory, usually requiring skills in shortage areas and an intention to live and work in that state for at least two years.

Age and English Proficiency: Applicants must be under 45 years old and have at least an IELTS score of 6, similar to the requirements for the 189 visa.

Points System: State sponsorship provides an additional 5 points, making applicants more competitive in the points system.

3.Regional Skilled Migration (Subclass 491 Visa) The Subclass 491 visa is a temporary visa designed for applicants who are willing to live and work in regional areas of Australia. Specific requirements for the 491 visa include:

Occupational Requirement: The occupation must be on the MLTSSL or a regional occupation list and must meet relevant skills assessments.

State or Relative Sponsorship: Applicants can either receive sponsorship from a state or territory or be sponsored by a relative living in a regional area. State sponsorship provides an additional 15 points.

Age and English Requirement: Applicants must be under 45 years old and have at least an IELTS score of 6.

Temporary Visa Condition: Holders of the 491 visa must live and work in a regional area for at least three years and meet the required income threshold before they are eligible to apply for a Permanent Residency (PR).

Overview of the Application Process for Australian Skilled Migration

Successfully applying for skilled migration to Australia requires navigating a systematic process, including skills assessment, submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI), receiving an invitation, and applying formally. Below are the detailed steps to help applicants better understand the process:

1.Skills Assessment The first step in applying for skilled migration is passing a skills assessment from the relevant authority. This step ensures that the applicant has the necessary skills for the chosen occupation. Each occupation has a corresponding assessment authority, such as CPA Australia or CAANZ for accounting, and ACS for IT. Applicants need to provide proof of employment, educational certificates, and recommendation letters to demonstrate their qualifications. Successfully passing the skills assessment determines whether the applicant meets the migration criteria, making the preparation of relevant documents crucial.

2.Expression of Interest (EOI) Submission Once the skills assessment is complete, applicants must submit an EOI in the Australian immigration system. The EOI is the formal entry into the skilled migration pool, where the immigration department selects suitable candidates for invitations. The EOI is points-based, requiring applicants to score at least 65 points. Scoring factors include age, English proficiency, work experience, qualifications, and state sponsorship. Applicants wait in the candidate pool, and those with high scores and in-demand occupations may receive an invitation.

3.Receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) After submitting the EOI, the immigration department regularly reviews candidates and sends out invitations to apply (ITA) to qualified applicants. Receiving an invitation generally means that the applicant’s EOI score is high enough or their occupation is in high demand. Applicants for the 189 visa are selected based on overall competitiveness, whereas the 190 and 491 visas involve state sponsorship, making invitations relatively easier to obtain. Applicants have 60 days to submit a formal visa application after receiving an invitation.

4.Formal Visa Application Submission After receiving the invitation, applicants need to prepare all the necessary documents and submit a formal visa application within the stipulated timeframe. This includes identity documents, educational certificates, proof of employment, language test scores, etc. Applicants also need to pass a medical examination by an approved authority and provide police clearance certificates. If all requirements are met, the visa application will be approved, and the applicant will receive Australian permanent residency.

BiyaPay: A Reliable Cross-Border Remittance Tool for Overseas Migration

Cross-border remittance is an essential aspect of overseas migration. Whether it is to pay visa fees, medical examination costs, or daily living expenses, having a secure and convenient payment tool can greatly simplify the process. BiyaPay provides just such a solution. Through BiyaPay, you can enjoy local transfer services in most regions around the world with transaction fees as low as 0.5%.

Funds can be received on the same day, making it ideal for immigrants needing urgent payments. For users utilizing digital currencies, BiyaPay also supports real-time conversion of digital currencies to major fiat currencies such as USD and GBP, making cross-border remittances and fund management more convenient, secure, and efficient.

5.Medical Examination and Background Check

After the formal application submission, applicants must undergo a medical examination as required by the immigration department to ensure they meet health standards. Additionally, the immigration department will conduct background checks to ensure the applicant does not have any criminal record or any factors that might pose a threat to Australian society.

Applicants must visit an approved medical institution for examination, and reports must show the applicant is free from major infectious diseases or other health conditions that do not meet immigration standards.

6.Waiting for Visa Approval

After passing the medical examination and background checks, applicants enter the final stage of waiting for visa approval. Processing times vary depending on the type of visa applied for and the workload of the immigration department. Typically, it may take several months to a year.

During this time, the immigration department may request additional documents, and applicants must respond promptly to ensure smooth processing. If all goes well, the applicant will receive a visa approval letter, formally becoming a permanent resident of Australia.

Detailed Explanation of the Australian Skilled Migration Points System

Australian skilled migration applications are based on a points system, with a minimum score of 65 points required to submit an EOI. The higher the score, the greater the chance of receiving an invitation. Below are the main scoring categories and their details:

Age: Age is an important part of the scoring system. Applicants aged 25-32 receive the maximum score of 30 points, while those over 45 are ineligible for points.

English Proficiency: Language ability is a key factor. An IELTS score of 6 yields 0 points, a score of 7 earns 10 points, and a score of 8 earns 20 points. Other recognized English tests such as PTE are also accepted.

Work Experience: Both overseas and Australian work experience count towards points. Three to five years of overseas work experience earns 5 points, while over eight years earns 15 points. Australian work experience yields higher points.

Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree earns 15 points, while a master’s or higher earns 20 points. Australian qualifications receive extra points, increasing competitiveness.

Other Points: These include spouse skill points (up to 10 points), state sponsorship points (5 points for the 190 visa, 15 points for the 491 visa), and points for studying in regional areas.

The process of migration may be challenging, but with proper planning and preparation, the dream of obtaining an Australian green card can certainly become a reality. For those planning to migrate, skilled migration is an ideal path to a new life in Australia. Hopefully, this guide provides you with valuable insights and direction.