What Things To Consider Before Applying For A Skilled Visa?

If you wish to reside and gain professional opportunities in the Australian land, the Skilled Visa would be the best option for you. When it comes to applying for a skilled visa, gathering enough information about the Skill Select program is a pre-requisite.

Skilled Visa And The Subclass Categories

SkillSelect is Australia’s most popular General Skilled Migration program. It is a points-based system that allows you to apply for a permanent Australian residence visa based on your skills. Skilled visa is available for skilled workers of only selective occupation/profession. Here’s a brief look at three of the most opted permanent residency skilled migrant visas:

1. Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) –

This visa option is open to applicants who do not require sponsorship by a state or territory government. The occupations eligible for a skilled independent visa (Subclass 189) are mentioned in the Skilled Occupation List.

2. Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) –

This visa option is open to applicants who meet the requirements to be sponsored by a state or territory government. The occupations eligible for a skilled nominated visa are mentioned in the Consolidated Sponsor Occupation List.

3. Skilled Regional Visa (Subclass 489) –

This visa option is open to applicants who either are sponsored by a state government or by a relative. It requires an applicant to settle in regional Australia for a period of 3 years.

States granting skilled visas generally have their own Skilled Occupation List. The Australian government, however, keeps changing and updating the list with parallel changes in the demand-supply chain.

General Criteria For Receiving An Invitation

A successful visa application needs a few rules to be taken note of before expecting to receive an invitation. The criteria are as follows:

• Be skilled in a relevant occupation/ trade from the state’s list of skilled occupation
• Achieve the minimum required points needed to apply for the visa
• Ace the skill assessment test
• Applicants need to be less than 45 years of age when receiving an invitation
• Submit your Expression of Interest
• Be competent in English
• If applying for a Skilled Nominated Visa, get nominated by the state
• If applying for a Skilled Regional Visa, get nominated by a relative or a state government
• Applicants need to be in a practising trade for 3 years before applying for a skilled visa

Obtaining A Skilled Visa

After choosing the occupation that best matches your skills and experience, you can proceed on with the steps needed to obtain the skilled migrant visa. The required measures are as follows:

• Take the skills assessment to highlight your qualifications and skills that favour the chosen occupation
• Make sure you have met the minimum points needed before lodging an Expression of Interest (EOI)
• Submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect
• In case of a Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190), get nominated by a state government. Nomination procedures usually are different in individual states or territories.
• Apply for the visa through SkillSelect within 60 days of receiving an invitation.

Migration Lawyers And Visa Applications

Although it is not a necessary step, consulting skilled visa lawyers or migration lawyers prior to the skilled visa application process is a huge stress waiver. They can help you groom yourself in the best possible way with accurate and appropriate guidance. Migration lawyers are a blessing when it comes to getting advised about visa applications, concessions, deportations, employment opportunities and citizenship queries. However, it becomes difficult choosing the right lawyer when the digital space is quick to fill up with different agencies claiming to harbour the best migration lawyers in the area. Most of the time, comparing reviews or referring to trusted sources are the way out.

Factors Influencing Nomination Approval By A State Or Territory Government

Generally a person having appropriate skills and experience is a primary factor to get accepted as a skilled migrant in a chosen state, however, there are a few more pointers that decide whether a nomination is approved or rejected;

• Loyalty and commitment towards the nominated state
• English language competence
• Qualifications and work experiences
• Employability Quotient
• Financial Capacity

Post Covid-19 Scenario In Perth, Western Australia

Covid-19 has led to a serious meltdown of visa application opportunities in a lot of states and since 4January 2021, Australia has been offering nomination approval to only those applicants who either reside or work there on a temporary visa.

Others wishing to apply need not fret because it is only a matter of time before the application process resumes to normal. Waste no time, gear up on skills, English language tests or better consult a lawyer for expert guidance. Do not skip research because choosing the right lawyer out of all the migration lawyers in Perth, WA. That would make all the difference when it comes to a successful skilled visa application in your dream city.