Immigration to Australia is really a process which a lot more and more people are now looking towards as the nation continues to gain popularity amongst expats about the world. While on the surface the process to obtain visas and the necessary clearance to live and perform in Australia might seem complicated and potentially long winded, should you break down each specific process into separate stages this will help you to understand what is required and what you have to do.
So why would you move to Australia?
There are many reasons why individuals go to Australia including the weather, education, employment prospects, family and possibly a new start. Whatever your reason for searching towards a go to Australia there is going to be a visa and an entrance route to suit your needs. Nevertheless, whether you qualify for that relevant visas or long term residency remains to become noticed.
Visas available
Immigration to Australia is split into numerous various categories which contain tourist visas, employment visa, business visas, student visas and spouse, partner, de facto visas. The first decision you have to make when you decide to go to Australia is which of these visas best suits your situation. You have to become aware that if you’re looking to perform in Australia, and potentially settle-down long-term, a student visa will not suffice nor will a tourist visa cover your scenario for example.
Company visas are predominately for all those from outside of Australia who have to attend meetings in the nation on a regular basis and spouse, partner and de facto visas are for those who are in a relationship with an Australian citizen, Australian resident or a qualifying New Zealand citizen. More and a lot more individuals are going down the employment visa route which has numerous different permutations.
The Australian population
For those looking to move to Australia the fairly open immigration policy of the past is nevertheless present although a number of potential weaknesses in the visa procedure have been addressed. Nevertheless, if you’re seeking to move to Australia for the long-term you may be relieved to know that like may be the Australian economy’s dependence upon immigration and skilled employees that this may be the cause why the populace of Australia has quadrupled because Globe War I!
You might be forgiven for thinking that now may be the time for the government to cut back on immigration to Australia but it seems the opposite may be the case. The populace now stands at about 22 million and also the nation has a gross domestic product per capita which is greater than that from the UK, US and France to name but a few. That is a nation that is on the up and up and skilled workers have in no way been more welcomed than today with numerous locations of the Australian employment marketplace nevertheless under catered for through the conventional Australian workforce.
Whilst this will change in due course as and when abilities imported into the nation are transferred to the Australian population it will take some time and it seems as though growth in the economy and numerous sectors will far outstrip the supply of skilled employees for some time to arrive.
Tourist visas
Tourist visas are perhaps the most popular visas relating to Australia because the tourist marketplace continues to grow attracting more and a lot more individuals from around the world. Not only does this open up Australia to outside eyes but also compliments the Australian economy and has opened many new and exciting locations of business.
An Australian tourist visa will usually last up to 12 months and permit the recipient to enter the country on numerous occasions but they will be unable to remain for a lot more than three months in any one visit. It is also worth noting you can only stay within the country if you have a valid tourist visa or other relevant visa.
Australian working holiday visas
Australian functioning holiday visas are also growing in popularity with more people looking to sample life in Australia while working to pay for their adventure. There are numerous restrictions concerning what you are able to and what you cannot do under an Australian working holiday visa but in simple terms you is going to be allowed to travel around the nation for up to 12 months working for numerous employers to cover your costs.
Australian company visa
For all those who have Australian company connections it may be essential to attend various meetings over the years, some thing which has seen the creation of the Australian company visa. The conventional Australian business visa will last for 12 months and permit the recipient to arrive and go as they please even though any 1 remain can’t extend past 90 days. For all those with long-term business interests within the country there’s the chance to acquire an extended Australian company visa which will mirror the life of their passport.
Australian business sponsored visa
Because of a shortage of workers in Australia many companies have enquired about bringing overseas employees to Australia on short-term contracts which can last between 1 day and four years. Whilst the authorities are obviously concerned about any possible overlap with the conventional Australian employment marketplace they have given various options to employers to bring in overseas employees. The need to fill numerous gaps within the Australian economy and bring in foreign employees wherever required has never been more vital and is something the authorities are keen to continue with.
General skilled migration visa
The general skilled migration visa is another employment option which is basically centred round foreign nationals seeking to go to Australia who hold of specific abilities and experience which would be useful in the Australian employment marketplace. Due towards the ongoing requirement to fill numerous gaps in the market there’s the opportunity for any fast-track visa application whether the applicant is able to prove the require for their specific abilities or hopefully have an employment position obtainable upon entry to the country.
Spouse, partner and de facto visas
As we touched on above, if you are in the relationship with an Australian citizen, Australian resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen then there’s every chance that you will qualify for a spouse, partner or de facto visa, depending on your particular circumstances. However, there is a strict visa application procedure for these specific visas due towards the increase in fraudulent applications over the years. The need to prove an ongoing relationship, joint finances and a clean criminal record are just some of the issues which is going to be addressed before the authorities will give the go-ahead for any visa to be granted.
Visa application procedure
The application process will vary depending upon the kind of visa you are searching for with numerous from the simple tourist visas granted almost immediately if for instance you already hold a valid passport from countries like as Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan or the United Kingdom. This list may vary from time to time and with the likes of the EU expanding on an ongoing basis other passports are likely to become accepted within the future.
Average visa application timescales
While you can find no strict timescales concerning Australian visa applications you can expect the basic visas such as tourist and long stay company visas to take about one month to procedure. Other visas like as labour agreements, employer nominated applicants and regional sponsored migration schemes can get about 3.5 months to process and business skills visas can get upwards of six several weeks. These figures relate to so called “low risk countries” and you are able to usually add a 50% premium to the timescale for applicants living in so called “high risk countries”.
Nevertheless, it must be noted that individuals with particular skills and work experience which are required instantly through the Austrian employment marketplace might be fast tracked and receive their visas much quicker than the above timescales.
Applying for long term residency in Australia
It’s possible to apply for permanent residency in Australia using the two main programs referred to as the “migration program” and the “humanitarian program”.
Migration software
The migration software is basically a fast-track method to bring in the number of skilled migrants towards the Australian workforce so that they can contribute to areas from the employment market where domestic availability may be low. Official statistics show that recently the government has been granting about 140,000 migration software visas a yr even though this could rise significantly within the years ahead.
Humanitarian software
Like most countries about the world the Australian federal government has introduced a humanitarian software which allows refugees from troubled countries to seek long term residency in Australia. Official figures indicate that upwards of 10,000 humanitarian program visas are regularly granted every year to individuals eligible to remain in the country.
Australian long term residents
There is a difference between a long term resident and an Australian citizen although usually a long term residents visa will predominantly lead to an Australian citizenship if the holder so wishes. Holders of a permanent residency visa are entitled to remain in the nation indefinitely even though as using the migration program they may nicely be provided having a five-year visa which runs alongside their permanent residency visa. Inside the five-year period they can travel overseas and return to Australia with no problems even though right after the five-year period is up they will have to apply for any resident return visa to avoid any travel issues within the future.
Even if holders of a long term residency visa don’t decide to travel overseas they are entitled to stay within the nation indefinitely, even though they’ll not have the same rights as an Australian citizen.
Advantages of the permanent resident status
There are many benefits associated with a long term residency visa in Australia which contain:-
Unrestricted rights to live, perform and study in the country
Very few limitations on employment in the country
All long term residents will have the right to apply for full Australian citizenship if they fulfil the required requirements
Inclusion in the state education method wherever domestic fees are met through the federal government
The proper to sponsor relatives who are seeking to go to Australia
Children born of Australian permanent residents will automatically gain Australian citizenship on birth
Medical and social security advantages is going to be obtainable after a maximum two year waiting period
The right to free travel to and from New Zealand
The proper to live, perform and study in New Zealand
Statistics regarding Immigration to Australia
As we mentioned above, the Australian authorities have depended upon immigration for numerous years to fulfil the requirement for skilled workers within the Australian economy. Some interesting statistics are noted below:-
The Australian populace has quadrupled since Globe War I predominantly because from the open immigration policy
It’s estimated that 250,000 new immigrants entered Australia in the financial year 2008/09 – this figure was revised downwards from 300,000 due towards the economic situation
Immigration to Australia has increased dramatically from around 30,000 a year within the early 90s
UK expats make up the largest foreign grouping within the Australian populace with well over 1 million estimated to reside in Australia
The ongoing influx of immigrants to Australia, many of whom arrive via the migration program, are starting to have a major impact on Australian property prices
Conclusion
There is no doubt that the Australian federal government has depended upon immigration to Australia for many years to fill various weaknesses within the Australian domestic employment marketplace. This policy has worked well for that authorities and even though the estimated figure of 300,000 immigrants for 2008/09 has been revised downwards it’s nevertheless expected that upwards of 250,000 expats will have entered the nation during the financial yr.
The a lot more popular Australia becomes the longer the processing time when applying for numerous visas and long term residency but this has not put off a developing number of expats looking to make a new life overseas. There are many advantages and attractions of living in Australia which contain a developing economy, a varied culture, relatively high standard of living, demand for skilled employees and above all a nation whose prospects overall have improved significantly in recent times.
We are a Registered Migration Agent, and offer a free Immigration Assessment for Australia. Visit our website for more details on migrating to both Australia and New Zealand
