#state-nominated visa

[visaexpertsblog]

Australia is experiencing severe labor shortages across various sectors. Are you curious to discover your Australia immigration points? Come to us and we will guide you through the entire process of making the next big move to Down Under.

[endeavoureducation]

State Nominated Visas: Professional Services for Australian Migration

Are you looking for State Nominated Visas in Australia? Look no further than EEMS! We provide expert guidance on visas, ensuring a smooth migration process. Our professional services help you navigate requirements, maximise your chances of approval, and achieve your migration goals efficiently and effectively.

[ai-azura]

Navigating the Skilled Migration Process in Australia: 5 Things to Keep in Mind

Navigating the Skilled Migration Process in Australia: 5 Things to Keep in Mind

If you are in the process of applying for a skilled migration visa in Australia, whether it be a 190, 189, or 491 visa, there are some important things you need to keep in mind. Here are five key points to consider: Skills assessment: The first step in the skilled migration process is your skills assessment. It is important to be aware that these assessment bodies are constantly evolving and…

[mariacallous]

In its latest assault on basic freedoms, Afghanistan has banned women and girls from speaking in public. It marks a new low in the Taliban-led government’s enforced gender apartheid.

Promises that girls and women would be allowed to study and work were broken shortly after the Taliban returned to power. The group banned girls from going to school beyond sixth grade and outlawed them from pursuing higher education at university. It even prohibited them from taking a stroll in the park or going to the gym, and from nearly all professions that could earn them a living and a semblance of independence and dignity.

And yet even as Afghan women are kept prisoner in their homes and denied basic rights, neither the Islamic nations in the region nor the United States have taken an active interest in compelling the group to reverse its misogynistic policies.

The new rules were announced in the middle of the presidential campaign in the United States, but both candidates kept mum on the issue of women’s rights, even though each of their respective governments knowingly left Afghan women to a fate that was hardly unexpected.

When Kamala Harris and Donald Trump faced off in a debate last week, Afghanistan was raised only in the context of the domestic ramifications of American withdrawal. No mention was made of what happened to Afghans left behind. Neither candidate said a word about how the U.S. exited without securing any guarantees from the Taliban on the future of women and their rights.

The Taliban, firmly in control, brushed off all of its atrocities on Afghan women and violation of their very basic rights as “Afghan values’’ in a conversation with Foreign Policy. Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen said the group was open for engagement with the West, but on economic issues only.

“They can invest in minerals,’’ he told FP. “China, Russia, all have business ties with us, the West can also do that. It is good for them and good for us.’’

“Women’s rights and those things are up to us, and we will determine them according to Afghan values and traditions,’’ he added, as if speaking and reading were matters of Afghan sovereignty and not basic human rights.

Mahbouba Seraj, an Afghan women’s rights activist who was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize last year, blamed both the Trump and Biden administrations for the circumstances the Afghan girls and women find themselves in.

“When they were discussing the agreement in Doha, we were not even given the visa to come to Qatar because we would have asked questions, we would have confronted the Taliban, but that could have scuttled the deal and the Trump administration didn’t want that,’’ she told FP over the phone.

“Biden may not have had enough room to change the deal, but that was not the reason he stuck with it,’’ she said. The Biden administration “wanted to get out.’’

The key tenet of the U.S. policy on Afghanistan has been security and containing the threat that terrorist groups based there can pose to Western countries. The Doha agreement between the U.S. and the Taliban, which led to the U.S. exit, called on the Taliban “to prevent the use of Afghan soil by any international terrorist groups or individuals against the security of the United States and its allies.’’

But even the word “women’’ is missing from it. A post-withdrawal concern has been that a deteriorating humanitarian situation could exacerbate the refugee crisis, particularly in Europe.

In order to address these concerns, and heed calls by humanitarian actors, the U.S. agreed to ease some sanctions and infuse Afghanistan with billions in cash. That helped Afghans, but it also kept the Taliban afloat and emboldened it to carry on as it pleased.

“Since August 2021, the U.N. has purchased, transported, and transferred at least $2.9 billion to Afghanistan using international donor contributions,’’ according to a report by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) in January. It added that the U.S. is the largest donor, with $2.6 billion of that sum contributed by the American taxpayer.

While throwing money at the problem has somewhat mitigated a humanitarian crisis, it has also kept the Taliban in power and allowed it to maintain a support base. The report said that the Taliban has accumulated, “a large supply of U.S. dollars, through the conversion process of dollars for afghanis.’’

Some Afghan analysts argued that stopping the cash flow will weaken the Taliban, reduce its acceptability, and ideally encourage an anti-Taliban uprising. Or, at the very least, force them to make some concessions.

22-year-old Miryam, whose name has been changed to protect her identity, pleaded that the West, and especially the U.S., “should stop sending money to the Taliban.’’ Her education was cut short when the Taliban took over in 2021, she can’t wear what she wants, or do anything professionally, or step out of the house.

“Don’t recognize the Taliban,’’ she said from Kabul in her message to the international community, “put pressure on them to at least give women the right to work and study.’’

Davood Moradian, founder and the director-general of the Afghan Institute for Strategic Studies (AISS) now based in London, argued in favor of slashing the aid. “America is the main source of Afghan currency,’’ he told FP. “The moment the U.S. stopped funding, the Taliban will face a serious challenge,’’ to its rule, he added.

Others said if the Taliban didn’t break under 20 years of American presence, they wouldn’t abandon their hardcore ideology now, due to a cash crunch. Seraj, the women’s rights activist, advocated a diametrically different approach and said that the West should instead open the floodgates of developmental aid in a way that upward mobility emboldens the Afghan people to rebel against Taliban’s excesses and fight for women’s rights.

“You can’t even use the word women with them,’’ she said. “You have to come up with things like more investments and business deals and let that create the right conditions.’’

Thus far, the U.S. has threatened the Taliban with a global boycott if it doesn’t grant women their rights. But efforts ostracize the group from the international community are a farce since China, Russia, Pakistan, Qatar and several others continue to engage the group for economic and security reasons.

The truth is there hasn’t been an active U.S. policy to try and bring about a change or help the women of Afghanistan since the U.S. retreated. The policy has been outsourced to the U.N., which is engaging the group, often on the terms set by the Taliban. For instance, in July the U.N. organized Doha III, a dialogue platform to engage the Taliban and various stakeholders on the future of Afghanistan. But to appease the Taliban and make sure they attended, not a single women’s rights activist was invited.

One idea, way short of full recognition, could be to bring together a coalition of Islamic nations to challenge the Taliban’s understanding of Shariah and compel the group to let women and girls study and work, just as they can in other Islamic countries.

In April, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) called on the Taliban’s deputy chief minister Abdul Kabir to end the ban on education and employment for women and girls. Last year, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that preventing education for girls is “inhumane and un-Islamic.” Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, a prominent political advisor in the United Arab Emirates, told FP that an Emirati delegation visited Kabul to discuss women’s rights. “There are so many trends in Islam, some more moderate, others more extreme. The Taliban, they are following a very backward ideology,” he said.

But Afghan women’s rights activists say that the condemnations from fellow Islamic countries appear to be more perfunctory and unserious. It could carry weight if it was a cohesive regional policy pushed by the U.S. as one of the pillars of its Afghanistan strategy. The Taliban, after all, is carrying out its oppression in the name of Islam.

Shaheen, the Taliban spokesperson, seemed to make some room for concessions when he told FP that the decision on education and employment for girls and women was pending, and subject to a report by an Afghan “committee.”

As for the next American president, ignoring Afghanistan would be at their own peril. Caging women in their homes and denying them basic rights represents a pattern of the Taliban reneging on promises—and it’s easy to imagine that extending to foreign policy.

“They are all there, all there,’’ Seraj, the activist, said. “ISIS-KP, Al Qaeda, other terrorist groups, they are all there. They are all getting training. Don’t think nothing is happening. The American intelligence knows what’s going on.”

[ktempestbradford]

UPDATE: He's home and tweeting.

UPDATE: Ekpeki is on his way back to Nigeria.

This tweet says that he was denied entry to the US and was sent back yesterday. I don't think he's yet in Nigeria, which is why no one has heard from him so far.

Original Post

SFF Community, some of you may be aware of the situation regarding author and editor Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki. If not, the short version is that he flew into LAX on Thursday to attend the NAACP Image Awards Friday and has not been heard from since landing.

Obviously, people are concerned about this. Ekpeki is Nigerian, here on a famously fraught to acquire visa, and US CBP (Customs and Border Patrol) doesn't have the best reputation for treating brown people like humans.

CPB took his phone and that's probably why no one has been able to communicate with him. And some friends of his claim they contacted CPB and got confirmation he was detained by them, but no updates since. I've seen lots of people calling for action and contacting US electeds.

I don't think that will work. Unlike when Ekpeki got the visa, putting pressure on Congressbeings isn't likely to have an affect here because it may be that he technically broke the rules or at least ended up on the wrong side of not very well spelled out rules.

The "best" scenario is that CPB sent him back to Nigeria, though why he's been out of communication so long is a mystery to me. (If anyone has insight, please share.) Here's what may have happened, pieced together with what I'm seeing on Twitter.

Ekpeki initially got his visa to attend WorldCon in September. The B1/B2 visa is for business purposes and tourism and is valid for 2 years(?) but it doesn't mean you can stay in the US for those whole two years. It means you can come in and out for that time.

When you enter, you get a stamp telling you the date you must leave by, though you can leave before then. And as this article explains, sometimes the entry stamper will default to 6 months, as that's the longest, or specify a shorter timeframe.

After WorldCon, Ekpeki wanted to stay in the US to attend World Fantasy a few months after. Not a problem. At the time he indicated that he planned to stay the full 6 months, go back to Nigeria, then come back for ICFA. The timing of all this likely changed when he got the Image Award nomination.

Regardless, he went back to Nigeria for a week, I believe (this is fuzzy and my sources aren't good, so I welcome corrections) before coming back to the US. And this is where I think he made a mistake. Again I point to the article I linked above.

Twitter user DuertoD pointed out something called Visa Carouseling, where a person leaves the US for a short time to then come back and get another 6 month stamp. It's apparently not really allowed to do that. (He goes into a bit more detail here.)

The thing I don't know is whether this is stated anywhere in the documentation. As in, do they say you have to be gone for a certain period before coming back explicitly? Or is it one of those fuzzy things that are up to whoever is working the desk you get to that day?

At any rate, DuertoD also pointed out that Ekpeki said publicly he intended to stay the whole 6 months and also that he had to buy a return ticket he "wouldn’t need", meaning that when he entered the US the first time the US thought he was leaving on a certain date, yet he didn't.

I do not know the details of when that return flight was supposed to have been. From what I gather talking to folks, open-ended stays on this visa are not to the US gov't's liking.

Complicating this whole thing is that a group of trolls have been stalking and harassing Ekpeki for a while now and I know they were aware of him going out then coming back into the country. It's entirely possible they maliciously reported him.

It's entirely possible that CBP wouldn't have noticed or cared on a normal day, but did once they'd been alerted. Also entirely possible they wouldn't have cared if they'd been alerted if Ekpeki wasn't Black, or Nigerian. There's a whole constellation of annoying possibilities.

The reason I said that I don't think getting Congressbeings involved will help is that, in the end, CBP may be entirely within the law to have detained him over concerns of Visa Carouseling. And his rights, such as they are, are very limited from what I understand.

I've heard that there are some efforts by a lawyer to help out, and that may be why Ekpeki isn't already tweeting that he's been sent back to Nigeria (which would be a "best" case at this point… cuz being in CBP custody as a Black person is cause for concern).

In this case, it may end up being a sad but not tragic outcome for Ekpeki. Others who've been flagged for this have been barred from the US for a time, and maybe that will be the case for him.

Thinking to the future, I'd like to see SFF community entities do some work around this whole US visa process and how we can help writers and editors from marginalized groups and countries navigate this better. For now, I hope we find out soon that Oghenechovwe is okay.

If I have any of the details or legal stuff wrong, please let me know! I want to spread good information and will update this post accordingly.

ALSO NOTE: The trolls I mentioned have been all up in the twitter replies and may come here as well. Do Not Engage With Them. They find harassing and provoking people fun and exciting. Block or ignore.

[artemisbarnowl]

So just wondering basically whatever you can think would be good advice or insight or tips for someone wanting to move to Melbourne from the UK

Doesn't have to be limited to the likes below;

healthcare, prescriptions (I have a few chronic illnesses; nothing too serious, but I do need different medications etc), Visas, nominations, what sort of yearly wage/income would I need to be comfortable, taxes/insurance, bills, education (I don't have a family; but say I wanted to do a uni course, could ?); rent or buy, is a car needed, should I look into city living or suburb living, is it safe for a single female to move there & live on her own... and yeah just anything else you or anyone else can think of, l've never moved abroad before

Oh sis I'm sorry but as a native a lot of stuff like visas or healthcare for an expat I won't know about. I feel like the procedure is fairly similar to the UK in that you go to a gp first for scripts or any tests and referrals. We've got Medicare which is similar to NHS but I don't know when or how you can get a medicare card once you move here.

It depends where you are but I reckon you'd be fine to move and live alone (like misogyny is everywhere but it's not like women don't go anywhere alone), however living alone is EXPENSIVE, almost prohibitively so. The minimum wage for full time work is around 50k a year, or 900 a week before tax, rent for an apartment is at least 350 but that's for a studio that's small and likely old, or in the middle of nowhere where you need a car. The average "entry level" apartment in a major city is going to be around 600k and generally requires a 20% deposit. Repayments will vary with interest rates and size of mortgage. It's very common for people to live in share houses and it's not difficult to find women only ones but I haven't lived in a share house in over a decade so wont know much about good platforms or how the search goes.

Taxes are mostly automatic, your pay is taxes before you get it, sales tax is included in all prices where it's applicable, it's unlikely you'll have to pay additional at eofy unless you're earning a lot more (over 90k) and don't have private health insurance. You can study, but courses will be expensive as you likely won't be eligible for a commonwealth supported place which has reduced fees.

If you need a car depends on where you live. I recommend looking at job listings for things you'd likely be doing to get an idea of wages, and looking for housing/rent prices in different areas. Once you've picked a city, you've still gotta get a feel for where things are in relation to each other, what part of the city etc etc real estate dot com, seek, and the public transport website for each state can help with figuring distances and if you want a car. I don't THINK it's difficult for poms to move here as there are plenty and they do it all the time, there might be websites or forums to discuss common hurdles that can help.

Other important info: footy means one of 3 games (rugby league, rugby union, or AFL), the big beer is nearly always called a pint but the small ones change by state, it's a parma, "how are you?" is a hello type greeting that should be answered with a basic 'good thanks' and not the truth unless the asker is quite a good friend.

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

* * * *

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

August 4, 2023

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

AUG 5, 2023

Army Chief of Staff General James McConville, the 40th person to hold that position, retired today. Because Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) has put a hold on military promotions for the past 8 months, there is no Senate-confirmed leader to take McConville’s place. There are eight seats on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the group of the most senior military officers who advise the president, homeland security officials, the secretary of defense, and the National Security Council. Currently, two of those seats are filled by acting officials who have not been confirmed by the Senate.

Politico’s defense reporter Paul McLeary wrote that as of today, there are 301 senior military positions filled by temporary replacements as Tuberville refuses to permit nominations to go through the Senate by the usual process. Two more members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff will retire before the end of September. 

Politico’s Pentagon reporter Lara Seligman illustrated what this personnel crisis means for national security: “U.S. forces are on high alert in the Persian Gulf,” she wrote today. “As Tehran attempts to seize merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. is sending warships, fighter jets and even considering stationing armed troops aboard civilian vessels to protect mariners. Yet two of the top senior officers overseeing the escalating situation aren’t where they’re supposed to be.”

Two days ago, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin wrote in a memo that the “unprecedented, across-the-board hold is having a cascading effect, increasingly hindering the normal operations of this Department and undermining both our military readiness and our national security.” Today he reiterated: “The failure to confirm our superbly qualified senior uniformed leaders undermines our military readiness.” He added, “It undermines our retention of some of our very best officers. And it is upending the lives of far too many of their spouses, children and loved ones.”

Tuberville, who did not serve in the military, likes to say "there is no one more military than me.” And yet, thanks to him and the Republican conference that is permitting him to hold the nominations, we are down two chiefs of staff tonight.

Meanwhile, on July 26, when soldiers took charge in Niger, a country central to the fight against Islamic terrorists and the security of democracy on the African continent, the U.S. had no ambassador there. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) was blocking the confirmation of more than 60 State Department officials the same way that Tuberville was blocking the confirmation of military officials. 

Paul claimed he was blocking State Department confirmations because he wanted access to information about the origins of COVID, but Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the department had “been working extensively” with Paul, providing the documents and other information he had requested. “But unfortunately, he continues to block all our nominees.” Paul complained that he had  been only given private access, and wanted to “take those documents out.” 

As of July 17, the current Senate had confirmed only five State Department nominees. On that day, Blinken wrote to each senator to express “serious concern” about the delays. He told reporters that he respects and values the Senate’s “critical oversight role…[b]ut that’s not what is happening here. No one has questioned the qualifications of these career diplomats. They are being blocked for leverage on other unrelated issues. It’s irresponsible. And it’s doing harm to our national security.”

Ambassadors “advance the interests of our country,” he said, and not having confirmed ambassadors “makes us less effective at advancing every one of our policy priorities—from getting more countries to serve as temporary hubs for [immigrant visa] processing, to bringing on more partners for global coalitions like the one we just announced to combat fentanyl, to support competitive bids for U.S. companies to build…critical infrastructure projects around the world.”

Our adversaries benefit from these absences, not only because they offer an opening to exploit, but also because “[t]he refusal of the Senate to approve these career public servants also undermines the credibility of our democracy. People abroad see it as a sign of dysfunction, ineffectiveness—inability to put national interests over political ones.”

Blinken noted that “[i]n previous administrations, the overwhelming majority of career nominees received swift support to advance through the Senate by unanimous consent. Today, for reasons that have nothing to do with the nominees’ qualifications or abilities, they are being forced to proceed through individual floor votes.” More than a third of the nominees had been waiting for more than a year for their confirmation. 

Late on July 27, the day after the conflict began in Niger and the day before the senators left for their summer recess, Paul lifted his hold, tweeting that the State Department and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), an independent agency that administers foreign aid, had agreed to release the documents he wanted. The Senate then confirmed career diplomat Kathleen A. FitzGibbon as ambassador to Niger, as well as ambassadors to other countries including Rwanda, the United Arab Emirates, Georgia, Guyana, Ethiopia, Jordan, Uganda, and Italy. 

But FitzGibbon did not arrive in Niger before the U.S. government on Wednesday ordered “non-emergency U.S. government personnel” and their families to leave the country out of concerns for their safety. 

The attack on our nation by individual Republicans seems to be a theme these days. After yesterday’s arraignment on charges that he conspired to defraud the United States, conspired and attempted to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspired to overturn Americans’ constitutionally protected right to vote, Donald Trump today flouted the judge’s warning not to try to influence jurors. He posted on social media: “IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU!”

Prosecutors from the office of Special Counsel Jack Smith tonight alerted the court to Trump’s threat when they asked the court for a protective order to stop him from publishing information about the materials they are about to deliver to his lawyers. They expressed concern that publishing personal information “could have a harmful chilling effect on witnesses” or taint the jury pool by telling potential jurors too much before the trial. 

—

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

[g-rasyaana]

Itong dinulot naman ng pre-invite to apply for state nomination ay isang matinding pag ooverthink.

Nag ttrabaho ako pero yung utak ko nandon sa worries ko tungkol sa visa. Lalo itong last hour bago mag clock out, jusko tumambay nalang ako sa forum at nag basa, nakakaloka.

Paano kung may mali pala ako na nailagay sa EOI or ROI ko tapos masayang itong invite at mawala na chance ko?

Paano kung mahigpit sila sobra sa konting discrepancies at i-reject nalang bigla? Ang dami ko pa naman mga minor na mali na nailagay dahil hindi ko naman nga inexpect na ganito kabilis ako ma-select (YES sagot imbis na NO, hindi tugma yung university sa EOI ko at sa Skills Assessment, hindi ko na-input yung middle name ko sa ROI).

Paano kung ma-invite nga ako to apply pero ma-refuse naman? Sayang ang pera my gosh.

Paano kung i-refuse ang nomination ko tapos sa next financial year mas humigpit na yung criteria nila at hindi na ako ma-invite ulit?

Paano kung ma-reject lahat ng application ko, hahaha ang tindi talaga sobrang pessimist amp.

Ano ba itong pinasok ko e. Hindi na ko natapos sa phase na pag-iintay ng result / outcome ng kung ano man. Kailan ba ito matatapos.

[migrationagentwa]

Secure Your Future in Regional Australia with the visa subclass 491

Are you aiming to live and work in regional Australia? The 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa could be your ideal pathway! This visa allows skilled workers and their families to live, work, and study in designated regional areas for up to five years, with a pathway to permanent residency. To qualify, applicants must meet certain requirements, including nomination by a state or territory government, relevant work experience, and a positive skills assessment. Our Migration Agent in Perth can guide you through every requirement, helping you secure your future in Australia. Embrace new opportunities in regional Australia today!

[munaeem]

Subclass 491. What are chances for a university lecturer in Australia

? As a university lecturer, you have a strong chance for subclass 491 visa. Subclass 491 Visa Requirements: Occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list Positive skills assessment At least 65 points on the points test Nomination by a state or territory government Meet health, character, and English language requirements University Lecturer Occupation: ANZSCO Code: 231111 Skilled…

[sravani12345]

Australia PR Visa: Your Ultimate Guide to a New Life Down Under

Australia, known for its high quality of life, diverse culture, and breathtaking landscapes, has become a top destination for individuals seeking a fresh start. The Australia Permanent Residency Visa offers a pathway to call this beautiful country home. If you're considering moving to Australia, here’s everything you need to know about obtaining an Australia PR Visa and why it might be the perfect fit for you.

1. What is an Australia PR Visa?

An Australia PR Visa allows foreign nationals to live, work, and study anywhere in Australia with most of the rights and entitlements of Australian citizens. It’s a renewable visa that generally lasts five years, and after meeting certain requirements, it can pave the way toward Australian citizenship.

2. Benefits of an Australia PR Visa

An Australia PR Visa offers numerous advantages, including:

Work and Study Anywhere in Australia: Choose from numerous job opportunities across Australia and study at some of the world’s best educational institutions.

Access to Healthcare and Social Benefits: Enjoy the benefits of Australia’s Medicare system and access to social security services.

Sponsor Family Members: With a PR visa, you can sponsor eligible family members to join you in Australia.

Pathway to Citizenship: After a qualifying period, you can apply for citizenship and become an Australian national.

3. Pathways to an Australia PR Visa

The Australian Government offers several visa options for permanent residency:

Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189): This points-based visa does not require a job offer or employer sponsorship, ideal for skilled workers.

Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190): Similar to subclass 189 but requires a nomination from an Australian state or territory.

Employer-Sponsored Visas: Certain employers can sponsor skilled workers for PR based on employment needs.

Family-Sponsored Visas: These visas allow family members of Australian citizens or PR holders to apply for PR based on family relationships.

4. How to Apply for an Australia PR Visa

The application process for an Australia PR Visa involves:

Skill Assessment: Evaluate whether your professional skills and qualifications meet Australian standards.

Expression of Interest (EOI): Lodge an EOI through SkillSelect, where the Australian Government assesses your eligibility based on factors like age, work experience, education, and English proficiency.

Invitation to Apply (ITA): If selected, you’ll receive an ITA to submit a formal application.

Document Submission and Medical Checks: Provide necessary documentation and undergo health examinations as per Australian immigration requirements.

5. Points System for Australia PR Visa

Australia’s PR Visa process uses a points-based system, where applicants earn points based on factors such as age, education, work experience, and language skills. The minimum score required for most visas is 65 points, though higher scores increase your chances of receiving an invitation to apply.

6. Expert Tips for a Successful Australia PR Visa Application

Improve Your English Proficiency: Higher IELTS or PTE scores can boost your points significantly.

Gain Relevant Work Experience: Prior work experience in your skilled occupation strengthens your application.

Consider State Nomination: Some Australian states offer nominations to PR applicants in high-demand occupations.

Final Thoughts

The Australia Permanent Residency Visa offers an incredible opportunity to build a new life in one of the world’s most desirable countries. By understanding the visa options, preparing a strong application, and considering expert guidance, you can make your Australian dream a reality. Take the first step, explore the pathways that suit your situation, and get ready for an exciting future in Australia!

Get started on your Australia PR Visa application today and begin your journey towards a brighter, more secure future!

[visaexpertsblog]

Australia Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) is currently open for new applications for 2022-23. The visa pathway allows skilled workers and their family members to live in Australia.

[gobrittpaige]

Factors that Influence Subclass 190 Visa Processing

Wondering what affects the processing times for a Subclass 190 Visa? Several factors play a role in determining how quickly your application moves forward. A complete application with accurate documentation can speed things up, while demand for specific occupations often creates delays. High point scores may lead to prioritization, as can quick completion of health and character checks. The processing time of your state nomination and any required background verification can also impact timelines. Additionally, global visa priorities and application volume can affect wait times. Understanding these factors can help you better prepare for the application process and avoid delays. More details read our blog “Understanding the 190 Visa Processing Time”

[visa4you1]

Australia’s immigration system is based on a points test, where applicants accumulate points based on various factors, such as age, English proficiency, work experience, education, and other qualifications. Achieving a high score on this points test is crucial for receiving an invitation to apply for an Australian Permanent Residency (PR) visa, such as the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190), or Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491). In this guide, we’ll break down each factor in the points test to help you understand how to maximize your score and increase your chances of securing PR.

One of the most significant contributors to your overall points score is your age. The Australian immigration system is designed to favor younger applicants, as they are likely to contribute to the workforce for a more extended period.

Proficiency in English is another crucial factor in the points test. The higher your level of English, the more points you can earn.

Your work experience, especially if it’s related to an occupation on Australia’s Skilled Occupation List (SOL), can substantially boost your points score.

Work experience within Australia is highly valued, reflecting your ability to adapt and thrive in the Australian workforce.

Experience Duration: If you’ve worked in Australia for 8–10 years in a skilled occupation, you can earn 20 points.

Why It’s Important: Australian work experience demonstrates your familiarity with the local work culture and systems, making you a more attractive candidate.

Strategies: If you’re already in Australia on a temporary visa, consider gaining as much local work experience as possible before applying for PR.

Your educational qualifications are another significant component of the points test, particularly if you hold a Doctorate degree.

If you’ve completed advanced studies in Australia, particularly in niche areas, you can earn additional points.

Australia is actively encouraging skilled migrants to live and work in regional areas, offering additional points for those who study in these locations.

Proficiency in certain community languages can earn you extra points, reflecting Australia’s multicultural society.

Completing a Professional Year program in Australia can be a valuable way to gain additional points and improve your job prospects.

State or territory governments in Australia can nominate applicants for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190), which provides an additional 5 points.

If your spouse or de facto partner meets specific criteria, you can gain an additional 10 points towards your application.

If your spouse or de facto partner has competent English but does not meet the other criteria for skilled points, you can still earn an additional 5 points.

If you’re applying as a single applicant or your spouse is an Australian citizen or PR holder, you’re eligible for an additional 10 points.

Why It Matters: This category recognizes the lower potential for dependents to be a burden on the system, thereby rewarding single applicants or those with an Australian spouse.

Strategic Advantage: If your partner doesn’t meet the criteria for additional points, you might consider applying as a single applicant to gain these 10 points.

The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) allows applicants to live and work in regional Australia and offers a substantial 15 points for regional or family sponsorship.

Summery

Maximizing your points for Australian Permanent Residency requires careful planning and a deep understanding of the points test. By focusing on areas where you can improve, such as English proficiency, work experience, or education, you can significantly enhance your chances of receiving an invitation to apply for PR. Whether you’re applying independently, with a partner.

Originally published at https://www.visa4you.co.in on October 24, 2024.

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A detailed walkthrough of Australia's General Skilled Migration application process

Australia's General Skilled Migration (GSM) program offers a pathway to permanent residency for skilled individuals from around the world. If you're considering this route, understanding the application process is crucial. This guide will provide a detailed walkthrough to help you navigate the journey.

Step 1: Assess Your Eligibility

Skill Assessment: The first step is to get your skills assessed by an authorized assessing authority. This varies depending on your occupation. The assessment determines if your qualifications and experience meet Australian standards.

Points Test: Once your skills are assessed, you'll need to score points in a points test. Factors considered include age, education, work experience, English language proficiency, and occupation.

Step 2: Lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI)

SkillSelect: Submit an EOI through SkillSelect, an online system. Provide details about your skills, qualifications, and experience.

Invitation to Apply (ITA): If your EOI scores enough points and aligns with Australia's immigration priorities, you may receive an ITA.

Step 3: Submit Your Visa Application

Documentation: Gather all necessary documents, including your passport, birth certificate, academic transcripts, work experience certificates, English language test results, and medical examination.

Character and Health Requirements: You'll need to meet character and health requirements to be eligible for a visa. This involves a background check and a medical examination.

Step 4: Wait for a Decision

Processing Time: The processing time for a GSM visa can vary depending on various factors. It's essential to be patient during this stage.

Visa Grant: If your application is successful, you'll receive a grant of a temporary visa, which allows you to travel to Australia and apply for permanent residency.

Key Tips for a Successful Application:

Research Thoroughly: Understand the specific requirements for your occupation and the points system.

Plan Ahead: Start the process early to give yourself ample time to prepare and address any potential challenges.

Seek Professional Help: If you're unsure about any aspect of the application, consider consulting an immigration agent or lawyer.

Prepare Strong Documentation: Ensure your documents are accurate, complete, and well-organized.

Be Patient: The process can be time-consuming, so maintain a positive attitude and be prepared to wait.

Additional Considerations:

State Nomination: Some states in Australia offer additional points for applicants who are nominated by a state or territory.

Regional Migration: If you're willing to live and work in a regional area, you may be eligible for additional points.

Temporary Graduate Visa: If you're a recent graduate from an Australian institution, you may be eligible for a temporary graduate visa, which can lead to permanent residency.

By following these steps and considering the key factors, you can increase your chances of successfully navigating Australia's General Skilled Migration process and achieving your goal of permanent residency.

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When is the Best Time to apply for Australia PR?

The general skilled migration program is the best road on which you can commence your travel if you want to reach your dream destination without any hassle. There are many visa subcategories under this pathway such as:

Skilled Independent Visa subclass 189

Skilled nominated visa subclass 190

Skilled work regional (provisional) visa subclass 491

Both the subclasses 189 and 190 are the point-based PR Visa which allows you to work and live anywhere in Australia. Both the Visa subcategories require 65 points to apply. These points are awarded based on several parameters such as age, work experience, language proficiency, etc. Where an 189 visa allows you to live, work, and study anywhere in Australia, the 190 visa subclass wants you to live and work in the nominated state for 2 years to unlock the benefit of living and working anywhere in Australia.

A 491 Visa, on the other hand, is a provisional visa and not a permanent one which allows you to live and work in the designated regional areas of Australia for 5 years. After the completion of 5 years, you are eligible to apply for Australia PR and continue to live in Kangaroo land. The DHA (Department of Home Affairs) conducts a round of invitations and invites the candidates with the highest scores and the most in-demand occupations.

Looking for a step-by-step process for Australia PR? Well, follow a step-by-step process and start your Australia PR process today.

Check if your occupation is in the skilled occupation list of Australia or not. There are three occupation lists such as MLTSSL (Medium and Long Term strategic skills list) for a 189 visa, STSOL (Short term and skilled occupation list) for a 190 visa and ROL (Regional Occupational List) for a 491 Visa.

Gather essential documents i.e. a positive IELTS language proficiency test, a positive skills assessment assessed by a relevant authority such as VETASSES, ACS, and AACA, etc.

Obtain a Nomination from an Australian state or sponsorship from an eligible family member living in Australia (if you are applying for 190 and 491 visas respectively).

Determine if you have 65 points in the Australia PR point calculator or not. Well, don’t set 65 as a benchmark, rather, make more effort and try to score more in the calculator as the highest points are always the best if you want to receive an invitation to apply for an Australia PR Visa.

Receive an invitation from the DHA toapply for Australia PR

Apply for Australia PR along with all your pertinent documents that support your application.

Once your documents are submitted and everything is found correct, the DHA will give you a grant on your PR Visa.

So, if you wish to apply for Australia PR, no time is better than 2021. So, check your requirements now and apply under the visa subclass that best suits your interests and requirements. Good Luck!

requirements now and apply under the best visa subclass which best suits your interest and requirements. Good Luck!