Australia PR Visa for Non-Citizens | Benefits & Process

A large number of people are moving to Australia for quality education, better career possibilities, a modern lifestyle and high standard of living, and a clean environment. As a result, Australia is witnessing an unprecedented spike in the number of visa applications from around the world. This article covers all relevant points individuals must know before applying for an Australia PR visa from India. 

What is Australian PR Visa?

The PR visa is a permanent resident visa exclusively issued to non-citizens of Australia who want to live and work in Australia. The PR visa process is highly systematic and organized to assess the applications based on an individual’s credentials and Australia PR points before granting the visa.

Individuals who have obtained a PR visa can stay in Australia and enjoy various privileges and rights as Australian citizens do, such as legal services and subsidized or free health services. A five-year travel facility is also granted along with a PR visa. The PR visa holder can leave and return to Australia freely until the travel facility expires. However, a PR holder can’t vote in State/territory or federal elections. 

A permanent resident can apply for Australian citizenship after a particular waiting period. He/she will have to undergo a citizenship test with a few other facilities.

Also Read: H1B Visa: Eligibility Criteria, Validity & Fee

Key Benefits of Permanent Resident Visa

You can enjoy the following benefits when you acquire a PR visa:

• PR visa holders can live, work and study in any part of Australia. 
• They can also travel within and outside Australia for an unlimited period of time. 
• A PR visa holder can avail of the benefits of subsidized or free health services and enjoy the privileges of the Australian Government’s health insurance. 
• After a defined period of time, PR visa holders can apply for Australian citizenship.
• PR visa holders can sponsor their family members or relatives to Australia for either a temporary or permanent basis. 
• They can access some social security payment benefits as well. 
• PR holders can work under any employer in Australia. 
• PR visa holders also enjoy the freedom to travel to New Zealand and apply for a visa.

How to Apply for Australia Permanent Resident Visa?

Australia’s PR process steps are streamlined and a mixture of both offline and online activities. To get an Australian permanent resident visa from India, you need to meet the PR visa requirements as follows:

Required Documents

• Educational and routine travel documents.
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System) result for assessment of English proficiency. 
• Results of the assessment of skills to ensure how qualified you are in a particular field. 

Visa Type

There are different types of PR visas issued by the Australian Government. Applicants are required to choose the visa based on their requirements. Here are the most common visa categories:

• Subclass 190: State Nominated PR Visa
• Subclass 189: Non-sponsored Visa
• Subclass 186: Employer nominated Visa

Profession from SOL

• An applicant needs to choose an occupation from SOL (Skilled Occupation List) based on the particular PR visa type. 

Apply through a Point-Based System 

The applicant has to apply for a PR visa through Australia’s point-based system by submitting an EOI (Expression of Interest) in the Australian Skill Select System online. Skillset is an online record of an applicant’s profile that includes name, age, work experience, language proficiency, qualification, etc. Based on these details, the system generates points. Your overall score should be a minimum of 60 points to be eligible for the respective PR visa via the system. Higher points mean better chances of receiving an invitation to apply for the PR visa. 

Character and Health Requirements

Apart from the above mentioned criteria, an applicant should fulfill character and health requirements as well. The character of the applicant has to be morally respectable, and he or she should be mentally perfect to work and live in Australia.

Also Read: Canada Visa for Indians – Types, Fees & Validity

Australia PR Visa for India – Key Requirements

Indian citizens like business professionals, skilled workers, etc. who meet the eligibility criteria with a collective score of 60 points can apply for a permanent resident visa. An applicant will need to provide the following documents to qualify for an Australia visa for any PR category:

• Educational certificates
• Evidence of English language proficiency
• Work experience certificates
• Travel documents (permission from authorities, passport, etc.)

PR Visa for Indian Citizens – Categories

Presently, Australian Administration issues 30+ visa categories for Indians to get a PR visa. These visa options are designed to suit the exclusive needs of different applicants. Based on their aspiration, Indian citizens can choose from the following categories for faster approval:

• Subclass 189 – Skilled independent visa
• Subclass 190 – Skilled state sponsored visa
• Subclass 489 – Skilled regional visa
• Subclass 890 – Business visa
• Subclass 891 – Investor visa
• Subclass 132 – Business talent visa
• Child visa
• Partner visa
• Parent visa

Also Read: Indian Passport for NRI: Renewal vs Reissue

You can contact Australian Embassy in India for queries regarding an Australian visa. If you’re looking for any assistance with NRI services such as NRI account opening, NRI Demat account, NRI investment, or taxation, experts at SBNRI can help you out with everything. Download SBNRI App from the Google Play Store or App Store to ask any questions related to NRI services. Also, visit our blog and Youtube Channel for more details.

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