In a significant development for prospective immigrants, Victoria Province in Australia has launched two visa pathways that enable individuals to work, study, and live permanently in Australia without needing a job offer.
It opens the door to permanent residency through the Visa 190 and Visa 491 routes, and it is already generating considerable buzz among potential immigrants.
Visa 190: The Path to Permanent Residency
The Visa 190 is a permanent Australian visa for skilled migrants nominated by an Australian state or territory government. It eliminates the requirement for a job offer, offering a golden chance to live and work in Australia indefinitely. Notably, this visa could pave the way for Australian citizenship in the future, making it an enticing option for those looking to make Australia their new home.
Visa 491: The Regional Opportunity
The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa, also known as Visa 491, offers skilled immigrants the chance to reside, study, and work in specific regional areas for a period of five years, with the potential for permanent residency. To qualify for this pathway, individuals must select an eligible province or state and reside and work there for three years. Following this period, they gain the flexibility to relocate and work in any region of Australia. Applicants may apply for permanent residency within two to three years of acquiring the Visa 491.
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The primary distinction between Visa 190 and Visa 491 lies in the level of freedom they offer concerning the choice of location for living and working within Australia.
Expression of Interest: A Pivotal Step
Both Visa 190 and Visa 491 open doors to relocate to any province within Australia without the need for a job offer, making them a promising option for many. Additionally, Victoria Province has introduced the Expression of Interest (EOI) application process, indicating its readiness to accept applications or expressions of interest from individuals aspiring to immigrate to this particular province.
Eligibility Criteria and Application Process
The eligibility criteria for these visa pathways include:
Willingness to live in Victoria province
Selection of a Registration of Interest (ROI)
Age under 45
Competency in English
Possession of a valid Skills Assessment
Experience in an occupation listed for this visa
Scoring at least 65 points on the Australian Government’s points test for your Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect
The visa application process involves four steps:
Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs through SkillSelect.
Upon receiving your EOI number from SkillSelect, apply for a Victorian nomination by completing a Registration of Interest (ROI) on the Live in Melbourne portal.
If you receive an invitation, proceed to complete a nomination application within the Live in Melbourne portal.
Upon approval of your nomination application, you can then submit a visa application for your chosen visa to the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs.
Evaluation Process for Registration of Interest
When assessing Registration of Interests (ROIs), various factors come into play, including age, English proficiency, years of experience in the nominated occupation, educational qualifications, skills of your partner (if applicable), and salary (for onshore candidates).
Notably, specific emphasis is placed on jobs in healthcare, social services, information communication technology (ICT), teaching roles, advanced manufacturing, infrastructure, renewable energy, and hospitality and tourism (especially for the Visa 491).
Skills Assessment: A Critical Step
Obtaining a skills assessment is crucial. Professionals experienced in your field in Australia will guide you on the specific documents to submit. Once these documents are collected, they will evaluate whether your skills and qualifications align with the requirements in Australia, ultimately providing a positive or negative outcome.
Skills assessments are provided by designated skills assessment organizations responsible for verifying that your skills meet the specific standards for employment in your chosen occupation.
