The last few months in Australian immigration have caused a lot of headache and confusion among everyone involved. From politicians, to migration agents to migrants wishing to come to Australia and start a new life here. Yes, as the migration numbers shrink one questions remains one of the most frequently asked ones: ‘How to get PR (Permanent Residency) in Australia?’ That is what every potential migrant wants to know.
In 2018 there are 190,000 spots available – the permanent residency limit for permanent migrants and those places are filled with well-organised and highly skilled people from hundreds of occupations.
In response to future migrants concerns, this is your absolute ultimate guide on how to get permanent residency in Australia and what you need to know.
Get comfortable people…and prepare to be informed!
“How to get permanent residency ? Which way do I go?”
There is not just one path to permanent residency and that’s a good thing!
With each person having a different situation whether it be love, family, or employment, there are a variety of avenues depending on your circumstances to gain PR and call yourself a permanent resident of Australia!
1.Family-Based Australian Permanent Residency
Family-Based PRs are applicable to anyone who currently has family, relatives or a loved one (married/de facto) that are already citizens or permanent residents of Australia.
Visas are usually expensive, so make sure your loved one or family members fit the criteria thoroughly before throwing away money on visas.
2.Skill-Based Australian Permanent Residency
Skill-Based PRs are ideal for skilled workers who want to learn more and immerse themselves in Australia while working full time. This visa is also beneficial to Australian communities as it promotes economic growth and the bonus is you can also bring your family with you in most cases. There are many visa options in this group, so find one that best suits you ideal work plan or use our free assessment and we will tell you which of those categories you might be eligible for.
3.Special Eligibility Permanent Residency
This covers visas for those in special circumstances that do not fit into the other streams. This can include permanent residents returning to the country after a period away, this isn’t the usual way to a visa but you can find more information to this special area here.
4.Child Permanent Residency
There will be at least 3,485 child places outside the migration programme in 2017-2018. This is more for children (under 18) who are joining their parents in Australia, not exactly relevant to your own permanent residency application. You can also see more information on the subclass visas of each group. To check which one suits you best, you can contact us and find more information on the Homepage of the Department of Home Affairs.
TIP #1 – Assess yourself first!
Don’t waste your time by applying and spending valuable money on a visa you will never get. Assess your own eligibility first or get us to assess it for you complimentary here.
“Before you submit your PR application”
Research like you’ve never researched before… go through all the information on our site (use the search box to find everything you need) and also don’t hesitate to refer to some reliable Australian Immigration sources such as:
- Australian Government Department of Home Affairs
- Australian Government
- Parliament of Australia (Migration Program)
Also don’t forget to read through our blogs and subscribe to our newsletters.
The reason we are saying this is not for our own benefit but because you knowing your chosen visa and the immigration department inside and out will ensure that you
- Fit the visas criteria
- Know what you are talking about
- Will be able to understand any issues that arise
- Will be able to deal with these issues
If you prefer one of our migration agents to handle your case, we’d love to hear from you. Simply fill out the form above or call (02) 4626 1002.
“Where do I start for getting my permanent residency?”
Okay, so you know which visa you are applying for? (If you’re not sure still, use our free assessment and we will tell you).
Listen up, you now need to bring your OCD organizer side out…
Seriously, something well known by migration agents that people tend to forget, is that the case officer going over your application sees absolutely thousands of applications during their careers.
So if you make a mistake, do not include something of value, or cause any reason for alarm, the case officer is going to want to move on from your case as soon as possible due to lack of information, which is completely reasonable.
So to avoid that situation make sure your application for permanent residency is:
- Structured (case officers need this to properly assess the information, make sure everything is consistent such as being sent facing the right way up, spelling errors corrected as much as possible etc.)
- Timely (It’s not like an exam you can just cram everything in the night before its due … documents and statements can take weeks or even longer to get sometimes. So make sure if you are asked for any further information that you start on in IMMEDIATELY!)
- Honest (falsifying any information is a VERY serious situation and will result in your visa application being cancelled and possibly serious charges or bars from applying again)
- Documented (anything you reference in your application MUST be accompanied by documents, even if you think it does not require it…do it anyway! Whether it be payslips, qualifications, receipts etc.)
TIP #2 – Make a Documents Checklist…we all love checklists
Write down all the relevant information you are submitting to the Government for getting your PR. Then on top of your pile write each document/form you need to submit with your Permanent Residency visa application.
Gradually cross off down the list and when the list is complete, only then submit the application. Visas will often require different documents depending on your choice of visa subclass that you are applying for. This will simplify and give you a checklist to refer to when putting those documents together.
We’ve prepared a Document Checklist for the 189 Visa for you to download and use.
“Can I add documents after my PR application is submitted?”
Realised you made a mistake…after everything we told you?
If you’ve realised that a mistake has been made you can complete a notification of incorrect answers online form on your account and submit it along with the correct information.You can also submit other forms online if your address, circumstances change etc.
After you submit your application for getting permanent residency, you may also be contacted by the case officer handling your matter to provide more information during the process. It is crucial that you do this ASAP for them. They will appreciate it and it’ll make the waiting process go quicker. Applications can take several weeks to several months to make a decision on so sit back and be patient. A good registered migration agent will help you prepare a decision-ready visa application which might speed up the processing times for you. Contact us if you wish to consult an agent.
“What to do after my PR is granted?”
Well, then break out the champagne because that is how to get your permanent residency visa for Australia!
When you receive the approval of your permanent visa and come into Australia you will have rights such as
- Working Rights
- Right to Public Education
- Ability to apply for citizenship
- Able to sponsor relatives
- Able to travel between New Zealand and Australia without another visa
TIP #3 – Follow the instructions
Pay close attention to your approval notice/letter for any deadlines you need to enter the country by and make sure to follow closely any specific instructions given at approval.
“What if my PR is not granted?”
If your visa gets rejected and you do no get permanent residency, don’t stress. In Australia the migration law usually allows you to appeal your case and ask for a merits review tribunal which is an review of your application based on what you have submitted.
You can appeal this and see how the tribunal decides, otherwise you will need to apply for a different visa or try again later when you match the criteria sufficiently. We can assist you in applying for an AAT (Administrave Appeals Tribunal). We can also help you preparing an appeal.
Still not quite sure on how to get permanent residency?
Call us (02) 4626 1002
or use the online form above
or even better book a consultation to talk about everything!
