The strong, sustaining economic growth of Australia and the job opportunities available attracts many migrants to the country. The Australian government encourages skilled workers to immigrate to the nation as they contribute to the economic growth. There are many types of Australian visas, and the government grants immigration through four main visa types.
And, they are
- Skilled Migration Visa
- Business Migration Visa
- Family Migration Visa
- Humanitarian Migration Visa
Each of these, have several options or visa sub classes.
Skilled Migration Visa
A person who wants to migrate to Australia using skilled visa should register and submit Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect program. SkillSelect is an online service through which the skilled workers who want to immigrate can record information about their educational qualification, work experience, and language (English) fluency. Visa applications are processed based on their EOI point scores. The higher the EOI score; the greater the chance for visa processing. A person could be selected and nominated for skilled visa by local employers or the state government or the federal government. The skilled visa can be classified as
- Sponsored or Unsponsored
- National or Local (Regional)
- Permanent or Temporary
Business Migration Visa
Business people who want to immigrate to Australia can do so by starting a new business, or by managing an existing business, or by investing in the country.
All business migrants must first obtain a temporary visa before applying for a permanent visa. To get this visa, one should be nominated by a state or territory government agency and should be invited to apply by the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection.
The three streams under this visa are:
- Business innovation stream
- Investor stream
- Significant investor stream
Business Innovation stream
The age of the person applying for visa under this stream should be less than 55 years. If the proposed business promises exponential benefit, then the state or territory can waive this condition.
The other conditions for eligibility under this visa are:
- At least 65 marks in the points test
- In the two out of four financial years before you apply for the visa, you should have had ownership interest in the business, or should have had business that had at least AUD500 000 turnover in each of those years
- own at least one of the following percentage of your nominated main business:
- 51 per cent, if the business has a turnover of less than AUD400 000 per year
- 30 per cent, if the business has a turnover of AUD400 000 or more per year
- 10 per cent, if the business is a publicly listed company
Investor stream
If you want visa under investor stream, then the age should be less than 55 years. If the proposed business promises exponential benefit, then the state or territory can waive this condition. Also, you should have a high level of management skill in relation to the eligible investment or qualifying business activity. You need to have successful business record, and should show commitment in continuing business or investment in Australia after the investment matures.
Income that you earn from your designated investment in Australia is subject to tax under Australian taxation law.
Significant Investor stream
You must make an investment of at least AUD 5 million, and hold that investment continuously for at least four years.
Family Migration Visa
The Family migration visa is provided to reunite the Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, and eligible New Zealand citizens with their close family members.
Family migration visa is issued to the people if they have a qualifying sponsor who is a resident of Australia and if the person falls under any one of the relationship with the sponsor - spouse, fiancée, child or adopted child, parent, orphan relative, special needs relative, aged dependent relative or last remaining relative.
Humanitarian Migration Visa
Australia’s Humanitarian Program is an important part of Australia’s contribution to the international protection of refugees.
This visa is provided under the following circumstances:
- For people outside Australia in need of humanitarian assistance.
For people already in Australia who are found to be refugees.
