Australian PR for International Students: How to Apply?

Australian PR for International Students: How to Apply?

There are many pathways to get Australian PR for international students. If your goal is to become a permanent resident in Australia through a student visa, you’ve come to the right place.

There are various pathways available and the best one would depend on your age, qualification, English ability, work experience, etc.

Scroll below to learn more about the pathway to obtain Australian PR for International Students.

First Step of Australia PR pathways for students: Decide What is Your Nominated Occupation

While you have completed your degree in Australia, it’s time to decide what your nominated occupation is. It is important to decide in the first place because it will show the options for your Australian PR pathway.

It is best to decide a nominated occupation that suits your degree because most of the skilled occupations in Australia require you to have the relevant or closely relevant education background. If you find it confusing to decide your nominated occupation, our Registered Migration Agent is always ready to assist you.

Make sure that your nominated occupation is listed in the Australian Skilled Occupation List.

Second Step of Australia PR pathways for students: Obtain Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485)

Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) plays an important role in your way to obtain the Australian PR, because the 485 visa will help you in either obtaining a higher points for the GSM program or in meeting the criteria for ENS program visa, through:

• Obtaining the required work experiences for your occupation;
• Fulfilling the residency requirements if you aim to lodge a regional skilled work visa; and
• Training your English ability.

With these 3 aspects, you will have a broader chance to apply for the Australian work visa which either has the direct Permanent Residency pathway or not.

Read more: Guidelines from 482 Visa to PR in 2022: How Much Does It Costs and What Are the Pathways?

Third Step of Australia PR pathways for Students: Get Your Australian Work Visa Application Ready

Now you have obtained the required work experience, fulfill the residency requirements and get the best score for your English language test. It is time to get your Australian PR application ready. The most common way is by applying for an Australian work visa.

Your Australian work visa application must be ready before your Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) expires. Two of the following work visa programs can be your option:

General Skilled Migration Program

The General Skilled Migration Program offers three different visa subclasses, including 190 visa, 189 visa and 491 visa.

These visa subclasses work with a point-test scheme, in which you must obtain at least 65 points on your Expression of Interest application. These points are derived from several aspects, such as age, work experience, qualifications, English language proficiency, etc.

This program can be your way to get Australian PR, as long as you can obtain the point.

The plus point from these visa subclasses is that Visa 189 and Visa 190 offers you a direct permanent residency, meaning that you don’t need to apply for another temporary work visa.

Employer Sponsored Visa

The Employer Sponsored Visa offers some different visa subclasses with different streams, such as 482 visa, 186 visa, and 494 visa.

These visa subclasses work with sponsorship schemes. So, you must receive a sponsorship offer from the Australian company, either in a non-regional or regional area, to work for the company in order to obtain the Australian PR.

Or if you find it difficult to get everything together during the validity period of your Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485), you may consider extending your stay by applying for the same visa or other type of visa.

You can always discuss the best options that suit your circumstances with our Registered Migration Agent by simply clicking here.

Other important information: Covid-19 Visa Concession is Over

You might have heard about this and it surely affects your migration plan. While previously the concession in meeting the work experience and age criteria were still in place, now you have to consider everything carefully and use your time in Australia wisely.

These recent changes require a more careful approach in the migration plan. The new criteria especially for work experience and age are affecting international students looking for work visas.

For example, subclass 408 visa used to be another option for people who couldn’t apply for a subclass 485 visa or needed more time on it to get work experience. With the covid-19 visa concession closure, lesser visa options are available. And therefore, it is crucial to plan things carefully and starting the migration process early is very important to avoid any setbacks to ensure that the updated rules are met and smooth transition to life in Australia is achieved.

If you fall for the wrong decision, it is most likely that you have to begin everything from scratch.

Given these changes, seeking advice from a professional is a smart move for obtaining personalized guidance, navigating rule changes, and improving chances of successful migration.