Country Profile:

 

Located in the southern hemisphere, Australia spans an impressive 7.692 million square kilometers. It is the largest country in Oceania and the world’s sixth-largest by area. Australia boasts a highly developed market economy and one of the highest per capita incomes globally.

 

 

Capital: Canberra

 

Population: 26,986,400 (as of 2024, 53rd)

 

Ethnic Groups: English 25.9%, Australian 25.4%, Irish 7.5%, Scottish 6.4%, Italian 3.3%, German 3.2%, Chinese 3.1%, Indian 1.4%, Greek 1.4%, Dutch 1.2%

 

Area: 7,692,024 km² (6th)

 

Offical Language: English

 

Currency: Australian dollar ($) (AUD)

 

GDP per Captial: $64,674 (23rd)

 

How To Immigrate To Australia:

 

Australia is a major immigrant destination, offering hundreds of different visa categories, including skilled migration, work migration, and investment migration, to name a few. The country’s immigration system differentiates various visa types by numbers, for instance, student visas are categorized as “500” and spouse visas as “300” and so on.

 

Generally speaking, the types of long-term residency visas that foreigners can obtain in Australia include:

 

1. Student and Training Visas: Including Student Visa 500, Training Visa 407, and Guardian Visa 590, etc.

 

2. Family Visas: Including Spouse Visas 300, 309, 100, 801, 820; Parent Visas 103, 804, 864, 884, 143; and other general family visas 102, 114, 836, 838, 116, 445, 461, 117, 837, 115, 835, etc.

 

3. Humanitarian Visas: Including 866, 785, 790, etc.

 

4. Skilled Migration Visas: Including Independent Skilled Migrant 189; State Nomination 190; Global Talent Visa 858; Short-Term Labor Shortage Employer Sponsored 482; Employer Sponsored Visa 186; Regional Skilled Migrant 491; Regional Employer Sponsored Skilled Migrant 494; Regional Employer Sponsored Permanent Residency 191, etc.

 

5. Investment and Business Visas: Including State Business and Innovation 188; Federal Business and Innovation 888; Investor Visa 891; State Nominated Business Owner 892; Business Owner Permanent Residency 890, etc.

 

6. Working Holiday Visas: Including 462 and 417.

 

Further summarizing, excluding family migration, the general pathways for individuals to migrate to Australia are:

 

1. Independent Skilled Migration: Supported solely by a points system, where if the applicant scores highly enough, they can directly obtain permanent residency. This includes 189, 190, 491 (which is a 5-year visa).

 

2. Employer-Sponsored Work Migration: Requiring local employer sponsorship, which includes 482, 494, 186, 457, 191, etc.

 

3. Business and Investment Visas: Including 188, 132, 888, 890, 891, 892, etc.

 

4. Two Special Types of Visas: Working Holiday Visas (417 & 462, with 462 applicable to domestic applicants) and the Global Talent 858 Visa.

 

Independent Skilled Migration:

 

In this chapter, we will discuss three visas that can be obtained without employer support and are based solely on the points scored: 189, 190, and 491.

 

Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) :

 

First, let’s discuss the 189 visa.

 

The 189 Skilled Independent visa is designed to attract global technical talents. It does not require employer support, financial proof, or other criteria. If your occupation is one of the 212 listed on Australia’s Medium and Long Term Strategic Skilled List (MLTSSL) and you score more than 65 points on a comprehensive points test system that takes into account age, educational background, work history, and relationship with Australia, you can enter the candidate pool and wait for an invitation from the Australian Immigration Department for a green card.

 

For the list of occupations on the MLTSSL, you can search: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skill-occupation-list

 

Let’s take a closer look at the 189 points table:

 

1. Age: 18-24 years old gets 25 points, 25-32 years old gets 30 points, 33-39 years old gets 25 points, and 40-45 years old gets 15 points. If you are applying just to gather points, it might be beneficial to work a few years before reaching 25. And if you’re nearing 33, you should hurry with your application.

 

2. English Proficiency: A minimum of 6 in all four IELTS modules is required, 7 in all four adds 10 points, and 8 in all four adds 20 points. Australia also accepts TOEFL and Cambridge scores, but IELTS and PTE are the most commonly used English tests. Note that some occupations or applications for 190 and 491 state sponsorship require 7 or 8 in all four IELTS modules. Some professions even require proof of English proficiency before undergoing skill assessment. This information can be found in each state’s sponsorship occupation list or individual job evaluation requirements.

 

3. Work Experience: 3-4 years of overseas work experience gets 5 points, 5-7 years gets 10 points, and over 8 years gets 15 points. In Australia, 1-2 years of work experience gets 5 points, 3-4 years gets 10 points, 5-7 years gets 15 points, and over 8 years gets 20 points. As mentioned earlier, the number of years of work experience is determined by the skill assessment authorities, not by personal judgment.

Furthermore, evidence of work experience older than 8 years is typically not required; mentioning it on your resume is sufficient.

 

4. Education Level: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent technical title gets 10 points, Master’s gets 15 points, and Ph.D. gets 20 points. If you’ve studied for more than two years in Australia for research-based Master’s or Ph.D. degrees, you get an additional 10 points. Having an Australian degree gives you an extra 5 points.

 

5. Professional Year: Adds 5 points. This is a unique arrangement in Australia where accounting, IT, and engineering graduates work for one year after graduation. If you work outside of Australia, this point is irrelevant.

 

6. Community Language Certificate: Adds 5 points. This is essentially the NAATI (National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters) exam. Immigrants need to pass the Level 2 interpreter or Level 3 translation test. It generally takes about half a year of preparation and exam time to pass. If you can achieve 7 in all four IELTS modules, you likely can pass the NAATI.

 

7. Studying in a Remote Area of Australia: Adds 5 points.

 

8. Partner Points: If you are single, or if your spouse is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or if your spouse or partner is also an applicant meeting the age and English proficiency requirements (minimum IELTS 6 in all modules) and passes the skill assessment, you get an additional 10 points. If your partner is also applying for the same visa and meets the English requirement, you get an additional 5 points.

 

The detailed points table is as follows:

 

 

The other basic requirements for the 189 visa include: being under 45 years old, scoring a minimum of 6 in all four IELTS modules (or PTE 50 in all four modules or equivalent English test scores), being in good health, and having no criminal record.

 

The specific application process can be divided into the following three steps:

 

1. Eligibility Check: First, the applicant must confirm they meet all basic conditions. They must score above 65 points on the scoring table, and, crucially, their occupation should be on the MLTSSL and pass a skilll assessment.

 

Australia has specific skill assessment authorities for each skilled immigrant occupation. Every applicant must apply for a professional assessment (Skill Assessment) from the relevant agency. Only if the assessment is passed can the applicant qualify for Australian skilled immigration based on that profession.

 

In the Australian skilled immigration system, occupational positioning plays a crucial role in determining the success of the immigration process. Choosing the wrong ocupation may lead to unsuccessful assessments. Major assessment authorities in Australia include VET, AIM, CPAA, among about ten others, you can check https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skills-assessment/assessing-authorities to see detailed skill assessment authorities information for each occupation.

 

On these authorities’ official websites, there is a detailed guide (guideline) which informs what materials are needed for each occupation and the prerequisites for professional assessments.

 

Some occupations might have two different authorities assessing them, and different authorities might produce different results. For instance, some engineering professions can choose between ACS or EA assessments, both of which have different prices, durations, and work experience requirements.Many professions exempt Australian school graduates from professional assessments if they provide the corresponding certificates and course descriptions. Thus, studying in Australia for two years has become a choice for many applicants to pass the professional assessment or achieve a higher score.During the skilled immigration visa application, only one nominated professional assessment can be used. However, before submitting the visa application, you can apply for any number of professional assessments until you get a satisfactory result. This allows for some margin of error.

 

2. Submit EOI: An EOI (Expression of Interest) is a letter of intent. After completing the professional assessment, applicants can submit an EOI to the Australian Immigration Department.

 

Similar to Canada, once the EOI is submitted, the applicant enters the candidate pool for that profession. At this point, you only need to provide basic personal information, the nominated profession, and your scores on the score table.

 

The Australian Immigration Commission will periodically select a certain number of qualified applicants from the candidate pool according to the quota for the related occupation, inviting them to obtain an Australian green card.

 

It’s evident that different professions can have significant differences in required scores. Some professions have fewer applicants, and reaching the baseline score of 65 can result in an invitation after waiting for about a month. For others with many applicants, the scores might need to be as high as 90 or even 100, requiring a longer wait.

 

3. Receiving an Invitation: Once your EOI is invited, you have 60 days to submit all materials verifying your score.

 

Once these materials are reviewed and your score is confirmed, you will receive an invitation for 189 permanent residency in Australia. After receiving the EOI invitation from the Immigration Department, there’s a 90% chance of successfully clearing the process. The remaining 10% is the possibility that the Immigration Department may find your provided information not genuine.

 

During this period, you’ll be assigned a CO (Case Officer) responsible for your case. You’ll have 60 days to provide materials to support all the scores you claimed in the EOI. If the CO finds the materials insufficient or inaccurate, they might ask for further documentation.Generally, these materials should be adequately prepared during the EOI phase.

 

Required materials mainly include primary and secondary applicants’ birth certificates, marriage certificate notarization, relationship proofs, photos, criminal record checks, medical reports, name change proofs, etc.Educational materials include IELTS transcripts (also required for secondary applicants), professional assessment results, passport front page, CV, diploma, university transcript, etc.Work experience materials include recommendation letters, admission notices, appointment notices, social security transfer orders, tax certificates, payslips, provident fund payment records, bank account statements, company name change documents, etc.The more comprehensive your materials, the better.

 

After all materials are ready, you can wait for the Immigration Department’s decision. If the visa is approved, you’ll receive an Australian PR (permanent residency) and can land there at any time.

 

The processing time for the 189 visa varies by profession, generally taking 5 to 8 months. The processing fee for the 189 visa is 4640 AUD for the main applicant and 4885 AUD per secondary applicant. Moreover, as per Australian Immigration regulations, all permanent visa types require secondary applicants, who don’t achieve an IELTS score of 4.5 in all four sections, to pay a fee of 4885 AUD per person.

 

190 Skilled Nominated Visa:

 

If you’re not eligible for the 189 visa based on your profession or score, consider the 190 state-nominated visa.

 

The application process and scoring system for the 190 are the same as for the 189. Both lead to permanent residency (PR) green cards. The only two differences between the 190 and the 189 are:

 

1. State Nomination:

 

To apply for the 190 visa, you need to get a nomination from a state in Australia. This state government nomination will grant you an extra 5 points on your score.

 

Each state has different professions for nomination. Every state and special administrative region in Australia has its own list of in-demand and strategic professions. If your profession is on their list and you score more than 65 points, you can try to apply for state sponsorship from that state.

 

The specific list of nominated professions for each state can be found at: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-nominated-190#Eligibility

 

Just like the 189, the 190 provides applicants with a permanent residency green card. However, typically, various regions will set specific conditions for the 190 visa in their areas. These conditions vary by profession and region. The most common condition is that applicants must live and work in that region for at least two years.

 

2. Occupation Lists:

 

The professions applicable for the 190 are from the MLTSSL and STSOL (The Short-Term Skilled Occupation List). Different state governments have different professions for state sponsorship, but all are within the MLTSSL and STSOL lists. In theory, there are 427 professions across Australia that can apply for the 190.

 

Other application conditions and procedures for the 190 are similar to the 189. The application process is roughly as follows: Submit an EOI (Expression of Interest) → Score 65 points or higher → State nomination → Federal government invites you to apply for the 190 visa → Process the visa.

 

The visa fee for the 190 is the same as for the 189: 4640 AUD for the main applicant, 4885 AUD for each secondary applicant, and an additional 4890 AUD for any secondary applicant who doesn’t pass the language test (with an IELTS score of 4.5 in all four categories).

 

The entire processing time for can take anywhere from 4 to 14 months.

 

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) :

 

If the 189 or 190 visa criteria are beyond your reach or even if you’ve achieved the 65-point threshold but your job role is highly sought-after, the 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa might be your way forward. This visa targets skilled workers aiming to settle in Australia’s more remote areas, and there’s no need for an employer’s backing.

 

In contrast to the 189 and 190 visas, the 491 is a conditional visa valid for five years, obliging recipients to reside and work in specified regional zones, which exclude major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

 

Eligible occupations for this visa span the MLTSSL, STSOL, and ROL lists, covering 504 job roles.

 

Applicants need to be nominated by an Australian regional area or by a family member living there. This nomination adds 15 points to your score. Typically, obtaining a state nomination for the 491 visa is easier than for the 190.

 

Besides the nomination, the basic requirements for the 491 visa are the same as the 189 and 190 visas.

 

The application process for the 491 visa is similar to the 189: submit an EOI, get federal government recognition, get state government or family sponsorship in Australia, receive a federal government invitation, submit all required documentation, and then receive the visa upon approval.

 

The fees for the 491 visa match other visas: the main applicant pays 4640 AUD, and secondary applicants without the required language scores (IELTS with four 4.5 bands) pay 4890 AUD each.

 

Processing times for the 491 visa typically range between 11 to 14 months, depending on how fast the applicant receives the regional nomination.

 

After landing a role in a regional area and serving for three years, and consistently submitting your three-year tax documentation to the Australian Taxation Office (ideally reflecting an annual salary of 70,000 AUD or more), you can transition from the 491 to the 191 Permanent Residency visa. However, remember, while on the 491, other PR visa avenues are off-limits, making the 191 your sole pathway.

 

Employment-Based Immigration:

 

If you don’t meet the criteria for the 189 or 190 visas, but there’s an Australian employer willing to hire and sponsor you, you can apply for a work-based immigration visa category, including the 457 (which was replaced by the 482 visa after March 2018), 482, and 494.

 

While these work visas don’t operate based on a points test, applicants still have to follow these basic requirements: be younger than 45, be in sound health, possess a clean criminal record, and have at least proficiency level of English(At least 4.5 fo​r each of the 4 IELTS components,with a overall point of at least 5).

 

Currently, the process for Australian work immigration generally requires applicants to work under the 482 or 494 short-term work visas for 3 years. After that, they can apply to transition from the 482 to the 186 permanent residency visa or from the 494 to the 191 permanent residency visa.

 

482 To 186:

The TSS (Temporary Skill Shortage) 482 visa stands as a popular choice for short-term work authorization in Australia. Designed for businesses that struggle to recruit suitable local employees in critical sectors, the government currently allows applications for 293 designated professions under this visa.

 

Three distinct pathways for 482 visa application exist: the short-term, medium-term, and the labour agreement streams. The specifics, like visa duration and eligible occupations, differ slightly across these streams. Generally, the employer decides which pathway fits best. However, it’s essential to note that those under the short-term stream cannot currently transition to the permanent 186 visa.

 

For all these streams, applicants must:

 

1. Hold a position that’s on the 482 visa’s approved occupation list and earn a minimum annual wage of 70,000 AUD.

 

2. Successfully undergo the necessary occupation evaluations, boast at least two years of work experience, satisfy English language standards (scoring a minimum of 4.5 in each IELTS segment, with an overall score of at least 5), and remain committed to the sponsoring employer.

 

Visa holders can reside in Australia for up to four years, and the visa fee is 1,455 USD.

 

When looking to progress from the 482 to the ENS 186 visa, two primary routes are available. Firstly, the 186 TRT path: work for your 482 visa’s sponsor for three years (with at least two of these years under the 482 visa), meet the IELTS benchmark (a minimum score of 6 in each section), and you can transition to the 186 visa, thus securing permanent residency. The alternative, the 186 Direct Entry method, allows those with an accumulated three years of relevant work experience, satisfactory IELTS scores, and a positive occupation assessment to directly apply for the 186 visa.

 

The 186 visa review process is more employer-centric. For the applicant, the application process is relatively straightforward: the employer must first nominate to the federal government, providing detailed job information, reasons for hiring overseas staff, and details of the applicant. Once the nomination is approved, the applicant can then submit the visa application and await approval.

 

494 To 191:

 

The 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa was launched on November 16, 2019, taking the place of Australia’s previous 187 visa.

 

Similar to the 491 visa, the 494 visa allows Australian companies in remote areas to employ overseas workers for positions where there is a labor shortage, enabling them to work and live in Australia.

 

The 494 visa is divided into two streams: the Employer Sponsored Stream and the Labour Agreement Stream.

 

For this visa category, the list of selectable occupations includes those under MLTSSL and ROL (Regional Occupation List), totaling 650 professions.

 

Distinctively from the 491 visa, the 494 requires employer sponsorship and places stringent criteria on the employers and job positions. In contrast, the requirements for the applicants are comparatively straightforward:

 

Applicants generally need to meet the following criteria: be under 45 years of age, have over 3 years of full-time work experience, have their job position assessed professionally, score at least 6 in each component of the IELTS, maintain good health, and have no criminal record.

 

Typical documents needed for the 494 visa application include an identity card, professional evaluation and occupational information, proof of language proficiency, a certificate of no criminal record, and identification proofs for all family members.

 

On the employer’s end, they should provide an employment contract, evidence of labor market shortage, and proof of the authenticity of the position.

 

The approval process for the 494 visa is straightforward: once you’re nominated by your employer, the federal government reviews all the materials. Upon approval, you receive the visa.

 

The fee for the 494 visa is set at 4640 AUD for the primary applicant, 2320 AUD per additional applicant over 18 years of age, and 1160 AUD for each dependent below 18.

 

The validity of the 494 visa is 5 years. Typically, it’s non-renewable. However, after working for 3 years and submitting tax returns for 3 years to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) – ideally meeting a standard of 70,000 AUD annually – holders can apply for the 191 permanent residence visa.

 

Business Innovation and Investment Visa:

 

At present, the primary channel for investment-based migration to Australia is through the 188 Business Innovation and Investment visa. This visa encompasses four sub-categories: 188A, 188B, 188C, and 188E.

 

While the investment immigration route is less stringent about English language proficiency and age criteria compared to skilled migration, those pursuing the 188A or 188B visas must achieve a minimum of 65 points on the scoring system set by the Australian immigration authorities.

 

The detailed point table is as follows:

 

 

188A:

 

The 188A Business Innovation Stream visa is a popular choice among the four categories under the 188 visa scheme. Designed for overseas entrepreneurs, this visa enables them to operate either a new or an existing enterprise in Australia.

 

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

 

1. Obtain a nomination from an Australian state.

 

2. Achieve a minimum of 65 points on the dedicated investment migration scorecard.

 

3. Be below 55 years of age. However, in cases of substantial economic contribution, state or territorial governments can offer flexibility on this requirement.

 

4. Own at least 30% shares in a firm, which has reported an annual revenue of more than 750,000 AUD for a minimum of two out of the last four years (or possess 10% in a publicly traded company).

 

5. Ensure a combined net worth of 1.25 million AUD, inclusive of the applicant’s and their partner’s assets.

 

Applicants need to secure a state nomination, meaning that each Australian state and territory may have its specific requirements that applicants must check.

 

The visa application process can be divided into five general steps:

 

1. EOI: Submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) online via the SkillSelect platform of the Australian Immigration Department and list your qualifications based on the criteria provided by the department.

 

2. State Nomination: Once you meet the criteria of the state or region where you plan to operate your business, apply for its nomination.

 

3. ITA: Update your details and await the Invitation to Apply (ITA) from the Immigration Department after securing state nomination.

 

4. Documentation: Once the ITA is received, applicants have 60 days to submit their visa application and provide proof of all their credentials.

 

The entire 188A process typically spans 15 to 37 months. The visa fee for the main applicant is 9,450 AUD, 4,725 AUD for adult dependents, and 2,365 AUD for dependents under 18.

 

There’s no language requirement for the 188A visa. However, like other immigration visas, if the main applicant or adult dependent hasn’t achieved at least a score of 4.5 in each IELTS component, they’ll incur a one-time fee of 9,795 AUD for the main applicant and 4,890 AUD for each dependent.

 

The 188A visa is valid for 5 years and can be renewed under certain conditions. After residing in Australia for 3 years and meeting the business requirements, visa holders can apply for the local 888 permanent residency.

 

Criteria for transitioning from 188A to 888 permanent residency include:

 

1. Residing in Australia for over one year in the past two years.

 

2. Operating an Australian business for the past two years, with a turnover exceeding 300,000 AUD in the last 12 months.

 

3. Applicants must:

 

Hold more than 50% of shares if the turnover is less than 400,000 AUD.

 

Or, have at least 30% of shares if the turnover exceeds 400,000 AUD.

 

Or, own at least 10% of shares if it’s a publicly listed company.

 

4. Applicants must meet two of the following three conditions:

 

A net business asset value of over 200,000 AUD.

 

Or, combined net assets of business and personal property exceeding 600,000 AUD.

 

And, in the past 12 months, employed at least two full-time staff members who are Australian citizens or permanent residents and are not related to the main applicant.

 

188B:

 

The Investor Visa, known as 188B, sets out distinct guidelines for potential applicants. These entail:

 

1. Achieving a minimum of 65 points on the evaluation scale.

 

2. Being below the age of 55. However, if an applicant has significantly contributed to the economy or community, state or territorial governments may offer leniency on this age criterion.

 

3. Holding at least 3 years of prior investment experience.

 

4. Being able to invest assets exceeding 2.5 million AUD.

 

5. Prior to application, maintaining at least 2.25 million AUD that can be transitioned to Australia.

 

6. Committing an investment of over 2.5 million AUD within Australia’s Complying Investment Framework (CIF).

 

As of July 1, 2021, the requirement investment ratio for CIF investment under 188B is:

 

Allocation of 20% into VCPE (Venture Capital and Private Equity Funds).

 

And, channeling 30% towards startup ventures via investment funds.

 

And 50% used for balanced investments.

 

An annual audit of these investments is mandatory.

 

The steps to apply for the 188B visa are:

 

1. EOI (Expression of Interest): Launch your EOI using Australia’s SkillSelect online platform, outlining your attributes as per the immigration department’s stipulations.

 

2. State Endorsement: Upon meeting the state or territory’s criteria, pursue its backing.

 

3. ITA (Invitation to Apply): After clinching the state’s endorsement, refresh your profile and stand by for the ITA notification from the immigration body.

 

4. Documentation: With the ITA in hand, applicants have a 60-day period to finalize their visa application, supplemented by necessary document proofs.

 

5. Investment Stage: Once your qualifications are authenticated by the immigration body, you’ll get specific guidelines to accomplish the 2.5 million AUD investment.

 

6. Visa Issuance: Post validation of the investment, the visa will be granted.

 

The processing time for the 188B visa ranges between 20 to 43 months. The visa fee structure is: 9,450 AUD for the primary applicant, 4,725 AUD for adult secondary applicants, and 2,365 AUD for those below 18.

 

While the 188B visa doesn’t have a language requirement, if the primary applicant or their adult dependents don’t achieve a score of at least 4.5 in each of the IELTS components, an additional fee of 9,795 AUD for the primary applicant and 4,890 AUD for each dependent is charged.

 

The 188B visa is valid for 5 years and offers renewal options under specific conditions. Three years after receiving the visa, holders can apply for the 888 permanent residency if they meet the following criteria:

 

1. Continuously hold and maintain their investments, detailing each transaction and capital inflow, which must be audited and approved by the immigration department.

 

2. Reside in Australia for at least 2 out of the past 3 years.

 

3. Meet other fundamental requirements, such as health checks, no criminal records, and aligning with Australian values.

 

188C：

 

The Significant Investor Visa (SIV), denoted as 188C, necessitates applicants to invest a minimum of 5 million AUD and maintain it for over 4 years. From this investment sum, at least:

 

1 million AUD should be channeled into venture capital or private equity funds focusing primarily on startups and small and micro-enterprises.

 

And 1.5 million AUD should be allocated predominantly to funds investing in the Australian stock market.

 

And The remaining 2.5 million can be used for balanced investments.

 

Concurrently, applicants must also satisfy fundamental conditions like being in good health and having no criminal record.

 

All 188-category visas call for state nomination. The stipulations for 188C might fluctuate by state, so personal inquiries are advised.

 

The processing time for the 188C visa ranges from 14 to 22 months. The visa fees are broken down as: 13,860 AUD for the main applicant, 6,930 AUD for each secondary applicant above the age of 18, and 3,470 AUD for secondary applicants below 18.

 

Though the 188B visa doesn’t mandate language proficiency, main applicants or their adult family members who don’t achieve a minimum of 4.5 in all IELTS categories are liable for an extra charge of 9,795 AUD for the primary applicant and 4,890 AUD per dependent.

 

The application process for the 188C visa mirrors that of 188B and generally involves:

 

1. EOI (Expression of Interest): Submit your EOI on Australia’s SkillSelect online platform, detailing your qualifications as outlined by the immigration authority.

 

2. State Nomination: Once you meet the criteria of your chosen state or territory, apply for its endorsement.

 

3. ITA (Invitation to Apply): Following state approval, update your details and await the visa application instruction, known as ITA, from the immigration department.

 

4. Document Submission: Upon receipt of the ITA, applicants have a window of 60 days to finalize their visa application, supported by necessary documentation.

 

5. Investment Phase: After the immigration body authenticates your qualifications, you’ll be issued specific guidelines. Adhere to these and finalize the 5 million AUD investment.

 

6. Visa Grant: Post investment verification, your visa will be granted.

 

After maintaining the investment for 4 years and meeting the residency requirement of 40 days per year (120 days per year for secondary applicants), and passing an investment audit, applicants are then eligible to apply for the 888 permanent visa.

 

188E:

 

The 188E Entrepreneur Visa is designed for budding entrepreneurs or those in the early stages of their business ventures. The requirements for applicants include:

 

1. Being recognized and nominated by a state or territorial government for their innovative business concept.

 

2. Being below the age of 55 (some states or regions might offer conditional relaxations to this age limit).

 

3. Scoring a minimum of 6 in each component of the IELTS exam.

 

4. Possessing an acknowledged ongoing business management activity, which includes selling products or services in Australia, or running a company.

 

The visa is valid for 5 years. The associated fees are 6,395 AUD for the main applicant, 3,195 AUD for each adult secondary applicant, and 1,600 AUD for those below 18 years. Secondary applicants aged 18 or older who don’t meet the IELTS score of at least 4.5 in each component are required to pay an additional one-time fee of 4,890 AUD.

 

Holders of the 188E visa, after residing in the region for 4 years and providing substantial proof of excellent business management, can apply for the 888 permanent residency visa.

 

Documents generally required for all 188-category visas include: Relevant passport pages, a detailed business plan, bank statements confirming net assets, business ownership proofs (relevant for 188a, e), an audit report from an independent accounting firm(if it is a compang), comprehensive evidence of company structure, actual office photos, documents related to the points table, proof of English proficiency, good moral character certificate, health insurance purchase proof, document endorsing Australian values.

 

Naturalization:

 

Permanent residents of Australia who have legally resided in Australia for a full 4 years (staying at least 183 days each year, with at least 1 year as a permanent resident), who pass a citizenship test, demonstrate basic English proficiency, have a fundamental understanding of Australia and the rights and duties of Australian citizens, and have no serious criminal records, are eligible to apply for an Australian passport.

 

Passport Power:

 

Australia recognizes dual citizenship. Its passport is ranked sixth in the world. Passport holders can freely travel (either visa-free or with visa on arrival) to 186 countries and regions globally, including Europe, the Americas, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

 

 

Useful Links:

 

Australian Immigration And Citizenship: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/