General Skilled Migration GSM Skilled Visa
What is Skilled Visa?
The General skilled migration GSM visa enables skilled applicants to live and work in Australia permanently. This visa is designed to meet the skills shortage in Australia. Skill select program requires applicants to lodge an EOI and be invited to apply for this visa. This visa is available for both onshore and offshore applicants. This program works on a points basis with threshold points required for the different visa categories.
Who can get a Skilled Migration Visa?
SkillSelect – is an online service that enables skilled workers, business people and investors interested in migrating to Australia to record their details to be considered for a relevant visa through an Expression of Interest.
Eligibility requirements:
- under the age of 45
- meet threshold points score. Points can be claimed in areas related to age, English language ability, specific job experience, spouse skills and other categories.
- have an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list
- apply for an Expression of Interest EOI
- be invited to apply for this visa
- have relevant work experience post qualification
- have an appropriate skill assessment
- meet English language requirement, exempt from the English requirement if you are a passport holder of the following countries: United Kingdom, United States, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland
- meet health and character requirement
- meet additional criteria of the stream in which you are applying for
This visa requires you to first obtain a successful skills assessment in your nominated occupation from the appropriate occupation list prior to making application for EOI.
What are the Streams under GSM visas?
Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) visa – for applicants who nominate an occupation on the medium-term list, you do not need sponsorship to apply for this visa. You can live in any part of Australia once the visa is granted.
Skilled – Nominated (Subclass 190) visa – for applicants who nominate an occupation on the short-term list and have obtained a nomination from a state government. Once the work visa is granted you must live and work in the nominating state.
Skilled – Work Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 491) visa
What is 491 Visa ? The Skilled Regional visa (Provisional) subclass 491 is for applicants who nominate an occupation on the medium-term list and have obtained a sponsorship from an eligible family member in a regional area; or applicants who nominate an occupation on the skilled occupation lists (including the short-term, medium-term and regional lists) and have obtained a nomination from a state/territory government. Once the visa is granted, you must live and work in the nominating state (regional area). You may apply for permanent residency (permanent resident visa) after holding this visa for 3 years, subject to meeting the residence and work requirements.
How long does subclass 491 processing take? Processing times vary by application completeness, priority settings and Home Affairs caseload. Check current processing guidance before relying on a fixed estimate.
Skilled migration pathway review – former NZ citizen stream material should not be treated as a current GSM pathway for new planning. Check current 189, 190 and 491 settings before preparing an Expression of Interest.
How long to process Skilled Visa?
Processing times vary by application completeness, priority settings and Home Affairs caseload. Check current processing guidance before relying on a fixed estimate.
TESTIMONIALS FROM REAL PEOPLE
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