Australia offers several Permanent Resident (PR) visas that allow individuals to live and work in the country indefinitely. These visas provide a pathway to Australian citizenship and come with various benefits, including access to healthcare, education, and social security. Here are some commonly known PR visas in Australia:
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189): This visa is for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, state, or territory government. To be eligible, applicants must have an occupation listed on the skilled occupation list, meet the required points threshold based on factors such as age, education, work experience, and English language proficiency.
Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190): This visa is for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian state or territory government. Similar to the subclass 189 visa, applicants must have an occupation on the skilled occupation list and meet the points requirement. Additionally, they must receive a nomination from a state or territory government.
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491): This is a temporary visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in regional Australia. It requires sponsorship by either a state or territory government or an eligible family member residing in a designated regional area. After meeting the specified criteria, visa holders can apply for permanent residency through the subclass 191 visa.
Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186): This visa is for skilled workers who have an employer willing to sponsor them for a permanent position in Australia. There are three streams under this visa: the Temporary Residence Transition stream, the Direct Entry stream, and the Agreement stream. Each stream has specific eligibility criteria.
Business Innovation and Investment visa (subclass 888): This visa is designed for individuals who are willing to invest in a new or existing business in Australia. It requires holding a provisional visa (subclass 188) and meeting certain requirements related to business or investment activity.
Partner visa: Australia offers various partner visas for individuals who are in a genuine and ongoing relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. These visas allow partners to live and work in Australia and eventually apply for permanent residency.
It's important to note that each visa has its own specific requirements, including age, skill assessment, English language proficiency, health, and character checks.