How Long Does It Take To Get A Permanent Visa For Australia
There are a lot of factors and information to work through when determining how long it will take to get a permanent visa for Australia. This article is intended to provide you with the most accurate timelines and applications fees for those who have already been approved for their provisional skilled regional visa (aka Regional Provisional (Provisional))Visas are a somewhat confusing topic and you may find that all the options available can be overwhelming when you’re looking into how to get a Permanent Visa in Australia. You’ve heard there is a new points-based system, but where do you start? We’ve put together some tips on how to obtain the best visa for your circumstances and what steps you’ll need to take.
How Long Does It Take To Get A Permanent Visa For Australia
When people think about Australia, sun, sea and surf are often the first things that come to mind. But for many people, there’s another reason to make the move – it’s a land of opportunity. The Australian economy is stronger than ever and as one of the world’s wealthiest nations in terms of GDP per capita (PPP), Australia offers easy access to a high standard of living without too much financial stress.
What if I Fail the Health Requirements for Australian Permanent Residency?
If you don’t meet the health requirements, you won’t receive a permanent residence visa. What you can do in those cases is apply for a health waiver. If a health waiver is granted, then you will most likely receive your permanent visa.
However, you must have really strong reasons why you believe that you actually meet the health requirements. Plus, you will only be granted a health waiver if you meet the rest of the visa requirements.
How to Get Permanent Residency in Australia?
The most common way to get permanent residency in Australia is by having one of the following:
- Family-stream permanent visa.
- Work-stream permanent visa.
- Business or investor-stream permanent visa.
There some other visas which applicants can use to gain permanent residency in Australia:
- Distinguished Talent visa (subclass 124).
- Distinguished Talent visa (subclass 858).
- Refugee and Humanitarian visas.
- Retirement visa pathway.
Do I Have to Have a Temporary Visa Before Permanent Residency?
Most of the time you will be required to have a provisional visa in the same immigration category before you apply for the permanent visa. However for some visa types within the family stream, you must apply for the temporary visa and the permanent residency visa at the same time. For example, you may apply for a temporary partner visa (subclass 820), and for your permanent visa (subclass 801), simultaneously since your temporary visa will allow you to live freely in Australia while your permanent visa is being processed.
If there are no problems with your permanent visa application, you should receive your permanent visa immediately after you receive your temporary visa. However, if you don’t get your permanent residency immediately it may take up to two years or more to processes your permanent visa application.
What Is the Cost for Australian Permanent Residency?
The cost for permanent visas varies on what type of visa you are applying for initially:
- Family Stream Permanent (Partner) Visa Fee- subclass 801: AUD 7,715.
- Business Stream Permanent visas- subclasses 888, 893 and 891: AUD 2,450-2,950.
The cost for a permanent visa through a work-stream migration program is liable to change according to the applicant’s personal circumstances, plus there are different streams available within the work visa category and the fee will vary depending on what type of visa you are applying for.
How to Apply for an Australian Permanent Visa?
- Select the visa type.
- Check the requirements for each type of visa.
- Assemble the documents.
- Apply for the visa.
Select the Visa Type
Before you apply for an Australian permanent visa you have to select the type of visa that leads to a permanent resident status (see below). You can select the type of visa in your ImmiAccount or choose the specific form that corresponds to your visa application if you are applying on paper.
Check the Requirements for Each Type of Visa
Depending on your visa application there will be different requirements you have to meet. However, each permanent visa application must fulfill the character requirement and the health requirements.
Assemble the Documents
Collect all the important documents you need to submit for your visa application. These will be listed in all of the visa application forms but, make sure you follow the documents’ guidelines as stated by the Immigration Office (translation, certification, etc.).
Apply for the Visa
Finally, you can apply for the visa you want. You can submit either a paper application or an online application but, online applications are processed faster than paper applications.
Australian Immigration Rules for Permanent Residency
In order to qualify for Australia permanent residency, some rules depending on the migration programme have to be fulfilled:
- Applicants can’t be more than 45 years of age (work-stream-based permanent residency).
- Applicants have to provide an English language test proficiency certificate (most permanent residency programs).
- Applicants must have a Master’s or Doctoral degree (for research work based).
- Applicants should present sponsorship when they apply (for sponsor visas).
- Applicants must have a spouse or de facto partner in Australia (for family stream migration programme).
Applicants who can’t apply for the work-based migration program due to their age can apply for permanent residence through the retirement visa pathway.
How Long Can a Permanent Resident Stay Outside of Australia?
Permanent residents have a travel facility that allows them to travel freely in and out of Australia only for five years. After five years are over, the travel facility expires, if you leave Australia when your travel facility is over, you won’t be able to re-enter.
What Should I Do After My Travel Facility Is Over?
After having an Australia permanent residency for five years, you have to switch to a Resident Return visa (subclasses 155 and 157). With a resident return visa, you can freely leave and re-enter Australia for another 5 years- you can apply for a resident return visa as many times as you need to.
However, your resident return visa may be valid for less than five years (one year or three months) depending on your personal situation. You don’t need this visa if you don’t plan on traveling.
How Do I Know When My Travel Facility Is Over?
Your travel facility expires after 5 years from the date your permanent residency visa is issued. Some specific visa holders will receive a notification 60 days before their travel facility expires:
- Partner visa- subclass 101.
- Partner visa-subclass 100.
- Employer Nomination Scheme visa- subclass 856.
- Skilled sponsored visa- subclass 176.
What if My Travel Facility Expired While I Was Outside of Australia?
If you were outside of Australia when your travel facility expired, you have to apply for a resident return visa or Australian citizenship. If you are not eligible for any of these, then you have to apply for another permanent visa (former resident visa, family visa, or skilled visa).
You can’t re-enter Australia without a valid visa but, you shouldn’t apply for a temporary visa only to return, otherwise, your permanent residency status will be affected negatively.
Do I Need to Renew My Australia Permanent Residency Visa?
You need to renew your travel facility which is attached to your permanent visa but, not the visa itself. You can do so through the visa subclass 155 and 157 (return resident visa), and you have different options to renew your travel policy depending on how long you’ve spent in Australia as a resident.
Can Australia Permanent Residency Expire?
Your Australia permanent residency can’t expire but, its travel facility will expire after 5 years from the date your visa was issued.
Can I Lose My Permanent Residency in Australia?
Generally speaking, you can’t lose your permanent residency in Australia. Still, there are a few occasions when you might be at risk of losing your status as a permanent resident.
For example, if you are no longer in the same relationship you were when you applied for a family stream permanent visa you may lose your permanent residence. In addition to this, violating the good character rules during the time you hold a permanent residency, may result in losing your permanent visa.
However, each case is reviewed carefully and it will take a compelling reason to cancel your permanent resident status.
