What are the Best Visas for Pathway to Australian PR?
Want to achieve the Australian dream and you are unsure of which visa can set a pathway for Australian permanent residency (‘PR’)? Below are a few visas that you may consider:
Temporary Skill Shortage (‘TSS’) (Subclass 482) Visa
The Temporary Skill Shortage (‘TSS’) Visa is also known by many individuals as a sponsored work visa. This visa program is designed to address short-term skill gaps in the Australian labour market. It allows Australian employers to sponsor skilled individuals from overseas to fill positions where local talent is not easily available.
Last year, the Department of Home Affairs announced that individuals on TSS visa under the Short-term Occupations List (‘STSOL’) are eligible to apply for Australian permanent residence (‘PR’) via the Employer Nomination Scheme (‘ENS’) (Temporary Residence Transition (‘TRT’) Stream) (Subclass 186).
Additionally, individuals must only meet two (2) years instead of three (3) years to be eligible for the ENS (Subclass 186) Visa.
General Skill Migration (GSM) (Subclasses 189, 190 and 491)
Australia's General Skilled Migration (GSM) program is one of the main pathways for skilled individuals to seek PR. The GSM program aims to bring in individuals with useful talents that are in high demand in Australia's labour market. It is a points-based system that evaluates applicants based on their age, education, work experience, English ability, and skills in occupations specified on Australia's Skilled Occupation List.
There are three major visa categories under the GSM program:
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189): For applicants who are not sponsored by an employer, state, or family member.
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190): For applicants nominated by a state or territory.
The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491): for applicants who have been nominated by a state or territory or sponsored by a family member to live and work in regional Australia.
Applicants must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via the Skill Select system, and the individuals who have high points will be invited to apply for a visa. The GSM program is extremely competitive, but it provides a clear and regulated pathway to permanent residency for talented individuals who match Australia's requirements.
Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801 or Subclass 309/100)
The Partner Visa also known as De Facto Visa or Spouse Visa or Marriage Visa allows the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, Australian PR, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia. These visas are designed to facilitate family reunification by enabling eligible partners to reside in Australia and eventually lead to PR.
The process involves two stages:
Temporary Partner Visa (Subclass 820/309) – grants temporary residence while the application for permanent residence is being processed.
Permanent Partner Visa (Subclass 801/100) – allows the partner to stay in Australia permanently.
Applicants must demonstrate the genuine nature of their relationship through extensive documentation. This process is expensive and can be complex, especially if visa applications are refused then appealing is highly recommended. Speak to an Accredited Specialist in Immigration Law if you receive a visa refusal on your Partner Visa today.
How Can Agape Henry Crux Help
Each individual's visa pathway is unique, if you are still confused about which visa best suits your circumstance to lead to PR, contact us at Agape Henry Crux. Our Accredited Specialist(s) in Immigration Law and our team of immigration lawyers are specialised in handling highly complex matters. You may schedule an appointment with one of our lawyers or agents to seek professional advice by calling 02-8310 5230 or email us at info@ahclawyers.com.
We speak fluent English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Malay. If this isn’t your language, we can also help you arrange an interpreter.
This article/presentation (“publication”) does not deal extensively with important topics or changes in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you find this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances, please contact our office.