Did you know every year more than half a million students move to Canberra, Australia?
Migrating to Canberra, Australia is one of the most attractive options for several people, including international students. Students from the UK, South Africa, and Southeast Asia migrate to Canberra to study in top Australian universities.
If you are also planning to relocate to Canberra for your further studies, then it is important to apply for a Student Visa. In this guide, we will guide you to understand the process of migrating to Canberra step by step.
1. What is the Australian Migrating Program?
The Australian Migrating program is for everyone. It does not discriminate based on ethnic origin, religion, colour, or gender.
If you are a non-resident individual who would like an opportunity to reside, study and work in Canberra, you'll be surprised to know that there are many visa options available to apply such as a student visa, a sponsored work visa, a business visa, and a skilled visa.
You can find an appropriate Australian visa that is meeting your requirements with the Visa Finder of the Department of Home Affairs.
2. What is a Permanent Resident (PR)?
A permanent resident of Canberra has the rights of a citizen and many entitlements, but there are a few differences – A citizen can enter and leave Canberra, Australia anytime, however, if a PR citizen chooses to travel overseas, he or she needs to ensure that they have a permanent visa with a valid travel authority.
Citizens can vote in Australian Government elections, but PR visa holders cannot. For both non-citizens and citizens, the eligibility for Australian benefits and services are given by the government agency.
3. Migrating to Canberra through the SkillSelect Migration Program
Many international students want to apply for permanent residency in Canberra, Australia after they completed their studies. Those students who choose to migrate to Canberra, Australia through the SkillSelect migration program.
So, let’s understand what the SkillSelect migration program is and how it can help you to become a permanent resident in Canberra, Australia.
4. What is SkillSelect?
SkillSelect is an online government system that permits aspiring migrants to submit an expression of interest. An expression of Interest is not a visa application. It is proof that you want to be considered for a skilled visa to migrate to Canberra, Australia.
With the help of the SkillSelect program, you can either be invited by the Australian government to submit a visa application or you can be nominated for a skilled visa by various Australian employers or territory governments. In simple words, SkillSelect improves skilled migrant’s employment prospects and simplifies the visa application process.
The Work Stream Permanent Residence Visas are the most popular option for international students. This visa category is for people who have the skills that Canberra requires or the ones who are seeking sponsorship by an Australian employer to work in Canberra. International students can apply for any one of the following permanent visa options under these working streams:
Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa: This visa is a point tested visa that does not need any state or territory nomination. If you are an international student who has graduated in Canberra and you are not sponsored by any employer or relative, then you can apply for the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189).
Subclass 491 Skilled Regional Visa: To be eligible for this visa, fulfil skill requirements, you must get a sponsorship, or receive a nomination from either an Australian state, region, or territory.
Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa: This visa is suitable for skilled workers, who have been nominated by a state or territory government agency. To be eligible for this visa, you will require to prove that you have an appropriate skills assessment for the occupation listed in the Skilled Occupation List.
