There are a very large range of Australian visas available. We are able to consider your situation and provide you with professional advice in relation to the most appropriate visa options for you.
We can provide advice and assistance in relation to the following visas types:
- Student Visas
- Visitor Visas
- Working Holiday and Work and Holiday Visas
- Child Visas
- Remaining Relative Visas
- Religious Worker Visas
- General Skilled Migration –Temporary and Permanent Visas
- Resident Return Visas
- Distinguished Talent
We will provide you with advice regarding your visa options and can assist with the preparation and lodgement of visa applications on your behalf.
General Skilled Migration
The General Skilled Migration (GSM) Program has a number of different visas. GSM visa subclasses include temporary and permanent visas. Many of the visas require specified scores in relation to a ‘points test’, while some only require pre-requisite criteria be met.
Following a review of the GSM program, on 1 July 2011 a new ‘points test’ came into effect. A further review has been initiated by the Minister of Immigration, with the Department indicating it has intentions to introduce a new Skilled Migration Selection Model in the future.
In the points test, points are awarded for characteristics including: age, English language, Australian work experience, overseas work experience, qualifications, Australian study for two years full time, designated language skills, partner skills, completion of professional year, sponsorship by state or territory, sponsorship by relevant family member and study in regional Australia.
From 1 July 2011 GSM visa applications share the following requirements for applicants:
- You must be under the age of 50 at the time of application.
- You must have nominated an occupation which is included on a relevant skilled occupation list.
- You must have been successful in a skills assessment for the occupation (for some subclasses, just having applied for a skills assessment is enough at the time of application).
- You must have one of the following two things:
- have the required level of recent work experience in your field, or
- have studied full time for two years in Australia and recently completed a relevant Australian qualification.
- Fulfill all character and health requirements.
Distinguished Talent Visa
This type of visa may be appropriate where the applicant can demonstrate internationally recognised outstanding achievement in their professional field. The outstanding achievement must have been sustained and the applicant must still be prominent in their field.
The Distinguished Talent visa is appropriate for applicants with internationally recognised outstanding achievement in the following fields:
- Research or Academia
- A Profession
- The Arts
- Sports
An advantage of distinguished talent visas is that they do not tie the visa holder to any one employer, and are consistent with the holder being involved in a number of projects.
Based in Adelaide South Australia, Immigration Lawyer and Migration Agent Chris Johnston provides migration advice to people and businesses from all over the world.
