Migrating to Australia:

Australia is not only a great place to get a first-rate education, it’s also a fantastic place to live and work. Many international students who study in Australia choose to apply for permanent residency after they finish their studies. As an overseas student on a student visa you can apply for permanent residency under Australia’s General Skilled Migration program (GSM). Read on to find out more.

Skilled – Independent (Residence) visa (subclass 885):

There are many different types of permanent residency visas but this category focuses on skilled migration for students who have graduated from Australian study.

Who can apply?

International students between the ages of 18 and 44 who have completed at least two years of approved full-time study in Australia can apply for permanent residency under the ‘Skilled – Independent (Residence) visa (Subclass 885)’.

For more information about who can apply for this visa, see below and visit the Australian Government’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship website at www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/885/index.htm .

Eligibility requirements:

In order to qualify for the General Skilled Migration program, you must satisfy a number of requirements relating to:

• Your eligibility for the visa: you must satisfy all requirements of the relevant visa subclass
• Your study undertaken in Australia: you must have completed either a single qualification (degree, diploma or trade in an Australian institution, in English, registered with CRICOS) that required two years of full-time study, or more than one qualification resulting in a total of at least two years full-time study in Australia. You must apply for your visa within six months of finishing your study.
• Your location: you must be in Australia to lodge your visa application and receive the application decision.
• Your skills and qualifications: your skills and qualifications must meet the Australian requirements of your nominated occupation.
• Your health: you must undergo a medical examination and meet minimum health requirements.
• Your character: you must be able to prove that you are of ‘good character’. You will be required to provide certified copies of police checks and other relevant documents, such as any relevant military discharge papers.

Note: Please also read other articles in Australian Immigration Category, Hopefully you will find them important as well.