Does having the right to foreign residency give you peace of mind?

Skilled visa eligibility is based on certain listed occupations DIAC determines are in need or beneficial to Australia. The first requirements are that you are under 45 and satisfy the criteria of an occupation on the list as determined by the Department from time to time. A major revision of Skilled Visas was released on 1 July 2010 and there has been a marked policy shift against Skilled Independent migration in favour of Employer Nominated Migration. The result is that it is now much more difficult to migrate using this stream and the processing delays can amount to years. 

A single application covers the applicant, their partner and any dependents. If granted you become a permanent resident and may become entitled to many of the same benefits afforded to Australian citizens, including medicare and welfare. Most skilled visas allow you remain in Australia indefinitely and to travel into and out of Australia for 5 years; during this period you may become eligible for citizenship provided you have been resident in Australia for 4 of the preceding 5 years with absences totaling less than 3 months in the 12 months preceding the citizenship application. If you do not satisfy these criteria then after the expiry of your skilled visa you can apply for a Resident Return Visa (RRV). The most common RRV lasts for another 5 years and only has a few basic eligibility criteria, provided these are met your residency and travel rights can be renewed via a similar process, or until you become an Australian citizen. 

Pacific Counsel provides access to professionals specifically qualified in migration law and practice, they will assist you with the entire process of preparing your visa and obtaining your residency or citizenship. Under skilled visas you are also free to set up your own business in Australia. Whether you need advice about investments, commercial or residential investments, establishing a business presence or assistance with more personal aspects such as good suburbs or schooling for your children, Pacific Counsel is here to help.

It is also possible to maintain Australian residency rights without actually being permanently resident here. By making carefully planned investments in Australia and showing a genuine commitment to take up residence at a time in the future, it is possible to keep your residency rights for up to 10 years (or possibly even longer) without actually permanently living in Australia. Irrespective of when you actually intend to take up your residency in Australia, it is critical to submit your skilled visa application before you turn 45. At Pacific Counsel, we accept that people should have the ability to choose when it suits them to take up their residency rights. Some of our clients want to remain overseas until their children complete their junior or high school, until they build up the financial resources required to emigrate; or simply desire moving on their own terms and in their own time. Pacific Counsel can help manage the entire process of obtaining residency rights, maintaining these rights and be available to assist when you eventually decide to settle permanently in Australia. 

Visa Process

Please use the form below to see whether you comply with the criteria needed for Skilled Migration.

  Free Skilled Assessment Form