Permanent Entry Visa - How to Obtain - Australian Migration

Permanent Entry Visa Purpose

A permanent entry visa grants the holder the status of a permanent resident in Australia.  It isn’t the same as becoming a citizen, but it does offer a lot more options and other benefits than aren’t given to holders of temporary visas.  Having a permanent entry visa allows for the holder to remain in the country for an indefinite period of time to live, work, and study.

While many visas have specific purposes, a permanent visa is a much more generalized topic.  There are numerous reasons for which someone can apply for a permanent entry visa, and they can be granted both as continuations of temporary visas for people already residing in Australia, or as a new immigration status for those who currently live in a foreign country.

Permanent Entry Visa Application Requirements

There are two ways to be eligible to apply for a permanent entry visa.  First, you must have lived for two years in Australia, and you must have been working for at least one of them.  The other method is to be sponsored using the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme.  These two methods, especially the second, require some challenging proof and paperwork, but The Migration Place has a great deal of experience assisting people with these specific matters.  The time and effort are worthwhile, though, because being granted a permanent residency means that you will have a solution that allows you to remain in Australia for the rest of your life.

Permanent Entry Visa Types

There are many different permanent entry visa subclass that can be applied for like the subclass 801 or  the subclass 100, and they all have very specific requirements.  Typically there is a reason that would benefit Australia, such as a specialized skill, an investor, or a skill that is under-supplied.  This is an area that is hard to keep track of without the assistance of a professional, because the need for certain skills is constantly changing.  One of our employees may be able to find a specific need that matches your qualifications, and could assist you in attaining a permanent Australian visa even if you didn’t know it was an option.

Benefits of a Permanent Entry Visa

As already mentioned, the permanent entry visa Australia gives is not the same as citizenship.  However, there are many different benefits that visa holders can get, and the following list contains some examples:

  • Social Security – many permanent entry visa holders can have access to Australian social security benefits
  • National Health – generally, permanent residents are covered under the national health system
  • Higher Education Loans Program – certain types of permanent entry visas can get assistance of loans to be used for higher education
  • Migration Sponsorship – permanent residents can be eligible to sponsor another person for a permanent entry visa

Please note that the list above is not extensive, and not all permanent entry visa holders have access to all of these benefits.  What you’re qualified for will depend on what class and type of visa you receive.

Differences from Citizenship

Becoming a citizen of Australia is much more complicated than simply obtaining a permanent entry visa, and it doesn’t have that many more benefits.  However, it does have some significant rights that aren’t offered to all visa holders, and some examples can be seen below:

  • Voting Rights – in most cases, permanent entry visa holders are not eligible to vote, but there are some exceptions
  • International Travel – not all permanent entry visas allow for unlimited entry and exit of Australia while maintaining the permanent resident status (so make sure you understand your status before any international travel)

If Australian citizenship is something you’re interested in, it’s very wise to start planning for it at the earliest possible date.  Whether or not you are already a permanent resident, our experts can discuss your personal situation and help you make sure you’re proceeding in the correct manner to reach your goal.

Help with Your Permanent Entry Visa Situation

The Australian government has websites and other information sources that can fill you in on different types of visas.  Unfortunately, the path to a permanent visa can be a very complex topic, so it’s easy to get lost in the vast amount of options, requirements, and other information.  If you are in Australia on a student visa, a temporary working visa, or aren’t even in Australia but would like to be, then The Migration Place can help you discover what options you have.  We will narrow it down to the realistic pathways, and present them to you in a simple, practical manner.

Contact The Migration Place

For all matters concerning permanent entry visa applications, contact the team at The Migration Place today.