Immigrating to a new country can be a grueling process; often taking several months and requiring numerous completed documents. But when you’re finally granted permission to live the life you’ve always dreamed of, it’s all worth it. This is especially true if the country you have chosen to be your new home is Australia. As a reputable Australian and Perth based migration agency, we’ve helped thousands of people successfully migrate here. To make things a little easier, we have compiled some useful things to know when migrating to Australia.
THE DIFFERENT WAYS TO MIGRATE TO AUSTRALIA
There are over 100 different visas available to people wishing to visit, travel or live in Australia. Which visa to apply for will depend on your purpose for migrating to Australia. For some, you may even be eligible to directly apply for a permanent visa or transition to permanent residency from a temporary visa.
THE DIFFERENT VISA TYPES
You’ve already heard there are over 100 different Australian visas available. Here are the most popular categories to help you select the visa that best fits your purpose for travel. Keep in mind that throughout each of these ways to migrate to Australia, there are a number of visa subclasses for which you may be eligible for and depending on the type of visa, you may need an Australian sponsor as part of the application.
- Working Holiday Visas
- Business Owners and Investors Visas
- Family or Partner Visas
- Tourist/Visitor Visas
- Student Visas
Under each of these visa types, there are temporary visa options and permanent visa options. Take our free visa assessment to see which of these visa options you may be eligible for.
For further help determining what Australian visa you’re best suited for, contact Interstaff; Australia’s trusted source of migration services.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
There are a number of different ways to apply for a visa. You can choose to self-manage your application directly to the Australian government or you can seek the services of an Australian immigration agency who has a detailed understanding of the migration system.
For permanent or long-term visas, we recommend consulting the advice of a registered migration agent who can liaise with the government and regional certifying bodies on your behalf.
The process involves coordinating relevant documents and evidence to demonstrate that your case meets the requirements of the particular visa you are applying for. While this may sound simple, the process can quickly become complex, which is why some people prefer professional assistance from an Australian immigration agency.
Once you have all the required documentation and submitted your application, a case officer from the Department of Immigration and Border Protection will conduct an assessment to determine whether you’re eligible to be granted a visa.
HOW LONG DOES THE IMMIGRATION PROCESS TAKE
How long it will take depends on what visa you’re applying for, as each visa has a different processing time. To better understand how the Australian Government prioritize visa processing times, please read our fact sheet.
COST OF IMMIGRATING
Again, the Government visa application fees will vary depending on the visa you are applying for. If seeking advice from an Australian Immigration Agency, there may also be professional fees to assist with your visa application.
Be aware that the costs of visas change from time to time and may have increased (or decreased) since the time you began the application process or first decided to immigrate. To avoid any unwarranted costs, be sure to check the Department of Immigration and Border Protection website regularly, to see the current price of visas.
APPLYING FOR AUSTRALIAN CITIZENSHIP
There are a number of different application options available for those wishing to become an Australian citizen. If you are one of the below, it’s likely that your application for Australian citizenship will be considered.
- Child adopted outside Australia by an Australian citizen
- Child aged 15 years or under or an unaccompanied minor
- Child aged 16 or 17
- Child born outside Australia to an Australian citizen
- Child of a former Australian citizen
- Commonwealth Child Migration Scheme Arrival
- Migrant with permanent residence
- New Zealand citizen living in Australia
- Person born in Papua before independence in 1975
- Person who has previously obtained Resume Australian citizenship
- Spouse or partner of an Australian citizen
Read more about these citizenship pathways and their application processes here.
It is recommend that you seek the professional help of an Australian immigration agency, one that offers a full suite of Australian migration services. This is especially true if your citizenship case has any legal complexities.
HOW CAN INTERSTAFF HELP?
Interstaff is a registered Australian immigration agency. We offer a comprehensive range of Australia migration services, as well as advice and ongoing support. Our team of Australian immigration agents are well versed in all visa options and can expertly assist you in selecting the right application type and handling any complexities that may follow. We also engage immigration lawyers, to assist with trickier applications that require court appeals and preparation of legal documents. Contact us today to find out more about how an Australian migration agency can help you with your migration application.