Africans looking to migrate to Australia via the point-based visa program can do so under the five visa subclasses that fall under General Skilled Migration (Skillselect) program to attain efficiency in the migration system of the country, and are as the following:
Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189): This visa is point-based and is aimed at those skilled workers that have not been sponsored by an employer nor any family member. The visa provides the entitlement for the owner to live and work permanently anywhere in Australia with eligible family members included.
Skilled - Nominated (subclass 190) Visa: This visa is point-based and is aimed at those skilled workers that have been nominated by a state or territory of Australia. The visa provides the entitlement for the owner to live and work permanently anywhere in Australia with eligible family members included.
Graduate Temporary (Subclass 485) Visa: This visa is aimed at the migrating students that have completed a minimum of 2 years’ worth of study in Australia, allowing them to live and work in the country for anywhere between 18 months and 4 years.
Skilled - Nominated or Sponsored Provisional (Subclass 489) Visa: This visa is point-based is aimed at those skilled workers that have been nominated by a state or a territory to live and work in a specific region or have been sponsored by an able relative belonging to a certain area of Australia. The visa duration is of 4 years and the owner must live and work in the designated area, with eligible family members included.
Skilled Regional (Subclass 887) Visa: This visa is a second-stage permanent visa that is not points-based, rather there are other certain requirements that must be met by the applicant in order to obtain it. The visa provides the owner with full legal and permanent residence.
The point-based visas for Australia immigration requires applicant to lodge an Expression of Interest via SkillSelect and get invited by the Department of Home Affairs to apply for the visa.
This is how the process works.
PROCESS FOR SKILL SELECT:
First you must obtain a Skill Assessment for the Nominated Occupation you are choosing to do. You also need to score in IELTS. Then lodge an Expression of Interest, once an Expression of Interest has been lodged, depending on which visa you apply for, you may receive an invitation to lodge a visa application, or an Australian Employer may contact you in relation to sponsorship and employment.
If you receive an invitation you will have 60 days to lodge your visa application via the Skill Select Program.
There is no fee for Skill Select and once you have submitted your Expression of Interest it is stored in Skill Select for two years.
There are two stages involved in Skill Select which can be completed electronically:
Stage 1:
Skilled Migrants must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
Stage 2:
The best migrants in the Expression of Interest Pool will be invited by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection to apply for a Skilled Migration visa within 60 days
You can apply for following PR Visas.
• Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
• Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
Expression of Interest:
An Expression of Interest (EOI) is required to be submitted under the Skill Select Stream.
Points Tested:
Skill Select is a points tested program and points are awarded based on your age, English language ability, qualifications, work experience, nomination/sponsorship (if applicable).
General Skilled Migration Points Criteria:
The current points criteria for General Skilled Migration is 60 points.
Nomination of Occupation:
You must nominate an occupation from the Skilled Occupations List (SOL or CSOL).
Skilled Occupations List:
The current Skilled Occupation List (SOL) is relevant for applicants for: independent points-based skilled migration who is not nominated by a state or territory government agency.
Where to start:
1. Log on to www.skillselect.gov.au
2. Search for which visas best suit you
3. Check what you need to prepared for these visas
4. Start collecting all your information and evidence
5. Please do watch