Australia
With sunny beaches, vibrant cities and a welcoming culture, Australia is one of the world’s most desired migration destinations. Qualified professionals from across the world are flocking to Australia for its great quality of life and stable economic prospects.
Permanent Residence (PR) Visa of Australia allows its holder to live, work and study without any limitations in the country given for a period of five years. High standard of living and a laid-back lifestyle with a strong economy makes every immigrant around the world to immigrate to Australia.
Australian Permanent Residence Status V. Being An Australian Citizen
An Australian permanent resident and an Australian citizen are not the same.
- As A Permanent Resident Of Australia, You Generally Can:
- remain in Australia indefinitely on your visa
- work and study in Australia
- enrol in Australia’s national health scheme, Medicare
- apply for bank loans to buy property, and buy any property without FIRB restrictions
- sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence under certain streams eg. Partner Visas, Parent visas, and 489 visas (if you reside in an approved designated area)
- apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible
- travel to and from Australia for as long as your travel facility permits (please have a look at the Resident Return Visa / RRV visa requirement)
- You may also qualify for other government benefits and services. If you hold a permanent visa, but you are not residing in Australia, your eligibility for the above may be impacted.
Australian PR’s compared to Australian citizens:
a PR can not
- apply for or hold an Australian passport
- access student loans
- join the Australian Defence Force
- vote in Australian Government elections unless you enrolled (as a British subject) before 26 January 1984
- obtain ongoing work in the Australian Government
- return to Australia from overseas without a valid travel facility (please have a look at the Resident Return Visa / RRV visa requirement)
- When you are granted a permanent visa, you are usually permitted a 5-year travel facility.
This means you can leave and re-enter Australia as many times as you like in the 5 years from the date your permanent visa was granted, as long as your visa remains valid.
After 5 years, your travel facility expires and you will need to apply for, and be granted:
a Resident Return visa – if you wish to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident or
Australian citizenship – if you wish to travel as an Australian citizen.
Overview of Australia Immigration Visas
| Sl. No | Details | Visa Subclass 189 | Visa Subclass 190 | Visa Subclass 491 |
| 1 | Sponsored by | – | State | Regional |
| 2 | PR Visa Validity | 5 years | 5 years | – |
| 3 | Occupation should be listed | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 4 | Family visa | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 5 | Education, Employment, English requirements | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 6 | PR Eligibility | – | It is a PR. However applicants have to stay 2 yrs in sponsored state | Have lived for at least 3 years and have a taxable income at or above a specific income threshold for at least 3 years. |
| 7 | Temporary visa | – | – | 5 Years. Applicant live, work and study in the designated region. |