Migration and Visa Assessment Services
Jump to section: General Skilled, Employer Sponsored, Business Skills, Partner Visas, Parent and Retirement Visas, Other Family Visas, Student Visas.
We offer a free-of-charge visa assessment service under seven visa groups listed on this page. Please peruse the visa groups listed below and contact us using the online enquiry form as to which stream of migration may apply to you. Within 48 hours we will respond to your query to conduct an assessment of your visa eligibility and your visa options.
General Skilled
As from 1 September 2007 there are 9 visa subclasses available under this programme for people who are either offshore or onshore. The programme includes visas under independent, Australian family-sponsored, regional and overseas students streams.
The primary applicant under this programme must meet the following three criteria:
- Must have a skilled occupation
- Must be under 45 years of age
- Must demonstrate English language proficiency
Visas under this programme are generally points tested which means that the primary applicant must reach the required number of points specified for the type of visa to be eligible to apply. The points test takes into account a number of other factors such as work experience, relatives in Australia, etc
Sponsorship by a family member residing in Australia will enhance the prospect of meeting the pass mark for the points test..
The General Skilled Migration programme has been reviewed by the Australian government and wide ranging changes have been made to general skilled visa applications lodged on or after 1 September 2007.
We strongly advise that you contact us to assess how the above changes have affected your eligibility under this category.
Employer Sponsored
Employer sponsored visas can be temporary or permanent.
Temporary employer sponsored visa
This visa process has 3 distinct stages where the employing business has to approved as a sponsor, the nominated position has to be approved and the visa applicant is granted visa for temporary stay in Australia.
The employing business and the visa applicant will need to demonstrate that they meet the required criteria set for each stage of the process.
The visa holders are required to remain with the sponsoring employer in the nominated position unless a new sponsorship is sought. This visa may provide a platform for the visa holder to apply for permanent residence.
Permanent employer sponsored visas
These visas fall under the Employer Nominated Scheme (ENS) or the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS).
Under both schemes the employer has to obtain the approval for the nominated position and the nominee has to meet the skill requirement and the validity criteria for the visa.
The RSMS has certain allowances built in to attract migrants to the regional areas in Australia and the nominated position needs to be certified by the relevant regional certifying authority.
Business Skills
This class of visas targets business owners, senior executives, investors and entrepreneurs. To qualify under this class the applicant needs to provide evidence of a successful business career or management of investments as well as a certain level of personal and business assets. There are two streams of visas available to applicants- independent or state /territory sponsored.
These visas are provisional for 4 years during which time the applicant is required to obtain ownership interest in an actively operating business in Australia. Having held business ownership or investment activity for at least 2 years in Australia and upon meeting certain criteria about managerial involvement in running the business or investment activity, turnover, net business assets and personal assets in Australia and/or employment of Australian permanent residents/citizens you can apply for a permanent business visa.
More information on Business Migration
Partner Visas
Partners of Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens may enter and/or to remain permanently in Australia. Partner migration visa applications may apply to:
- people intending to get married
- married partners
- de facto partners
- interdependent partners (same-sex relationship).
Visa application under this category is in 2 stages: temporary and permanent. Permanent visa is granted after 2 years on temporary visa if the relationship is assessed to be still genuine and ongoing.
Parent and Retirement Visas
All parent visas are subject to the ‘balance of family’ test and have mandatory assurance of support to be provided by the sponsor. These visas have caps imposed limiting the number of parent visas that can be granted each year.
Retirement visa is available to applicants able to demonstrate the prescribed levels of assets and income and are prepared to make a designated investment of funds in Australia. The retirees must be fully self-supported in Australia. This is a temporary visa, renewable every 4 years upon meeting the visa criteria.
Other Family Visas
Other categories of family migration include dependent child, dependent relative, remaining relative, career.
Student Visas
Australia’s Overseas Student Program allows overseas students to undertake full time studies in a registered course offered by an Australian education provider. A large variety of registered courses is available at government and private education providers at the following levels:
- English courses – for students studying stand- alone English courses
- Schools – for students studying at primary and secondary schools
- Vocational Training – for students studying courses at certificate, diploma or advanced diploma level
- Higher Education Sector – undergraduate and postgraduate studies by coursework
- Postgraduate Research Sector – postgraduate studies by research
- Non-Award Sector – ‘bridging’ courses not leading to an Australian award
Students who have completed 2 years of full time study in Australia may be eligible to apply for permanent residence in Australia under the general skilled programme.
Please seek our assistance before undertaking a course of study to assess your eligibility for permanent residence on completion on the studies.
If you are interested in studying in Australia please contact us by email on info@optimamigration.com.au or by online enquiry form and we will be delighted to assist in the selection of the appropriate course and the educational institution as well as the enrolment process and your student visa application.