Navigating the world of employer sponsored visas can be overwhelming, but worry not! In this article, we will provide you with comprehensive information about employer sponsored visas and highlight the key advantages of each type, allowing you to make an informed choice that suits you and your family.
WHAT ARE THE DISTINCTIVE FEATURES OF THE EMPLOYER SPONSORED VISA?
The Employer Sponsored Scheme visa is a program in Australia that allows employers to nominate skilled workers from overseas to fill positions that cannot be filled by the local labor market. These settlement programs enable Australian businesses to sponsor foreign experts or skilled workers to live, work, and settle in Australia. The unique benefits of this visa category include:
- Long-term settlement opportunity: The Employer Sponsored Scheme visa allows you to settle in Australia permanently, providing stability and long-term development opportunities for you and your family.
- Right to work freely: When granted an Employer Sponsored Scheme visa, you have the right to work freely in a position and international work environment, with ample opportunities for career advancement.
- Right to education: The Employer Sponsored Scheme visa gives you and your family the right to education. You and your children can participate in Australia’s education system, including universities and public schools.
- Social and healthcare benefits: With an Employer Sponsored Scheme visa, you and your family can access social and healthcare benefits similar to Australian citizens.
- Sponsorship of family members: With this visa, you can sponsor your family members to come and live, study, and work in the happiest country in the world.
However, specific visa categories may have different timeframes and additional unique benefits.
LIST OF EMPLOYER-SPONSORED VISA CATEGORIES
The pathways to settlement under this scheme can be categorized as follows:
Temporary Residence Visa
1. Training Visa (Subclass 407)
The Training Visa, or Visa 407, is designed for individuals who want to participate in workplace-based occupational training or professional development activities in Australia. Requiring no previous experience, this visa offers opportunities to gain valuable training and work experience in the right specialty, expertise, in an international working environment. Moreover, successfully meeting all the requirements and conditions of the visa can lead to the possibility of obtaining a skilled visa for settlement in Australia after two years.
Some basic requirements to obtain a visa 407 include:
- Over 18 years old at the time of visa issuance
- English skills: IELTS 4.5 (GPA) or PTE 30 (GPA)
- Participating in a vocational training program according to the prescribed type
- Nominated by a company registered with the Australian government
- No previous work experience required
2. Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494):
The Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa, or Visa 494, aims to address labor shortages in regional areas of Australia. This visa opens up opportunities for individuals to contribute to the growth of regional communities while enjoying the benefits of living and working in Australia. After 3 years, applicants will have the opportunity to apply for Permanent Residency and subsequently, Australian citizenship after meeting the necessary conditions.
To be eligible, applicant must have an occupation in the specified list and a skills assessment certificate issued by the Australian government,and also include:
- Under 45 years old
- At least 3 years of industry experience
- English Skills IELTS 6.0 for each skill or PTE 50 for each skill
- Have a skills assessment certificate issued by the Australian government
- Have an occupation on the specified list
- Nominated by the sponsoring company with the Australian government
3. Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482):
The Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa, also known as Visa 482, is designed to address skill shortages in the Australian labor market. Through this visa, employers can sponsor skilled foreign workers, enabling them to work in Australia temporarily for up to 4 years. Offering a significantly expedited processing period compared to alternative visas, Visa 482 presents an opportunity to work and acquire valuable experience in the diverse Australian landscape.
The TSS visa offers three streams:
- Short-Term stream: This stream is designed for employers to temporarily fill skill shortages with foreign workers. It allows for visa validity of up to two years (or up to four years in some cases) and can be renewed once, but it does not provide a pathway to permanent residency.
- Medium-Term stream: This stream is aimed at employers seeking to fill a medium- to long-term skill shortage. It offers visa validity for up to four years and provides a pathway to permanent residency after three years, subject to meeting specific criteria.
- Labor Agreement: The stream allows a specific group of employers or industries to negotiate and achieve their terms and conditions, different from the usual requirements of the TSS program. It addresses specific labor needs and unique migration issues in a particular region, industry, or work area.
Moreover, some basic requirements to obtain a visa 482 include:
- Under 45 years old
- English level of IELTS 5.0 for each skill or PTE 36 for each skill
- At least 2 years of industry experience
- Nominated by a company registered with the Australian government
- Have an occupation on the specified list
- Have been assessed for skills by an Australian government agency (depending on occupation)
Permanent Residence (PR) Visa
1. Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186):
The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa, also known as the Visa 186, one of the prominent skilled visa streams, is a permanent residency visa that allows Australian employers to sponsor skilled workers to live and work permanently in Australia. With this permanent immigration plan, you can enroll in Australia’s public healthcare scheme, Medicare and be eligible to sponsor family members to join you in Australia. Furthermore, once you satisfy the residency requirements, you may be eligible to apply for Australian citizenship.
The ENS Visa offers three streams:
- Labor Agreement Stream: This stream is designed for applicants an employer sponsors through a negotiated labor agreement with the Australian government. The specific terms and conditions of the contract will determine the eligibility criteria for this stream.
- Temporary Residence Transition Stream: The Temporary Residence Transition Stream is intended for individuals working in Australia on a Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482) under the same employer for a specified period. It offers a pathway for them to transition from temporary to permanent residency.
- Direct Entry Stream: The Direct Entry Stream is for applicants who have never worked or have only worked briefly in Australia. It requires meeting higher skill and qualification requirements than the Temporary Residence Transition Stream. The Direct Entry Stream allows applicants to directly apply for permanent residency without having first to hold a temporary visa.
Each stream will have its specific requirements; however, in general, the Subclass 186 visa has the following basic requirements:
- Under 45 years old when applying
- Graduated from University/College/High School
- Have at least 3 years of work experience
- Will work for at least 2 years for the sponsoring company
- English skills: IELTS 6.0 for each skill or PTE 50 for each skill
- Nominated by a company registered with the Australian government
- Have an occupation on the specified list
- Skilled by an Australian government agency
WHY SHOULD YOU CONTACT CONSULTING AGENCIES FOR SUPPORT WITH EMPLOYER-SPONSORED VISAS?
With these distinctive advantages, employer-sponsored visas attract talented individuals worldwide. However, several points make it advisable to contact professional agencies for optimal application support:
- Visa complexity: Choosing the correct nominated position at the initial stage, demonstrating the sponsoring company’s ability to select, or preparing applicant information requires a lot of detailed information.
- Multiple conditions to consider: To meet the requirements for employer-sponsored visas, you need to satisfy conditions related to skills, English proficiency, and health. A professional agency can assess and ensure that you meet these requirements before applying, increasing the chances of visa success.
- Potential impact on future applications: If your visa application is rejected, it can be recorded in the immigration system and may affect future visa applications. Having a reputable “companion” who can provide advice and innovative application strategies can increase the likelihood of your visa being approved.
With the help of a professional agency, you are guaranteed all procedures are followed through perfectly, increasing the chances of visa success.
CONCLUSION
With their many benefits, there is no denying the Employer Sponsored Scheme visas’ popularity. From gaining work experience, to education benefits, to a more comfortable life as an Australian citizen, the programs open up many intriguing opportunities for applicants. However, they can become out of reach for some as embarking on the journey to obtain an Employer Nomination scheme visa requires the applicant to be thoroughly skill assessed, find the suitable sponsor, and have a deep understanding of the visa requirements and process.
At Kailian Specialist Service, we understand the challenges you may face, and we are here to support you every step of the way. Our team of experts will provide personalized advice, sharing success stories, and helping you navigate the complexities of the application process. Contact KSS today and let our dedicated consultants assist you in realizing your aspirations in Australia.