Australia Immigration from Pakistan

Australia is among the top destinations for Pakistanis looking to move abroad. Renowned for its high quality of life, excellent healthcare system, top-tier education, and ample career opportunities, Australia has become a beacon for those seeking a better future. If you’re considering making the move, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the different ways to immigrate to Australia from Pakistan, step by step.

Why Australia?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty details, let’s take a moment to understand why so many Pakistanis choose Australia as their new home:

High Quality of Life: Australia consistently ranks high in global quality of life indices.
Strong Economy: A robust job market with opportunities across various sectors.
World-Class Education: Home to some of the best universities and schools.
Healthcare: Excellent healthcare services that are often subsidized by the government.
Cultural Diversity: A welcoming environment with a multicultural population.
Application Process for Australia immigration from Pakistan

Navigating the immigration process can be complex, but breaking it down into manageable steps can help:

Assessment of Eligibility: The first step is to evaluate your eligibility based on the specific requirements of the visa category you are interested in.
Skill Assessment: For skilled migration visas, you may need to have your skills assessed by the relevant Australian authority.
Expression of Interest (EOI): Submit an EOI through the SkillSelect system for skilled migration visas.
Invitation to Apply: If your EOI is successful, you will receive an invitation to apply for the visa.
Lodging the Application: Complete the application form and submit the required documents.
Health and Character Checks: Undergo mandatory medical examinations and provide police clearance certificates.
Visa Decision: Await the decision from the Department of Home Affairs.

Different Ways to Immigrate to Australia

There are several pathways to immigrate to Australia from Pakistan. We’ll cover the most common ones:

Skilled Migration
Family Sponsorship
Business and Investment Visas
Student Visa
Humanitarian Programs

1. Skilled Migration

The Skilled Migration program is one of the most popular ways for Pakistanis to move to Australia. This program is designed to attract skilled workers who can contribute to the Australian economy. Here are the key steps:

Step 1: Check Eligibility

To be eligible for Skilled Migration, you need to meet specific criteria:

Age: You must be under 45 years old.
Occupation: Your occupation should be on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL).
English Proficiency: You must have proficient English skills, usually proven by taking an IELTS or equivalent test.
Skills Assessment: Your skills need to be assessed by a relevant Australian authority.
Step 2: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)

Once you meet the eligibility criteria, the next step is to submit an EOI through the Skill Select online platform.

Step 3: Receive an Invitation to Apply

If your EOI is successful, you will receive an invitation to apply for a visa. You have 60 days to submit your application.

Step 4: Apply for a Visa

After receiving the invitation, you can apply for the visa that suits your situation, such as:

Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent Visa)
Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated Visa)
Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional Visa)
Step 5: Health and Character Checks

You will need to undergo health examinations and provide police clearance certificates to prove you meet the health and character requirements.

2. Family Sponsorship

If you have family members who are Australian citizens or permanent residents, they can sponsor you. 
Types of Family Sponsorship
There are various types of family sponsorship, including:

Partner Visa: Australia immigration from Pakistan For spouses. This visa allows eligible partners to live, work, and study in Australia. It typically involves a two-step process: temporary and permanent residency. To apply, couples must provide evidence of a genuine and continuing relationship, including joint financial commitments, shared household responsibilities, and social acknowledgment of their relationship.

Parent Visa: Australia immigration from Pakistan For parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents. This visa reunites families and provides parents the opportunity to live in Australia permanently. Applicants can choose between different types of parent visas, such as the contributory parent visa, which requires a higher fee but shorter processing time, and the non-contributory parent visa, which has lower costs but a significantly longer waiting period. Eligibility criteria include meeting the Balance of Family Test and passing health and character requirements.

Child Visa: Australia immigration from Pakistan For dependent children of Australian citizens or permanent residents. This visa allows children to join their parents in Australia and reside permanently. Eligible children must be under 18 years of age, depend on their parent, or between 18 and 25 years old and still studying full time, or over 18 years old and unable to work due to a disability. The visa application requires proof of the child’s relationship to the sponsoring parent and compliance with health and character standards.

Other Family Visas: Such as visas for aged dependent relatives, remaining relatives, and careers can help you in Australia immigration from Pakistan. These visas cater to unique family circumstances. The Aged Dependent Relative Visa is for elderly relatives who rely on an Australian relative for financial support. The Remaining Relative Visa is for those who have no other close family members outside Australia, and the Carer Visa is for individuals who need to move to Australia to care for a relative with a long-term medical condition. Each visa type has specific eligibility requirements, including financial, health, and character criteria.

Application Process for Australia immigration from Pakistan

The application process involves submitting required documents, undergoing health examinations, and attending interviews if necessary. Your sponsor will also need to provide proof of their ability to support you financially.

Sponsorship Obligations
Sponsors have certain obligations, including providing financial support and ensuring that the sponsored family member does not engage in illegal activities. Failure to meet these obligations can impact the success of the sponsorship application.

Here’s how:

Step 1: Determine Eligibility

Sponsor: Must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
Applicant: Must be a close family member of the sponsor (spouse, child, parent, or dependent relative).
Step 2: Choose the Right Visa

Depending on your relationship with your sponsor, you can apply for different visas:

Partner Visa (Subclass 820 and 801)
Parent Visa (Subclass 103)
Child Visa (Subclass 101)
Other Family Visas like Carer Visa (Subclass 116)
Step 3: Application Process

Submit your visa application along with supporting documents. The processing time may vary depending on the type of visa.

3. Business and Investment Visas

If you have a successful business or substantial assets, you might consider the Business Innovation and Investment Program.

Step 1: Check Eligibility

The key criteria typically include:

Age: You must be under 55 years old, although exceptions can be made.
Business Experience: Demonstrated business experience or investment track record.
Net Assets: Minimum net business and personal assets, usually starting from AUD 800,000.
Step 2: Submit EOI and Apply

Like skilled migration, you first submit an EOI through SkillSelect, and then apply for the appropriate visa upon receiving an invitation.

Step 3: Visa Options

Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment – provisional)
Subclass 888 (Business Innovation and Investment – permanent)
Subclass 132 (Business Talent – permanent)

4. Student Visa

For younger people or those looking for higher education opportunities, a Student Visa can be the first step towards eventual permanent residency.

Step 1: Choose a Course and Institution

Select a course and educational institution that is registered with the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

Step 2: Apply for Admission

Apply directly to the institution. You will receive a Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) once accepted.

Step 3: Apply for a Student Visa

Submit your Student Visa (Subclass 500) application along with your COE, proof of financial capacity, English proficiency, and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).

Step 4: Post-Study Work Options

After completing your course, you may be eligible for a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485), which allows you to work in Australia and potentially qualify for permanent residency.

5. Humanitarian Programs

Australia also offers pathways for refugees and others in humanitarian need. If you find yourself in such a situation, you can apply for protection visas under Australia’s Refugee and Humanitarian Program.

Step 1: Determine Eligibility

Eligibility depends on your circumstances and the type of protection you seek.

Step 2: Apply for a Visa

You can apply for a visa either offshore (through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) or onshore if you are already in Australia.

Conclusion

Australia immigration from Pakistan involves multiple steps and pathways, each with its own set of requirements and procedures. Whether you’re a skilled professional, a student, have family connections, or are looking to invest in a new business, Australia offers a variety of options for you to explore.

Ready to start your Australian journey? Take the first step and assess your eligibility today. For personalized guidance, don’t hesitate to get in touch with 7 sky immigration for our immigration experts, who can help you through the entire process.