Even though Skilled Regional Sponsored Visa is issued provisionally for three years, the best thing is that it provides you the pathway to apply for permanent residency in the land of Kangaroos. But, before you set to apply for this visa, it is important to know about the criteria set by the Australian immigration for applicants in order to be able to migrate under this visa category.

Here are the criteria that needed to be fulfilled:

• You must be under forty-five years of age.
• You must have good English language skills or vocational English.
• You must choose a particular occupation contained in the SOL. Skilled Occupations List consists the occupations that are in need in Australia.
• Relevant authority must assess the nominated occupation.
• Your skills and qualifications must meet the country’s standard in relation to the selected occupation.

When you meet these basic criteria, you can apply for the Skilled Regional Sponsored Visa. Even if you fulfill the criteria, but if no territory or state participating in the scheme sponsors your occupation, you cannot apply for this visa. However, once you know that your nominated occupation is one the list, you will need to have your occupation assessed and considered by relevant authority for migration. Obtaining sponsorship from a territory/state follows thereafter. Every participating state provides an additional sponsorship application form. Based upon points system, if you get selected for sponsorship by a state, you will have to lodge application with DIAC.

For more information on Skilled Regional Sponsored Scheme, consult an Immigration and Visa consultant!

Australia lets its certain states and territories to sponsor overseas immigrants to live and work in their respective regions. These states or territories sponsor eligible applicants under the Skilled Regional Sponsored scheme. To be very precise, Skilled Regional Sponsored visa is a state sponsored visa that is issued initially as a provisional visa or a temporary residence visa. Or you can say this visa is a substitute for skilled workers who are not able to fulfill the prerequisites of a Skilled- Independent Visa.

A Skilled Regional Sponsored (SRS) Visa is issued for three years. The best part is that a SRS visa holder can apply for permanent residency in Australia after he/she has lived and worked for two years and twelve months respectively in a specific regional area of Australia. However, in order to be eligible for obtaining this visa, an applicant must be nominated by a participating state/territory government agency or sponsored by an eligible relative, who is already a resident of a designated area in Australia.

You can apply for this visa if you are an outsider (not a national of Australia) or a New Zealand national with a visa under the Subclass 444. SRS visa allows you to stay in Australia for three years, however, you have to live and work in a specific regional area during that period. It also lets secondary applicants to accompany you and study or work in that specific regional area only. If you complete two years of living and working in that area, it gives you the opportunity to apply for permanent residency in Australia.

Western Australian State Sponsorship is meant for Skilled Sponsored Visa (SSV) and Skilled Regional Sponsored (SRSV) (Provisional) Visa.

Eligibility Criteria: Applicants applying for Western Australian State Sponsorship are needed to fulfill the DIAC criteria for the relevant visa that they are applying for.

Skilled Sponsored Visa (SSV) – Permanent Residency

• Have an occupation on the WAOIDL (Western   Australian   Occupations   in   Demand  List)
• Intend to live and work in Western Australia for the required tenure.
• Participate in a survey every 6 months for the duration of two years
• Show a proof of ample financial funds.

Skilled Regional Sponsored Visa (SRSV) – Temporary Residency

• Have an occupation that must be present on WAOIDL (Western   Australian   Occupations   in   Demand  List)
• Intend to live and work in Western Australia and show a proof of sufficient funds.

Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) basic criteria:

• The applicant must be aged under 45, at the time of lodging the visa application;
• Points required: 100
• Vocational level of English
• Positive skill assessment
• Fulfill the relevant Work requirements.

Also, Western Australian State Sponsorship requirements are reviewed on a regular basis, therefore it becomes mandatory to consult an Immigration and Visa expert and stay updated with the amendments.