For those looking to settle aboard in The Land Down Under – Australia, there are several ways to go about it. Three common ways of becoming a permanent resident are through getting a family-stream permanent visa or a work-stream permanent visa or an investor-stream permanent visa.

An Australian permanent resident (permanent resident) is a non-citizen who holds an Australian permanent visa, or is usually resident in Australia and holds a permanent visa. Generally, permanent residents can live, work and study with much fewer restrictions than temporary visa holders in Australia.

To become an Australian citizen, You need to be a permanent resident and meet certain criteria before you can apply.

Here, we explore ways to become permanent residents to eventually get Australian citizenship.

Family-stream permanent residence visas

These are for partners, children, parents or dependent relatives of an Australian citizen, permanent resident of Australia or eligible New Zealand citizens. Children being adopted or in the process of being adopted outside of Australia can also apply for Family-stream permanent residence visas. The carers who need to move to Australia to provide long-term care for an approved relative are also eligible to apply for Family-stream permanent residence visas.

For example, if you want to visit Australia to join your partner/spouse and stay there permanently with your spouse who has an Australian permanent residence visa, you can apply ( from outside Australia) for the Partner visa (apply overseas) – Subclasses 309 and 100.

Similarly, if you want to visit Australia to join your children and stay there permanently with your spouse who has an Australian permanent residence visa, you can apply ( from outside Australia) for Subclass 143 Contributory Parent visa, Subclass 103 Parent visa or Subclass 114 Aged Dependent Relative visa.

Work-stream permanent residence visas

If you want to spend time working in Australia you will need a work visa, the type of visa you may get will depend on how long you want to stay, you will likely need to have an occupation that is on a skills shortage list. These are for workers who have an Australian employer sponsoring them to work in Australia.

For example, if you are into skilled/highly specialized work and want to work and stay permanently if someone sponsors you, then you can apply for Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa, Subclass 187 Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa or Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa.

If you are applying without a sponsor and independently, you can apply for Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa, Subclass 887 Skilled regional visa or Subclass 858 Global Talent visa.

Investment-stream permanent residence visas

If you want to do business investment activities, you can apply for Subclass 188 Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa. This visa allows you to own and manage a business in Australia, conduct business and investment activity in Australia or undertake an entrepreneurial activity in Australia. However, you must be nominated by an eligible government organisation prior to applying.

Alternatively, you can apply for Subclass 888 Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa which is for entrepreneurs, investors and business owners to continue their activity in Australia.

Individuals looking to invest and get residence permit can apply for Subclass 893 State or Territory Sponsored Investor visa which is a permanent resident visa for investors who have held a designated investment of AUD750,000 for 4 years.

Investor visa Subclass 891 is for people who undertake business and investment activities in Australia. It allows you to stay in Australia indefinitely. You must have held a designated investment of AUD1.5 million for four years.