Australia is one of the most livable countries featuring fascinating landscapes, a well-equipped healthcare system, international educational standards, promising job markets, and a high standard of living. It is attractive to not only international travelers but also foreign employees. Those who want to work in the country must hold a valid work visa. If you are planning to stay in Australia for a long time, a TSS 482 visa would be a favorable choice. According to new rules for 482 visa to permanent residency (PR), all TSS (subclass 482) visa holders are eligible for the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream. In this passage, we are going to talk about the pathway from a 482 visa to PR.
What Is Australian Permanent Residency?
Permanent residency (PR) in Australia is an immigrant status allowing individuals to live permanently in the country and retain their original nationality. Australian PR status usually leads to Australian citizenship after residing for a certain amount of time and meeting other requirements. There are different pathways to becoming an Australian permanent resident, such as converting from a 457 visa, regional visa, family visa, TSS 482 visa to permanent residency, etc.
Benefits of Australia PR
Australian permanent residents can enjoy lots of benefits like local citizens, which are listed below.
- Live and work in Australia infinitely without renewing visas regularly.
- Exit and re-enter Australia multiple times.
- Be eligible to apply for Australian citizenship and enjoy all benefits of a citizen.
- Sponsor family members to apply for Australia residence visas or PR.
- Get a bank loan, such as a home mortgage, business loan, car loan, and so on.
- Enjoy social security benefits.
- Enjoy educational benefits, such as free access to primary and secondary public schools, tuition subsidies, scholarships, etc.
- Your child is automatically granted citizenship if born in Australia.
- Access national public or private medical and healthcare services.
- Purchase a property in Australia.
- Explore more job opportunities.
What Is TSS Visa
A 482 Visa, also known as an Australian Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (TSS Visa), is a work visa issued to a skilled worker that is difficult to find in the local recruitment market. It must be applied for based on the sponsorship of an Australian employer and evaluated based on the employee’s qualifications, skills and work experience. Acceptable streams include short-term, medium-term, and labor agreements. With this visa, the holder can stay in the country for up to 4 years and leave/re-enter multiple times.
Pathways from 482 Visa to Permanent Residency
With a TSS 482 visa, you can apply for an 186 visa under the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186). It is a permanent work visa issued to foreign workers and nominated by Australian patrons. Let’s see who is eligible and how to apply.
Eligibility for Temporary Residence Transition (TRT)
To be eligible for the scheme, you must:
- Have the required skills and qualifications for the nominated occupation.
- Get a corresponding license, register, or become a member of a professional body (if applicable)
- Be nominated by the employer who sponsored you to work full-time for at least 2 years on subclass 457 or subclass 482 visa.
- Be under 45 years of age at the time of application unless otherwise exempted as follows.
- You are nominated by an Australian university and working as a university lecturer, faculty head at Academic level B-E, or academic position.
- Your nominator is an Australian scientific government agency and your position is a scientist, researcher, or technical specialist at the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) skill level 1 or 2.
- You provide healthcare services and have worked in your nominated position for no less than 3 years on Visa 457 or Visa 482.
- You have worked in Australia for 3 years with a visa 457 or 482 with an annual income of at least AUD153,600.
- You obtained a visa 457 or 482 on 18 April 2017 when you were younger than 50 years old.
- Be proficient in English.
- Have a subclass 457 visa, TSS 482 visa, or bridging visa A, B or C.
- Meet health requirements.
- Have good character.
Required Documents for Temporary Residence Transition (TRT)
Applicants should include the following documents.
- Most recent passport.
- A national ID.
- Proof of registration, licensing or membership (if applicable).
- Proof of required skills and qualifications (if applicable).
- Proof of proficiency in English.
- Proof of good character.
- Form 956
- Form 956a
- An employment contract.
- Documents to prove your sponsor is running a legal business.
- Proof of work under visa 457 or 482.
- Documents related to the change sponsorship (if applicable).
- Proof of working for an associated business (if applicable).
- Proof of annual income of at least AUD250,000.
- Proof of the position on the skilled occupations list.
- Proof of genuine need for overseas workers from your sponsor.
- Proof of levy fund skills paid by your sponsor.
If you apply for your spouse or partner, you should also prepare:
- His/her passport
- Marriage certificate
- Proof of relationship
- Proof of his/her English language proficiency
If you apply for a dependent under 18, you should also prepare:
- His/her birth certificate
- Parental consent form 1229
- Statutory declaration
If you apply for a dependent above 18, you should also prepare:
- Proof of dependency or other relationships
- Dependency form 47a
- Proof of students’ staus
- Proof of financial dependency for the last year.
How to Apply for a Subclass 186 Visa
Supposing that you have verified your eligibility and prepared the required documents, you can start the Australia 482 visa to permanent residency through the steps below.
- Get a Nomination
You must be nominated by a sponsor who is the same employer during your possession of a visa 457 or 482 unless the business ownership has changed. He/she must submit a nomination on ImmiAccount. It is free of charge when the position is in regional Australia, otherwise, AUD540 should be paid. Once the authority approves your sponsor’s nomination, a transaction reference number (TRN) will be sent.
- Apply for 186 Visa
The visa must be applied within 6 months after getting the nomination which can be done on ImmiAccount. If you don’t have an account, create one. Log in to the system and click the “New Application” section. Choose a desired pathway and provide all required information and supporting documents.
What Is Medium-Term TSS 482 Visa?
The Medium-Term TSS 482 Visa is a temporary work visa for employers to hire skilled foreign workers to fill occupation vacancies on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). It is valid for up to 4 years. The visa holders can work, study, and travel in and out of Australia multiple times. Moreover, one can apply for Australian permanent residency if eligible. It can be renewed without limitation on the number of times. This visa type is specifically issued to skilled workers in critical and in-demand occupations.
New Rules for 482 Visa to Permanent Residency
Starting from 25 November 2023, the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) was amended. The new rules will include more people in the 482 Visa to PR transition. Let’s see how the previous and current rules differ.
- Duration of Holding TSS Visa
Applicants used to have to work for 3 years for the sponsor before nomination. Now, if you have held the visa and worked in the nominated occupation for 2 years, you will be eligible for the transition.
- Eligibility for Skilled Occupations
Another significant change is that more eligible occupations are included. In the past, only occupations on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) are qualified. From now on, Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) roles are also covered.
Which Countries Can Australia PR Travel to Without a Visa?
Australian citizens can travel to more than 100 countries and territories around the world without a visa. Some of them also allow visa-free trips for Australian permanent residents. Please note that the entry requirements might vary due to your nationality, the way of travel, length of stay, etc., so it is necessary to check the latest rules and regulations before traveling.
| Asian | Europe | South America | North America | Others |
| Japan (90 days) | Ireland (90 days) | Argentina (90 days) | the United States (180 days) | New Zealand (Indefinite) |
| South Korea (90 days) | the United Kingdom (180 days) | Chile (90 days) | Canada (180 days) | |
| Hongkong, China (14 days) | Switzerland (90 days) | Brazil (90 days) |
FAQ
Q1: Can I apply for PR after 2 years of a 482 visa?
A: Yes, as long as you meet all the requirements.
Q2: How Can I Get PR from 482 Short Term?
A: You can obtain Australia PR through the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the Employer Nomination (subclass 186) visa after working for your sponsoring employer for 2 years in the same occupation and satisfying other requirements.
Q3: Is converting a 482 visa to PR difficult?
A: No. As the new rules take effect at the end of 2023, the chance is getting higher than before.
Q4: What is the fastest way to get PR in Australia?
A: Applying through the Global Talent Independent (GTI) Program might be the fastest way which usually takes 14-30 days. It is highly skilled and high-income professionals dominated by a reputable person in the same field.
Q5: How much does it cost to convert TSS visa 482 to permanent residency under the TRT stream?
A: AUD4,640.00.
Q6: How long does a 482 visa to PR take?
A: The processing time takes 9-12 months, depending on the time and the number of applications.
Summary
Being a permanent resident in Australia has many benefits and there are various pathways to gain PR status. After reading this passage, you must have learned about what is TSS visa and Australia permanent residency. If you have held a temporary work visa for a certain amount of time and satisfy requirements on skills, qualifications, age limits, and English proficiency, it is recommended to transfer it to PR. As new rules for 482 visas to permanent residency are published, the conversion might be easier in 2024. To make things go smoothly, please go through the eligibility and checklist carefully and get fully prepared before applying.
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Dolores Xiao