In order to apply for professional visas 190 and 491, sponsorship from an Australian state or region is required. This sponsorship provides
additional points but also comes with certain obligations:
State nomination (visa 190) – 5 points.
The applicant is expected to live in the nominating state for at least 3 years after moving there (permanent
visa). Regional nomination (visa 491) – 10 points. The applicant is expected to live and work in the nominating region for a minimum of 3 out of 5 years, while earning a certain level of salary (provisional visa). Nomination of a relative in the region (visa 491) – 10 points. The applicant is expected to live and work in the nominating region for a minimum of 3 out of 5 years, while earning a certain level of salary (provisional visa).
After selecting a profession and obtaining a qualification assessment document, you must pass an English proficiency test. Once you achieve a
passing score, you must submit an application in Skill Select and then either apply for state or regional nomination or wait for an invitation
from the Australian government for a 189 visa. Upon receiving an invitation, you have 60 days to complete a visa application on the Australian
Department website and upload all necessary documents electronically. Failure to submit a visa application within this timeframe will result
in the cancellation of the invitation, requiring the applicant to reapply in Skill Select.
The following documents are required for immigration to Australia from Russia after receiving a visa invitation:
- qualification assessment
- passport valid for at least six months after entry
- completed visa application in English
- bank statement confirming sufficient financial support
- police clearance certificate (if the applicant has resided in a third country for over a year, a police clearance certificate from that country is
- also necessary)
- English proficiency test certificate
- photographs
The application for professional immigration is typically processed within 6-9 months. During this time, the employee reviewing the documents may have questions and may require additional information to supplement the document package or confirm the information provided in the application. If a positive decision is made regarding the professional immigration to Australia, a formal letter will be sent to the applicant’s email. This letter will specify the period within which the applicant must enter the country. If the individual is able to enter before the specified date, they will be allowed to live in Australia for 5 years. After that period, the visa may be extended or the applicant may apply for citizenship.
Australia’s 189 visa is a skilled independent visa.
This stream is designed for skilled workers who do not have a sponsoring employer or family member, or have not been nominated by a state
or regional government. As a result, this visa is known as the Skilled Independent visa 189. This visa allows the holder to have permanent residency in Australia without the requirement to live in a specific state or region. Although the minimum pass mark for visa 189 is 65, in practice, applicants who score 90 or more points in the points test are invited to apply for the visa.
Regional programs for professional immigration.
Most applicants for immigration to Australia who do not score enough points for an independent visa go through the state or regional
sponsorship pathway in Australia.
There are two types of sponsorship:
State-sponsored visa 190: This is a permanent residency visa that requires the recipient to live in the state for a minimum of 3 years after moving. This sponsorship gives an additional 5 points to the points test.
Regional-sponsored visa 491: This is a provisional visa. The applicant is given 5 years on the 491 visa, at least three of which must be spent in the sponsored region and work, earning a certain level of income. After three years, the holder of the 491 visa can apply for the permanent residency visa 191. Regional Australia, for immigration purposes, is considered to be all territory except Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne. This sponsorship gives an additional 10 points to the points test. Seeking state or regional nomination is a separate stage of your immigration program to Australia. In addition to meeting the general requirements of the Department, each state sets its own requirements for sponsorship applicants and its own lists of professions.
Program for university graduates to emigrate
For university graduates, there are two programs available:
- The first program is for graduates of Australian educational institutions. This is the Graduate Visa 485, which allows graduates to gain work
experience in Australia for a period of 2 to 4 years (thus increasing points in the points test mentioned above). - The second program is for recent graduates of engineering specialties from foreign universities. The Graduate Visa 476 permits temporary
residence, work, and study in Australia for up to 18 months.