How to Transition from a Student Visa to Permanent Residency in Australia as a Nigerian

Australia is a popular destination for Nigerian students seeking high-quality education and the opportunity to build a successful career. Many Nigerian students studying in Australia aspire to transition from a student visa to permanent residency (PR), allowing them to live and work in Australia indefinitely. This blog post provides a comprehensive guide on how to make this transition, outlining the key steps, visa options, and important considerations for Nigerian students.

Understanding the Pathways to Permanent Residency

There are several pathways for Nigerian students to transition from a student visa to permanent residency in Australia. The most common options include:

1. Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485): This visa allows recent graduates to live, study, and work in Australia temporarily after finishing their studies. It is often the first step toward permanent residency.
2. Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189): This points-based visa allows skilled workers to live and work permanently in Australia. It does not require sponsorship from an employer or state/territory government.
3. Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190): This points-based visa requires nomination by an Australian state or territory government. It allows skilled workers to live and work permanently in Australia.
4. Employer-Sponsored Visas: These include the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) and the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Subclass 187), which require sponsorship by an Australian employer.

Step-by-Step Guide to Transitioning from a Student Visa to Permanent Residency

1. Complete Your Studies

The first step is to complete your Australian education. Ensure that your course is registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS), as this is a requirement for applying for certain visas.

Upon completing your studies, you may be eligible for a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485), which allows you to stay in Australia to gain work experience in your field.

2. Apply for a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) is a key stepping stone for many students transitioning to permanent residency. This visa allows you to live and work in Australia for up to four years, depending on your qualification.

• Post-Study Work Stream: For international students who have recently graduated with a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from an Australian institution.
• Graduate Work Stream: For graduates with skills and qualifications that relate to an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).

While on this visa, you can gain valuable work experience, which can enhance your eligibility for a permanent residency visa.

3. Assess Your Eligibility for Skilled Migration

Australia operates a points-based immigration system for skilled migration. To qualify for a skilled visa, you must meet the minimum points requirement, which is currently 65 points. Points are awarded based on factors such as age, English language proficiency, education, work experience, and whether you have studied or worked in Australia.

Use the Australian Department of Home Affairs points calculator to assess your points score and determine your eligibility for skilled migration.

4. Complete a Skills Assessment

For most skilled migration visas, you will need to have your skills assessed by a relevant assessing authority. This assessment confirms that your qualifications and work experience match Australian standards for your nominated occupation.

Choose the correct occupation from the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and contact the relevant assessing authority for your profession to start the assessment process.

5. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect

Once you have completed your skills assessment and confirmed your points score, you can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect, an online system used by the Australian government to manage skilled migration applications.

In your EOI, you will need to provide details about your skills, qualifications, and experience. Based on your EOI, you may be invited to apply for a Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) or a Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190).

6. Consider State or Territory Nomination

If your points score is below the threshold for a Skilled Independent Visa, consider applying for a Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190). This visa requires nomination by an Australian state or territory, which can provide additional points and improve your chances of receiving an invitation to apply.

Research the specific requirements of the state or territory where you wish to live, as each has its own criteria for nomination.

7. Seek Employer Sponsorship

Another pathway to permanent residency is through employer sponsorship. If you secure a job offer from an Australian employer in your field, you may be eligible for an Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) or a Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Subclass 187) visa.

These visas require your employer to sponsor you, and you must work for that employer for a specified period after the visa is granted.

8. Lodge Your Permanent Residency Visa Application

Once you receive an invitation to apply for a permanent residency visa, you can lodge your application through your ImmiAccount on the Australian Department of Home Affairs website. Ensure that all required documents, including your skills assessment, EOI, and nomination (if applicable), are submitted correctly.

After lodging your application, you may be required to undergo a health examination and provide police clearance certificates.

Important Considerations for Nigerian Applicants

1. Maintain Legal Status: It’s crucial to maintain your legal status in Australia while transitioning from a student visa to permanent residency. Ensure that you apply for the Temporary Graduate Visa or another bridging visa before your student visa expires.
2. Improve Your Points Score: If your points score is low, consider ways to improve it, such as gaining additional work experience, improving your English language proficiency, or completing further studies in Australia.
3. Stay Informed: Visa requirements and policies can change, so regularly check the Australian Department of Home Affairs website for updates and new information.

Conclusion

Transitioning from a student visa to permanent residency in Australia as a Nigerian requires careful planning, preparation, and a clear understanding of the available pathways. By completing your studies, gaining work experience, and navigating the skilled migration process, you can successfully make the transition and secure your future in Australia. For more detailed information and to begin your application, visit the Australian Department of Home Affairs website.