How to Get PR of Australia: 408 Visa to Permanent Skilled Visa

Pathway to Australian PR: From 408 Visa to Permanent Skilled Independent Visa

Despite being a temporary work visa, the 408 Visa can be a crucial stepping stone for you to secure your future in Australia as a permanent resident. This article explains explicitly how to get a PR of Australia with a 408 Visa as the stepping stone, especially with a permanent independent skilled visa. 408 visa provides its holders with a PR pathway through the skilled independent visa, which consists of the following:

1. 408 visa to Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
2. 408 visa to Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)

While finding a sponsor is a big job, here are the details on converting your 408 visa to an independent skilled visa so you can apply for permanent residence in Australia directly.

408 Visa to Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)

The 189 visa consists of two stream applications such as:

• Point-tested stream: The Australian government must invite you to apply for this visa. You must also be suitable for your current job and demonstrate your skill assessment.
• Hong Kong stream: This visa allows an eligible Hong Kong passport holder to get permanent residency in Australia. You must also hold a suitable visa and have lived in Australia for at least four years.

To be clear, we’ve provided you with one scenario on how to get PR in Australia with the 189 Visa.

Scenario:

Young Lee (35 years old), a skilled head chef from South Korea, lived and worked in Australia on a 408 visa through a the Australian Government Endorsed Event (Covid-19). He was one of the migrants who could not return to his home country, but having no visa option when Covid-19 hit Australia.

Lee who realises he could not stay with the 408 Visa – Covid-19 stream for long term, came to us with main concerns in finding the best visa option to further extend his stay and career in Australia as a Head Chef, while he could not secure a sponsorship.

After a careful assessment, we suggested him the 189 Visa, considering his professional work experience, education background, the validity period of his 408 Visa, and others. Lee agreed.

Consequently, he followed the necessary steps for the 189 visa while still holding his 408 visa, such as:

• He completed a skill assessment, highlighting his qualifications as a head chef. It was obtained three years before the date of his invitation.
• He got an English test to boost his ability; he successfully reached competent English.
• Once he received a positive skill assessment and a sufficient English test, we submitted his Expression of Interest (EOI) on his behalf. He patiently awaited an invitation to apply for the 189 visa.
• The minimum points required is 65 points, and he successfully reached 70 points.
• Around 4 months later, he received the invitation.
• After the invitation, we submitted the 189 Visa within 60 days since the invitation date on his behalf.
• Ultimately, his application was successful, and he was granted the 189 visa.

The 189 visa allows Lee to continue his journey as a head chef and a skilled independent migrant, free to live and work anywhere in Australia.

Through the scenario, we can see the important aspects in converting your 408 Visa to 189 Visa involve the following:

• a valid 408 Visa with enough validity period,
• a positive skill assessment,
• occupation that suits the skilled occupation list,
• lodgment of Expression of Interest with a minimum of 65 points,
• English proficiency at least Competent English,
• invitation from the Australian Federal Government to lodge a Visa application,
• lodgment of 189 visa applications within 60 days after the invitation is received.

If you are the nominated skilled worker looking for an independent visa to stay and work in a specified state or territory in Australia, consider this option below.

Read more: Invitation Round 2024 Update: Guess the Minimum Points Needed!

408 Visa to Skilled Nomination Visa (Subclass 190)

The 190 visa allows you to stay and work in Australia permanently. An Australian state or territory government agency must nominate you for this visa.

Every step to apply for Subclass 190 is required the same as 189 Visa, but with essential requirements that we’ll describe to you below:

• Complete a skills assessment and get a positive result. It should have been done three years before the date of your invitation.
• Took an English test and reached at least Competent English.
• Submit an EOI (Expression of Interest) and reached at least 65 points.
• Waiting for nomination by an Australian state or territory government agency. Each Australian state and territory government have their criteria, and you need to contact them directly to know the nomination process and what they want from you as their nomination skilled worker:
  • Australian Capital Territory
  • New South Wales
  • Northern Territory
  • Queensland
  • South Australia
  • Tasmania
  • Victoria
  • Western Australia
• After being invited, apply for a 190 visa within 60 days after the invitation

Here are some important aspects to consider before converting your 408 Visa to 190 Visa to get permanent residency in Australia:

• a valid 408 Visa with enough validity period,
• a positive skill assessment,
• occupation that suits the skilled occupation list and is on the state or territory’s skilled occupation list,
• lodgment of Expression of Interest with a minimum of 65 points,
• invitation from the Australian State or Territory Government to lodge a Visa application,
• lodgment of 190 visa applications within 60 days after the invitation is received.

Read more: Why Work in Australia in 2024? Here’s 7 Top Reasons

Which visa options should you choose?

By going through these two options, you can identify the difference between applying for an 189 visa and a 190 visa as options for getting PR in Australia.</span>

The 189 Visa allows you to work and live anywhere in Australia. In comparison, the 190 Visa requires you to work and live in Australia’s specific state or territory.

Once you have this information, you can figure out how to get PR of Australia based on your accumulated points while on a 408 visa.

While you are here looking for better options, you might have these questions:

1. Can I apply for an 189 Visa with sponsors?
2. Can I have other options than a 190 Visa if I get nominated?

ONE derland Consulting is always ready to give you the best legal advice and insight. 

Here’s what we will do for you:

• We will provide a tailored document checklist to help you gather all the required documentation for the visa application.
• We will provide you with templates for letters and statements.
• We will liaise with the Department of Home Affairs on your behalf to ensure any information requests and deadlines are on time.

Are you looking for professional assistance for your visa application?

Our visa specialists at ONEderland Consulting will assist you and give you complete suggestions on how to get PR of Australia, specifically if you hold a 408 Visa. We have a 98% success rate and are one of Australia’s most highly recommended migration agents. Read our 4.9* score customer reviews.

We are complex visa specialists. As registered Australian migration agents with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA), we are regulated in our professional practice and bound by the profession’s Code of Conduct issued by the MARA.

Take the first step and get in touch with us. Our team members are professional and honest and speak various languages, such as Mandarin/ Chinese, Bahasa Indonesia, Arabic, Japanese, and Thai. Contact us through email at [email protected] or via phone at 1300 827 159. Alternatively, you may book your consultation online, and it is backed by our 100% Money Back Guarantee Program.