Recently, in a poll undertook by World Report & US News, Australia was ranked as one of the best country in the world for international immigrants. With a total annual intake of 200,000 immigrants, Australia always attracts skilled visa applicants across the globe.
Unlike the Skilled Independent visa Subclass 189, which permits visa holders to settle down anywhere in Australia, various Australian states and territories also comprise their own immigration programs which are linked with their specific skills gaps, under which the applicants are nominated for skilled migration.
Tasmania, an island state has initiated a new visa program for overseas applicants under which one can live and work in the state for a period of four years and also can grab a pathway to permanent residency in Australia.
Since 1 July 2017, the new visa program named, Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 489) has been introduced to nominate the overseas applicants.
Under subclass 489, visa holders can live and work in Tasmania for a period of four years.
Applicants acquiring a state nomination from Tasmania will be awarded 10 points to the overall score required in order to qualify the point test.
After residing in Tasmania for a minimum period of two years and having a full time working experience of minimum 1 year during the stay, the visa holders become eligible to apply for permanent residency in Australia.
In order to apply for this visa, an applicant is required to nominate an occupation from Tasmania’s Skilled Occupation List and provide sufficient proof of employment opportunities in the state. Applicants can also secure a genuine offer of employment from employers.