A comprehensive guide for Australia's PR for Hong Kong nationals
Highlights
The Minister for Immigration, announced on November 1, 2021, the introduction of two new permanent residence visa categories: Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), and Skilled Regional visa (subclass 191). These new visa streams have been introduced to facilitate and simplify the process of obtaining permanent residency in Australia for citizens of Hong Kong.
Basic requirements
Both the 189 and 191 visas have similarities and differences when it comes to their basic requirements. For the similarities, applicants for both visa types should have an eligible visa subclass 457, 482, or 485. Also, the applicants must see to it that they complied with the conditions of their eligible visa upon the PR application process.
What differs between the two PR pathways is the location of their work, and how long they stayed in Australia. For subclass 189, the applicant should have consecutively lived in Australia for 4 years. On the other hand, subclass 191 applicants should have consecutively lived, worked, or studied in the regional area of Australia for 3 years.
Skills Assessment and Selection Process
The skills assessment and selection process for 189 and 191 visas are similar. Both PR pathways do not require undertaking occupational or skill assessment requirements. Also, the selection process for both PR pathways will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. This means there will be no definite timeframe on when you will be granted a visa.
Advantages of 189 and 191 Hong Kong stream
The main advantage of these new Hong Kong streams is the ease of requirements. Unlike many other pathways to permanent residency, these new Hong Kong streams don’t have minimum requirements for:
English language proficiency
Skills assessments
EOI points
Income thresholds
In addition, there is a more comprehensive interpretation of the term 'Member for the Family Unit' and certain possibilities for exemptions related to health.
If you currently hold a Hong Kong SAR and wish to ascertain your eligibility for permanent residency under these novel pathways, we recommend that you reach out to registered migration experts. Our team at ThinkVisa is highly skilled and experienced registered migration experts who can provide you with the necessary guidance and assistance to navigate the complex immigration process. So, don't hesitate to contact us to discuss your options and get started on your journey toward obtaining permanent residency in Australia
