Guide to Applying for Immigration to Australia

Receiving an Invitation To Apply (ITA) from the Department of Home Affairs is a crucial stage in your immigration to Australia. DHA may provide you with an ITA for an Australia visa under the General Skilled Immigration Program after you submit an EOI - Expression of Interest. After being assessed across a wide range of occupations, EOIs are scored by the Skill Select system (an online platform that evaluates your eligibility based on parameters including age, education, job experience, language competence, and other criteria). The top-ranked candidates are then given an invitation to apply to Australia. Every month, one invitation is often extended.

Understanding the Purpose of an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

After submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the Skill Select system, candidates who meet the eligibility criteria for skilled migration to Australia may receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA). The ITA includes information about the Visa Subclass for which they have been selected, as well as the deadline by which they must submit their application. Additionally, candidates may be required to provide further information to support their application, as specified in the ITA.

Skill Select Website Notification: Selection of Candidates

The Skill Select website publishes a list of selected candidates for an Invitation to Apply (ITA) after monthly selection rounds conducted by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). The website displays the candidates' point scores and the Visa Subclass for which they have been selected. Following each round, the DHA releases a report that includes the lowest scores for an EOI for each Subclass Visa that was invited to apply. Invitation rounds are held every three months for the Skilled Work Regional Provisional subclass 491 Visa (Family Sponsored) and the Skilled Independent subclass 189 Visa, although the exact dates may vary. The number of invitations issued during each round depends on the DHA's processing capacity and does not affect the nominations for Regional Skilled Work Provisional Subclass 491 Visas made by Territory or State Governments. The Australian government monitors visa and immigration policies to ensure they are adaptable and comply with public health regulations while protecting Australians' employment prospects. This approach enables the government to respond to both immediate and long-term impacts of the pandemic. From May 2021, the DHA has begun sending targeted ITA invites, and invitation rounds will continue every three months for the rest of the 2022-2023 program year.

Occupation Ceilings and Their Impact on Invitation

For invitations provided through the Skilled Regional Provisional and Independent Visas, a ceiling for a profession may be applied. The maximum number of EOIs that can be granted an ITA under the skilled immigration program for a certain occupation is implied to have a practical upper limit. It makes sure that the skilled immigration program remains balanced and provides ITAs to potential candidates in a range of skilled vocations. The percentage of total employment for each occupation determines the values for the occupational ceiling. The employment statistics, which show the number of people employed in each occupation in Australia, are provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Territory or State Nominated or Investment and Business Innovation Subclass Visas are exempt from occupation ceilings. If you are eligible to apply for an Invitation to Australia through multiple streams, you will receive an invitation for each qualifying stream. However, you can only submit one nomination application from the state through your selected stream. In cases where multiple expressions of interest (EOI) receive the same ranking, invitations will be granted based on the date of submission. If your expression of interest (EOI) indicates that you are seeking nomination from the state for both Subclasses 491 and 190 visas, you will usually receive an invitation to apply for Subclass 491 first. This is because candidates typically have a higher points score in their EOI for this visa.

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Qualifications and Future Invitation Offers

Qualifications and Future Invitation Offers

Simply having a qualified Expression of Interest (EOI) does not guarantee that you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) to immigrate to Australia. To increase your chances of being invited in the next round, your EOI must meet all the specified requirements, including any additional nomination criteria, if applicable. Additionally, you need to ensure that the occupation you nominate is currently available on the relevant Skilled Occupation List (SOL).

What to Do Once You Receive an Invitation to Apply for Australia

What to Do Once You Receive an Invitation to Apply for Australia

After receiving the ITA, you will have 60 days to submit the entire application for an Australian visa. After 60 days, the ITA ends. Thus, it is imperative that you plan ahead and submit your application as soon as you can after receiving the ITA. If an EOI is not chosen, it has a 2-year validity period. Any recent information can be updated to the EOI in this time period.

Australia PR Invitation Timeline

Australia PR Invitation Timeline

The time it takes to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Australian Permanent Residency depends on the number of points you earn and your ANZSCO job code. Candidates with a score of 65 points have lower chances of being invited, while those with 70+ points have a better chance, but this varies for each invitation round. The waiting time can range from 1 month to 12 months for some occupations. Once you receive an ITA from the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) for your Expression of Interest (EOI) in Skill Select and pay your PR fees, the processing time for PR begins.

What to Do Once You Receive an Invitation to Apply for Australia

Requirements for ITA Australia

Here are the key points outlining the standard requirements for accepting an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in Australia for immigration:
1. Have a skilled occupation listed on the relevant Skilled Occupation List of Australia.
2. Be under the age of 45 years at the time of receiving the ITA from DHA.
3. Receive a positive skills assessment in the nominated occupation.
4. Achieve the minimum points required for the chosen Subclass Visa.
5. Demonstrate proficiency in English language at a minimum competent level.

Qualifications and Future Invitation Offers

Navigating the Changing Landscape of Australia Immigration: EOI and ITA during the Pandemic

Australia PR Visa through General Skilled Immigration Program is more difficult to obtain in the 2021-22 program year due to the pandemic's impact on skilled and general immigration. Skilled independent and Territories/States applicants' intake has been reduced. DHA prioritizes those with work experience and skills that can aid in Australia's economic recovery and pandemic response. It is still possible to move to Australia, but applicants should research and analyze the process carefully before selecting the appropriate Subclass Visa. Immigration advice and services from trusted and genuine consultants can be helpful. Applicants should file their EOI in Skill Select after careful planning and accurate advice.



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