Australia, Canada and New Zealand are interested in attracting highly skilled migrants from all over the world, as despite the highly developed economies of these countries, there is still a shortage of workers in many industries. As a consequence, special programs for professional immigration have been developed. These programs allow for in-demand specialists to go to the country to work and obtain residency. Each country listed above has an approved lists of in-demand occupations. If you find yourself on these lists, this immigration pathway may be the best for you. However, there are some conditions for this pathway:
Qualification assessment
You will need to have your qualification assessed by the relevant authorities. Foreign diplomas are often not recognised in English-speaking countries, as they have their own education system. In this case, you will have to submit your diploma for assessment and receive a document confirming its equivalence to the host country’s educational standards. Each country has its own organisations which undertake such assessments.
Points system when applying for residency
To receive an invitation to apply for residency, you must first gain a certain number of points. Each country has its own scoring system and a minimum number of points. Australia has 65, New Zealand – 6 and Canada – 1200. Points are awarded based on age, educational level, work experience, English proficiency, etc. In addition, a local education, some local work experience and a job offer from a local employer can bring extra points.
Australia and Canada also have regional programs to attract people to specific regions, including sparsely populated areas. It may be easier for some candidates to move under the provincial program, but they will have to live and work in this region for several years before obtaining permanent residency.
In Australia, Canada and New Zealand, technically it is possible to apply for residence outside the country (provided the candidate has enough points).
Sometimes, prospective immigrants face a point shortage due to a lack of qualifications, an inability to get a job offer, a lack of experience, or insufficient knowledge of English. In this case, there is the option to study in the country of immigration and work there for several years on temporary visas before applying for residency.
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