Australia, the UK, Canada, Ireland 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, the United Kingdom 70, New Zealand 160 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.
In Ireland, unlike other countries, there is no point system. It is important for a candidate to find a job in the country, obtain a work visa and work for at least five years. After that, you can apply for either a residence permit or for citizenship.
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). In the case of the UK, a temporary work visa is granted first for up to 5 years, and only after working for five years it will be possible to obtain a residence permit.
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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