How to Immigrate to Australia from Samoa
Australia is a land of diverse opportunities, with a thriving economy, excellent living standards, and a high quality of life. The country attracts a large number of Samoan immigrants every year. If you are considering immigrating to Australia from Samoa, there are a number of great ways you can do so. This article will explore the different ways to immigrate to Australia from Samoa, including eligibility, requirements, application process, and costs.
Skilled Migration to Australia from Samoa
Skilled migration is one of the most common ways for Samoan nationals to immigrate to Australia. The Australian government offers a range of visa options for skilled workers from Samoa who possess the necessary qualifications and experience to work in Australia. These visas are designed to attract skilled workers from Samoa who can contribute to the Australian economy and help fill skill shortages in specific industries.
Eligibility for Skilled Migration to Australia for Samoan Citizens
To be eligible for a skilled migration visa to Australia from Samoa, you must meet the following requirements:
- Have a nominated occupation that is on the relevant skilled occupation list
- Meet the English language proficiency requirements
- Meet the age requirement (usually between 18 and 44 years of age)
- Meet the health and character requirements
- Obtain a positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation
Australia Skilled Migration Visas for Samoan Citizens
The most common skilled migration visas for Samoan nationals are:
- Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) – This visa is for Samoan skilled workers who do not have a sponsor or nomination from an employer, state or territory government or family member. You must score a minimum of 65 points on the points test to be eligible for this visa.
- Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190) – This visa is for Samoan skilled workers who have been nominated by a state or territory government. You must score a minimum of 65 points on the points test and meet the state or territory nomination requirements.
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491) – This visa is for Samoan skilled workers who have been nominated by a state or territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member who lives in a designated regional area. You must score a minimum of 65 points on the points test and meet the state or territory nomination requirements.
Application Process for Samoan Citizens
The application process for a skilled migration visa for Samoan Citizens involves the following steps:
- Submit an expression of interest (EOI) through SkillSelect
- Wait for an invitation to apply for a visa
- Submit a formal visa application within 60 days of receiving the invitation
- Provide supporting documents and pay the application fee
- Attend a health examination and provide a police certificate
Wait for a decision on your visa application
Cost of Skilled Migration to Australia for Samoan applicants
The cost of a skilled migration visa varies depending on the type of visa you are applying for. The current fees for Samoan applicants are:
- Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) – AUD 4,045
- Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190) – AUD 4,045
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491) – AUD 4,045
Employer Sponsored Visas in Australia for Samoan Citizens
Another way to immigrate to Australia from Samoa is through an employer sponsored visa. These visas are designed for skilled workers from Samoa who have a job offer from an Australian employer. There are several employer-sponsored visa options available for Samoan Citizens, depending on the type of job and the skills required.
Eligibility Employer Sponsored Migration to Australia for Samoan applicants
To be eligible for an employer-sponsored visa to Australia from Samoa, you must meet the following requirements:
- Have a job offer from an Australian employer
- Meet the English language proficiency requirements
- Meet the age requirement (usually between 18 and 44 years of age)
- Meet the health and character requirements
- Obtain a positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation
The common employer-sponsored visas for Samoan nationals
- Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482) – This visa is for Samoan skilled workers who have a job offer from an Australian employer for up to four years. The employer must be a sponsor and the occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list.
- Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) – This visa is for Samoan skilled workers who have a job offer from an Australian employer for permanent residency. The employer must be a sponsor and the occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list.
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme Visa (subclass 187) – This visa is for skilled workers from Samoa who have a job offer from an Australian employer in a regional area for permanent residency. The employer must be a sponsor and the occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list.
Application Process for Samoan Citizens
The application process for an employer-sponsored visa for Samoan Citizens involves the following steps:
- The employer must become an approved sponsor
- You must accept the job offer and complete a visa application
- Provide supporting documents and pay the application fee
- Attend a health examination in Samoa
- Wait for a decision on your visa application
Cost of the Employer Sponsored Visa for Samoan Citizens
- Temporary Skill Shortage Visa for Samoan Citizens (subclass 482) – AUD 1,265 to AUD 2,645 depending on the stream and duration
- Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) for Samoan Citizens – AUD 4,045 to AUD 7,880 depending on the stream
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme Visa (subclass 187) for Samoan Citizens – AUD 4,045 to AUD 7,880 depending on the stream
Business and Investment Visas for Samoan Citizens
If you are a Citizen of Samoa who wants to invest in Australia or start a business, these are the Australia Immigration visa options available.
Business Innovation and Investment Visa (subclass 188)
This visa is for business owners and investors from Samoa who want to establish a new or develop an existing business in Australia. There are five streams: Business Innovation, Investor, Significant Investor, Premium Investor, and Entrepreneur.
Business Talent Visa (subclass 132)
This visa is for high caliber business owners in Samoa who want to establish a new or develop an existing business in Australia. There are two streams: Significant Business History and Venture Capital Entrepreneur.
Eligibility for Samoan Applicants
To be eligible for a business and investment visa for Australia from Samoa, you must meet the following requirements:
- Have a successful business or investment track record in Samoa
- Meet the English language proficiency requirements
- be aged between 18 and 49 years of age
- Meet the health and character requirements
- Meet the financial requirements
Australia Business and Investment Visa Application Process for Samoan Applicants
- Submit an expression of interest (EOI) through SkillSelect (for the Business Innovation and Investment Visa
- Wait for an invitation to apply for a visa
- Submit a formal visa application within 60 days of receiving the invitation
- Provide supporting documents and pay the application fee
- Attend a health examination in Samoa
- Wait for a decision on your visa application
Cost for Business and Investment Visas for Samoan Citizens
The current fees for Samoan Citizens are:
- Business Innovation and Investment Visa (subclass 188) – AUD 4,045 to AUD 8,755 depending on the stream
- Business Talent Visa (subclass 132) – AUD 4,045 to AUD 7,880 depending on the stream
Partner and Family Visas to Immigrate to Australia from Samoa
If you are from Samoa and have a partner or family member who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident you may be able to apply for a partner or family visa to join them in Australia.
To be eligible for a partner visa as an applicant from Samoa you must meet the following requirements:
- Be in a genuine and ongoing relationship with your partner (for partner visas)
- Be a dependent child, parent or other family member of an Australian citizen.
- Meet the health and character requirements
The most common partner and family visas for Samoan nationals are:
- Partner Visa (subclass 309/100) – This visa is for Samoan spouses or de facto partners of Australian citizens or permanent residents. The subclass 309 visa is a temporary visa that allows you to enter and stay in Australia while your permanent subclass 100 visa is processed.
- Prospective Marriage Visa (subclass 300) – This visa is for Samoan applicants who are engaged to be married to an Australian citizen or permanent resident and want to enter Australia to get married.
- Child Visa (subclass 101/802) – This visa is for Samoan dependent children of Australian citizens or permanent residents. The subclass 101 visa is for children outside Australia while the subclass 802 visa is for children inside Australia.
- Parent Visa (subclass 103/143/173) – These visas are for Samoan parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents. The subclass 103 visa is a permanent visa, while the subclass 143 and 173 visas are temporary visas that lead to permanent residency.
The cost of a partner or family visa to Australia from Samoa is:
- Partner Visa (subclass 309/100) – AUD 7,715
- Prospective Marriage Visa (subclass 300) – AUD 7,715
- Child Visa (subclass 101/802) – AUD 2,665 to AUD 3,855
- Parent Visa (subclass 103/143/173) – AUD 4,155 to AUD 6,415
Immigrate to Australia from Samoa on a Humanitarian Visa
If you are a Samoan national who is fleeing persecution, war or other serious harm in your home country, you may be able to apply for a humanitarian visa to seek asylum in Australia. To be eligible, Samoan applicants must:
Be outside Samoa
Be unable or unwilling to return to Samoa
Meet the refugee or humanitarian criteria
The requirements for a humanitarian visa vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for. The most common humanitarian visas for Samoan nationals are:
- Refugee Visa (subclass 200) – This visa is for Samoan nationals who are outside their home country and are refugees as defined by the United Nations Refugee Convention.
- In-Country Special Humanitarian Visa (subclass 201) – This visa is for Samoan nationals who are living in their home country and are in danger of persecution, but cannot leave their home country to seek asylum.
- Global Special Humanitarian Visa (subclass 202) – This visa is for Samoan nationals who are outside their home country and are in danger of persecution, but cannot seek asylum in any other country.
There are several ways for Samoan nationals to immigrate to Australia, including skilled visas, student visas, working holiday visas, partner and family visas, humanitarian visas, and business and investment visas. Take a Free Visa Assessment to Check your Eligibility to Immigrate to Australia from Samoa.
Important Tips for Samoan Nationals Immigrating to Australia
We reached out to Alexander King from award winning Migration Consultant LLC. According to King, these are his top tips to keep in mind when applying for an Australian visa from Samoa
- Before applying for a visa, research the different types of visas that are available to you as a Citizen of Samoa and determine which visa best suits your needs and circumstances.
- Make sure that you meet the eligibility criteria for the visa that you are applying for and that they are are open to citizens of Samoa.
- Be sure to complete the visa application form accurately and truthfully, and provide all the necessary supporting documents.
- If an interview is required as part of the visa application process, make sure that you are well-prepared and familiar with the questions that may be asked. Make sure you attend the Australian Consulate in Samoa on time for your appointment.
- Pay the visa application fee in full and on time to avoid delays or rejection of your application. Visas fees are payable in AUD and not local Samoan currency.
- Check the status of your visa application to Immigrate to Australia from Samoa regularly and respond promptly to any requests for additional information or documentation.