SKILLED RECOGNISED GRADUATE VISA (SUBCLASS 476 VISA)

What is a Skilled Recognised Graduate Visa?

Australia subclass 476 visa, also known as the Skilled—Recognised Graduate visa, is a temporary visa that allows recent engineering graduates to live and work in Australia for up to 18 months.

The visa allows the holder to work in any field, study, and travel in and out of Australia as many times as they want while the visa is valid. It is not a pathway to permanent residency in Australia. Still, it allows graduates to gain valuable work experience and potentially transition to a skilled work visa or another pathway to permanent residency.

What are the eligibility criteria for Subclass 476 Visa?

To qualify for this visa, you must meet the following minimum requirements.

A. Age Limit

Applicants must be under the age of 31 at the time of application.

B. Qualification

You must have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering from a recognized university within the past two years.

C. Recognition

Your degree must be from a recognized institution.

D. Health and Character Requirement

You must meet the health and character requirements specified by the Australian government.

E. English Language Proficiency

You should be able to demonstrate proficiency in English by taking an English language test such as IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL and meeting the minimum score requirement.

Processing duration

Processing Time for 476 Visa

• It takes at least a year to finish processing
• Some applications may take longer than 17 months

Factors that Affect Processing Time

• Missing information in the application
• Delayed responses to Department of Home Affairs inquiries

Costs involved for 476 Visa

The cost of the Skilled—Recognised Graduate visa (Subclass 476) application fee for the primary applicant is AUD$ 405.

However, it’s important to note that an additional fee for any dependents is included in the application. The fee for dependents may vary depending on their age, relationship to the primary applicant, and other factors. It is recommended to check the official website of the Department of Home Affairs for up-to-date fee information before applying for the visa.

Guideline for applying for Skilled Recognised Graduate Visa

• STEP 1: Few Things To Consider Before You Apply
• STEP 2: Provide Your Documents
• STEP 3: Apply For The Visa
• STEP 4: Step After You Apply

STEP 1: Things To Consider Before You Apply

To apply for the 476 Visa, which allows you to be in or outside Australia, you must create an online account on the official website, provide the necessary documents, and pay the application fee. The Australian government won’t process your application until you’ve paid the required fees. If you’re applying with a family member, each applicant must pay their processing fee and submit their documents.

STEP 2: Provide Your Documents

A. Identification Documents

Ensure you have a clear copy of your passport and other identification documents, such as a driver’s license or national ID card. These documents are essential for confirming your identity and citizenship. Check out EA skills assessment document checklist for more details.

B. Transcripts

You’ll need to provide a copy of your academic transcripts and a letter of completion from your university or educational institution. These documents should include the completion dates of your courses and the qualifications you’ve earned.

C. Proof of Language Proficiency

To be eligible for the 476 Visa, you must prove your English proficiency by taking an approved language test such as IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE. Ensure you provide a copy of your test results or certificate to prove your language proficiency.

Requirement for English Proficiency

D. Proof of Character

You’ll also need to provide a police clearance certificate or other proof of your good character. This ensures you have no criminal history or outstanding charges that could make you ineligible for the 476 Visa.

E. Partner’s Identification

If you’re applying for the 476 Visa with a partner, you must provide their identification documents, such as their passport or ID card, and proof of your relationship. This could include marriage certificates, joint bank account statements, or other evidence of your shared history.

F. Dependent’s Birth Certificate and Permission Form

If you’re applying for the 476 Visa with a dependent, such as a child or elderly parent, you must provide their birth certificate and a parental permission form (Form 1229). You may also need to provide a statutory declaration confirming your relationship and the nature of your dependency.

G. Health Requirements

Depending on your circumstances, you may be required to undergo certain medical examinations before being granted a visa. Some factors affecting the health requirements include your intended activities in Australia, your country of citizenship, and your travel history over the past five years.

H. Character Requirements

To be eligible for a visa to enter Australia, you must also meet certain character requirements. This includes providing a police certificate that shows you have no criminal convictions in the last ten years. You must also provide a police certificate from each country where you have lived for 12 months or more during the past ten years after you turned 16.

STEP 3: Apply For The Visa

Once you’ve submitted your application for a 476 visa to the Australian government, the waiting game begins. You’ll receive written confirmation that your application and supporting documents have been received, and you may be asked for additional information or documentation through your online account. It’s important to monitor your account and respond promptly to any requests to avoid delays in processing your application.

STEP 4: Step After You Apply

If your application for a 476 visa is approved, you’ll receive notification from the Australian government of your visa grant number, the date your visa starts, and your visa situation. It’s important to note that you must be outside of Australia when the decision on your visa application is made.

Converting 476 Visa to PR in Australia

If you want to stay in Australia beyond the expiry of your 476 visa, you can apply for a permanent work visa. The conditions you must meet will vary depending on the type of visa you apply for, such as state nomination. If your 476 visa expires while your new visa application is being processed, you will need a bridging visa to remain in Australia legally.

How Can We Help You?

We at How To Write CDR have assisted numerous individuals and their families obtain an Australian Permanent Resident Visa. With a team of highly experienced professionals, we offer personalized guidance to help determine the best pathway to pursue each case. In addition to visa application assistance, we provide services such as CDR Report Writing, CE Writing, Summary Statement Writing, RPL Report Writing, KA02 Report Writing, and CDR Report Review.