3 MAJOR POINTS TO SUCCESSFUL EOI (EXPRESSION OF INTEREST) FOR SUBCLASS 491 SKILLED-WORK REGIONAL (PROVISIONAL) VISA THAT YOU CAN IMPLEMENT TODAY
I get it – making an expression of interest (EOI) for Subclass 491- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (or for any other skilled visas) can be confusing and daunting. It is not as easy as it’s presented on the Department of Home Affairs website. On top of that, there are stories buzzing around about the mistakes made by DIYers when creating an EOI that only wasted their chance of applying for an Australian provisional or permanent visa.
Well, although EOI is confusing and daunting, you can still do it correctly if you consider the pointers that I will share with you today, which include:
· Important things that you need to understand about EOI
· The sequence that you need to follow in lodging EOI and Subclass 491- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa
· Common mistakes in lodging EOI
· Tips in lodging EOI for Subclass 491- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa
Okay, so let’s jump into it!
First is to UNDERSTAND that:
1. All skilled visas require an applicant to pass the points test before lodging an EOI
The current pass mark for prospective applicants from the Philippines (and other countries) is 65, BUT you will have a better chance of getting invited to lodge a visa application if your score is higher than 65. Most professional and skilled Filipinos who are receiving invitations have the score that range from75-95 points.
2. That an EOI is an expression of interest within the Skillselect
Skillselect is a portal within the Department of Home Affairs website where you declare all your claims about yourself:
· The type of nomination / sponsorship that you intend to apply
· Your age, your employment experience in and out of Australia
· Qualification from Australia or overseas, your partner’s credentials
and other relevant matters about you that could attract some points – like for example:
· If you have completed a specialist education such as in the areas of natural and physical sciences, information technology, engineering, or related technologies
· If you have a certificate in language interpretation and translation
· If you completed a professional year in Australia
Remember, all the claims that you put in your EOI have corresponding points.
3. You need to lodge an EOI if you are applying for any skilled visa that is points tested
You cannot directly lodge a visa application unless you have an invitation. The visas that are points tested are the Skilled Independent Visa subclass 189, Skilled Nominated Visa Subclass 190, Business Innovation and Investment Visas and of course Subclass 491- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa.
4. There is no bridging visa in EOI
EOI is not a visa application and will therefore not entitle you for a bridging visa while waiting.
5. EOI is free
It is FREE to lodge an EOI but once submitted – it will be valid for 2 years. And, because it is only an expression of interest, you can access it anytime and can update it as often as you like. Remember that if you receive an invitation, that invitation is based on the claims you made in your EOI. It is important that you update your EOI if something has changed in your circumstances.
6. Your EOI will be removed after two unused invitation.
Your EOI will be removed from the Skillselect if you receive 2 invitations and don’t lodge a visa application; After that, even if you lodge a new EOI, it is unlikely that you would get another invitation.
Second, TAKE NOTE of the usual sequence before lodging an EOI and Subclass 491 Skilled Regional Visa
In simple sequence, to lodge a Subclass491- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (or other skilled points tested visas), the usual steps would be:
Step 1. do you skills assessment
Step 2. get your English tested
Step 3. submit EOI for subclass491 (or other skilled points tested visa)
Step 4. Wait for invitation. The invitation will indicate which state nominated you as an applicant.
Step 5. Apply to the nominating state.
Step 6. Once application is approved by the state, you can then apply for visa with the Department of Home Affairs using an immi account or through us or Auspac Visa as your registered migration agent.
In some cases, Step Number 4 (waiting for invitation) and Step Number 5 (applying to the nominating state) can interchange depending on the processing requirements of the state / territory. You can also get your English test while at the same time waiting for your skills assessment; or you also may want to do the English test before applying for skills assessment, because some skills assessing authorities do require a proof of English as part of the requirement.
While we always encourage you to seek the help of a registered migration agent / or a lawyer to increase your chance of creating a successful application, we know that some Filipinos or Pinoys do their visa applications on their own, or sometimes with the help of their families and friends. Whilst some people think that this is a cheaper route, it’s not necessarily so. In fact, there is a huge number of wasted invitations that took away the chances of those who rightfully deserved to be invited because some people claimed something that they are not; and there is also a high percentage of visa refusal due to simple mistakes.
Third, AVOID the 5 common mistakes in lodging an EOI
Don’t’ blow your chance of getting invited by avoiding these five mistakes that I have listed for you.
The First mistake commonly made in a Filipino Australian visa application is lodging an EOI without skills assessment or without English having properly tested. You must remember that once the invitation is issued in view of the claims you made; you will only be given 60 days by the immigration to lodge a visa application. 60 days is not enough to obtain a skills assessment. And with an English test, although can be obtained immediately, there is no guarantee that you will get the scores you indicated in your EOI.
The Second mistake is forgetting to update the EOI. Remember that the invitation is issued by the immigration based on the claims that you made. Without updating, say for example, your improved English level – you might miss out in the invitation rounds. Similarly, if you failed to update, for example, that you have married /or started a de facto relationship and an invitation was issued based on your previous claims – and still proceed with your visa application – your visa application is likely to be refused as your score would be lower than the invitation score.
The Third mistake is claiming for points that you cannot prove. Understanding the correct interpretation and application of each criteria in the points categories is critical in claiming points. For example, an Australia study requirement has a legislative meaning that does not cover any or all the courses undertaken in Australia. Claiming for 5 points in this category for a study that is not recognised for the purpose of Subclass 491-Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa, (or other points tested visas) can amount to false or incorrect information and can result to visa refusal.
The Fourth mistake is lodging an EOI but failing to lodge an application for state nomination in the relevant state. The State nomination process is overly complex and time consuming. To understand the requirements, processing, and timing of state nomination is tedious. Unless you have the ability to comprehend the application process for state nomination and understand the high-risk threshold- I suggest that this area is best left to the professionals - the migration agents and/or lawyers like us. They have the most updated knowledge about this and can make the whole process stress free.
The Fifth mistake is lodging multiple EOIs. Some people lodged multiple EOIs – and that’s okay… maybe because they have multiple positive skills assessments and they want to try their luck at either occupation; or maybe the EOI has been sitting in the system for quite a while and has not receive an invitation or maybe they wish to try their chance in other visa subclasses or has decided to go in any state that may be open.
While multiple EOIs may broaden the chance of you getting invited, it may also decrease your chance of invitation especially if you are looking for a state nomination. Answering “ANY” state may be weak as compared to those who only put ONE state.
Each state assesses the genuineness and sincerity of each applicant to live, work and stay in the nominating state. Each state looks at how committed the applicant to know and contribute to his/her chosen state/sponsor. In short, states want someone who knows the condition within the state, could settle easily and will likely stay for a long period of time.
Now that you know what EOI is, and the common mistakes that Filipino visa applicants can fall into – what can you do today to lodge for a successful EOI?
Before lodging an expression of interest, my TIPS are:
Tip #1: Make sure that you have already obtained your positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation, make sure that your occupation is on the list!
Tip #2: Ensure have sat the English exam and that you have obtained the required level of English you indicated in your EOI for Subclass 491- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)Visa (or any other points tested visa). You must have either IELTS, OET, TOEFL,PTE Academic, and Cambridge Test certificate. Do not just claim – but ensure that you have an updated proof at the time of the invitation.
Tip #3: if you are applying for a Subclass 491- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa state sponsorship while OFFSHORE -- you must read and research about your state, it’s economic condition, the public services, jobs, schools, hospitals etc. Try to devote some time to know the positives and negatives about the place ; and if you are ONSHORE ---- live in the state that you want to approach for nomination and; if you are to be SPONSORED BY YOUR RELATIVE – ensure that you have their permission and that they are eligible to sponsor.
Tip #4: Although it is obvious, I’ll say it anyhow –you need to make sure that all your documents are ready and available. There is nothing more frustrating than searching or requesting for a lost birth certificate, missing passport, torn or broken transcript of records, employment certificates etc.
Tip #5: If you are not sure what occupation to nominate, and in doubt on points allocations or simply feeling that you are not cut to handle the details and the stress in making a visa application --- seek the help and assistance of professional and reputable Filipino migration agents or migration lawyers. Yes, it is true that they charge for professional services but remember they are professionals, experienced and knowledgeable about the ins and outs in the migration visa processing. Do not risk it. You did not go through the pains of study, skills assessment, and English only to be rejected in the end.
As I always say, seek the help of a registered migration agent and or a lawyer at the start, in the beginning ---not at the end when everything is messed up. IF MESSED UP – IT WILL COST YOU MORE!!! AND WORST – THERE MAY NOT BEENOUGH TIME!
We want to be to be with you in your Australian migration journey – from consultation to citizenship!
So, if you have any questions or want a migration plan – contact us and we’ll be happy to help.
By Teresa Cardona, Lawyer and Registered Migration Agent 0640100| auspacvisa.com.au
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Subclass491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa
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Subclass491 - Relative Sponsorship: Nasaan ang kamag-anak ko sa Australia?
Subclass491 and 190 Invitation Allocations per State and What it means
How to increase your chances of successful visa application
Looking for a Skilled Visa Option while Onshore?
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