There are many ways for those who want to settle in Australia. There are three common ways to become a permanent resident - getting a family-stream permanent visa or a work-stream permanent visa or an investor-stream permanent visa.

An Australian permanent resident (permanent resident) is a non-citizen who holds an Australian permanent visa, or usually resides in Australia and has a permanent visa.

Generally, permanent residents can live, work, and study in Australia with far fewer restrictions than temporary visa holders.

To become an Australian citizen, you must be a permanent resident and meet certain criteria before you can apply.

Here, we will discuss the ways to become a permanent resident which can help a person get Australian citizenship.

Family-Stream Permanent Residence Visa

These are for partners, children, parents or dependent relatives of Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens. Children being adopted or in the process of being adopted outside Australia can also apply for a family-stream permanent residence visa. Carers who need to travel to Australia to provide long-term care for an approved relative are also eligible to apply for a family-stream permanent residence visa.

For example, if you want to move to Australia with your partner/spouse and live there permanently with your spouse who has an Australian permanent residence visa, you can apply (from outside Australia) for a Partner Visa (Apply Overseas) - Subclasses 309 and 100.

Similarly, if you want to move to Australia to live with your children and live there permanently with your spouse who has an Australian permanent residence visa, you can apply (from outside Australia) for a subclass 143 Contributing Parent visa, a subclass 103 Parent visa or a subclass 114 Aged Dependent Relative visa.

Work-stream permanent residence visa

If you want to spend time working in Australia you will need a work visa, the type of visa you get will depend on how long you want to stay, you will probably have to have an occupation that is on the skills shortage list. These are for workers who have an Australian employer sponsoring them to work in Australia.

For example, if you are engaged in skilled/highly specialised work and want to work and live there permanently if someone sponsors you, you can apply for a subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa, subclass 187 Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa or subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa.

If you are applying independently and without a sponsor, you can apply for a subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa, subclass 887 Skilled regional visa or subclass 858 Global Talent visa.

Investment-Stream Permanent Residence Visa

If you want to carry out business investment activities, you can apply for a subclass 188 Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa. This visa allows you to own and manage a business in Australia, conduct business and investment activity in Australia, or carry out entrepreneurial activity in Australia. However, you must be nominated by a qualified government organisation before you can apply.

Alternatively, you can apply for subclass 888 Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa, which is for entrepreneurs, investors and business owners to continue their activity in Australia.

Individuals wishing to invest and obtain a residence permit can apply for the subclass 893 State or Territory Sponsored Investor visa, which is a permanent resident visa for investors who hold a specified investment of AUD750,000 for 4 years.

Investor visa subclass 891 is for people who carry out business and investment activities in Australia. It allows you to stay in Australia indefinitely. You must have a specified investment of AUD1.5 million for four years.