Ang Kalatas Volume V January 2015 Issue | Page 9

THE MESSAGE. BRINGING INTO FOCUS FILIPINO PRESENCE IN AUSTRALIA www.kalatas.com.au | Volume 5 Number 4 | January 2015 IMMIGRATION How to apply for Skilled Independent Migrant visa L et’s take a nursing graduate for the purpose of having an example to see how one applies for a skilled independent migrant visa. This visa is open to an applicant in the Philippines or in Australia and this can be filed by an applicant even if he/she has no relative in Australia. It is a requirement the nurse has submitted an expression of interest (EOI) through the skill select of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) and invited by DIBP to apply before filing the skilled independent migrant visa. Prior to submission of EOI, the applicant is advised to get a suitable assessment on the nominated occupation as a registered nurse from the Australian Nursing Midwifery Accreditation (ANMAC). For applicants in Australia especially those studying their Bachelor of Nursing degree in the country, it is suggested that they apply for registration as a registered nurse first with the Australian Health and Professional Regulation Authority (AHPRA) after completing their nursing course. They will then attach their AHPRA registration to their ANMAC assessment application together with other required documents. For those in the Philippines, they have to send their application for assessment to ANMAC directly, unless they engage a registered migration agent to lodge on their behalf. Upon receipt of a positive letter of determination, ANMAC will then advise the applicant to undergo competency trai