How to use Self Migrate.
Three steps from curious to applying — plus a stage-by-stage map of the standard skilled-migration journey, with the right tool for each milestone.
From curious to applying.
Build your profile
Tell us your age, occupation, English level, and education once — every tool on the platform pre-fills from it.
Start your profileCompare your options
See real eligibility scores for Australia, Canada, and New Zealand side by side. The comparator runs the same engine each country uses internally.
Open the comparatorPlan with AI
Ask follow-ups, generate document checklists, and track your application end-to-end — without paying for a consultant on the basics.
Try the AI assistantSix milestones — and which tool fits where.
Every skilled migration follows roughly the same six stages. The tool you need depends on where you are. Country pills show what the milestone looks like in practice for AU, CA, and NZ.
Discover & decide
Which country fits your situation? Look at points-test mechanics, processing times, cost of living, and pathway-to-PR length.
Tools for this stage
By country
Strong job market, expensive cities, ~12–18 months 189 processing.
Cheaper relative to AU, French gives a +50 CRS boost, harsh winters.
Smaller economy, generous post-study work rights, August 2026 SMC redesign incoming.
Assess eligibility
Score yourself against the points test. This tells you whether you're in the running before investing in skills assessments and language tests.
Tools for this stage
By country
GSM points test (189 / 190 / 491). 65-point floor; real invitations 85–95.
CRS — no fixed pass mark; per-draw cut-off. General draws 507–540 in 2026; PNP-enhanced clears 700+.
SMC points test, 6-point minimum to enter the EOI pool.
Choose your pathway
Within your chosen country, pick the visa subclass / program. Sponsorship matters here — employer-sponsored routes are faster but require an offer.
Tools for this stage
By country
189 (independent) / 190 (state-sponsored) / 491 (regional) / 482 (employer) / 186 (ENS).
FSW (overseas) / CEC (Canadian experience) / FST (trades) / PNP (provincial).
SMC (Skilled Migrant Category) is the main path. Green List adds fast-track for shortage occupations.
Prepare your documents
Skills assessment, language test, education credential assessment, police clearances, medicals. This is the longest stretch of the journey.
Tools for this stage
By country
Skills assessment via the relevant assessing body (e.g. ACS for IT, EA for engineers, AHPRA for healthcare).
ECA from a designated organisation (WES, ICES, IQAS) for foreign credentials. SA Honours degrees evaluate well.
INZ-listed qualifications recognised; non-listed need NZQA assessment.
Submit & sit in the pool
Lodge your Expression of Interest. From here, you wait for an invitation to apply — timing depends on the draw cut-off and your score.
Tools for this stage
By country
SkillSelect EOI. Invitations issued in monthly rounds for 189; 190/491 invitations come from the state directly.
Express Entry pool. IRCC has shifted to smaller, more frequent category-based draws in 2026.
EOI pool. INZ selects from the pool based on points and Green List occupations.
Track & decide
Once invited, you have a defined window to lodge the full application. Track processing, respond to requests for evidence, plan your move.
Tools for this stage
By country
189 processing 12–18 months; 491 faster (6–12). Watch for migration-program changes each May.
FSW service standard 6 months post-ITA. Watch for IRCC fee updates (annual late-April).
SMC processing varies; INZ publishes service standards quarterly.
Every tool, in one place.
Migration Profile
One form covers your age, education, English, occupation, work history, partner, and finances.
When to use: Build this first — every other tool reads from it.
OpenCountry Comparison
Side-by-side eligibility view for AU, CA, and NZ — uses the same scoring each country uses internally.
When to use: If you haven't decided which country yet.
OpenPoints Calculator
Score yourself against AU's GSM points test (189 / 190 / 491) or CA's Express Entry CRS — toggle at the top.
When to use: Once you've narrowed to AU or CA.
OpenDocument Checklist
Tailored list of every document you'll need, by visa subclass and your circumstances.
When to use: When you're ready to start gathering paperwork.
OpenVisa Comparison
AU subclasses 189 / 190 / 491 / 186 / 482 side-by-side: eligibility, cost, processing, pathway to PR.
When to use: When you've chosen AU and need to pick a subclass.
OpenVisa Catalogue
Reference list of all visa types across AU, CA, and NZ with eligibility, costs, and processing times.
When to use: For looking up a specific subclass quickly.
OpenAI Assistant
MARA / CICC / IAA-compliant Q&A — answers questions about rules, processes, eligibility frameworks. Won't give personal advice.
When to use: Use throughout. Free tier gets 3 trial questions; Essential / Premium are unlimited.
OpenDocument Vault + AI Review
Upload documents and get an AI assessment against the relevant DHA / IRCC / INZ criteria.
When to use: Premium tier only. Use during document preparation.
OpenProcessing Times
Current visa processing across AU, CA, NZ plus historical AU trends — refreshed daily from official sources.
When to use: Throughout — especially after lodging an EOI / application.
OpenCommon questions, answered.
Still can't find what you need?
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