Australia is a popular destination for migrants from all over the world, due to its high standard of living, diverse culture, and a strong economy.
If you’re considering migrating to Australia, it’s important to understand the different types of visas that are available to you. Australian immigration law can be complex.
In this article, we’ll provide an overview of the most common visa types for individuals looking to migrate to Australia.
1. Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
The Skilled Independent Visa is for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, family member or a state or territory government. To be eligible, you must meet the minimum points score on the skilled migration points test, which considers factors such as your age, English language ability, qualifications, and work experience.
2. Employer Sponsored Visa (Subclass 482)
The Employer Sponsored Visa is for skilled workers who have been sponsored by an employer to work in Australia. This visa is available for both temporary and permanent residence, and the eligibility criteria depends on the specific employer sponsorship program.
3. Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801)
The Partner Visa is for individuals who are married to, in a de facto relationship with, or engaged to an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. This visa allows the partner of an Australian resident to live and work in Australia while waiting for their permanent visa application to be processed.
4. Student Visa (Subclass 500)
The Student Visa is for individuals who wish to study in Australia. To be eligible, you must be enrolled in a full-time registered course at an educational institution in Australia. This visa allows you to live and study in Australia for the duration of your course.
5. Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417)
The Working Holiday Visa is for individuals (with passports from eligible countries) aged 18 to 30 who wish to work and travel in Australia for up to 12 months. This visa allows you to work in any job for up to 6 months with each employer, and you can study for up to 4 months.
6. Business Innovation and Investment Visa (Subclass 188)
The Business Innovation and Investment Visa is for individuals who wish to invest in or start a business in Australia. This visa has several streams, including the Business Innovation stream, the Investor stream, and the Significant Investor stream.
7. Parent Visa (Subclass 103)
This permanent visa lets a parent of a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to move to Australia.
These are just some of the most common visa types available for individuals looking to migrate to Australia. There are many other visa options available, depending on your specific circumstances and eligibility criteria.
Author info:
John Bui is the Principal Solicitor of JB Solicitors – a law firm based in Sydney, Australia. John is a Nationally Accredited family law Mediator and Arbitrator with over 10 years’ experience in family law and commercial litigation.