Visa Options — Overview

There are many different visa subclasses, choosing the right visa for you needs is very important. Migrate Australia’s qualified staff assess your eligibility and counsel you on the most appropriate visa subclass to meet your needs.

An overview of some visas available.

See Benefits of choosing an Australian Registered Migration Agent.

Skilled Visas

Within the skilled visa stream there are categories where you can apply on-shore (within Australia) and off-shore (outside Australia).

Skilled — Independent: You must have tertiary or trade qualifications. You also need associated working experience and must satisfy the basic requirements and pass the points test. If your skill is in demand there may be an opportunity to gain extra points towards your score. There is an age limit on the skilled visa categories, this is 45 years.

State/Territory Sponsored: If you satisfy the basic requirements and have specific skills in demand, you may be eligible for nomination by a State or Territory Government. Migrate Australia will advise if a particular State is seeking your skill. To assist, please advise from onset which State or Territory you wish to reside once in Australia.

Skilled — Australian Family Sponsored: To be eligible you must have a close relative living in Australia. If your relative lives in a specific area of Australia you may qualify for this visa. It’s a good idea to let us know about the relative and where they live, example: Aunty postcode 6044 and then we can assess if you qualify. We work with your family member to enable everyone to fully understand the demands and commitment of sponsorship.

In all cases: Australia’s migration laws and regulations are complex and there are frequent changes to the regulations and procedures governing migration.

Readers should not rely on the contents of this advice without obtaining current information from Migrate Australia. The information contained within this website is made available on the understanding that Migrate Australia is not responsible for the results of any actions taken on the basis of the information supplied, nor for any errors or omissions.

Spouse/Partner Visas

Visas in the Spouse stream require one partner to be an Australian permanent resident or citizen, who acts as the sponsor to their spouse. The applicant is required to show considerable evidence that the relationship is genuine. An example of three visas available under the spouse stream:

Prospective Marriage: You must be offshore to be able to apply for this visa and then travel to Australia, marry your spouse and then you are eligible to apply for a Spouse visa which remains temporary in nature, after two years if your relationship remains committed, you are able to apply for a permanent visa.

Spouse:- Must evidence living together for at least 12 months in a defacto relationship, or be legally married to be able to apply for a spouse visa. There are options to apply onshore or offshore for this visa. After two years you can apply for a permanent visa. Depending on circumstances, you may be awarded a permanent visa from onset.

Interdependency: Sometimes referred to as co-dependency or same sex partners this visa is suitable for same sex partners who have lived together as a couple for at least 12 months, again it is a two staged visa, first temporary and then after two years you can apply for permanency. Migrate Australia’s staff has substantial experience in this area of visa management.

Working Holiday Visas

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The Working Holiday Program provides opportunities for people between 18 and 30 to holiday in Australia and supplement their travel funds through incidental employment. Australia has reciprocal Working Holiday Maker arrangements with some 20 countries. The Working Holiday Visa:

• Allows a stay of up to 12 months from the date of first entry into Australia;
• Entitles you to do any kind of work of a temporary or casual nature with any one employer for up to a six months period, you can seek further employment with a different employer.
• You have the ability to extend the visa while onshore if you have undertaken specific work in a regional area of Australia.

Parent Options

A choice for parents with Australian child residents is the Contributory Parent Visa. There is a need to meet the Balance of Family test which looks at where your family is globally located and ensures that equal or most of your children live in Australia. The visa allows parents to enter as permanent residents or they can arrive in a temporary status for a period of time. Parents must pay a contribution towards future health needs and there is an Assurance of Support Bond which is held for a considerable period of time. There are several selections of visa in this category with specific requirements for aged parents. Correct selection for your visa subclass is important.

Business Visas

Almost all Business Visas are managed under a two stage process, being provisional and after 2 years and up to 4 years having met appropriate milestones; permanent residency can be applied for. Under the Business Visa stream the categories are:

• Business Owner (Provisional);
• Senior Executive (Provisional);
• Investor (Provisional)

The above visa subclasses also have a State/Territory Sponsorship element with lower threshold requirements and all lead on to Permanent Residency status, providing the applicant meets the requirements. There is a need to show your ability and history as a successful business person and you need to overview the business you will be starting in Australia. Ideally your Australian based business will be enhanced by your previous experience and training.

Employer Nomination

Within this area there is the:

• Employer Nomination Scheme
• Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme
• Temporary entry as a nominated employee

In essence, these visas are employer driven but they do achieve satisfactory results for applicants, especially those in Australia who have previously been employed under a temporary working arrangement.

And There Are Many More…

Perhaps you qualify as a Carer, you may have a special talent within the arts or academia or perhaps you are a remaining relative living overseas, whatever your situation, there may be a solution and you need qualified advice to know what may be available to you.