Australia has many different types of temporary and permanent visas available for visitors and migrants.
Below you’ll find a listing of the most common types of visas available for people visiting or migrating to Australia. The information provided is of a general nature – if you want to discuss the specifics of your individual situation, please book a consultation with one of our Registered Migration Agents (RMAs).
International Student Visas
- Short-Term Student (subclass 600) – international students or visitors wanting to study in Australia for 10 weeks or less can do so on a visitor visa.
- Student Visa (subclass 500) – international students who want to study more than 10 weeks in Australia for English (ELICOS), a trade qualification (VET) or for a degree (Bachelor, Master, Doctorate/PhD) can do so on a student visa.
- Student Guardian (subclass 590) – parents or family members who plan to care full-time for an under-18 dependent can do so on a student guardian visa.
- Student Dependent (subclass 500) – partners or spouses can follow an international student to Australia as a dependent.
Visitor/Tourist Visa (subclass 600)
Visitor visas are ideal for people wanting to visit Australia temporarily for tourism, business meetings/activities or to visit family and friends.
Partner Visas
- Onshore Partners (subclass 820/801) – couples who are already both in Australia can apply for a partner visa without leaving the country.
- Offshore Partners (subclass 309/100) – couples where the applicant is outside of Australia will need to apply for a different subclass of visa.
- Prospective marriage/fiancée/fiancé (subclass 300) – for couples who want to get married in Australia within the next 9 months.
- De Facto Relationship – Australia recognises common law/de facto relationships for people who are life partners, but are not ready to or don’t want to register a marriage.
- Relationship Registration – a legal way to recognise your relationship with the government in Australia without getting married.
- Same Sex Partners and Marriage – Australia recognises both same sex relationships and same sex marriage, and you can sponsor your same sex partner to Australia.
Family Visas
- Dependent Visas – there are many subclasses of visa under which you can go as a dependent of another family member to Australia.
- Visitor Visas (subclass 600) – ideal for visiting family in Australia for a short period of time.
- Visitor Visas for Parents (subclass 600) – ideal for parents wanting to visit their children temporarily but for a longer term.
- Contributory Parents (subclasses 884/864 and 173/143) – sponsor your parents to live with you in Australia.
- Child Visas (subclasses 101, 102, 802, 117, 837) – there are many different ways to sponsor your biological or adopted child to live with you in Australia.
- Dependent Child (subclass 445) – you can sponsor your dependent child to live with you in Australia with your new partner.
- Assurance of Support – you may be required to lodge an assurance of support with the Australian Government to sponsor a family member to Australia.
Work and Employment Visas
- Temporary Skill Shortage TSS Visa (subclass 482) – work in an in-demand occupation or trade in Australia under employer sponsorship for the short-term or long-term.
- Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) – have your employer sponsor you to become a permanent resident in Australia.
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187) – have your employer sponsor you to become a permanent resident in Australia in a regional area.
- Temporary Work (Skilled) Visa (subclass 457) – this visa has been replaced by the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa.
- Employer Sponsored Occupation Lists – the occupation lists for who can be sponsored are always changing, and you can find the latest list here.
- Ongoing Services / SBS Compliance – as a business you will need to remain compliant with migration regulations over the duration of your sponsorship.
General Skilled Migration
- Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) – receive 1.5 to 4 years of post-study work rights in Australia.
- Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) – use your own skills and qualifications in an in-demand occupation to obtain permanent residency in Australia.
- Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190) – use your own skills and qualifications in combination with a nomination from an Australian state or territory to obtain permanent residency in Australia.
- Skilled Regional Provisional Visa (subclass 489) – use your own skills and qualifications in combination with a state/territory nomination or relative sponsorship to obtain permanent residency in Australia.
- Skilled Regional PR (subclass 887) – follow your subclass 489 visa conditions and cross over to permanent residency in Australia.
- Skilled Migration Requirements – Australia has very clear requirements on which candidates qualify for skilled migration to Australia for permanent residency.
Business and Investment
- Business Visitors (subclass 600) – visit Australia temporarily for business visitor activities, including meetings, conferences and seminars.
- Business Innovation Visa (subclass 188/888) – invest your own capital and experience to open a new business in Australia and obtain permanent residency.
- Investor Visa (subclass 188/888) – invest AUD $1.5m in Australia, demonstrate returns and experience and obtain permanent residency.
- Significant Investor Visa (subclass 188/888) – invest AUD $5m in Australia to obtain permanent residency. We specialise in the SIV visa at CP International – get in touch with us to find out more.
Resident Return Visas (RRV, subclasses 155 and 157)
Resident Return Visas are required for permanent residents who have not yet obtained Australian Citizenship and want to continue to travel in and out of the country. We can help you to renew your travel rights.
Working Holidays (subclasses 417 and 462)
- Work and Holiday Visas (subclasses 417 and 462) – if you are between 18-30 years old and would like to work, travel and holiday in Australia for a year, this is the visa for you.
- Working Holiday Conditions – see if you qualify for a working holiday visa for Australia.
- Working Holiday Visa Application – here’s how you apply for a working holiday visa for Australia.
- Working Holiday Extensions – we can also help you extend your working holiday visa for one additional year.
Medical Treatment (subclass 602)
You can receive a visa to undergo medical treatment in Australia, or to come support someone undergoing medical treatment in Australia.
Australian Citizenship
If you meet the requirements, you can cross from being a permanent resident (PR) to being an Australian Citizen and obtaining an Australian Passport.