Depending on your status or the purpose of you coming to Australia, you could choose to apply for a visa from a good range of visa classes. We specialise in the following visas, and can make your visa applications less stress, more success.
Family and spousal visas
Offshore Partner visas (subclass 309 100)
The Partner visas (subclasses 309 and 100) allow the partner or spouse of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia.
The temporary Partner (Provisional) visa (subclass 309) is granted first and lets you stay in Australia until a decision made on the permanent Partner (Migrant) visa (subclass 100) application. Normally, the subclass 100 visa application will be assessed after two years the 309 visa was granted.
However, if you have been in a long term relationship before you lodge your application, the permanent Partner (Migrant) visa (subclass 100) will be granted immediately after the temporary Partner (Provisional) visa (subclass 309).
You must be outside Australia when you lodge your application and when a decision is made on the temporary Partner visa (subclass 309).
You can be in or outside Australia when a decision is made on the permanent Partner visa (subclass 100).
Want to know more about the visa classes, or need help with your application? Please contact us today to discuss your circumstances with our RMA.
Onshore Partner visas (subclass 820 801)
The Partner visas (subclasses 820 and 801) allow the partner or spouse of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia.
The temporary Partner visa (subclass 820) is granted first and lets you stay in Australia until a decision made on the permanent Partner visa (subclass 801) application. Normally, the subclass 801 visa application will be assessed after two years the 820 visa was granted.
However, if you have been in a long term relationship before you lodge your application, the permanent Partner visa (subclass 801) will be granted immediately after the temporary Partner visa (subclass 820).
You must be in Australia when you lodge your application and when a decision is made on the temporary Partner visa (subclass 820).
You can be in or outside Australia when a decision is made on the permanent Partner visa (subclass 801).
Want to know more about the visa classes, or need help with your application? Please contact us today to discuss your circumstances with our RMA.
Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300)
This visa allows people to come to Australia to marry their fiancé.
If you are granted this visa, you should marry your fiancé and apply for a Partner (subclasses 820 and 801) visa before your Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) expires, which means your marriage must be in effect within 9 months upon your arrival in Australia.
Want to know more about the visa class, or need help with your application? Please contact us today to discuss your circumstances with our RMA.
Contributory Parent temporary visas (subclass 173 884)
These visas let parents of a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen live in Australia temporarily (for 2 years).
If you are granted a subclass 173 or 884 visa and want to stay in Australia permanently, you can then apply for a Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143 or 864).
You must be in Australia when you apply for subclass 884 visa and when a decision is made.
You can be in or outside Australia when you apply for subclass 173 visa, but you must be outside Australian when a decision is made.
Want to know more about these visa classes, or need help with your application? Please contact us today to discuss your circumstances with our RMA.
Contributory Parent visas (subclass 143 864)
These visas let parents of a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen live in Australia permanently.
You could apply for a temporary Contributory Parent visa (subclass 173 or 884) before the permanent visas. Applying for the temporary visa and then this permanent visa costs more but the costs are spread across the two visas over a longer period of time.
You can be in or outside Australia when you apply for a subclass 143 visa, but you must be in Australia when you apply for a subclass 864 visa and when a decision is made.
Want to know more about these visa classes, or need help with your application? Please contact us today to discuss your circumstances with our RMA.
Dependent Child visa (subclass 445)
This temporary visa:
- allows a child to travel to and from or stay in Australia until their parent’s permanent Partner visa is finalised
- is required if the child is to be added to a permanent Partner visa application after a temporary Partner visa has been granted to their parent.
The child’s parent must hold a temporary Partner visa or a Dependent Child visa.
The child must:
- be a biological child, stepchild or adopted child of their visa-holding parent
- be under 18 years old or dependent on their visa-holding parent
- be single.
Want to know more about the visa class, or need help with your application? Please contact us today to discuss your circumstances with our RMA.
Business and skilled visas
Business Talent (permanent) visa (subclass 132)
This permanent visa allows you and your family to stay in Australia indefinitely. It is for people to establish a new or develop an existing business in Australia, and has two streams:
- Significant Business History stream: for high-calibre business owners or part-owners who want to do business in Australia
- Venture Capital Entrepreneur stream: for people who have sourced venture capital funding from a member of the Australian Venture Capital Association Limited (AVCAL).
To be eligible, you must:
- be nominated by a state or territory government agency
- be invited to apply for the visa
- have assets of AUD 1.5 million and business turnover of AUD 3 million (Significant Business History stream) or
- have funding of at least AUD 1 million from an Australian venture capital firm (Venture Capital Entrepreneur stream).
Want to know more about this visa class, or need help with your application? Please contact us today to discuss your circumstances with our RMA.
Business Innovation and Investment (provisional) visa (subclass 188)
This temporary visa allow you and your family to travel in and out Australia for the life of the visa, and seem permanent residence by apply for subclass 888 visa. This visa is for people to:
- own and manage a business in Australia (the Business Innovation stream)
- conduct business and investment activity in Australia (the Investor stream, the Significant Investor stream and the Premium Investor stream)
- undertake an entrepreneurial activity in Australia (Entrepreneur stream).
To be eligible, you must:
- be nominated by a state or territory government or Austrade
- be invited to apply for the visa
- have experience in owning and operating a business (Business Innovation stream) or
- have at least AUD 1.5 million to invest (Investor stream) or
- have at least AUD 5 million to invest (Significant Investor stream) or
- have at least AUD 15 million to invest (Premium Investor stream)
- meet additional requirements of the relevant stream.
You and anyone included in your application can be in or outside Australia when you apply and when the visa is granted.
Want to know more about this visa class, or need help with your application? Please contact us today to discuss your circumstances with our RMA.
Business Innovation and Investment (permanent) visa (subclass 888)
To be eligible for this permanent visa, you must:
- hold a relevant stream of the subclass 188 visa or 444 visa
- be nominated by a state or territory government agency or Austrade
- have owned and operated a business in Australia for at least 2 years (Business Innovation stream) or
- have held a designated investment of AUD 1.5 million for 4 years (Investor stream) or
- have held a complying investment of AUD 5 million for 4 years (Significant Investor stream) or
- held a complying investment of AUD 15 million for 1 year (Premium Investor stream)
- meet additional financial and other requirements of the same stream of this visa.
If you are the holder of a provisional Business Innovation and Investment visa (subclass 188) you should provide evidence that the government entity which nominated you for that visa has not withdrawn the nomination.
you are the holder of a Special Category visa (subclass 444), or require nomination from a different nominator than your provisional Business Innovation and Investment visa (subclass 188) you are required to obtain nomination from a state or territory or Austrade on behalf of the Australian government before you lodge an application for this visa.
Want to know more about this visa class, or need help with your application? Please contact us today to discuss your circumstances with our RMA.
Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)
This visa is a permanent residence visa for skilled workers. To be eligible, you must:
- be nominated by an approved Australian employer
- are under 50 years of age, if you are applying under the Temporary Residence stream, or are under 45 years of age if you are applying under the Direct Entry stream
- meet the skills, qualifications and English language requirements of the position
- meet the other requirements of one of the streams of this visa.
You can apply for this visa only after you have been nominated by your employer in Australia. You must lodge your application within six months of the nomination being approved. You must apply for the visa in the stream and occupation in which your employer nominated you, or your application could be refused.
If you do not have an employer who will nominate you, you can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect. Prospective employers and state and territory governments can then view your details and decide whether to nominate you for skilled migration.
Subclass 457 visa holders can apply for this visa through the Temporary Residence Transition stream.
Want to know more about this visa class, or need help with your application? Please contact us today to discuss your circumstances with our RMA.
Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme (subclass 187)
This visa is a permanent residence visa for skilled workers who want to work in regional Australia. To be eligible, you must:
- be nominated by an approved Australian employer for a job in regional Australia (anywhere except the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney, Wollongong or Melbourne)
- are under 50 years of age, if you are applying under the Temporary Residence stream, or you are under 45 years of age if you are applying under the Direct Entry stream.
- meet the skills, qualifications and English language requirements of the position
- meet the other requirements of one of the streams of this visa.
You can apply for this visa only after you have been nominated by an employer in regional Australia – this means an area that is not in the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney, Wollongong and Melbourne.
If you do not have an employer who will nominate you, you can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect. Prospective employers and state and territory governments can then view your details and decide whether to nominate you for skilled migration.
Subclass 457 visa holders can apply for this visa through the Temporary Residence Transition stream.
Want to know more about this visa class, or need help with your application? Please contact us today to discuss your circumstances with our RMA.
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
This permanent visa is for Points-tested skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer or family member or nominated by a state or territory government. It allows you and your family to live and work in Australia indefinitely.To be eligible, you must:
- have a relevant occupation
- have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation
- meet the points test pass mark of 60 points
- be under 45 years of age at time of invitation
- have Competent English
- be invited by us to apply (you need submit an Expression of Interest via SkillSelect first).
You can be in or outside Australia when you apply for the visa and when a decision is made.
Want to know more about this visa class, or need help with your application? Please contact us today to discuss your circumstances with our RMA.
Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
This visa allows skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian state or territory government live and work in Australia as a permanent resident.
To be eligible, you must:
- have a relevant occupation
- have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation
- meet the points test pass mark of 60 points
- be nominated by a state or territory government agency
- be under 45 years of age at time of invitation
- have Competent English
- be invited by us to apply.
You can submit an expression of interest (EOI) via SkillSelect with details of your nominated occupation, skills and qualifications. SkillSelect will estimate a points score; if you score high enough, Australian state and territory government agencies will be able to view your EOI and decide if they want to nominate you. If you are nominated, you will be invited to apply for the visa.
Want to know more about this visa class, or need help with your application? Please contact us today to discuss your circumstances with our RMA.
Skilled Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 489)
This temporary visa allows skilled workers to live and work in regional or low-population growth metropolitan areas of Australia for up to four years. The visa holder can apply for permanent residency through the subclass 887 visa.
To be eligible, you must:
- be nominated by a state or territory government agency or be sponsored by an eligible relative (Invited pathway)
- be invited to apply (Invited pathway)
- hold a subclass 475, 487, 495 or 496 visa (Extended Stay pathway)
- have a relevant occupation
- have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation
- meet the points test pass mark of 60 points
- be under 45 years of age at time of invitation
- have Competent English.
If you are applying via the invited pathway, submit an expression of interest (EOI) via Skillselect with details of your nominated occupation, skills and qualifications and whether you will be sponsored by a family member or wish to be nominated by an Australian state or territory. SkillSelect will estimate a points score. If you score high enough:
- you will be invited to apply for the visa if you are sponsored by a relative,
- Australian state and territory government agencies will be able to view your EOI and decide if they want to nominate you. If you are nominated, you will be invited to apply for the visa.
Want to know more about this visa class, or need help with your application? Please contact us today to discuss your circumstances with our RMA.
Skilled Regional visa (subclass 887)
This is a permanent visa for people who have lived and worked in specified areas of regional Australia.
To be eligible, you must:
- hold a subclass 489, 495, 496, 475 or 487, or a Bridging visa A or B after applying for a subclass 489, 495 or 487 visa
- have lived in a specified regional area of Australia for at least two years
- have worked full time in a specified regional area for at least one year
You must be in Australia when you apply for the visa and when a decision is made.
Want to know more about this visa class, or need help with your application? Please contact us today to discuss your circumstances with our RMA.
Studying, visitor and working visas
Student visa (subclass 500)
This visa allows you to stay in Australia for up to 5 years to study full-time in a recognised education institution.
You must:
- be at least six years of age
- have been accepted to study at an educational institution in Australia
- have health insurance.
If you are under 18, you must have organised appropriate welfare arrangements for the duration of your intended stay in Australia.
If you are applying from outside Australia, you must include a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for each intended course of study with your visa application. A letter of offer from your education provider will not be accepted.
You need to have enough money that is genuinely available to you, to pay for your course fees, and travel and living costs for you and your accompanying family members while you are in Australia.
You might need to provide evidence of your financial capacity with your visa application.
Want to know more about this visa class, or need help with your application? Please contact us today to discuss your circumstances with our RMA.
Student Guardian visa (subclass 590)
This visa allows you to stay in Australia as the guardian of an international student younger than 18 years of age studying in Australia on a student visa.
To be eligible, you must:
- be the student’s parent, legal guardian or relative
- have enough money to support yourself and the student during your stay
- be able to provide accommodation and other support
- be at least 21 years of age.
You can only bring children under 6 with you; for children of 6 or older, they must apply for their own student visa.
Want to know more about this visa class, or need help with your application? Please contact us today to discuss your circumstances with our RMA.
Visitor visa (subclass 600)
This visa allows you to visit Australia (including for business visitor purpose) for up to 3, 6 or 12 months.
For PRC passport holders, they may be eligible for the Visitor Visa (subclass 600) Frequent Traveller stream visa which has a validity period of up to 10 years.
Want to know more about this visa class, or need help with your application? Please contact us today to discuss your circumstances with our RMA.
Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601)
This visa allows you to visit Australia (including for business visitor purpose) as many times as you want for up a year and stay for up to 3 months for each visit.
To apply, you must hold an eligible passport. The eligible passports include those issued by most European countries, Canada, US, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, HK SAR and Taiwan.
Want to know more about this visa class, or need help with your application? Please contact us today to discuss your circumstances with our RMA.
Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)
This visa is for international students who have recently graduated from an Australian educational institution.
It lets you live, study and work in Australia for up to 4 years after you have finished your studies.
To be eligible, you must:
- be under 50 years of age
- hold an eligible visa
- have a recent qualification in a CRICOS-registered course
- meet additional requirements of the relevant stream
The qualification must either:
- relate to an occupation on the skilled occupation list (Graduate Work stream)
- be a higher education degree (Post-Study Work stream)
You must hold an eligible visa to apply for this visa as the primary applicant, and you can only access this visa once as a primary applicant.
Want to know more about this visa class, or need help with your application? Please contact us today to discuss your circumstances with our RMA.
Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482)
This is a new visa subclass launched by the Australian government in Mar 2018 to replace the temporary work subclass 457 visa. TSS visa lets a skilled worker travel to Australia to work in their nominated occupation for their approved sponsor.
The TSS visa is comprised of two streams: short-term stream for those whose occupation is on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), and medium-term stream for those whose occupation is on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or Regional Occupation List (ROL). A short-term stream TSS visa is valid for up to 2 years and can be extended once; while a medium-term stream TSS visa is valid for up to 4 years, and the visa holders can apply for permanent residency through subclass 186/187 visas after holding the visa for 3 years.
To be eligible, you must:
- be sponsored by an approved business
- have the required skills to fill a position nominated by an approved business.
Want to know more about this visa class, or need help with your application? Please contact us today to discuss your circumstances with our RMA.
Other visas
Bridging visa A – BVA (subclass 010)
A Bridging visa A (BVA) is a temporary visa. It can be granted if you lodge an application in Australia for a new substantive visa while you still hold a current substantive visa.
A BVA allows you to remain lawfully in Australia until a decision is made on your substantive visa application.
A BVA does not let you return to Australia if you leave. If you travel outside Australia, you need a visa to return. You can do one of the following:
- apply for and be granted a Bridging visa B (BVB) before you travel (if you do not have a substantive visa that allows you to travel or if your substantive visa will expire before you return)
- travel on your current substantive visa (if you have one that allows you to travel and enter Australia on your intended arrival date).
There is no charge for a BVA application. You and anyone included in your application must be in Australia when the BVA application is both lodged and granted.
Want to know more about the visa classes, or need help with your application? Please contact us today to discuss your circumstances with our RMA.
Bridging visa B – BVB (subclass 020)
This visa allows you to leave and return to Australia while your application for a new substantive visa is being processed.
You should apply for your BVB no more than three months, and not less than two weeks, before the date on which you want to travel.
Once you have been granted a BVB, the specified travel period cannot be changed or extended.
Want to know more about the visa classes, or need help with your application? Please contact us today to discuss your circumstances with our RMA.
Bridging visa C – BVC (subclass 030)
A Bridging visa C (BVC) is a temporary visa. It might be granted if you lodge an application in Australia for a substantive visa but you do not already hold a substantive visa.
A BVC allows you to remain lawfully in Australia until a decision is made on your substantive visa application.
A BVC does not allow you to return to Australia if you leave.
Want to know more about the visa classes, or need help with your application? Please contact us today to discuss your circumstances with our RMA.
Bridging visa D – BVD (subclass 040 and 041)
A Bridging visa D (BVD) is a temporary visa that allows you to stay in Australia for a short period until you are able to make a substantive visa application or make arrangements to leave Australia.
You can only be granted a BVD (subclass 040) if all of the following apply to you:
- you are in Australia
- you do not hold a visa or you hold a visa that will end in the next three working days after the day you applied for the BVD
- you tried but were unable to apply for a substantive visa – for example, you did not pay the correct charge or you filled out the wrong visa application form – but you will be able to do so within the next five working days (you might then be eligible for a Bridging visa C (BVC).
You can only be granted a BVD (subclass 041) if all of the following apply to you:
This visa allows you to stay in Australia lawfully for a short time. It does not allow you to work or re-enter Australia if you leave.
If you work, your BVD might be cancelled.
Want to know more about the visa classes, or need help with your application? Please contact us today to discuss your circumstances with our RMA.
Bridging visa E – BVE (subclass 050 and 051)
A Bridging visa E (BVE) is a temporary visa that allows you to stay in Australia while you finalise your immigration matter or make arrangements to leave Australia.
There are two types of BVEs:
- Bridging (General) visa (subclass 050) – generally if you are currently unlawful, the holder of a BVE 050 or the holder of a BVD 041.
- Bridging (Protection Visa Applicant) visa (subclass 051) – used in limited circumstances for eligible non-citizens (as specified by the Regulations) who are not prevented from making a bridging visa application under the Migration Act or Regulations.
BVE will end immediately if you leave Australia. If you leave Australia, you will not be able to return unless have another substantive visa.
Want to know more about the visa classes, or need help with your application? Please contact us today to discuss your circumstances with our RMA.
Former Resident visa (subclass 151)
This visa allows former permanent residents and certain people who served in the Australian Defence Force to live in Australia as permanent residents.
To be eligible, you must:
- have spent nine years in Australia as a permanent resident before you turned 18
- be under 45 years of age
- have never been an Australian citizen
- have kept close business, cultural or personal ties with Australia whilst you have been living overseas
or
- you must have served at least three months continuous service in the Australian Defence Force before 19 January 1981.
Want to know more about the visa classes, or need help with your application? Please contact us today to discuss your circumstances with our RMA.
Resident Return visa (subclass 155 157)
A Resident Return visa is a travel facility for:
- current Australian permanent residents
- some former Australian permanent residents
- some former Australian citizens.
You are not eligible for this visa if your last permanent visa was cancelled.
Both the 155 and 157 visas are permanent visas. The difference between the visas is the length of the travel facility:
- Subclass 155 – up to five years from the date of grant.
- Subclass 157 – 3 months from date of grant.
Want to know more about the visa classes, or need help with your application? Please contact us today to discuss your circumstances with our RMA.