Australia Visas

VISANOW draws on years of legal and international immigration experience around the world, allowing our multi-lingual global immigration team to help you jump-start your immigration process. Our attorneys distinguish themselves by partnering with you to explain and work through complex country requirements via a transparent process and by making recommendations to get you in-country sooner.

Work

A Temporary Residence Visa with Work Rights is granted to applicants wishing to work in Australia for up to 4 years. Employer sponsorship is the main requirement of this visa category. There is a three step application process including: 1) Employer applies to the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship to be a sponsor, 2) Employer nominates a position, and 3) Employee applies for a visa. Under the migration law, to gain approval as a business sponsor, the Australian company employer/sponsor must be lawfully established and actively operating a business in Australia. The company must also be able to show that it is able to meet sponsorship undertakings. Businesses that have no operating base or representation in Australia may be able to apply to bring overseas personnel to Australia if they meet the Business Sponsor criteria.

Upon approval of sponsorship, an application for a temporary residence visa can be made. The following work visas are available:

Work Visa Subclass	Purpose
457 Business (Long Stay)	This is the most commonly used program for employers to sponsor overseas workers to work in Australia on a temporary basis. From September 14, 2009, under the Subclass 457 visa program, there are no special arrangements for employers in regional areas across Australia.
411 Exchange	For skilled people (other than executives, managers or specialists) wanting to come to Australia to broaden their work experience and skills under reciprocal arrangements which allow Australian residents similar opportunities overseas. This includes people seeking entry under certain bilateral exchange agreements.
415 Foreign Government Agency	For foreign government officials to conduct official business on behalf of their government where the officials diplomatic or official status in Australia.
416 Special Program	For people under approved programs to broaden their work experience and skills; generally youth exchanges.
417 Working Holiday	For young people wanting to gain experience of other countries by holidaying in Australia with the opportunity to work to supplement their funds
418 Educational	For staff for educational and research institutions or organizations to fill academic, teaching and research positions unable to be filled from within the Australian labor market.
419 Visiting Academic	For people whose presence in Australia will contribute to the sharing of research knowledge.
420 Entertainment	For people involved in a wide range of social and cultural events and activities; (including models and mannequins) taking into account the need to protect the employment of Australians in the industry.
421 Sport	For amateur or professional sports people to engage in competition with Australian residents and to improve general sporting standards in Australia through high caliber competition and training.
422 Medical Practitioner	For qualified medical practitioners where there is a demonstrated need to employ practitioners from overseas.
423 Media & Film Staff	For correspondents and other professional media staff members posted to Australia by overseas news organizations, and photographers and film and television crews making documentaries or commercials for exclusive overseas consumption.
424 Public Lecturer	For professional lecturers or subject experts invited to make public presentations.
426 Domestic Worker (Diplomatic/Consular)	For domestic staff for diplomats and consular staff posted to Australia on advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT).
427 Domestic Worker (Overseas Executive)	For domestic staff of certain holders of visas in class 457 long-stay temporary business entry. A visa in this class may only be granted where it can be shown that the entry of domestic staff is necessary for the proper discharge of representational duties.
428 Religious Worker	For religious workers, including ministers, priests and spiritual leaders to serve the spiritual needs of people of their faith in Australia.
442 Occupational Trainee	For persons undergoing training in Australia compatible with their employment history

Business

If you need to visit Australia to conduct business, attend a conference, negotiate business deals or contracts, or perhaps an exploratory visit, there are a number of visa options. The Business (Short Stay) visa allows the bona fide business persons unlimited travel to Australia. Under this category, you can visit Australia for up to three months from the date of entry. Visas can be obtained for up to the life of your passport or five years, whichever is longer. You are not permitted to work on this visa.

Study

Australia’s student visa program provides for the entry of overseas students who wish to undertake full-time study in registered courses in Australia. The visa is valid for the duration of approved time by the educational institution. Work rights for students have been made available so that students can supplement their income, rather than it being their sole source of finance.

Visit/Family/Marriage

If you are the citizen of any country other than Australia and New Zealand, you will need a visa (or in some cases an Electronic Travel Authority) to visit Australia. On a standard visitor visa you can stay up to three months from the date of entry. The visa is for multiple visits and can be used to enter Australia for one year from the date of issue. You are not permitted to work on this visa. You can also apply for a long stay visa, which is usually granted for stays up to 6 months.

Permanent Residence

Australia accepts people from overseas for permanent settlement under two main migration streams: 1) The Migration Program, and 2) The Humanitarian Program.

The Migration Program caters for all potential applicants wishing to migrate to Australia. Potential migrants to Australia are selected based on skills, health, financial resources, age, English language ability, and family and business contacts in Australia. Migrants today fall into two main categories: 1) Skilled Migrants, and 2) Business Migrants.

• Skilled Migrants: Any professionals or skilled trades people looking to permanently reside under the Skilled Entry program should note that eligibility depends on a complicated points system. An accurate view of your visa prospects requires detailed checking across occupational and academic standards guidelines and one or more of several different bureaucratic bodies in Australia. There are five categories of migrants in the Skilled Scheme:
  • Independent Skilled Migrants: For qualified persons in an approved occupation in Australia. Applicants must be under 45 years of age to apply.
  • Skilled Migrant (Australian Linked): For applicants who have close family members in Australia able to sponsor them. Applicants are assessed on age, qualifications, English & other language abilities.
  • Distinguished Talent: This is a small category for especially talented people, particularly in the arts or in sports.
  • Employer Nominated Migrant: Employers may nominate skilled people from overseas to fill an Australian job vacancy when no one local has suitable skills for the job. Age, qualifications and English abilities are assessed.
  • Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme: If your Australian employer, who wants to nominate you, is in a remote area outside metropolitan districts, he or she can sponsor you through this scheme
• Business Migrants:  Australia’s increasing involvement in international markets has led to greater emphasis being given to the “Business” and “Skill” components of its migration program. Australia welcomes highly experienced business people who will bring their global expertise and capital to Australia, and skilled migrants who will help to offset specific skill shortages and expand the size and quality of the Australian work force. The Business category is designed to attract business people to settle and establish new businesses or acquire ownership or part ownership of existing businesses and to take an active role in the business in Australia.

Residence

We are currently updating the information for this visa type. VISANOW can assist you with your application, please call us at 855-VISANOW (847-2669) to start the process today.

Citizenship

We are currently updating the information for this visa type. VISANOW can assist you with your application, please call us at 855-VISANOW (847-2669) to start the process today.

 

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