Australian Visa Categories: Your Guide to Entry and Stay
Australia offers a diverse range of visa options to suit various purposes, whether you’re visiting, studying, working, or planning to settle permanently. Below is an overview of the most common visa types:
🧳 Visitor & Tourist Visas
Ideal for short-term visits, tourism, or business activities.
Visitor Visa (Subclass 600): Allows tourism, business visits, or family visits.
eVisitor (Subclass 651): Available to passport holders from certain countries, permitting short visits for tourism or business.
Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) (Subclass 601): For short-term visits for tourism or business purposes.
Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417 & 462): For young adults (18-30/35 years) from eligible countries, allowing work and travel for up to 12 months.
🎓 Student & Training Visas
For individuals intending to study or undergo training in Australia.
Student Visa (Subclass 500): For full-time students enrolled in a registered course.
Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485): For recent graduates from Australian institutions, allowing them to live and work temporarily.
👨👩👧👦 Family & Partner Visas
Designed for family reunification and partnership purposes.
Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801 & 309/100): For individuals in a genuine and continuing relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
Parent Visa (Subclass 103 & Contributory Parent Visas): For parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents.
Child Visa (Subclass 101 & 802): For dependent children of Australian citizens or permanent residents.
💼 Work & Skilled Migration Visas
For individuals seeking employment or intending to live and work in Australia.
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189): A points-tested visa for skilled workers not sponsored by an employer or family member.
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190): For skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory government.
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491): For skilled workers nominated by a state or territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member to live and work in regional Australia.
Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (Subclass 482): Allows employers to sponsor a foreign worker when they can’t find a suitably qualified Australian.
Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (Subclass 186): For skilled workers who are nominated by their employer for permanent residence.
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494): For skilled workers nominated by an employer in regional Australia.
🏢 Business & Investment Visas
For individuals looking to establish or manage a business in Australia.
Business Innovation and Investment Visa (Subclass 188): For individuals with business skills who want to establish, develop, or manage a new or existing business in Australia.
Business Talent Visa (Subclass 132): For high-caliber business owners or part-owners who want to do business in Australia.
🛂 Humanitarian & Refugee Visas
For individuals seeking refuge or protection in Australia.
Refugee Visa (Subclass 200): For individuals who are subject to persecution in their home country.
Global Special Humanitarian Visa (Subclass 202): For individuals who are subject to substantial discrimination amounting to a gross violation of human rights in their home country.
Protection Visa (Subclass 866): For individuals who are in Australia and wish to apply for protection.