G’day! If you’re a Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport holder who’s shown a solid commitment to Australia, this visa could be your ticket to living and working Down Under for good.

What’s this visa all about?
It’s a permanent visa that lets you stay, work, and study in Australia. You’ll also get access to Medicare, and if you’re eligible, you can apply to become an Aussie citizen. Plus, you can sponsor family members to join you here and travel in and out of Australia as much as you like for five years.

Eligibility
To be eligible for this visa, you need to meet the following:

1. Hold a Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport at the time of application.
2. Lived in Australia for at least four years continuously before applying.
3. Have an eligible visa: You must hold an eligible visa for at least four years, such as a subclass 457, 482, or 485 visa.
4. Complied with visa conditions: You must have followed all the conditions of your eligible visa while living in Australia.
5. Meet health and character requirements: Both you and your family (including those not migrating) must meet Australia’s health and character requirements.
6. Functional English: Have functional English or be ready to pay the second instalment of the visa charge if needed.
7. Australian Values Statement: If you’re 18 or older, you’ll need to sign an Australian Values Statement confirming you respect the Australian way of life and laws.
8. No government debt: Make sure you and any family members don’t owe the Australian Government any money—or have arrangements in place to pay it back.

How long can you stay?
Forever! This is a permanent visa, so you can stay in Australia as long as you like. Just note, the travel component of the visa runs out after five years, so if you need to travel after that, you’ll have to sort out a Resident Return Visa.

Bringing family along?
You can include family members in your application, either from the get-go or later down the line, as long as it’s before the visa’s granted. If they’re not coming, just let us know why (maybe they’re already Aussies or permanent residents). Just keep in mind, everyone has to meet the health and character requirements—even those staying behind!

What’s the cost?
The visa will set you back AUD4,765 for the main applicant. There’s an extra charge for each family member who applies with you, and if someone over 18 doesn’t have functional English, there’s an additional fee of AUD4,885. You’ll also need to budget for things like health checks and police certificates.

Where can you apply from?
You can be in Australia or overseas when you apply and when we decide on your application, but not in immigration clearance.

Processing time?
There’s no set time—we assess each application on a case-by-case basis. Things like how complete your application is and how quickly you provide any extra info we need can all affect the timeline.

What are your obligations?
Easy—just follow Australian laws. Simple as that.

Traveling?
You’re free to travel in and out of Australia as much as you like for five years from when your visa is granted. After that, you’ll need a Resident Return Visa to come back as a permanent resident.

Looking to settle in Australia for good? The Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa might be just what you’re after! With this visa, skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory can live and work in Australia as permanent residents. 

What You Get with This Visa

1. Permanent residency in Australia
2. Freedom to work and study across Australia
3. Access to Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system
4. Ability to sponsor your relatives for Australian visas
5. Unlimited travel in and out of Australia for 5 years
6. Pathway to Australian citizenship (if eligible)

Heads up: Newly arrived residents may have to wait a bit before accessing certain government payments and benefits.

How Long Can You Stay?

This visa grants you permanent residency, so you can stay in Australia indefinitely. The travel portion of your visa lasts for 5 years from the date of issue, after which you’ll need a Resident Return Visa to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident.

Can I Include My Family?

Absolutely! You can include your family members in your application. They’ll need to meet health and character requirements, just like you. If you didn’t include them in your initial application, you can still add them before a decision is made. Make sure you let us know why if they aren’t joining you.

Costs

For the main applicant, the visa costs AUD 4,770. Additional fees apply for each family member you include. If any family members over 18 don’t have functional English, there may be an extra charge of AUD 4,885 for them.

You might also have other costs like health checks, police certificates, and biometrics.

Where Can I Apply From?

You can apply from inside or outside Australia, but you can’t be in immigration clearance when you apply.

Processing Times

Processing times can vary depending on factors like how complete your application is and how quickly you provide any additional information we might ask for. Every application is assessed individually.

Travel

You can travel in and out of Australia as many times as you like for 5 years from the date your visa is granted. After that, you’ll need to apply for a Resident Return Visa to maintain your permanent resident status.

Eligibility

Be Invited to Apply: You’ll need to be invited by an Australian state or territory government to apply for this visa.

Have a Suitable Skills Assessment: You must have a valid skills assessment for your occupation when you receive your invitation to apply.

Be Under 45 Years Old: You need to be under 45 at the time of invitation. If you turn 45 after receiving the invitation, no worries – you can still apply.

Score at Least 65 Points: This visa is points-tested. You’ll need at least 65 points in your Expression of Interest (EOI) to be invited. When you apply, make sure to provide evidence to support your claims.

English Language Requirement: At the time of invitation, you must have at least competent English.

Occupation Requirement: Your occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list.

Meet Health & Character Requirements: You and your family must meet Australia’s health and character requirements.

Looking to live and work in regional Australia? The Subclass 491 visa could be your ticket! This temporary visa allows skilled workers to stay for up to 5 years in designated regions of Australia, with the chance to apply for permanent residency later on.

What You Can Do With This Visa:

1. Stay in Australia for 5 years
2. Live, work, and study in a designated regional area
3. Travel to and from Australia as much as you like while the visa is valid
4. Apply for permanent residence through the Subclass 191 visa after holding this visa for 3 years

Eligibility:

1. Must be nominated by an Australian state/territory government or sponsored by an eligible relative
2. Be under 45 at the time of invitation
3. Must have a suitable skills assessment for your occupation
4. Must meet the health and character requirements
5. Must score at least 65 points on the points test
6. Hold Competent English at the time of invitation
7. Sign the Australian values statement

Family:

You can include family members in your visa application. They must meet health and character requirements as well. If your partner or kids aren’t applying with you, let us know why (e.g., they’re already citizens).

Costs:

From AUD 4,770 for the main applicant, plus additional fees for family members and health checks if needed.

Pathway to Permanent Residency:

Once you’ve held the Subclass 491 visa for 3 years, you’re eligible to apply for the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa.

G’day! Thinking about bringing your family over to Australia on the Subclass 491 visa? Here’s a quick rundown of what you need to know if you’re a family member of a current Subclass 491 visa holder.

What’s This Visa All About?

With this visa, you and your family can:

1. Live, work, and study in a designated regional area of Australia.
2. Stay in Australia while your visa is valid.
3. Travel to and from Australia as often as you like.
4. If eligible, apply for permanent residency down the track with the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (Subclass 191).

Where Can You Live?

You’ll need to stick to a designated regional area. But no worries, these spots are some of the best Australia has to offer for work and lifestyle.

How Long Can You Stay?

This is a temporary visa, and it lasts as long as your family member’s visa does. If you’re keen on staying longer, you might want to look into the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (Subclass 191).

Can You Include Family?

Absolutely! You can include your family when applying, and even add dependent children after lodging. Just make sure everyone meets the health and character requirements.

What’s the Cost?

For the main applicant, it starts from AUD4,770. Keep in mind, there’s an extra charge for family members applying with you. If someone over 18 has less than functional English, there’s a second instalment fee of AUD4,890. Other costs might pop up for things like health checks and police certificates.

Where to Apply From?

You can apply from inside or outside Australia – just not while you’re in immigration clearance. If you’re in Australia, you need to hold a substantive visa or certain bridging visas.

Eligibility

Here’s what you need:

1. You must be part of the family unit of a Subclass 491 visa holder.
2. If applying in Australia, you need to hold a substantive or bridging visa (Subclass 010, 020, or 030).
3. You and your family members (18 or older) need to have at least functional English, or pay the second instalment when asked.
4. Everyone applying with you must meet health and character requirements.
5. If you’re over 18, you’ll need to sign an Australian Values Statement, confirming you’ll respect our way of life and follow the laws.

Obligations

You and your family need to meet all visa conditions and follow Australian laws while you’re here.