Visa Type

Description

General Skilled Migration Program

Permanent Visa without working restrictions

Two or three step process

Points tested visa

Family member in Australia can assist with application

Upper age limit of 45 years of age

Provisional Skilled Sponsored

(Part of the General Skilled Migration Program)

Provisional Visa leading to permanent visa after 2 years of residence in Australia.

Must live and work in a specific area.

No restrictions on type of work.

Time spent counts towards Citizenship.

Approximately 9 to 12 months processing.

Spouse, Common Law Couple & Same Sex Couples

(Family Stream)

People who are not legally married and those in same sex relationships are assessed in the same way as Spouse visas.

12 months of residence or relationship is normally required for unmarried couples

1 - 3 months processing for applicants based in the UK.

Provisional visa leading to permanent residence.

Parent Visas

(Family Stream)

People who have more children living in Australia than anywhere else in the world.

Permanent or Provisional Visa.

Work permitted in Australia.

15 months - 10 years processing time depending on visa type.

Student Visa

(Student Visa Program)

Temporary visa valid for the duration of your course of Study in Australia.

Permitted to work up to 20 hours during “term time” & unlimited during holiday periods.

Approximately 2 months processing for applicants based in the UK.

Business Visa

(Business Skills Stream)

Provisional Visas leading to Permanent Residency.

Suits people with a demonstrated level of business acumen over at last 5 years.

All family members included.

Approximately 6 - 9 months processing time.

Employer Sponsored

Either Temporary or Permanent depending on occupation and location.

Require a genuine offer of employment from an Employer who currently or intends to operate in Australia.

Approximately 2 - 8 months processing time.

Working, Holiday and Graduate Visas

Available to people of specific nationalities OR to graduates from specific Universities.

Upper age limit of 31 years of age.

Work permitted (some restrictions on some visas)

Family members can be included in some circumstances

24 hours to 9 months processing time depending on visa type.

Visitor Visas

Available for tourist and business purposes.

Valid for between 3 – 12 months.

Work usually NOT permitted.

May be granted on the spot or within 24 hours.