Visa Type

Description

General Skilled Migration Program

Permanent Visa without work restrictions.

Three to four step process.

Points tested visa:

No less than 60 points required for Australia.

No less than 100 points required for New Zealand.

Family member in Australia or Australian State can sponsor.

Upper age limit of 49 years of age (must apply before 50th birthday).

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 regional area.

No restrictions on type of work.

Time spent counts towards Citizenship.

May be family or State sponsored.

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.

Approximately 6 months processing for applicants based in the UK.

Provisional visa leading to permanent residence or Permanent visa - depending on length of relationship.

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.

18 months - Contributory Parent Visas

10 years or more - Parent Visas 

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 1 - 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 8 - 12 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 operates, 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 (must apply before 31st birthday).

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.

No visitor visa required for New Zealand visits of less than 6 months, for UK passport holders.