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Other than the partner visa, there are still many other family visas whereby you may be eligible to migrate to Australia if you have another relative who is an Australian permanent resident or citizen.

The other family visas subclasses that are available include:

Parent visa (Subclass 103)
Temporary sponsored parent visa (Subclass 870)
Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 173)
Contributory Parent (Permanent) Visa (Subclass 143)
Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804)
Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 884)
Contributory Aged Parent (Permanent) Visa (Subclass 864)

Dependent Child Visa (Subclass 445)
Child Visa (Subclass 101) (offshore)
Child Visa (Subclass 802) (onshore)

Adoption visa (Subclass 602)
Orphan Relative visa (Subclass 117) (offshore)
Orphan Relative Visa (Subclass 837) (onshore)
Aged Dependent Relative Visa (Subclass 114) (offshore)
Aged Dependent Relative visa (Subclass 838) (onshore)
Remaining Relative Visa (Subclass 115) (offshore)
Remaining Relative Visa (Subclass 838) (onshore)
Carer Visa (Subclass 116) (offshore)
Carer Visa (Subclass 836) (onshore)

Most of these family visas have an extremely long processing time. Thus, part of our service is to provide you with strategic advice as to how you can utilise the bridging visa to achieve your migration objectives.

Each visa also has its own set of legal requirements, costs and processing time so it is best that you enquire with our lawyers to ensure that you choose the most suitable type of visa. For example, the parent visa category itself has 7 types of visas so you should be sure with which one is most suitable for you and your family before lodging the application.

Employer sponsored visas require an established Australian company (or overseas entity) to sponsor you in order to fill certain positions within the company.

These visas inlude:

Training visa – Subclass 407
Temporary Skill Shortage visa – Subclass 482
Employer Nomination Scheme visa– Subclass 186
Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa – Subclass 187
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) visa – Subclass 494

An employer sponsored visa allows employers to fill distinct shortages within their workforce. It generally must be demonstrated, however, that the company had tried to fill these vacant positions from the Australian labour market, and that it only turned to sponsoring an overseas worker after attempts at hiring an Australian permanent resident or citizen were unsuccessful.

The main requirements for these visas are:

Occupation – The occupation must be on the designated occupation list which is specific to each visa subclass.
Age
Work Experience – The work experience requirement varies for each visa type.
Relevant Qualifications – The qualifications of the candidate must meet the basic level required to perform the occupation.
English language requirement – The English language requirement varies for each visa type.

The duration of each visa is also different. It is best to enquire with us to learn about which visa will be the most suitable for the applicant, and this will depend on age, experience, qualifications and level of English competency.

Summary of the Requirements (Sponsored Visas)

	Subclass 407	Subclass 482	Subclass 186	Subclass 494
Type of Visa	Temporary	Temporary	Permanent	Provisional
Age	No age requirement	No age requirement	Under 45 *Unless exempt	Under 45 *Unless exempt
Location	No location restriction	No location restriction	No location restriction	Must be located in a designated regional area
Work Experience Requirement	No specific work experience requirements. Each stream differs.	Minimum 2 years full time work experience.	Generally minimum 3 years full time work experience.	Generally minimum 3 years full time work experience.
English Language Requirement	Functional English	Ranging from IELTS 4.5-5.0. See specific requirements here.	Competent English	Competent English
Visa Grant Period	Maximum 2 years	2-4 years *Unless exemption applies	5 years	5 years

Employer Nomination Sponsor Criteria

To become eligible as an employer sponsor, the employer must meet the following criteria:

Registration and Compliance

The employer must be a legally registered Australian company or eligible overseas company and shall be compliant with all relevant laws and regulations.

Operational State

The company must be in good operational state, with a stable financial position and decent business reputation.

Sponsorship Certifications

The employer must apply for and obtain sponsorship qualification from the Australian Immigration Bureau to prove their capability and eligibility to sponsor overseas employees.

List of Occupations

The job being sponsored must on the Skilled Occupations List.

Labour Market Testing

The employer needs to conduct a labour market test and demonstrate that it is unable to find suitable local candidates in Australia.

Wages and working conditions

The wages and working conditions provided must comply with Australian standards and requirements to protect the legitimate rights and interests of employees in Australia.

Service process and cycle

We understand that the process of applying for an employer-sponsored visa can be challenging and stressful. Accordingly, we are committed to providing each client with personalised, professional service to help make an application smooth and successful.

Consultation and Assessment Phase (1 week)
- Arrange a consultation to assess your basic situation and eligibility.
- Provide a checklist of materials and explain in detail all the required documents and information in the application.

Material Preparation Phase (2- 4 weeks)
- Assist in preparing and organising all application materials.
- Review and ensure all materials meet requirements.

Application Submission Phase (1 week)
- Fill out and submit your application.
- Review and making sure all information is correct.

Approval Waiting Phase
- Temporary Skill Shortage 482 Visa: 1-4 months
  - Track application progress and provide real time feedback.
  - Assistance in handling further requests from Immigration Department.
- Employer Sponsored Permanent Residence 186 Visa: 5-13 months
  - Track application progress and provide real-time feedback.
  - Assistance in handling further requests from the Immigration Department.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is an employer-sponsored visa?

The employer-sponsored visa is a visa category that is sponsored by an Australian employer and allows skilled overseas personnel to work in Australia.

2. How do I know if my employer is eligible to sponsor me?

The employer must be a legally registered Australian company or an eligible overseas company and needs to apply for and obtain sponsorship qualification.

3. How long is the application period for an employer-sponsored visa?

Generally, the approval time for the temporary skills shortage 482 visa is 1-4 months, while the approval time for the employer-sponsored permanent residence 186 visa is 5-13 months.

4. Can I apply for permanent residence after receiving an employer-sponsored visa?

Yes, certain employer-sponsored visa categories, such as the Temporary Skill Shortage 482 visa and the Employer Nomination 186 visa schemes, allow you to apply for permanent residence after meeting certain conditions.

5. Do I need to pass a labour market test?

Yes, the employer will need to demonstrate that suitable local candidates cannot be found in Australia and undertake a labour market test.

Other than the work visas which require a company to sponsor you, there are also types of independent visas which you can obtain on your own without company sponsorship or government/territory support.

Within the General Skilled Migration visa program are state or territory nominated visas. In the General Skilled Migration visa program, there are 3 categories, the Subclass 189, Subclass 190 and Subclass 491.

The two visas which require nomination from a State or Territory Government are:

You must be under 45 years of age at the time of invitation to apply. You must have achieved a minimum of Competent English.

To be eligible for these visas, your occupation must be on the specified occupation list and you must satisfy the Skilled Migration Points Test for the occupation. The minimum points threshold across all occupations is 65 points, with points awarded based on factors such as your:

Age
English language ability
Qualifications
Employment experience
Partner’s skills

If your points are low, you may wish to apply for special invitation/nomination from the State or Territory you wish to live in which will give you an extra 5 points. If you express an interest to reside in a regional area for the Subclass 491 visa, then you can get an extra 15 points.

There are several stages to the General Skilled Migration visa program.

Skills Assessment – You must first be assessed as qualified to perform the occupation. Each occupation has its own assessing authority who will assess your level of experience and qualifications. A positive result must be received before proceeding to the next step.
Expression of Interest (‘EOI’) (+ State/Territory Nomination if required) – An EOI is required for the Governments to select the top candidates in monthly rounds. They will pick the candidates with the most points to pass through to the next round. Sometimes, candidates are waiting for 2 years and still do not receive an invitation. The Department conducts regular reviews of the Expressions of Interest submitted by prospective applicants and makes invitation rounds as they see fit. Further information can be found on the Department website at here.
Visa Application – You can then lodge your visa application within 60 days of receiving an invitation.

The Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) allows you to travel to Australia:

As a tourist or for business visitor activities;

To see family.

The visitor visa is available under several streams and will allow you to visit Australia for 3, 6 or 12 months depending on the request, stream and circumstances. Some visas will also be granted with multiple entry facilities meaning, for example, you can travel to Australia multiple times within a 12 month period with each stay not exceeding 3 months.

The streams available are:

Tourist Stream – This is the most common stream allowing you to enter Australia to sightsee, visit family and friends etc.
Sponsored Family Stream – This visa allows you to come to Australia to visit Australian family members. This stream will require an Australian family member to sponsor you.
Business Visitor Stream – This visa allows you to come to Australia for short business visits however you cannot work (paid or unpaid).
Approved Destination Stream – This stream is for citizens from certain areas of China visiting Australia on organised tours.
Frequent Traveller – If you are from China, you may be eligible for this stream that allows you to travel to Australia on multiple occasions over a span of 10 years.

Each stream carries slightly different visa conditions and requirements. Therefore, it is always best to consult with a professional before you apply to ensure you pick the correct stream.

For all streams, you will be required to demonstrate that you are a genuine temporary entrant (GTE). GTE means that you genuinely intend to remain in Australia temporarily only and that you have plans to and have a genuine intention to return to your home country. People that may have difficulty meeting this requirement include:

They have more family members in Australia than in their home country demonstrating a strong tie to Australia;
They do not have much assets or property forming a reason for them to return to their home country;
People from high-risk countries (these are countries that have a high rate of visitors who tend to overstay in Australia);
People who have no particular reason to return to their home country e.g. unemployed, retired etc;
People from politically unstable areas.

One other requirement is to demonstrate you have sufficient funds to support your travel and stay in Australia.

You must be outside of Australia to apply for the Electronic Travel Authority. This is a visa only available for persons holding the following passport:

Andorra
Austria
Belgium
Brunei
Canada
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hong Kong (SAR of China)
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Malaysia
Malta
Monaco
Norway
Portugal
Republic of San Marino
Singapore
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan (excluding official or diplomatic passports)
The Netherlands
United Kingdom—British Citizen
United Kingdom—British National (Overseas)
United States of America
Vatican City

The visa is granted for 12 months with 3 months stay in Australia upon each entry. This can be applied for at the airport by the airline provider, travel agents or other specialist service providers. Otherwise, passport holders of the following countries can also apply online:

Brunei
Canada
Hong Kong (SAR of China)
Japan
Malaysia
Singapore
South Korea
United States

One of the key benefits of the Electronic Travel Authority visa is that it is automatically processed, allowing you to receive the visa grant quickly.

However, if you have had an adverse immigration record in Australia or have any character issues, your application will not be processed automatically. You will need to contact your embassy for more information to process the application or apply for the traditional visitor visa route.

The eVisitor visa is similar to the Electronic Travel Authority however it is available for a different cohort. It allows you to stay in Australia for 3 months each time over a 12 month period.

The benefit of this visa is that it is free.

You must be outside of Australia when you apply.

The following passport holders can apply for the eVisitor visa:

Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Monaco
The Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Republic of San Marino
Slovak Republic
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom – British Citizen
Vatican City

This visa must be applied online and is processed by the Department automatically.

Similarly, using the eVisitor visa allows you to visit Australia:

As a tourist or for business visitor activities
To see family or friends
Conduct business visitor activity

You will also be required to demonstrate that you are a genuine temporary entrant (GTE). GTE means that you genuinely intend to remain in Australia temporarily only and that you have plans to and have a genuine intention to return to your home country. However, as this visa is considered automatically, you will generally meet this requirement as long as you have no adverse immigration record. You may not be able to meet this if (including but not limited to):

You have previously been cancelled a visa in Australia or in another country;
You have a criminal record known to the Department of Home Affairs;
You are subject to an exclusion period in Australia;
You have provided false or misleading information to the Department in the past.

To learn about the specific requirements for each visa, and to find out which one is most suitable for you, contact us.

Since 01 July 2021, there are now only 4 streams available in the Subclass 188 visa:

Business Innovation stream: For candidates with business experience who want to bring their business or to establish a new or existing business in Australia.
Investor stream: For those who are able to make a designated investment of at least AUD1.5million
Significant Investor stream: For those who are able to invest at least AUD 5 million. Similar to the investor stream but due to the larger sum of investment, the requirements for the visa are reduced.
Entrepreneur stream: For individuals sponsored or endorsed by a State or Territory government to undertake a complying entrepreneur activity that is proposed to lead to either the commercialisation of a product or service in Australia or the development of a business in Australia.

Business Innovation Stream (Subclass 188 A)

The main requirements of this visa are:

Must be under 55
Be nominated by a State or Territory government
Score at least 65 points on the points test based on age, English language ability, qualifications, business experience, net personal and business assets, business turnover etc.
Held a main business with at least 750,000 AUD turnover for 2 out of the last 4 fiscal years. The percentage in the business will define whether or not that business is your ‘main business’.
You and your partner combined own personal and business assets of at least 1,250,000 AUD at time of invitation

Investor Stream (Subclass 188 B)

The main requirements of this visa are:

Must be under 55
Be nominated by a State or Territory government
Score at least 65 points on the points test based on age, English language ability, qualifications, business experience, net personal and business assets, business turnover etc.
Make a complying significant investment of AUD 2.5m to your State or Territory Government
You and your partner combined own personal and business assets of at least 2,500,000 AUD for the last 2 fiscal years
Managed an eligible investment of at least 2.5m AUD or a qualifying business for at least 1 of the 5 fiscal years
Demonstrate at least 3 years’ experience of managing qualifying business/eligible investments and had a successful record of doing so.

Significant Investor Stream (Subclass 188 C)

The main requirements of this visa are:

Be nominated by a State or Territory government
Make a complying significant investment of AUD 5m
Show lawful acquisition and ownership of at least AUD 5m ready for investment to Australia
Not have a history of involvement in unacceptable activities

Entrepreneur Stream

The main requirements of this visa are:

Must be under 55
Have Competent English
Be endorsed by a State or Territory government
Undertaking or proposing to undertake a complying entrepreneur activity, and has a genuine intention to do so in Australia
Not have a history of involvement in unacceptable activities

Complying entrepreneur activity is defined as an idea which will lead to the commercialization of a product or service or development of an enterprise or business in Australia. This activity must not relate to residential real estate, labour hire or purchase of an existing enterprise or franchise in Australia.

After meeting certain business or investment requirements, you would be eligible to transition into the permanent visa – Subclass 888.

If you are still unsure what is the difference between all the visas, click the icon below to see a comparison of all the streams.

Comparison Chart of Subclass 188 visas:

	Business Innovation Stream	Investor Stream	Significant Investor Stream	Entrepreneur Stream
Age	Under 55 (unless special exemption received)	Under 55 (unless special exemption received)	No Age Requirement	Under 55 (unless special exemption received)
English	No English Requirement	No English Requirement	No English Requirement	Competent English Requirement
Points Test	65	65	No points test required	No points test required
Other Requirements	Business Turnover above AUD 750,000 for 2 full years in the last 4 Net worth of applicant and spouse above AUD 1,250,000 Have a successful business background	Make a $2.5m AUD complying investment 3 years of management or investment experience Net worth of applicant and spouse above AUD 2.5m	Make a $5m AUD complying investment Lawful acquisition of assets/funds of $5m AUD at disposal	Undertaking or proposing to undertake Complying Entrepreneur Activity in Australia Endorsed by State or Territory Government

Subclass 888 is the permanent visa stage after having held and met the requirements of the Subclass 188 visa. Generally, you are required to have held the visa for at least four (4) years before being eligible. After 01 July 2021, this will be changed to 3 years. You will need to meet certain business/investment requirements and residency requirements before being eligible for the subclass 888 visa.

Business Innovation Stream (Subclass 888 A)

The main requirements of this visa are:

Continue to be nominated by state or territory government
Held the Subclass 188A visa and was in Australia for at least 1 year in the past 2 years
Maintained ownership interest in at least 1 actively operating main business (with an ABN) during the 2 years and continues to have ownership interest
The business must have an annual business turnover of over AUD 300,000 in the 12 months before application is made
Either have (2 of the following 3 must be met):
- Net asset value of the main business at least AUD 200,000 for the 12 months before the application is made and continue to do so;
- Employed at least 2 full time employees who are not family members and are an Australian citizen or permanent resident in the 12 months before the application is made;
- Net value of business and personal assets at least AUD 600,000 for the 12 months before the application is made and continue to do so
Have a realistic commitment to continuing business activities

Investor Stream (Subclass 888 B)

The main requirements of this visa are:

Continue to be nominated by state or territory government
Held the Subclass 188B visa and was in Australia for at least 2 years in the past 4 years
Held the designated investment for a continuous 4 years (if 188 visa granted after 01 July 2015) or 3 years and 11 months (if 188 visa granted before 01 July 2015)
Not involved in unacceptable business or investment activities
Have a realistic commitment to continuing business or investment activities

Significant Investor Stream (Subclass 888 C)

The main requirements of this visa are:

Be nominated by a State or Territory government
Held the Subclass 188C visa for a continuous period of 4 years
Held complying significant investment for the whole period during which the Subclass 188 visa was held
Have been in Australia for:
- at least 40 days x the number of complete years held of the 188C visa (and any 188C extension visa granted treating a part of a year as 1 year); or
- spouse or de facto partner has been in Australia for at least 180 days x the number of complete years held of the 188C visa (and any 188C extension visa granted treating a part of a year as 1 year).
Not have a history of involvement in unacceptable activities
Have a realistic commitment to continuing business or investment activities

Entrepreneur Stream

The main requirements of this visa are:

Be nominated by a State or Territory government
Held the Subclass 188E visa for a continuous period of 4 years
Resided in Australia for at least 2 years of the 4 years
Demonstrate overall successful record of undertaking entrepreneurial activity in Australia whilst holding the Subclass 188E visa
Have a realistic commitment to continuing business or investment activities

In determining success of the entrepreneurial activities, the following factors are taken into consideration:

Number of Australian citizens or permanent residents are employed in relation to the activities
The level and nature of ongoing funding or investment in those activities
The annual turnover of the businesses in those activities

As a matter of policy, the Department has set key success factors and supporting success factors which are assessed.

You may enquire with us for more information.

Several visitor visa options are available for those who wish to visit Australia for purposes such as sightseeing, visiting family and friends, short business trips and even medical treatment.

Visiting Australia is considered a privilege and there are different visas available for different types of visits to Australia. Depending on which country you are visiting Australia from, the type of visa and length of visa will vary.

Currently, there are travel restrictions imposed preventing most travellers from entering Australia with a visitor visa. However, there are exemptions which may allow you to travel to Australia despite these travel bans. You may wish to consult with us to see whether an exemption applies to you.

The main requirements for the visas in this category are:

You wish to visit Australia temporarily
Your intended activities fit within the definition of tourism or ‘business visitor’ activity

‘Business visitor activity’, includes making a business or employment enquiry, reviewing and negotiating business contracts, and attending seminars and conferences. However, this does not include any type of employment (even if unpaid).

The type of visa you can get to visit Australia depends on your intended activity, length of intended stay and your passport country. The available visas are:

Regardless of which visa you are on, you should be very careful about the visa conditions imposed on your visa. If you do not comply with these visa conditions, there could be very serious consequences.

The other family visas subclasses that are available include:

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Summary of the Requirements (Sponsored Visas)

Employer Nomination Sponsor Criteria

Service process and cycle

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Business Innovation Stream (Subclass 188 A)

Investor Stream (Subclass 188 B)

Significant Investor Stream (Subclass 188 C)

Entrepreneur Stream

Comparison Chart of Subclass 188 visas:

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Business Innovation Stream (Subclass 888 A)

Investor Stream (Subclass 888 B)

Significant Investor Stream (Subclass 888 C)

Entrepreneur Stream

Tell us about your issue, we are here to help you

Several visitor visa options are available for those who wish to visit Australia for purposes such as sightseeing, visiting family and friends, short business trips and even medical treatment.

Tell us about your issue, we are here to help you

Related Services

Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)

Electronic Travel Authority Visa (Subclass 601)

eVisitor Visa (Subclass 651)

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