Australian Visa Types

To visit or move to Australia, popularly known as Land Down Under, international citizens need an official permit in the form of a Visa regardless of the purpose of their visit. There are many options available for immigrants to enter Australia. As per the bank bazaar, more than 80,000 jobs are placed each year, around 32,000 are for family migrants, and students are also flocking to Australia to continue their university studies. Mentioned below are the Australian Visa types you should apply for, depending on the reasons and nature of your visit. 

What is an Australia Visa?

An Australian visa is a document that gives you permission to visit Australia for a specific amount of time. Australia does not affix visa stamps or labels to your passport like the majority of other nations do. Instead, your visa privileges are electronically stored on a website database, and the immigration officer will check the database to see if you have a visa when you arrive in Australia.

Different Australian Visa Types

Depending on the purpose of your visit, below are eight main types of visas that you should be aware of. These eight categories of visas are just general categories. You will need to request specific visas according to the type of visit:

• Work Visa
• Tourist Visa 
• Business Visa
• Visitor Visa
• Permanent Entry Visa
• Temporary Entry Visa 
• Student Visa
• Transit Visa 

Let’s discuss some of the work Visas required for skilled immigrants: 

Work Visa

A work permit Visa is an authorization or an official stamp given to a person who decides to work in a foreign country. There are various types of Work permit Visas that can be further classified into permanent or temporary Visas. The procedure for applying for a work permit Visa varies based on the country, applicant’s nationality, sponsorship, job offer, etc. 

Business Visa

Government authorities issue business visas to travellers who intend to conduct business activities and meetings that do not constitute labour or gainful employment in a specific country. Common activities performed on a business visa include attending meetings, business events/conferences and investigating business opportunities and ventures.

Permanent Entry Visa

A PR visa is a type of permit that allows you to work and settle in the country with your family permanently. A PR visa holder can get citizenship status upon meeting specific requirements.

Temporary Entry Visa

Temporary visas such as work, student or visitor visas are granted with conditions telling you what you are allowed to do while you’re on the visa. However, in some situations, you may need to apply for a new visa instead.

Student Visa

A student visa is an endorsement that is added to a government passport, which permits foreign students to study at a country’s qualified educational institutions. Any prospective student seeking higher education in another country must obtain a student visa from that country.

Transit Visa

A transit visa is a visa that is valid for a very short period. An airport transit visa allows a traveller to pass through the international zone of an airport, without entering the country’s territory. Please note: not all foreign travellers are subject to this regulation.

Australian Visa Types and Cost

The following are the types of Australian visas with a cost:

Skilled Independent Visa Australia

Skilled Visa Australia, also known as Visa subclass 189 is among the popular Australian Visa Types. It is structured for the invited workers with specific skills and experience to work in Australia. You will be allowed to live, study and work permanently anywhere in the country if you meet all the requirements. Workers will also enjoy the same rights as Australian citizens if the Visa is granted. The current cost of a skilled Visa in Australia is AUD 4,045 (INR 2.2 lakhs). 

Australia Relaxes Visa Norms for International Students

Bridging Visa in Australia

A Bridging Visa in Australia allows you to “bridge” the gap between a previous Visa and the Visa you are currently applying for. It’s a type of temporary Visa. There are five types of bridging visas in Australia. 

• Bridging Visa A (BVA): this type allows you to stay in Australia after your current substantive Visa has expired while your new substantive Visa application is being processed.
• Bridging Visa B (BVB): It is a temporary Visa that enables you to depart and return to Australia while waiting for your substantive Visa to get approved. The BVB costs around AUD 160 (INR 8,717). 
• Bridging Visa C (BVC): It is a temporary Visa for non-Australians who wish to apply for a valid substantive Visa. 
• Bridging Visa D (BVD): This Visa will allow you to stay in Australia for a short period if your substantive visa has expired.
• Bridging Visa E (BVE): This type enables you to reside legally in Australia if your substantive Visa has ceased or if you are waiting for the immigration decision. 

TR Visa 

The TR Visa Australia is also known as subclass 485 which allows you to remain in Australia to study, live or work after you have finished your education in the country. The Visa is composed of two streams and i.e. Graduate Work Stream and Post Study Work Stream. The Graduate Work Stream states that if you have recently graduated from the course relating to your occupation where there is a skill shortage, the Post-Study Work Stream means you can live and work in Australia if you have graduated from the Australian educational institution. The cost of applying for a TR Visa Australia begins from AUD 1,500 (INR 81,723 approx). 

Also Read: How to Apply for a Visa for Different Countries?

Dependent Visa for Australia from India

If immigrants enter Australia on a worker visa, your dependent family visas are allowed to join you on a dependent Visa for Australia from India. If you are coming to Australia temporarily for work, only your spouse or partner and any unmarried child below the age of 18 can enter on a dependent family visa. This Visa will cost you around AUD 4,425 (INR 2.4 lakhs) 

Check out the Sample SOP for Australian Student Visa

186 Visa Australia

Visa 186 Australia is another Visa among the Australian Visa Types. It is designed to allow skilled workers to live and work in Australia permanently. It is nominated, so it is more difficult to obtain than other visas, but permanent residence is worth it. There are three Visa streams under 186 Visa Australia, i.e. Direct Entry, Labour Agreement Stream, and Temporary Residence Transition Stream. This Visa will cost you around AUD 4,045 (INR 2.2 lakhs).

Read about Australia PR Points 

Regional Visa Australia

Next among Australian Visa Types is the Skilled Visa Australia, also known as Visa subclass 189 is among the most popular Australian Visa Types. It is structured for the invited workers with specific skills and experience to work in Australia. You will be allowed to live, study and work permanently anywhere in the country if you meet all the requirements. Workers will also enjoy the same rights as Australian citizens if the Visa is granted. The current cost of a skilled Visa in Australia is AUD 4,045 (INR 2.2 lakhs). 

Explore the Jobs in Australia for Indians

Types of Visa in Australia for PR

The following are the types of Australian Visa for PR:

• A Work-Stream Permanent Visa
• A Family-Stream Permanent Visa
• A Business or Investor-Stream Permanent Visa

Australian Visa Requirements 

If you plan to get an Australian permanent residence visa, there is a point system based in Australia. You must have at least 65 points under the Point’s grid. 

Australian Visa Application

Here are the steps for applying for any one of the Australian Visa Types.

Step 1: Determine the Work Visa category you are eligible for.

Step 2: Make sure you meet the Skillselect requirements to get a Working Visa. 

Step 3: Make sure your employer completes an online nomination/sponsorship form before applying for the Visa you can apply for.

Step 4: Complete the application form for the Visa category.

Step 5: Submit relevant information and additional documents with your application. 

Step 6: Pay your application fee to process your Visa.

How long is the processing time for an Australian Visa?

The length of time it takes to process a visa for Australia varies by visa type. The majority of applications for visas under the tourist stream are generally handled within a few weeks to a maximum of 4 months, though if everything is in line, it may just take a few days.

Depending on the visa, applications for long-term visas may take a few months to more than a year to process.

Note: Interact one-on-one with renowned university representatives, submit an application in a single click, and receive offers and scholarships immediately with Uniconnect by Leverage Edu.

FAQs

This was all about the different Australian Visa types. Seek the advice of our Leverage Edu mentors if you’re planning to kickstart your study abroad journey in one of the prestigious universities in Australia and need guidance regarding the study visa.