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Important updates to our Australian emigration services
We have withdrawn our Australian emigration legal services as of April 2024 and are unable to assist with enquiries or advice about moving to Australia.
This information remains accessible to aid anyone wishing to make the move to Australia, however please note that this information was last updated in August 2023.
Emigrate to Australia is a London-based Australian emigration service who may be able to assist with any enquiries, however please note that we do not endorse any one provider's services. They can be contacted on 020 7427 5290.
There are many Australian Visas for UK Citizens available when choosing to move to the country. However, on top of the stress of moving, determining which visa is right for you can prove even more troublesome.
This blog aims to provide an overview of the different Australian visas available to UK citizens who are looking to make a permanent move. Whether you are a skilled professional, a business owner, a student, or a family member, this blog will provide you with valuable information on the different types of visas available to you.
Part 3 in our Moving to Australia series
Part 2: Australia Entry Requirements from UK
Part 4: Skilled Migration Visas
What visas are available for UK citizens?
Skilled Migration Visas.
Skilled Migration Visas (also known as Skilled Worker Visas) are for skilled professionals who wish to work and live in Australia permanently. To be eligible for a Skilled Worker Visa, you must be under 45 years of age, proficient in English, and in good health.
You must also have a nominated occupation that is on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL). Visit our blog on the Skilled Occupation List to find out more.
Alongside this, you must have your skills assessed by the relevant assessing authority.
There are three subclasses of Skilled Worker Visas available:
- Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189). This visa is for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, a state, or territory government.
- Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190). This visa is for skilled workers who receive a nomination from a state or territory government.
- Skilled Regional Visa (subclass 491). This visa is for skilled workers who receive a nomination from a state or territory government. Alternatively, they can receive sponsor from an eligible family member to work and live in regional Australia.
To apply for a Skilled Worker Visa, you must first get your skills assessed by the relevant assessing authority and complete an English test (in most cases). You can then submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect. This is the Australian government’s online system for skilled migration.
For nearly all working visas, the Australian Government will assess your application through the Points System.
If you receive an invitation to apply, you will need to submit a formal visa application and provide supporting documents. Once you submit your application, you will need to wait for a decision from the Department of Home Affairs.
Visit the next part in our series on Skilled Migration Visas for more information.
Working Holiday Visas.
The Working Holiday Visa program applies to young people who want to work and travel in Australia for up to 12 months (can be extended for a further 12 months in some cases if you plan ahead). This visa allows UK citizens to work for any employer in Australia for up to six months, study for up to four months, and travel in and out of Australia as many times as they wish during their stay.
To be eligible for a Working Holiday Visa, you must be between 18 and 35 years old, hold a valid UK passport, and have no dependent children. You must also have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in Australia.
To apply for a Working Holiday Visa, you can apply online through the Department of Home Affairs’ website. You will need to provide evidence of your identity, health, and character, as well as evidence of your financial situation.
Business Visas.
Australia offers a variety of visas for individuals looking to establish or invest in a business in the country. The Business Innovation and Investment Visa program attracts businesspeople who can drive innovation and help strengthen the Australian economy.
To be eligible, applicants must meet certain requirements. These include:
- Demonstrating a successful business career
- Having a genuine desire to invest in or establish a business in Australia
- Having a significant net worth
The Business Innovation and Investment Visa program has five different streams:
- Business Innovation – This stream is for individuals who want to own and manage a new or existing business in Australia. To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate that they have a successful business career and have the skills and experience necessary to establish a business in Australia.
- Investor – This stream is for individuals who want to make a designated investment in Australia. To be eligible, applicants must have a net worth of at least AUD 2.25 million and be willing to invest at least AUD 1.5 million in an Australian state or territory.
- Significant Investor – This stream is for individuals who are willing to invest at least AUD 5 million in Australia. Unlike the other streams, applicants do not need to demonstrate a successful career or show business skills.
- Premium Investor – This stream is for individuals who are willing to invest at least AUD 15 million into complying premium investments in Australia.
- Entrepreneur – This stream is for applicants that have a funding agreement from a third party of at least AUD 200,000. This must be in aid of an entrepreneurial activity involving a product, service or business venture in Australia.
To apply for a Business Innovation and Investment Visa, applicants must submit an EOI through the SkillSelect system. Once completed, applicants must then submit a formal visa application.
The Australian Immigration Experts
Our Australian emigration team are:
- Registered with the Australian government
- Dual-qualified in Australian and British law
- Experts in visa appeals and complex applications
Family Visas.
If you have family in Australia, you may be eligible to apply for a family visa to join them. The Family Visa program includes visas for partners, parents, and children.
To be eligible for a family visa, you must show a genuine relationship with your Australian family member.
Your family member must also be either:
- An Australian citizen, or;
- A permanent resident, or;
- An eligible New Zealand citizen
There are different types of Family Visas, including:
- Partner Visas – a visa for individuals who are in a genuine relationship with someone in Australia.
- Parent Visas – a visa for parents of someone living in Australia. There are several different subclasses of this, including the Contributory Parent Visa and the Parent Visa.
- Child Visas – a visa for dependent children of someone living in Australia. There are several different child subclasses of this, including the Child (Permanent) Visa and the Adoption Visa.
To apply for a Family Visa, applicants must submit a formal visa application. They also provide evidence of their relationship with their Australian family member.
Visit our Family Visa page for more information.
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Student Visas.
If you are looking to study in Australia, you will need to apply for a Student Visa. Australia is home to some of the world’s leading universities, and studying in the country can be a great way to gain valuable skills and experience.
To be eligible for a Student Visa, you must meet certain requirements. These include:
- Acceptance into a registered course of study
- Having enough funds to support yourself during your stay
- Meeting health and character requirements
There are several types of Student Visas, including:
- Higher Education Sector Visa. This visa is for students undertaking a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, or PhD program in Australia.
- Vocational Education and Training Sector Visa. This visa is for individuals in a vocational education or training program, such as a certificate or diploma course.
To apply for a Student Visa, applicants must submit a formal visa application and provide evidence of their enrolment.
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