Types of Visa in Australia

What is a visa?

A visa is a status that permits an individual who is not an Australian resident to live, work, study or travel in Australia for a specified amount of time. Visas in Australia can be temporary or permanent. Temporary visas permit the visa holder to stay in Australia for a predefined timeframe while permanent visas allow the visa holder to remain in Australia endlessly. 

How many types of visas are there in Australia?

The Australian government offers several types of visas. There is a list of Australian visas. If you are unsure which visa is right for you, you may go through this blog. keep scrolling for more details

1. Visitor visa: This is a temporary visa that allows an individual to stay in Australia for a short period.
2. Studying and training visa: This visa permits people to study or involve themselves in work-based training programs in this country.
3. Family and partner visa: This visa allows family members of an Australian citizen or PR holder to live in this nation.
4. Working and skilled visa: This visa type allows skilled individuals or families of such visa holders to migrate and reside in Australia.
5. Refugee and humanitarian visa: People facing human rights abuse, substantial discrimination, etc. can enter this country with this visa type.
6. Other visas: This type allows people into the country who invest in this country, were former residents, etc.
7. Repealed visas: This visa is for a short period during which one needs to overturn his/her repealed visa into a valid one.

Visitor visa

This visa allows an individual to travel to Australia either for business or tourism purposes. All nationalities can apply for this visa. A standard option is a 3-month stay; however, people can stay for 12 months under a few specific circumstances. There are 6 subclasses in visitor visa type. These include:

1. Electronic travel authority (subclass 601): This permission allows people to visit family & friends, undertake activities as business visitors, and go for a holiday.
2. eVisitor (subclass 651): It is the same as the 601-subclass visa; however, in some circumstances, an individual can train or study for 3 months in Australia with this visa.
3. Transit visa (subclass 771): It is valid for 72 hours and allows people to transit through Australia within said time.
4. Visitor (subclass 600): This allows people to visit Australia as a tourist and for other purposes besides business and medical treatment.
5. Work and holiday visa (subclass 462): This allows people (18-30 years of age) to visit Australia and fund their holiday by working here temporarily.
6. Work and holiday visa (subclass 471): This is the same as the 462-subclass visa; however, for some countries, the age limit is from 18 to 35 instead of 30.

Studying and training visas

This will permit individuals to opt for workplace-based training for skill improvement in their field of study, expertise, etc. or choose to start a training curriculum for professional development in this country. Different nomination requirements are set depending on training type or purpose. This has three different subclasses:

1. Student visa (subclass 500): This visa will allow people to study a course in Australia and also bring family members with them.
2. Student guardian visa (subclass 590): This visa allows an adult to stay in Australia for providing care to a student who pursues a course in this country.
3. Training visa (subclass 407): This permit will allow an individual to complete a program related to professional development or a workplace-based program.

Note:  If you planning to study in Australia and build your career, Kindly visit here Top 12 Most Popular Courses to Study in Australia

Family and partner visas

This document enables an individual to have temporary permission to stay in Australia to marry his/her Australian partner. In addition, it is a pathway for spouse visa application when staying in this nation. Apart from partners, this visa comes with subclasses that allow other relatives and family members to stay with an individual. The subclasses are:

1. Adoption visa (subclass 102): This will allow a person to become a permanent resident so that he/she can stay with his/her adoptive parents.
2. Aged Dependent Relative visa (subclass 114): Be a permanent resident of Australia and be eligible to sponsor relatives.
3. Aged Dependent Relative visa (subclass 838): This will allow an individual to reside in Australia permanently and also sponsor eligible relatives.
4. Aged Parent visa (subclass 804)
5. Carer visa (subclass 836)
6. Carer visa (subclass 116)
7. Child visa (subclass 101)
8. Child visa (subclass 802)
9. Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 884)
10. Contributory Aged Parent visa (subclass 864)
11. Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 173)
12. Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143)
13. Dependent Child visa (subclass 445)
14. New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship (temporary) visa (subclass 461)
15. Orphan Relative (subclass 117)
16. Orphan Relative (subclass 837)
17. Parent visa (subclass 103) 
18. Partner (Provisional and Migrant) visa (subclass 309 100)
19. Partner visa (subclass 820 801)
20. Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300)
21. Remaining Relative visa (subclass 115)
22. Remaining Relative visa (subclass 835)
23. Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870)
     

Note: To know about the rest of the subclasses mentioned below, one should get in touch with professional consultants immediately.

Working and skilled visas

There are around 22 working and skilled visas offered by the Australian government. Working and skilled visas are temporary visa that allows skilled workers to work and stay in Australia for a maximum of 4 years; however, this one has to be sponsored by an Australian government-approved employer. Moreover, it is mandatory for work experience and skills to be related to the applicable position in this nation. Its subclasses include:

1. Business Innovation and Investment (permanent) visa (subclass 888): This permits an individual who holds business innovation and investment to reside in Australia permanently.
2. Business Innovation and Investment (provisional) visa (subclass 188): This permit allows people to operate an existing or new business and stay in Australia temporarily.
3. Business Owner (subclass 890): This allows one to operate and own a business in this country and more.
4. Global Talent visa (subclass 858)
5. Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)
6. The investor visa (subclass 891) 
7. Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191)
8. Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187) 
9. Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 494)
10. Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) 
11. Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)  
12. Skilled-Recognised Graduate visa (subclass 476)
13. Skilled Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 489) 
14. Skilled Regional visa (subclass 887) 
15. Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)
16. State or Territory Sponsored Business Owner visa (subclass 892)
17. State or Territory Sponsored Investor visa (subclass 893)
18. Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408)
19. Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)
20. Temporary Work (International Relations) visa (subclass 403)
21. Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (subclass 400)
22. Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482)
     

Note: To gather details about rest of the subclasses, please visit Australia home affairs offical website. Read here Why are Australian visas being rejected?

Refugee and humanitarian visas

This visa is only for people who face human rights issues or substantial discrimination. Also, the person applying for this visa should have a sponsor or proposer; it will lead to staying in this country with his/her immediate family permanently.

1. Global special humanitarian (subclass 202): This visa allows people to stay in Australia permanently and allows one to work or study here.
2. Protection visa (subclass 866): This allows people to work, study, and reside in this country permanently and also allows sponsorship for eligible family members.
3. Refugee visas (subclass 200, 201, 203, & 204)
4. Temporary protection visa (subclass 785)
5. Safe haven enterprise visa (subclass 790)

Note: Know more  about Timeline for July 2023 intake Study in Australia

Other visas

This visa category allows people to stay in the country after their current visa isn’t valid anymore and their new visa application is under process. Some of its subclasses include:

1. Bridging visa A – BVA - (subclass 010):  This permit allows to stay in this nation legally, while a new visa application is processed.
2. Bridging visa B – BVB – (subclass 020): This visa allows people to leave and then return to this country while an application for a new visa is under process.
3. Bridging visa C – BVC – (subclass 030)
4. Bridging visa E – BVE – (subclass 050 and 051)
5. Crew Travel Authority visa (subclass 942)
6. Former Resident visa (subclass 151)
7. Maritime Crew visa (subclass 988)
8. Medical Treatment visa (subclass 602)
9. Resident Return visa (subclass 155 157)
10. Special Category visa (subclass 444)
11. Special Purpose visa
12. Investor Retirement visa (subclass 405)
13. Confirmatory (Residence) visa (subclass 808)

Note: To know more about bridging visas and subclasses under this category that are mentioned below, get in touch with immigration consultants immediately.

Repealed visas

Repealed visas refer to visas that were cancelled. This permit allows a person to stay in Australia for a temporary period when his/her visa application is under review for further consideration and more. The subclasses include:

1. Business short-stay visa (subclass 456): This is a short-stay visa that has been having been replaced by a temporary work visa.
2. Business skills provisional visa (subclass 160 & 165): This is closed to new applicants but holders of these visas can apply for it until it is decided otherwise.
3. Business talent permanent visa (subclass 132): This visa when authorised allows an individual to develop existing or new business in Australia. However, new applicants can’t opt for this visa.
4. Distinguished Talent visa (subclass 124)
5. Domestic Worker (Temporary) Diplomatic and Consular visa (subclass 426)
6. Domestic Worker (Temporary) Executive visa (subclass 427)
7. Electronic Travel Authority (Business Entrant) visa (subclass 956 and 977)
8. Electronic Travel Authority (Visitor) visa (subclass 976)
9. Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 121 and 856)
10. Established Business in Australia visa (subclass 845)
11. Exchange visa (subclass 411)
12. Foreign Government Agency (subclass 415)
13. Government Agreement visa (subclass 406)
14. Labour Agreement visa (subclass 120)
15. Labour Agreement visa (subclass 855)
16. Media and Film Staff visa (subclass 423)
17. Medical Practitioner visa (subclass 422)
18. Medical Treatment (Short Stay) visa (subclass 675)
19. Medical Treatment Long Stay visa (subclass 685)
20. Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme (subclass 119 and 857)
21. Religious Worker visa (subclass 428)
22. Retirement visa (subclass 410)
23. Skilled Designated Area Sponsored visa (subclass 496)
24. Skilled Independent Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 495)
25. Skilled Independent visa (subclass 175)
26. Skilled Independent visa (subclass 885)
27. Skilled Regional Sponsored visa (subclass 475)
28. Skilled Regional Sponsored (subclass 487)
29. Skilled Sponsored visa (subclass 176)
30. Special Program visa (subclass 416)
31. Sponsored visa (subclass 886)
32. Sport visa (subclass 421)
33. Superyacht Crew visa (subclass 488)
34. State or Territory Sponsored Regional Established Business in Australia visa (subclass 846)
35. Temporary Work (Entertainment) visa (subclass 420)
36. Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457)
37. Tourist visa (subclass 676)
38. Temporary Work (Long Stay Activity) visa (subclass 401)
39. Training and Research visa (subclass 402)
40. Visiting Academic visa (subclass 419)
41. Foreign Affairs or Defence sector visa (subclass 576)
42. Higher Education Sector visa (subclass 573)
43. Independent ELICOS Sector visa (subclass 570)
44. Non-Award Sector visa (subclass 575)
45. Postgraduate Research Sector visa (subclass 574)
46. School Sector visa (subclass 571)
47. Student Guardian visa (subclass 580)
48. Vocational Education and Training Sector visa (Subclass 572)
     

Some of the other subclasses of Repealed visas are mentioned below. Anyone seeking to know about these in detail here. (home affairs)