Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ – Australian Migration for Hong Kong Applicants
How can I be eligible for an Australian Migration pathway if I am living in Hong Kong?
To be eligible, you must be a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and/or British National (Overseas) passport holder.
How long is the Temporary Graduate, 485 Visa valid for as a Hong Kong applicant?
The Temporary Graduate, Subclass 485 visa, Post Study Work or Graduate Work streams allows for a stay of 5 years for Hong Kong and BNO Passport holders, whereas Applicants from other countries can stay for up to 18 months on the Graduate Work stream or between 2 and 4 years on the Post Study Work stream.
How long can I work in Australia, on a 482 Visa as a HK or BNO Passport holder?
You can apply for a 5 year Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS), Subclass 482 Visa, under the Short-term, Medium-term or Labour Agreement streams, as a Hong Kong or BNO Passport holder. However, Applicants from other countries can only stay for up to 4 years under the Medium-Term stream or the Labour Agreement stream.
I already hold a 482 Work Visa, can I get a 5 year extension?
Yes. Applicants from Hong Kong who already have a 482 Visa will be eligible for an extension of 5 years, as at 9 July 2020, in addition to the time that you have already been in Australia.
Can I apply for Permanent Residence after 5 years holding the 482 Visa?
Yes. Current and future 482 visa holders from Hong Kong will have a pathway to permanent residency after 5 years.
If I live and work in regional Australia, can I get permanent residence any faster?
Yes. Applicants with a HK or BNO Passport, who live, work and study exclusively in regional Australia are eligible for the pathway to permanent residence after just three years.
If I live in a regional area of Australia, what visa do I apply for to get permanent residence?
Apply for the Subclass 191, the Hong Kong (regional) stream. To be eligible, you must be usually resident in Australia for a continuous period of at least 3 years immediately before applying and have lived, worked and studied exclusively in a designated regional area for that 3 year period, while holding a qualifying visa. Note that you will not need a Sponsor or Nominator, but must comply with residence requirements, meet the English language requirement, which requires Functional English (An average IELTS band score of at least 4.5 based on the 4 test components), and meet Health and Character requirements.
Contact our Migration Agents and Australian Immigration Lawyers for advice and assistance with your Australian Visa or Permanent residence application!
See our web page:
https://www.visaconnect.com/australian-migration-agents-hong-kong
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