What is an Australia visa?
An Australian visa is a document that gives you permission to visit Australia for a specified period of time. Australia does not attach visa stamps or labels to your passport like most other countries do. Instead, your visa privileges are stored electronically in a website database and an immigration officer will check the database to see if you have a visa on arrival in Australia.
Different types of Australian visas
Depending on the purpose of your visit, below are the eight main types of visas you should be aware of. These eight visa categories are just general categories. You will need to request specific visas depending on 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 work visas needed for skilled immigrants:
Work visa
Work Permit A visa is a permit or official stamp issued to a person who chooses to work in a foreign country. There are different types of work permit visas, which can be divided into permanent and temporary visas. The Visa work permit application process varies depending on the country, applicant’s nationality, sponsorship, job offer, etc.
Business visa
Government authorities issue business visas to travelers who intend to conduct business activities and meetings that do not constitute employment or paid employment in a particular country. Common activities performed on a business visa include attending meetings, business events/conferences, and researching 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 on a permanent basis . A PR visa holder can obtain citizenship status if certain requirements are met.
Temporary entry visa
Temporary visas, such as work, student or visitor visas, come with conditions that specify what you are allowed to do while the visa is valid . However, in some situations you may need to apply for a new visa.
Student visa
A student visa is a stamp added to a government passport that allows international students to study at qualified educational institutions in the country. Any potential student wishing to pursue 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 traveler to pass through the international area of an airport without entering the country. Please note: not all international travelers are subject to this rule.
Australian visa types and costs
Below are the types of fee-based Australian visas:
Skilled Independent Visa to Australia
The Australia Skilled Visa, also known as the Subclass 189 visa, is among the popular types of Australian visas. It is intended for guest workers with specific skills and experience working in Australia. You will be allowed to live, study and work full-time anywhere in the country as long as you meet all the requirements. If granted a visa, workers will also enjoy the same rights as Australian citizens. The current cost of a skilled visa to Australia is AUD 4,045 (INR 2.2 lakh).
Australia eases visa rules for international students
Bridging visa to Australia
An Australia bridging visa allows you to “bridge” the gap between your previous visa and the visa you are currently applying for. This is a type of temporary visa. There are five types of bridging visas in Australia.
- Bridging Visa A (BVA): This type allows you to remain in Australia after your current main visa expires while your new main visa application is processed.
- Bridging Visa B (BVB): This is a temporary visa that allows you to leave and return to Australia while waiting for your main visa to be approved. BVB costs around AUD 160 (INR 8,717).
- Bridging Visa C (BVC): This is a temporary visa for non-Australians wishing to apply for a valid primary visa.
- Bridging Visa D (BVD): This visa will allow you to stay in Australia for a short period if your primary visa has expired.
- Bridging Visa E (BVE): This type allows you to legally reside in Australia if your primary visa has expired or if you are awaiting an immigration decision.
TR visa
TR Visa Australia is also known as subclass 485, which allows you to stay in Australia to study, live or work after completing your education in the country. The visa consists of two streams: the graduate work stream and the post-study work stream. The Graduate Work Path Scheme states that if you have recently completed a course relevant to your profession where there is a skills shortage, the post-study work stream means you can live and work in Australia if you graduate from an Australian institution. The cost of applying for a TR Visa Australia starts from AUD 1,500 (approx. INR 81,723).
Read also: How to apply for a visa to different countries?
Dependent Visa to Australia from India
If immigrants are entering Australia on a work visa, your family dependent visas can join you on a dependent visa to Australia from India. If you are coming to Australia temporarily to work, only your spouse or partner and any unmarried child under 18 years of age can enter on a Family Dependent Visa. This visa will cost you around AUD 4,425 (INR 2.4 lakh).
Check out the sample SOP for Australian Student Visa.
186 Visa Australia
Visa 186 Australia is another visa among the types of Australian visas. It is designed to enable skilled workers to live and work in Australia on a permanent basis. 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: Direct Entry, Employment Agreement Stream and Temporary Residence Stream. This visa will cost you around AUD 4,045 (INR 2.2 lakh).
Read about Australia’s PR points
Regional visa to Australia
Next among the Australian visa types is the Skilled Visa Australia, also known as the Subclass 189 visa, which is one of the most popular types of Australian visas. It is intended for guest workers with specific skills and experience working in Australia. You will be allowed to live, study and work full-time anywhere in the country as long as you meet all the requirements. If granted a visa, workers will also enjoy the same rights as Australian citizens. The current cost of a skilled visa in Australia is AUD 4,045 (INR 2.2 lakh).
Explore Jobs in Australia for Indians
Types of visas to Australia for PR
Below are the types of Australian PR visas:
- Permanent visa for work stream
- Family-Stream permanent visa
- Permanent visa for business or investor
Australian visa requirements
If you are planning to obtain an Australian permanent residence visa, Australia has a points system. You must have at least 65 points in the point grid.
Y-axis credits
Australian Visa Application
Here are the steps to apply for any type of Australian visa.
Step 1: Determine the work visa category for which you are eligible.
Step 2: Make sure you meet the Skillselect requirements for a work visa.
Step 3: Before submitting your visa application, ensure that your employer has completed the online nomination/sponsorship form.
Step 4: Complete the application form for your visa category.
Step 5: Submit relevant information and additional documents along with your application.
Step 6: Pay the visa application fee.
How long does it take to process an Australian visa?
The time required to obtain an Australia visa depends on the type of visa. Most tourism visa applications are usually processed within a few weeks to a maximum of 4 months, although if everything is in order this may only take a few days.
Depending on the visa, processing your long-stay visa application can take anywhere from a few months to over a year.
Note. Interact one-on-one with renowned university representatives, apply in one click and get offers and scholarships instantly with Uniconnect from Leverage Edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How many types of visas are there for Australia?
There are over 100 different types of Australian visas .
Question. What is the most popular visa in Australia?
The most popular Australian visa is the Australian Tourist Visa.
Question. Which Australian visa is easy?
Australia recently introduced a new “491 ” visa or regional (provisional) skilled work subclass 491 visa. This visa may be one of the simplest immigration options available to eligible applicants.
Q. Can I live in Australia permanently?
Once your application is approved, you will receive an immigration visa and will be able to live and work permanently in Australia.
Q. How can I check the conditions and validity of my visa?
The Transaction Reference Number (TRN) is the number you receive when you begin your visa application online.
Visa Grant Number – You will receive this number if your visa application is successful.
Visa Confirmation Number – You will receive this number if for some reason a visa sticker is attached to your passport .
Q. How can I pay for my visa?
When submitting your online application, you must pay the visa fee using a credit or debit card (such as MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Diners Club or JCB). The embassy or consulate will tell you how to pay the fee if you apply there.
Question. Do I need health insurance to travel to Australia?
To obtain long-term visas, you must always have adequate Australian health insurance. However, the Australian government strongly recommends that travelers purchase health insurance, although it is not usually required for a visitor visa.
This is all about the different types of Australian visas. Seek advice from our Leverage Edu tutors if you are planning to start studying abroad at one of Australia’s prestigious universities and need advice regarding your study visa.