Subsequent entrant

Usually, you apply for this visa at the same time as the primary visa applicant. In some instances, this may not be possible. This may occur where the composition of the family changes after:

• the primary visa applicant has already submitted their SESR visa application and it is still pending a decision
• a SESR visa has already been granted to the primary visa holder

When this occurs and you want to join your family member on their visa, you must apply separately by submitting a visa application in your own right. This is known as subsequent entrant.

When you submit your visa application for a subsequent entrant, you are required to attach a written letter from your family member’s work sponsor (employer) extending their sponsorship obligation to include you as a family member in the nomination.

This requirement is intended to ensure the employer is aware of all the family members to whom their sponsorship obligations will extend.

Discuss this matter with the work sponsor in the first instance before lodging your subsequent entrant visa application.

• stay in Australia while the visa is valid
• live, work and study only in designated regional areas of Australia for up to 5 years
• travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while the visa is valid

You can live, work and study only in a designated regional area. Designated regional areas include all of Australia except for Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

This is a provisional visa. You can stay in Australia for a period of up to 5 years. Your visa will expire at the same time as your family member who is the primary SESR visa holder.

You can't stay in Australia longer by extending this visa. Explore your visa options.

If eligible, you can apply for permanent residence with the primary SESR visa holder after 3 years from the time their visa is granted.

Subsequent entrants who can apply for this visa are those who are members of the family unit of a primary SESR visa holder or a main applicant for a SESR visa.

Family members who apply for this visa must meet our health and character requirements.

This visa costs AUD6,140.00. Concessions apply in limited circumstances.

It costs an additional AUD4,890 if the subsequent entrant is 18 years and over and does not have functional English. This extra charge is called a second instalment.

To work out what your visa will cost use the Visa Pricing Estimator. The estimator does not take into account the second instalment or other costs.

You will have to pay other costs including English language tests, health checks, police certificates and biometrics.

From 1 July 2026, a lower visa cost applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens who lodge a valid visa application.

We will charge eligible applicants the lower visa application cost during the application process in ImmiAccount. We will recognise eligible applicants by the valid passport from the specified countries used in the application when they apply.

Family members are also eligible for the lower visa cost. We base this on the passport of the primary applicant (or visa holder who satisfies the primary visa criteria).

The primary applicant must hold a valid passport issued by one of the following countries:

• Federated States of Micronesia
• Fiji
• Kiribati
• Nauru
• Palau
• Papua New Guinea
• Republic of the Marshall Islands
• Samoa
• Solomon Islands
• Timor-Leste
• Tonga
• Tuvalu
• Vanuatu.

You can be in or outside Australia when you apply for the visa, but not in immigration clearance.

If you are applying in Australia, you must hold a:

• substantive visa or
• Bridging visa A, Bridging visa B or Bridging visa C.

You can be in or outside Australia when we decide on your application.

For an indication of processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool. This will show the processing times for recently decided applications. It is a guide only and not specific to your application.

We assess applications on a case-by-case basis, and actual processing times can vary due to individual circumstances including:

• whether you have lodged a complete application, including all necessary supporting documents
• how quickly you respond to any requests for additional information
• how long it takes to perform required checks on the supporting information provided
• how long it takes to receive additional information from external agencies, particularly in relation to health, character, and national security requirements

We might ask for more information. We are not obligated to request further information or documents and can make a decision on the information provided. It is your responsibility to ensure all relevant supporting/evidentiary documentation is attached to your application.

You must comply with all visa conditions and Australian laws.

You must live, work and study only in designated regional areas of Australia. If you do not, we might cancel your visa.

You can travel out of Australia and return as many times as you want while the visa is valid.

The time you spend outside Australia does not extend the visa.

We will digitally link your visa to your passport. You will not get a label in your passport.

You must have a family member who is a primary SESR visa holder, or main applicant for a SESR visa, to be able to lodge a subsequent entrant visa application.

The work sponsor (employer) with the most recent approved nomination in relation to the primary SESR visa holder, or main applicant for a SESR visa, must agree (or have agreed) in writing to include you as a family member in the nomination.

You must show that you have Functional English. If you can’t show that you have Functional English, you will need to pay the second instalment.

You must meet our health requirement.

If you are aged 16 years and over you must meet our character requirement.

Important: if the primary SESR visa holder, or main applicant for a SESR visa, is sponsored by an accredited sponsor, you are not required to obtain police certificates from countries other than Australia provided you attach a reference from the accredited sponsor confirming that you are of good character and that you have not been convicted of any criminal offences. You must still, however, provide any required Australian police clearances where applicable or when requested to do so.

If you owe the Australian government money, you must have paid it back or arranged to pay it back.

If you are 16 years of age or older, you must:

• have read, or had explained to you, the Life in Australia booklet and
• sign an Australian Values Statement that confirms you will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws

Before you leave

Check your travel documents

You must have:

• a valid visa to enter Australia
• a valid passport or other travel document

At the Border

Completing an Incoming Passenger Card

All people arriving in Australia must complete an Incoming Passenger Card. You will be given this card during your flight.

Leaving the airport faster

We have an automated process that uses facial recognition technology and your ePassport. You might be able to leave the airport faster if you use SmartGate.

What you can do when you have this visa

• live, work and study only in designated regional areas of Australia for up to 5 years
• travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while the visa is valid
• if eligible, apply for a permanent residence visa with the primary SESR visa holder

Your visa will come with conditions attached to it. To see your conditions, see your grant letter or use VEVO.

What you must do when you have this visa

You must meet all visa conditions and obey Australian laws.

Learn more about visa details and conditions.

Tell us if things change

Things you need to let us know about include:

• changes to your phone number, email, address or passport
• changes to your relationship status
• the birth of a child

See what to do if your situation changes.

See how long you can stay

This is a provisional visa. You can live, work and study only in designated regional areas of Australia for up to 5 years.

To see when you must leave, see your grant letter or use VEVO.

Staying longer

You can’t stay longer by extending the visa.

If eligible, you can apply for permanent residence through the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) with the primary SESR visa holder.

This visa does not come into effect until 2022.

Travelling on your visa

You can travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while the visa is valid.

Time spent outside Australia does not extend your length of stay in Australia.

Proving you have a visa

To prove you have a visa and show your conditions to someone, use VEVO.

Working

You can work only in designated regional areas of Australia.

When you work in Australia, you are protected by Australian workplace law. See your workplace rights and entitlements.

Learn more about visa details and conditions.

Before you leave

Check your travel documents

You must have a valid passport or other travel document to leave Australia.

Ensure your visa is still valid

Check your conditions and the expiry of your visa in VEVO.

See what you can and must do if your visa has expired or is about to expire.

At the Border

Leaving the airport faster

We have an automated process that uses facial recognition technology and your ePassport. You might be able to leave the airport faster if you use SmartGate.

After you leave

Get your superannuation (if you are leaving Australia and do not intend to return)

You are likely to have some money in a superannuation fund if you worked in Australia and:

• you were 18 years or older
• you were paid AUD450 or more (before tax) in a month

See how to access your superannuation.

Proving you have been to Australia

Request your international movement records to get proof of your travel in and out of Australia.