Visa directory
This directory brings together more than 60 visa subclasses, grouped by purpose, including visiting, studying, working and joining family. Each entry explains who the visa may suit and provides information to help you continue your research with the Department of Home Affairs.
The three-digit number the Department uses. Once you know your subclass, every form, fee and processing time is easier to find.
A short introduction to help identify visas that may be relevant. Eligibility requires a closer assessment of your history, circumstances and the particular criteria.
Figures are provided for initial planning, generally for the main applicant. The amount may depend on stream, location and accompanying family members. Confirm the current charge before paying.
Where Huy prepares this visa regularly, the card links to the full service page. For the rest, the official immi page is one click away.
Short visits for tourism, family or business. Which one you use depends on your passport: most Vietnamese passport holders apply for the Visitor visa (subclass 600).
Quick tourist or business visits for passport holders of a short list of countries such as the United States, Canada, Japan and Singapore. You apply through the Australian ETA app. Vietnamese passports are not eligible.
The free equivalent of the ETA for passport holders of European Union countries and a few others in Europe. Vietnamese passports are not eligible.
For passing through Australia on the way somewhere else, or joining a ship as crew, when your passport does not allow transit without a visa.
The visa most Vietnamese visitors use: holidays, visiting children and grandchildren, weddings or short business trips. It has Tourist, Sponsored Family and Business Visitor streams. You need to show you will go home at the end and can pay for the trip.
For eligible passport holders aged 18 to 30 who want to combine travel and work in Australia. Vietnamese applicants should check the pre-application ballot, registration dates and current education, English and financial requirements before applying.
The same idea as the 462 but for a different list of countries, for example the United Kingdom, Germany, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Age 18 to 30, or up to 35 for some countries, with no cap or government letter.
From an English course to a PhD, plus the visas that let a parent accompany a young student and let graduates stay on to work afterwards.
For international students enrolled full time in an eligible course, from English language study to a doctorate. You need to meet the Genuine Student requirement and have suitable financial support and OSHC. The usual work limit is 48 hours per fortnight while the course is in session, with different rules for some research students.
A parent or close relative who needs to live in Australia to look after a student under 18, or an older student in special circumstances. No work rights and only short study.
Structured workplace training arranged by an approved sponsor, for example to meet registration requirements for a profession or to build skills in your current occupation.
For international graduates of eligible Australian courses who want additional time to live, study or work here. The main streams generally require application within six months of course completion. The usual age limit is 35, with exceptions; the English, qualification, visa history and regional requirements depend on the stream.
Visas that keep families together: partners and fiancés, children, parents and a small number of other relatives. Partner and parent visas are the ones Huy works on most often.
The spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, applying while in Australia. One application covers two stages: the temporary 820, then the permanent 801 assessed about two years after you lodged.
The same partner visa for couples where the applicant is outside Australia when they apply. The temporary 309 is granted first, usually while the applicant is still overseas, and the permanent 100 follows.
For a fiancé or fiancée of an Australian who will marry within the visa period. After the wedding you apply for the 820/801 partner visa in Australia at a much lower charge.
A dependent child outside Australia, sponsored by a parent who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.
The same child visa for a dependent child who is already in Australia.
A child of someone who holds a temporary partner visa (820 or 309), so the child can be added to the family before the permanent stage is decided.
A child adopted overseas by an Australian parent, or whose adoption is being arranged through a state or territory adoption authority.
A single child under 18 whose parents have died, cannot care for them or cannot be found, sponsored by a relative living in Australia.
The same orphan relative visa for a child who is already in Australia.
A permanent parent visa with lower charges than the contributory options but a very long queue, potentially measured in decades. The balance-of-family test generally requires at least half the parent's children to be eligible children in Australia, or more eligible children in Australia than children in any other single country.
For parents who meet the prescribed age and onshore application requirements. Waiting periods are lengthy. Any bridging visa arrangements depend on the parent's existing status and whether a valid application can be made.
A permanent visa for parents who meet the family, sponsorship and other requirements. Most of the charge falls in the second instalment before grant. Waiting times are generally shorter than for the 103, but families should still plan for a substantial queue.
A two-year temporary visa that can form the first stage of a contributory parent application. A further application for the 143 is required under the applicable criteria. Compare the combined cost of both stages before choosing this option.
For parents who meet the age requirement and can apply in Australia. Check the current visa, application restrictions and possible bridging arrangements before choosing this option, alongside the contribution and waiting period.
The two-step, in-Australia version: a two-year temporary visa first, then the balance of the charge to move to the permanent 864.
A long visit rather than migration: parents can stay 3 or 5 years at a time, up to 10 years in total, without work rights. The child in Australia must first be approved as a sponsor and meet an income test. There is no balance-of-family test.
A single older relative who has depended on an Australian relative for financial support for years. A very small annual quota means very long waits.
The same aged dependent relative visa for someone already in Australia.
For someone whose only close family, meaning parents, brothers, sisters and children, all live in Australia. Also a tiny quota, with waits currently measured in decades.
The same remaining relative visa for someone already in Australia.
To move to Australia to care for a relative with a long-term medical condition who cannot reasonably get that care here. The need for care is assessed by Bupa Medical Visa Services.
The same carer visa for someone already in Australia.
For the partner or family member of a New Zealand citizen who lives in Australia on a Special Category visa, when that family member is not a New Zealand citizen themselves. Full work rights.
Permanent skilled visas through the points test or an employer, temporary sponsored work, and the specialist visas for business, talent and short assignments.
The points-tested permanent visa with no employer, state or family sponsor. You need an occupation on the skilled list, a positive skills assessment, competent English and an invitation through SkillSelect. Invitations are currently very competitive.
The points-tested permanent visa with a state or territory nomination, which adds 5 points. Each state publishes its own occupation list and conditions, such as having lived or worked there.
A five-year provisional visa with 15 nomination or sponsorship points, for eligible skilled applicants nominated by a state or territory or sponsored by an eligible relative. Visa holders must meet the conditions for living, working and studying in designated regional areas. After at least three years holding the visa, the 191 may be available if its requirements are met.
The Regional Provisional stream provides a permanent residence option for eligible 491 or 494 holders. There is currently no minimum income threshold. The primary applicant must provide ATO notices of assessment for three income years during the period of holding the eligible visa, alongside the other required evidence.
The regional visa that came before the 491. Closed to new applications; existing holders move on to the permanent 887.
Permanent visa for people who held a 489 (or the older 475 or 487) and have lived two years and worked one year full time in a regional area.
The Skills in Demand visa supports employment with an eligible sponsoring business. It has Specialist Skills, Core Skills and Labour Agreement streams. A later 186 application depends on qualifying employment, an employer nomination and the other relevant criteria; a 482 does not automatically become permanent residence.
Permanent residence for skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer through Direct Entry, Temporary Residence Transition or a Labour Agreement, subject to the relevant criteria. The transition stream requires a review of qualifying sponsored employment and the requirements for both the worker and nominating business.
Employer-sponsored visa for regional Australia. Five years, with a path to the permanent 191 after three years.
The older regional employer visa. Closed to new applications apart from transitional cases; replaced by the 494 and 191.
Short, highly specialised work that an Australian cannot readily do, for example installing equipment or a defined project. Usually up to three months, six months in a strong business case.
Work under a government agreement, most commonly the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, plus domestic workers for diplomats and people with privileges and immunities.
Specific short-term activities: entertainment, sport, religious work, research, special programmes and government-endorsed events. How long you get depends on the activity.
For people with an internationally recognised record of exceptional achievement in research, sport, the arts or business. It replaced the Global Talent visa and works by invitation.
The 188 programme closed to new applications in July 2024. Existing holders should check the rules that remain available for their stream and any eligibility for the 888. Closure should not be read as a promise of an equivalent replacement programme.
The permanent stage for 188 holders who have run their business or held their investment for the required period.
A permanent visa allocated by ballot to citizens of Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste who have a job offer in Australia.
Protection for people who cannot safely return to their home country, whether they apply from inside Australia or are resettled from overseas.
For people already in Australia who arrived on a valid visa and fear persecution or serious harm if they return home. Permanent if granted. Refusals can be reviewed at the ART.
For people who arrived without a valid visa and are found to need protection. Three years, with the 851 now offering a permanent outcome for those who arrived before 14 February 2023.
Like the 785 but for five years, for people who intend to work or study in a regional area.
The permanent visa for Temporary Protection and Safe Haven Enterprise visa holders who arrived before 14 February 2023.
Resettlement from overseas for people referred by the UNHCR or in urgent need: Refugee (200), In-country Special Humanitarian (201), Emergency Rescue (203) and Woman at Risk (204).
For people outside their home country who face substantial discrimination or human rights abuses and are proposed by a family member, community group or organisation in Australia.
Bridging visas keep you lawful while an application or review is pending. The rest of this group covers returning residents, New Zealanders, crew and medical travel.
A Bridging Visa A may allow you to remain lawfully in Australia while an application or review is being resolved. Its commencement, cessation and work conditions depend on the visa granted. It does not allow re-entry after leaving Australia.
A Bridging Visa B may allow travel out of Australia and return within an approved travel period while providing lawful stay under its conditions. Obtain the grant before departure and check the date by which you must return.
A Bridging Visa C may be available where an applicant did not hold a substantive visa when applying. A substantive visa excludes bridging visas and certain other categories. Work rights depend on the grant; a separate work-rights application may require evidence of financial hardship.
A Bridging Visa E may provide lawful stay while a person resolves their immigration status, arranges departure or pursues an eligible process. The duration and conditions depend on the case. It does not provide a right to return after departure.
For permanent residents whose five-year travel facility has run out and who want to keep travelling in and out. The 155 gives up to five more years if you lived in Australia two of the last five years; the 157 gives three months in limited cases.
For former permanent residents who spent most of their childhood in Australia, or people who served in the Australian Defence Force, and want to return permanently.
Granted on arrival to New Zealand citizens so they can live, work and study in Australia indefinitely. It is still a temporary visa, which is why many New Zealanders now apply directly for citizenship.
Granted automatically, with no application, to specific groups such as airline crew, visiting military personnel and guests of government while they hold that status.
For international airline crew and safety inspectors flying into Australia on duty.
For foreign crew of eligible ships arriving by sea on an international voyage, and their partner or child travelling on the same ship.
To come to Australia, or stay longer, for medical treatment, to support someone who is being treated, or to donate an organ.
Closed to new applicants. Existing or former holders should check the provisions still available to them, including any further application or parent-visa option under the eligible retiree arrangements.
Nothing matches that search. Try a subclass number or a simpler word.
Official reference: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. Listed charges are indicative; check the amount applicable to your application before lodgement.
If several visas appear relevant, we can look at them in more detail. Your visa history, family circumstances, work and education help establish which options are workable and what further preparation is needed.
Next step
A 30-minute consultation gives us time to discuss your circumstances, consider initial options and identify the documents that need checking. Some matters require a further review of the records before I can give a complete assessment.
