Subsequent entrant

Usually you apply for your visa at the same time and combined with the main applicant’s visa application. In some instances, this may not be possible. This may occur where the composition of the family changes after:

• the main applicant has already applied for a subclass 457 or 482 visa and it is still pending a decision

• we have already granted a subclass 457 or 482 visa to the primary 482 visa applicant.

When this occurs and you want to join the primary applicant 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 must attach a written letter from the sponsor. This should extend their sponsorship obligation to include you as a family member in the nomination.

This requirement is intended to ensure the primary applicant’s employer is aware of all the family members their sponsorship obligations will extend to.

Discuss this matter with the sponsor before lodging your subsequent entrant visa application.

• live and work in Australia
• study (you won’t receive government assistance)
• travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while the visa is valid
• if eligible, apply for permanent residence.

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

The visa costs

• AUD4,015.00 for the main applicant and each dependant 18 years and over.
• AUD1,005.00 for each dependant under 18 years old.

Concessions apply in limited circumstances.

If the sole applicant on a subsequent entrant application is under 18 years of age, we will charge them the base application charge and not the additional applicant charge.

You might also have to pay other costs for:

• health checks
• police certificates
• Biometrics.

To see what your visa will cost use the Visa pricing estimator. The estimator does not consider the other costs.

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.

This is a temporary visa. You can stay in Australia for as long as your visa is valid.

If your visa is expiring and the primary visa holder wants stay in Australia to work for their existing employer:

• the employer will need to submit a new nomination
• you must apply for a new visa

The primary applicant’s employer may be able to sponsor the main applicant for permanent residence through the:

• Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)
• Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187)

The primary applicant might be eligible for other skilled work visas. Use our visa finder to find out options for work.

Family members who can apply for this visa are those who are members of the family unit of the primary subclass 457 or 482 visa holder.

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

Family members cannot be added to a primary visa applicant’s 482 visa application after it has been submitted.

A subsequent entrant application should be submitted if the primary visa applicant has already submitted their visa application and you were not included as a family member in their application and:

• their subclass 457 or 482 visa application is undecided as it is still being processed, or
• the primary visa applicant has been granted a subclass 457 or a 482 visa and you wish to join them in Australia

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 and your family must meet all visa conditions and follow Australian laws.

See which visa conditions might be attached to this visa.

You can travel outside 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.

If we grant you a visa, we will send you a grant notification letter containing the visa grant number. You can use this number to check your visa details and conditions through VEVO.

There is no age requirement for this visa.

If your partner or parent holds a 457 or 482 visa and your application is approved, you will be granted a subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa.

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

You are personally liable for all your healthcare costs while you are in Australia. Health insurance helps limit your financial liability.

You must have adequate health cover for the whole of your intended stay to be granted this visa. Your cover insurance should cover you for medically necessary treatment, including transport. It will be a condition of the visa that you maintain adequate health insurance while you remain in Australia.

See a guide to what we consider adequate health insurance.

See more about health insurance for overseas visitors.

Reciprocal healthcare agreements

Some countries have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Australia. Find out more from Services Australia about reciprocal healthcare agreement.

You must meet our health requirement. The results of health examinations are generally valid for 12 months.

Important: You should organise your health examinations upfront before lodging a visa application to reduce processing times.

You and family members aged 16 years and over who apply for the visa with you must meet our character requirement.

Important: if you are sponsored by an accredited sponsor, you are not required to obtain police certificates from countries other than Australia provided you attach a reference from your 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 are applying in Australia, you must hold:

• a substantive visa or
• a Bridging visa A, Bridging visa Bor Bridging visa C.

If you are in Australia at the time of decision, you must have substantially complied with any conditions that apply or applied to your last substantive visa or bridging visa held.

Paying for visa sponsorship refers to asking for, offering, receiving or providing a benefit in return for a sponsorship related event, whether the event occurs or not. You or any secondary applicants must not have, in the past 3 years, engaged in any such conduct. You may still satisfy this criterion if you have engaged in such conduct, and the Minister considers it reasonable to disregard it.

We will consider your immigration history when we make a decision on your application, which means you might not be eligible for this visa if you have had a visa cancelled or refused.

In some circumstances you may still apply for a permanent visa if you have had a visa cancelled or an application refused see Limitations on applications in Australia.

If applying for a visa from outside Australia see Can I go to Australia.

If you want immigration assistance, see Who can help with your visa application.

If you or any family members (including those who don't apply for the visa with you) owe the Australian government money, you or they must have paid it back or arranged to pay it back.

If you are 18 years of age or older, you must confirm you will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws when you agree to or sign an Australian Values Statement.

Before you leave

Check your travel documents

You must have a valid:

• visa to enter Australia
• passport or other travel document.

At the border

Completing an Incoming Passenger Card

All people arriving Australia must complete the Incoming Passenger Card. You will get a card on board.

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 a SmartGate.

What you can do when you have this visa

• Work in Australia.
• Study (no government assistance).
• Travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while the visa is valid.
• If eligible, apply for a permanent residency.

Your visa will come with conditions attached to it. To find out 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. Check your conditions in your visa grant letter or VEVO.

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

You can stay for as long as your primary visa holder's visa is valid and for as long as your own visa remains valid.

To see when you must leave, use VEVO.

Staying longer

If your visa is expiring and the primary applicant wants to maintain their sponsorship with the employer:

• the employer will need to submit a new nomination
• you must apply for a new visa.

The employer may be able to sponsor the main applicant for permanent residence through the:

• Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)
• Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187)

The main applicant might be eligible for other skilled work visas. Explore visa options for working in Australia.

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

If you have permission to work, you are protected by Australian workplace law. See your workplace rights and entitlements. To see your conditions for work, use VEVO

Bringing family

Newborn children

Find out what to do if you have a child while you hold this visa.

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 current 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 a 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 are:

• 18 years old or older
• paid AUD450 or more before tax in a month

See how to access your super before and after you leave Australia.

Proving you have been to Australia

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