Immigration to Australia丨One article to understand the Australian immigration policy, skilled immigration conditions, and Australian immigration costs

Australia has repeatedly banned immigration thresholds for Hong Kong people. Following last year’s statement that the government will speed up the processing of visa applications for Hong Kong people, and expand the target of the “safe harbor” policy from SAR passport holders to BN(O) holders, this year The revised regulations allow Hong Kong people who apply for permanent residency through the “Skilled Independent Visa” (subclass 189 visa) and the “Remote Area Skilled Migration Permanent Residency Visa” (subclass 191 visa) to exempt the traditional scoring requirements, enabling more planned immigration Of Hong Kong people consider immigrating to Australia.

The following is a collection of practical information on the channels, qualifications, and fees for Hong Kong people to immigrate to Australia for the reference of those who are interested in moving to Australia.

1. How Hong Kong people immigrate to Australia

Among the ways to immigrate to Australia, the most mainstream are skilled immigrants and higher education immigrants.

1. Skilled migration

Australia’s skilled migration visas include independent skilled visa (category 189), nominated skilled visa (category 190), temporary skilled shortage visa (category 482), etc. Individual visas will be scored according to the applicant’s age, education, and work skills. Applicants must submit a letter of intent (Expression of Interest, EOI) to the Australian authorities after they meet the score requirements. They can apply for a visa only after being invited by the authorities. The following text will carefully list the types and requirements of skilled immigrant visas suitable for Hong Kong people to apply for.

2. School Immigration

After graduating from Australia, international students can obtain a temporary graduate visa (category 485). After working and staying in Australia for a certain period of time, they can apply for a “skilled migration independent visa” (category 189) or a “remote area skilled migration permanent residence visa” (Category 191), obtain permanent residency.

3. Entrepreneurship immigration

Applicants under the age of 55 plan to start a business or operate an existing business, enterprise and individual in Australia with a total net asset value of at least 1.25 million Australian dollars (about 7.16 million Hong Kong dollars), and have at least 2 years in the past 4 financial years to directly participate The management and holding of shares of up to two companies, and the company’s annual turnover reaches 750,000 Australian dollars (about 4.3 million Hong Kong dollars), can apply for a business innovation visa (category 188), and obtain a 5-year temporary residence visa. After meeting the specified requirements, the applicant can apply for a business innovation visa (permanent) (category 888) to obtain permanent residency.

4. Investment immigration

Applicants under the age of 55 with basic English proficiency have a total corporate and personal net assets of 2.5 million Australian dollars (approximately HK$14.33 million) in the past two financial years, and have the ability to invest 2.5 million Australian dollars after obtaining a visa And provide an additional 500,000 Australian dollars (about 2.67 million Hong Kong dollars) to settle in Australia; at the same time, in terms of business, he has directly managed a qualified enterprise or invested for three years, and has directly participated in management in one of the past five years A company and owns 10% of the shares. If you meet the above conditions, you can apply for the investment category visa of the business innovation visa (category 188).

5. Spouse visa

The spouses of Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens can apply for a spouse visa (category 309 and 100) overseas or apply for a spouse visa (category 820 and 801) in Australia to obtain permanent residency.

2. Conditions for skilled migration

Employer nomination plan visa (category 186), state sponsored skilled migration visa (category 190), remote area employer sponsored visa (category 494), and temporary skill shortage visa (category 482) are all skilled migration visas that Hong Kong people can apply for, among which employers The nomination plan visa (category 186) and the state sponsored skilled immigrant visa (category 190) are all permanent residence visas; while the employer sponsored visa (category 494) and the temporary skill shortage visa (category 482) in remote areas are valid for 5 years. The validity period is sufficient for eligible applicants to apply for permanent residence, and benefit from the new Australian immigration policy without the traditional scoring requirement.

Types of Australian Skilled Migration Visa:

1. Employer nomination plan visa (subclass 186)

2. State Sponsored Skilled Immigrant Visa (subclass 190)

• Be under 45 years of age

• Invited and nominated by the local government

• SkillSelect score of 65 points

• Occupation is in the short-term technology list or the mid- to long-term technology list

• 6 points in each item of IELTS

• Obtain state or regional government agencies as nominees after submitting the letter of intent

3. Employer sponsored visa in remote areas (subclass 494)

• Be under 45 years of age

• Be hired and guaranteed by local employers

• Occupation is in the mid-to-long term technology list or remote area technology list

• Have at least 3 years of relevant work experience

• 6 points in each item of IELTS

• Need to settle and work in remote areas

4. Temporary Skills Shortage Visa (Category 482)

​​5. Independent skilled immigrant visa (subclass 189) and “remote area skilled immigrant permanent residence visa” (subclass 191)

Starting from March 5th, 2022, Hong Kong people holding temporary skilled immigrant work visas (applications have stopped accepting applications), temporary skills shortage visas (category 482), or holding employer sponsored visas (category 494) in remote areas for at least 3 years Years, you can apply for “Skilled Migration Independent Visa” or “Remote Area Skilled Migration Permanent Residence Visa” to obtain permanent residency status.

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