The visa allows you to live in Australia, with unlimited entry to the country. The visa is valid for five years and is renewable after this time providing that you have spent at least two of those five years residing in Australia.

[back to top]

A permanent visa allows you to stay in Australia indefinitely, while a temporary visa allows you to stay only for a specified period of time.

[back to top]

If you want to remain in Australia permanently, you require a permanent visa. If you are already in Australia when you apply for the permanent visa, you are applying for permanent residency; if you apply for the permanent visa from outside of Australia, you are applying to migrate.

[back to top]

No, a bridging visa is only to be used as a temporary measure. It can ensure that you are in Australia legally while you apply for another more suitable visa.

[back to top]

Yes, you can apply separately for more than one visa provided you satisfy requirements and pay the appropriate fees for each visa.

[back to top]

No, if you are granted a new visa, the previous visa automatically becomes void. The exception to this is bridging visas: if you hold more than one bridging visa, the one that is most beneficial to you is considered valid.

[back to top]

To apply to be an Australian citizen, you must:

1. be a permanent resident of Australia
2. have been a permanent resident of Australia for a total of at least three of the past five years, and at least 12 months of the past two years (although there are some exceptions to this)
3. have a knowledge of basic English
4. be of good character
5. understand your responsibilities and privileges as a citizen.

The time taken to process your visa will depend on a number of factors including the type of visa you have applied for and the country from which you are applying. The quality of your application can also affect the processing time. Having a migration agent can cut this time by ensuring your application is of the highest quality and is accompanied by all required documentation.

[back to top]

Your visa may be delayed for a variety of reasons including (but not limited to):

1. your application is not complete or is difficult to understand
2. you have not supplied all of the necessary documentation
3. you are required to attend an interview
4. you have not provided evidence of the required health check, or there is a problem with your health
5. there is some question about your character, or that of one of your dependents
6. you are required to supply additional information
7. an unusually large amount of visa applications.

When you arrive in Australia, you are required to produce your passport to receive immigration clearance. Your passport will contain the necessary visa documentation.

[back to top]

The documentation in your passport is evidence of your visa, not the visa itself, so your visa will be unaffected. Simply apply to the issuing country for a new passport, and then produce the passport at an Australian visa office for re-evidencing of your visa (this may attract a fee).

[back to top]

While your application is being processed, you are required to inform the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs if you change your address for more than 14 days.

[back to top]

If your visa has been denied or cancelled, you will be informed about what course of action is open to you. Most decisions can be reviewed.

[back to top]

A points test is used in some business and skilled migration visa applications to assess you against relevant criteria. If you do not achieve a pass mark, you will not be granted the visa for which you have applied.

[back to top]

The pass mark of the points test is constantly fluctuating. If you do not achieve a pass mark in the points test but you do achieve the pool mark – a pre-set lower score - your application will be held for two years. If at any time during those two years the pass mark is lowered to your score, your visa will be granted (provided you meet all other criteria).

[back to top]

The age limit for most visas is 45 years of age, but if you are over 45 and have significant qualifications and/or experience in a particular occupation, you may still be considered.

[back to top]

To qualify for a skilled migration visa, you must be under 45 years of age (unless you have been invited to apply for a General Skills Migration visa), have a high level of English, and your occupation must be on the Skilled Occupation List (the full list can be viewed on the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs website at www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/1121i.pdf). You must also have recent skilled work experience, have recently completed an Australian qualification with at least two years of full-time study, have an Occupational Training visa and have completed the work or study the visa was granted for, or be in Australia for at least six months on a Working Holiday visa.

[back to top]

No. University qualifications are valued, but so are trade qualifications and significant work experience.

[back to top]

You only have to submit and pay for one visa application, but each family member will be required to undergo medical checks, which may be at your expense.

[back to top]

If your circumstances change, or if you are able to supply extra documentary evidence supporting your application, you are welcome to reapply. Using a migration agent will ensure that you submit the strongest possible application the first time, saving you the time, money and the uncertainty of rejection.

[back to top]

Yes, all applicants for permanent visas (or temporary visas that may lead to permanent visas) are required to undergo a health examination. All members of the applicant family must meet strict criteria.

[back to top]

If you want to enter Australia, either temporarily or permanently, you must not be of character concern. Factors that may affect your application include: a substantial criminal record, criminal associations, a risk that you may commit or incite criminal activities in Australia, or the consideration that you are not of good character. The onus is on you to prove you are of good character; the Australian Government is not required to provide any supporting evidence if your visa is rejected for this reason.

[back to top]

If you are staying in Australia for three months or less, you require the short stay business visa. This visa entitles you to undertake activities to set up your business, but you may not perform work that could otherwise be carried out by an Australian citizen or permanent resident. For a stay longer than three months, you will require the business skills visa.

[back to top]

Your employer may nominate a position to be filled that they cannot find a suitable applicant for within the Australian labour market or within their own training program. You may apply for a permanent visa at the same time as this nomination, or you can wait for approval and then send your application to the same office that approved the nomination.

[back to top]