Eligibility Audit:
Comprehensive evaluation of your background, qualifications, points, and goals against MARA guidelines.
V I S A S
Your comprehensive guide to Australian visas structured by skilled, work, study, family, business, and temporary categoriesWhether you are planning to migrate independently, study, join family, secure employer sponsorship, or establish a business, HVS Migration Services provides MARA-registered expertise across all Australian immigration pathways.
All Australian Visa Pathways
1. General Skilled Migration (GSM)
Points-tested permanent and provisional pathways for qualified overseas professionals and regional workers.
Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa
Status: Permanent Residency (PR)
Overview: A points-tested visa for highly skilled workers without requiring sponsorship by an employer, state, or family member.
Key Requirements: Age under 45, positive Skills Assessment in an MLTSSL occupation, competent English (IELTS 6.0/PTE 50 equivalent minimum), and a minimum of 65 points in SkillSelect.
Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa
Status: Permanent Residency (PR)
Overview: A points-tested PR visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian State or Territory government. Adds 5 bonus points to your SkillSelect score.
Key Requirements: State/Territory nomination approval, commitment to live and work in the nominating state for 2 years, positive Skills Assessment, and age under 45.
Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa
Status: 5-Year Regional Provisional Visa (Pathway to PR)
Overview: Designed for skilled professionals living and working in designated regional areas. Adds 15 bonus points via State Nomination or Family Sponsorship.
Pathway to PR: Leads to permanent residency via the Subclass 191 Visa after living and working regionally for 3 years.
2. Employer Sponsored & Work Visas
Sponsorship pathways for businesses hiring skilled talent and individuals sponsored by Australian employers.
Subclass 482 — Skills in Demand / TSS Visa
Status: Temporary Employer Sponsored Visa (up to 4 years)
Overview: Allows Australian businesses to sponsor qualified overseas workers to address genuine labor shortages.
Key Requirements: Approved Standard Business Sponsor (SBS), nomination of a eligible occupation, market salary compliance (TSMIT), and at least 1–2 years of relevant work experience.
Subclass 186 — Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)
Status: Direct Permanent Residency (PR)
Streams: Direct Entry (DE) Stream & Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream.
Overview: Enables Australian employers to sponsor skilled workers for permanent resident status.
Key Requirements: Positive Skills Assessment (for DE), 3 years of post-qualification experience, competent English, and age under 45 (exemptions apply).
Subclass 494 — Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional)
Status: 5-Year Regional Sponsored Visa (Pathway to PR)
Overview: For regional employers seeking skilled workers in designated regional postcodes where local labor is unavailable.
Pathway to PR: Direct route to the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence Visa.
3. Student & Post-Study Visas
Education, training, and graduate workforce pathways for international students.
Subclass 500 — Student Visa
Status: Temporary Study Visa (Up to 5 years depending on course duration)
Overview: Full-time study across registered CRICOS courses, including Higher Education, VET, ELICOS, and postgraduate research.
Key Requirements: Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), Genuine Student (GS) criterion, financial capability evidence, and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
Subclass 485 — Temporary Graduate Visa
Status: Post-Study Work Visa (1.5 to 4+ years depending on qualification degree)
Streams: Post-Higher Education Work Stream & Post-Vocational Education Work Stream.
Overview: Grants post-study work rights to international graduates who have completed eligible qualifications in Australia.
Subclass 590 — Student Guardian Visa
Status: Temporary Guardian Visa
Overview: For parents or legal guardians caring for an international student under 18 years of age studying in Australia on a Subclass 500 visa.
Subclass 407 — Training Visa
Status: Temporary Occupational Training Visa (Up to 2 years)
Overview: Workplace-based training to enhance skills in an eligible occupation or higher education field.
4. Partner & Family Visas
Reuniting spouses, partners, parents, children, and dependent relatives in Australia.
Partner Visas (Onshore: Subclass 820/801 | Offshore: Subclass 309/100)
Status: Temporary to Permanent Residency
Overview: Allows married or de facto partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia.
Key Criteria: Evidence of a genuine and continuing relationship across financial, household, social, and long-term commitment factors.
Subclass 300 — Prospective Marriage Visa
Status: Temporary Entry (9 to 15 months)
Overview: Designed for individuals entering Australia to marry their prospective Australian citizen or PR sponsor before applying for a Partner Visa.
Parent Visas
Contributory Parent Pathways: Subclass 143 (Permanent), Subclass 173 (Temporary), and Subclass 864 (Aged Contributory).
Non-Contributory Parent Pathways: Subclass 103 (Parent) and Subclass 804 (Aged Parent).
Sponsored Parent (Temporary): Subclass 870 Visa allowing parents to stay in Australia for up to 3 or 5 years per application without PR.
Child & Dependent Visas
Subclass 101 / 802: Offshore and Onshore Child Visas for biological, adopted, or stepchildren of Australian citizens or PR holders.
5. Business, Investor & Global Talent Visas
Commercial migration for entrepreneurs, investors, corporate leaders, and industry innovators.
Subclass 188 / 888 — Business Innovation & Investment
Status: Provisional (188) to Permanent Residency (888)
Streams: Business Innovation, Investor, and Significant Investor streams.
Overview: For business owners, investors, and entrepreneurs setting up new or expanding existing operations in Australia.
Subclass 858 — Global Talent / National Innovation Visa
Status: Fast-Tracked Direct Permanent Residency (PR)
Overview: For internationally recognized leaders, researchers, and innovators achieving exceptional outcomes in key priority sectors (tech, health, energy, agri-food, defence).
6. Visitor, Temporary & Resident Return Visas
Flexible options for tourism, business visits, working holidays, and PR maintenance.
Subclass 600 — Visitor Visa
Streams: Tourist, Sponsored Family, and Business Visitor streams.
Overview: Grants short-term entry (3, 6, or 12 months) for holiday, family visits, or non-work business negotiations.
Working Holiday Visas (Subclasses 417 & 462)
Status: Temporary Cultural Exchange & Work Visa (1 to 3 years)
Overview: For young adults (ages 18–30 or up to 35 depending on passport country) to travel and work in Australia, with options to extend through regional work.
Subclass 155 / 157 — Resident Return Visa (RRV)
Status: Permanent Resident Travel Facility Renewal
Overview: Preserves or reinstates the international travel validity for current or former Australian Permanent Residents.
7. Visa Appeals & Refusal Reviews
Representation for complex legal decisions, refusals, and visa notices.
Administrative Review Tribunal (ART / former AAT): Formal merit review representation for visa refusals or cancellations.
Complex Legal Responses: Section 57 Natural Justice letters, Public Interest Criterion (PIC 4020) fraud responses, Section 501 character submissions, and Schedule 3 waiver requests.
Our Strategic 4-Step Process
Start
Strategy & Document Audit:
Structuring skills assessments, state nominations, and required supporting evidence.
Application Lodgement:
Preparing decision-ready applications directly with the Department of Home Affairs or reviewing bodies.
Post-Lodgement Representation:
Managing all correspondence, requests for further information (RFI), and bridging visas.
Need personal guidance on the best visa pathway for your profile?
Speak directly with a Registered Migration Agent at HVS Migration Services to map out your Australian journey.
HVS Migration ServicesMARA Registered Migration Guidance | Clear, Strategy-Led SolutionsAssisting students, skilled professionals, families, and businesses worldwide.