Move to Australia

Immigration

Entry Requirements

A valid U.S. passport and visa must be obtained to enter Australia. For most U.S. passport holders, an electronic label-free visa, called an Electronic Travel Authority, can be used for a small service fee. Airlines and travel agents may also be able to apply for the ETA on behalf of travelers. Overstaying your ETA or any other visa, even for a short period of time, may result in exclusion, detention and removal by the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

For more information on entry requirements, please visit the Australian Embassy website.

Temporary Residency

Australia’s Temporary Residency program allows foreign nationals to come to Australia for specific purposes that benefit the country. Temporary residents are required to pay taxes on income earned in the country and do not have access to welfare benefits or national public healthcare coverage. Emergency medical coverage may be provided to citizens of countries that have reciprocal healthcare agreements with Australia. This does not extend pre-existing medical conditions. Applicants for Temporary Residence must satisfy Australia’s strict health and character requirements. The Temporary Residence program consists of four categories:

• Skilled Work: Allows employers to recruit skilled workers from overseas for stays of up to four years; the position being filled must be skilled and paid at the local market rate
• Temporary Work: Those taking part in sports, entertainment activities, cultural activities, short-term highly specialized work and staff exchanges are eligible for Temporary Residence Visas
  • Entertainment Visas are for those involved in a wide range of social and cultural events and activities; the need to protect employment of Australians is taken into account
  • Long Stay Activity Visas are for those who plan to participate in a staff exchange arrangement, undertake sporting activities or participate in religious work
  • Short Stay Activity Visas apply to people intending to stay in Australia for a short period of time for specialized on-going work or on-going cultural or social activities
• International Relations: Includes Working Holiday Visas for those from certain arrangement countries to experience Australian culture and lifestyle through an extended holiday; Diplomatic Visas for temporary entry into Australia in a diplomatic or official capacity on advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Temporary International Relations Work Visas for those intending to travel to Australia on a temporary basis to work for foreign government agencies
• Training and Research: Permits those who are intending to come to Australia on a temporary basis to participate in occupational training, conduct research as a visiting student or participate in a professional development program

Further information on requirements for Temporary Residence in Australia can be found at the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection website.

Permanent Residency

Permanent Residency can be applied for once applicants have lived and worked in Australia for two years in a Specified Regional Area and worked - including self-employment - for one year in these same areas. Sponsorship under the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme must also be obtained. Any permanent visa can be applied for if those qualifications are met. However, the Skilled-Regional Residence Visa (subclass 887) is specifically designed for holders of a provisional skilled visa who are planning to apply for permanent status. The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme Visa (subclass 857) is another option and contains reduced eligibility requirements for holders of a Skilled-Regional Sponsored Provisional Visa (subclasses 475 and 487) or a Skilled-Independent Regional Provisional Visa (subclass 495).

For more information on Permanent Residency requirements, please visit the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection website.

Work Visas

Australia fosters a working environment for those who plan to move to Australia under temporary residency. The type of working visa required depends on the applicant’s skills, experience and current circumstances. Australia offers several different visas, ranging from Distinguished Talent Visas to Maritime Crew Visas. Australia also utilizes SkillSelect, an online system that enables skilled workers interested in moving to Australia to record their information for consideration for a skilled workers visa through Expressed Interest.

A list of all the Work Visas, as well as their requirements and specific skills the Australian Government seeks, can be found at the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Border Protection website.

Retirement

Australia currently has several visa options for retirees:

• Investor Retirement Visas: For self-funded retirees 55 years or older who have no dependents (other than a partner) and are capable of making a significant long-term financial investment in Australia; this visa is specifically temporary and does not lead to permanent residency
• Retirement Visas: Available to current retirement visa holders and their partners; these visas also are available to certain former retirement visa holders who have not held other visas since the expiration of their last visa

Further information can be found at the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Border Protection website.