Visa Measures for Hong Kong

On 9 July 2020, the Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison, announced new visa arrangements for Students, Temporary Graduates, and Skilled Workers from Hong Kong SAR. These new visa measures will provide further opportunities to remain in Australia and a pathway to Permanent Residency.

Students who are Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and/or British National (Overseas) passport holders that are completing eligible tertiary studies in Australia can apply for a five-year Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa on the successful conclusion of their studies. More information on the Student (subclass 500) visa is available on the dedicated student section of our website.

Skilled Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and/or British National (Overseas) passport holders will be able to apply for a five-year Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) (subclass 482) visa with a pathway to permanent residency.

From 5 March 2022, two new pathways to permanent residency will be available if you hold one of the above temporary visas and you meet other eligibility requirements.

Subclass 191 – the Hong Kong (regional) stream

For applicants who were usually resident in Australia for a continuous period of at least 3 years immediately before applying and who lived, worked and studied exclusively in a designated regional area for that 3 year period, while holding a qualifying visa.

Subclass 189 – the Hong Kong stream

For applicants who were usually resident in Australia for a continuous period of at least 4 years immediately before applying, and who held a qualifying visa during that period.

Applicants will not be required to meet occupational or skill assessment requirements. They will also not require any ongoing sponsorship, or nomination. However, they will have to meet the usual health, character and security requirements for the grant of a permanent visa

Existing pathways for the highly skilled:

The Australian Government is prioritising visa applications lodged by applicants who are Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and/or British National (Overseas) passport holders for certain visa under the Skilled Migration Program, including through the:

This Is Australia can determine your eligibility for any of the above visas / streams and provide you professional advice on the documentation, fees and submission process. Begin your pathway to permanent residency by contacting our migration agents via our booking form or call our Queensland office on (07) 5592 0755.