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Visas, Immigration and Refugees

Professionals and Other Skilled Migrants

Visa Options

The department is not accepting any new applications for the following visas:

  • Skilled – Independent (Migrant) Visa (subclass 175)
  • Skilled – Sponsored (Migrant) Visa (subclass 176)
  • Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) Visa (subclass 475)
  • Skilled – Sponsored (Residence) Visa (subclass 886)
  • Skilled – Independent (Residence) Visa (Subclass 885)
  • Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) Visa (subclass 487).

If you are interested in the Points Tested skilled migrants must use SkillSelect to submit an Expression of Interest for a skilled visa and receive an invitation in order to lodge a visa application.
See: SkillSelect

If you are a provisional visa holder and you want to apply for a second provisional visa or add a family member to your application you may be eligible to apply for the Skilled Regional (Provisional) subclass 489 visa.
See: Skilled – Nominated or sponsored (Provisional) (subclass 489) visa

There is a range of visa options for Points Tested skilled workers who want to live in Australia and who do not have an employer sponsoring them. These include options for skilled people applying as an independent migrant as well as those sponsored by a relative, or nominated by a State or Territory government.

Independent

Independent migrants have the least number of restrictions placed on them and this is the preferred option for eligible applicants who do not have an employer to sponsor them. Assess your eligibility for the independent visas before you continue.

Sponsored

If you are sponsored by an eligible relative, please note that there are a number of obligations that must be met by your sponsor.

All visa options

You may be eligible for a number of different visa categories and each has different requirements and obligations. Please read through the various visa options to ensure that you choose the visa most beneficial to you and your circumstances.

If You are in Australia

Transitional Applicants

If You are Outside Australia

If You Hold a Skilled – Independent Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 495)

If You Hold a Skilled – Designated Area Sponsored (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 496)

Adding Family Members to Your Visa

If you have an employer who is willing to sponsor you, you should apply for an employer sponsored visa.
See: Employer Sponsored Workers