From 5 March 2022, two new visa pathways will become available to Hong Kong nationals currently based in Australia.
These two new permanent resident streams have been introduced as part of the Australian Government’s commitment to strengthening ties to Hong Kong.
What are the new visa streams?
The two new visas are the Hong Kong Skilled Independent Stream (Subclass 189) and the Hong Kong Regional Stream (Subclass 191).
Hong Kong Skilled Independent Stream (Subclass 189)
The Hong Kong Skilled Independent Stream visa is for primary visa holders who have resided in Australia for a continuous period of at least four years immediately prior to applying for the subclass 189 visa. To be eligible for this visa applicants must also have held a subclass 457, 382 or 585 visa for the duration of the four years.
Holders of this visa can:
– Stay in Australia indefinitely
– Work and study in Australia
– Enrol in Medicare
– Sponsor relatives to come to Australia
– Travel to and from Australia for five years
– If eligible, apply for Australian citizenship
Please note: newly arrived residents may be subject to the Newly Arrived Resident’s Waiting period for access to certain Australian Government payments and benefits.
Hong Kong Regional Stream (Subclass 191)
The Hong Kong Regional Stream visa is for primary visa holders who lived, worked, or studied in a designated regional area in Australia for at least three years while holding a subclass 457, 482 or 485 visa.
Holders of this visa can:
– Stay in Australia indefinitely
– Work and study in Australia
– Enrol in Medicare
– Sponsor relatives to come to Australia
– Travel to and from Australia for five years
– If eligible, apply for Australian citizenship
Please note: newly arrived residents may be subject to the Newly Arrived Resident’s Waiting period for access to certain Australian Government payments and benefits.
Applicants wishing to apply for either of these visas are not required to meet occupational or skill assessment requirements. Health, character, and security requirements will still apply in order for the visa to be granted.
These new visa streams are not only providing a permanent pathway for temporary graduates and skilled workers from Hong Kong currently in Australia but will also boost productivity and create job opportunities for Australians.
It is estimated that approximately 8,800 existing temporary skilled, graduate and student visa holders will be eligible for these two visa streams when they come into effect on 5th March.
If you would like to learn more about the new Hong Kong visa pathways or any other aspect of migration, contact the team at Visa Solutions Australia on 1800 828 008 or send us an email.
