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Australian Visas for HKSAR

→ Australian Visa and Immigration Advice → AUSTRALIAN VISAS FOR HONG KONG & BNO PASSPORTS

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Visas for Hong Kong and BNO Passports

The visa options for Hong Kong HKSAR or BNO passport holders allow these Applicants to remain in Australia, with pathways to permanent residency and then Australian Citizenship and an Australian Passport. See the Australian Visa options below:

1. ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) - Hong Kong passport holders may be eligible for an electronic Visitor ETA to visit Australia for up to 3 months.

2. Visitor Visa, Subclass 600 - Hong Kong and BNO Passport holders may apply for short visits to Australia under the Tourist stream, Business stream, Family Sponsored stream or Frequent traveller stream for visits for 3 , 6 or 12 months stay, with multiple entry. See our web page regarding the eligibility criteria for the Visitor Visa 600

3. Working Holiday Visa, Subclass 417 - Hong Kong and BNO Passport holders can apply for the Working Holiday visa, provided that you are aged between 18-30 years, not accompanied by dependent children and are applying for this visa for the first time. The Working Holiday visa allows Applicants to do temporary work in Australia, study for up to 4 months, has multiple entry, and is valid for 12 months.

4. Student - Subclass 500 Visa - assistance with Student course enrolment at an Australian Educational Institutions (Secondary School, English Language School, College, TAFE, University), and assistance with Student visa application, and evidence that the student is a genuine student and has financial capacity. See our web page for more information about the requirements for a Student Visa, Subclass 500 Australia

5. Domestic Helpers - Domestic workers who are working in Hong Kong, and are planning to accompany their Employers, who are Hong Kong or BNO Passport holders, will need to apply or a Visitor Visa, Subclass 600 - Business stream, for their visit to Australia with their Employer. For this application, the Applicant will need to provide evidence of their employment, financial support and reason to return back to their Country of residence.

6. Temporary Graduate Visa - Subclass 485 Visa - Students from Hong Kong are eligible for a 5 year Temporary Graduate, Subclass 485 visa once they have successfully completed eligible tertiary studies, in Australia. In addition, these graduates will also have a pathway to Australian permanent residency, after 5 years or after 3 years if the students study at a Regional campus.

7. Skills in Demand Visa - Subclass 482 Visa - Applicants who are Hong Kong or BNO Passport holders are eligible for a 5 year Skills in Demand, 482 visa and a pathway to permanent residency, if they have qualifications listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) or Specialist Skills Occupation List (SSOL) and meet Labour Market Testing requirements. See our web page regarding the Skills in Demand Visa

8. Permanent Residence Visa Streams - Subclass 189 and 191 Visas - There are two dedicated visa streams allowing people from Hong Kong to claim Permanent residence of Australia. These Streams opened on 5 March 2022, for Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders who have lived, worked or studied in Australia for the past three or four years.

A. Skilled Regional Visa, Subclass 191 - Hong Kong stream - allows a Hong Kong or BNO Passport holder to apply for permanent residence if the Applicant has lived, worked and studied continuously and exclusively in a designated regional area of Australia for 3 years or more. Note that the processing time as at June 2025, is 7 to 12 months.

B. Skilled Independent, Subclass 189 Visa - Hong Kong stream - Yimin - allows a Hong Kong or BNO Passport holder to apply for permanent residence if the Applicant has lived, worked and studied in Australia, on an eligible visa, for 4 years continuously, or more, such as the 457, 482 or 485 visas. Note that the Applicant will not need to meet Occupation Skills Assessment requirements, anor will the Applicant require Sponsorship or Nomination. In addition, the Applicant must have Functional English language ability (average band score of at least 4.5 in the IELTS Test). Also, the Applicant must meet Health and Character requirements, and not had an Australian visa Cancelled or Refused previously. See our web page regarding Skilled migration eligibility criteria for the Skilled Migration - 189 or 190 Visa

9. National Innovation Visa, Subclass 858 Visa -  The National Innovation Visa started on 7 December 2024, and replaced the Global Talent Visa (GTI). The NIV is a direct permanent residence application, for highly-skilled Applicants, who have Exceptional Talent and specialise in Innovation and Research in specific Priority areas, and who will be an asset to Australia. Applicants who hold a Hong Kong or BNO Passport may have a faster processing time. See our web page with the eligibility criteria and requirements for the National Innovation Visa, Subclass 858.

Benefits of VisaConnect's Service

  • Personal, customised legal services.
  • Visa eligibility assessment (24-hour fast response time).
  • Accessibility and flexibility for urgent and important office and telephone appointments.
  • Professional assistance and advice from experienced Migration Agents and qualified lawyers from Australia.
  • Registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (Australia) and the Migration Institute of Australia.
  • Ethical and competent service.
  • High probability of success with visa applications.
  • Smooth and hassle free visa application.
  • Manage and facilitate your visa application personally and do not delegate it to a clerk.
  • Business based in Hong Kong to assist clients based in HK, Macau and China, and also have an offices in Brisbane, Australia, London, UK and Lisbon, Portugal.
  • Application asssistance available to clients outside Hong Kong through ongoing contact by telephone, email, fax, registered post and courier of documents.
  • Reasonable professional fees.

Registered Migration Agents - MARN in Hong Kong

Contact our Australian Registered Migration Agents in Hong Kong for advice and assistance with your Australian Visa application Now!

Our Senior Migration Agent, who is also an Australian qualified Lawyer is: Mr. Mark A Schwartz:

Migration Agent Number: 0425834 

Migration Agents Assistance

  1. 1. FREE Visa Eligibility Assessment.
  2. 2. Assistance in completing Government Visa and Immigration Forms.
  3. 3. Certifying your documents.
  4. 4. Advice about References and supporting documents requirements.
  5. 5. Guidance about English Test.
  6. 6. Translation of documents into English.
  7. 7. Completion of forms for Migration Assessment of your Occupation.
  8. 8. Advice regarding how to undergo Health examination and Chest x-ray.
  9. 9. Application for Police Certificates.
  10. 10. Help with Standard Business Sponsorship application for 482 Visa.

In 2025, contact VisaConnect's Australian Registered Migration Agents and Australian Immigration Lawyers, in Hong Kong, for assistance with your Visa or Immigration application Now! VisaConneect has offices in Hong Kong, Sydney, Australia and Singapore and London, UK. Send an online Message or call our Specialist and Top Consultants for a fast Visa Eligibility Assessment.

VisaConnect Hong Kong Office

21st Floor, CMA Building
64 Connaught Road Central
HONG KONG

Telephone: (+852) 3840 9107

VisaConnect Australia Office

VisaConnect Sydney
Suite 19, 103 George Street
Parramatta
NSW 2150
AUSTRALIA

Telephone: (+61) 2 9151 7350

Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ

Question - How can I be eligible for an Australian Migration pathway if I am living in Hong Kong?

To be eligible, you must be a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and/or British National (Overseas) passport holder.

Question - How long is the Temporary Graduate, 485 Visa valid for as a Hong Kong applicant?

The Temporary Graduate, Subclass 485 visa, Post Study Work or Graduate Work streams allows for a stay of 5 years for Hong Kong and BNO Passport holders, whereas Applicants from other countries can stay for up to 18 months on the Graduate Work stream or between 2 and 4 years on the Post Study Work stream.

Question - How long can I work in Australia, on a 482 Visa as a HK or BNO Passport holder?

You can apply for a 5 year Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS), Subclass 482 Visa, under the Short-term, Medium-term or Labour Agreement streams, as a Hong Kong or BNO Passport holder. However, Applicants from other countries can only stay for up to 4 years under the Medium-Term stream or the Labour Agreement stream.

Question - I already hold a 482 Work Visa, can I get a 5 year extension?

Yes. Applicants from Hong Kong who already have a 482 Visa will be eligible for an extension of 5 years, as at 9 July 2020, in addition to the time that you have already been in Australia.

Question - Can I apply for Permanent Residence after 5 years holding the 482 Visa?

Yes. Current and future 482 visa holders from Hong Kong will have a pathway to permanent residency after 5 years.

Question - If I live and work in regional Australia, can I get permanent residence any faster?

Yes. Applicants with a HK or BNO Passport, who live, work and study exclusively in regional Australia are eligible for the pathway to permanent residence after just three years.

Question - If I live in a regional area of Australia, what visa do I apply for to get permanent residence?

Apply for the Subclass 191, the Hong Kong (regional) stream. To be eligible, you must be usually resident in Australia for a continuous period of at least 3 years immediately before applying and have lived, worked and studied exclusively in a designated regional area for that 3 year period, while holding a qualifying visa. Note that you will not need a Sponsor or Nominator, but must comply with residence requirements, meet the English language requirement, which requires Functional English (An average IELTS band score of at least 4.5 based on the 4 test components), and meet Health and Character requirements.

Question - If I live and work in a Non-Regional area, such as a big metropolitan city like Sydney or Melbourne, can I apply for Permanent residence?

Yes. You can apply for the Skilled Independent, Subclass 189 Visa, under the Hong Kong stream, provided that you were usually resident in Australia for a continuous period of at least 4 years immediately before applying, and held a qualifying visa during that period. Note that Applicants who are Hong Kong or BNO Passport holders do not need to meet occupational or skill assessment requirements. In addition, Applicants will also not require any ongoing sponsorship, or nomination. However, they must comply with health, character and security requirements for the grant of a permanent visa.

Question - If I apply for the new National Innovation Visa, is there a faster processing time?

Yes. The Australian Department of Home Affairs is prioritising National Innovation Visa, Subclass 858 visa applications lodged by Hong Kong or BNO Passport holders.