Australia offers several immigration options to foreigners who need to travel and work in the country. The proper visa type will depend on how long the applicant wants to stay and the type of work they need to do – whether or not it is on a skills shortage list.
Holders of certain types of visas can also transition to another visa type, while still on the country. In any case, before starting the application for transition, it is important to assess the eligibility and understand the application requirements.
400 visa
What is subclass visa 400 in Australia?
Australia also foresees visas for specific, highly specialized work aimed to improve the country’s international relations on a short-term basis. There are three main visa subclasses: the Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (subclass 400), the Temporary Work (International Relations) visa (subclass 403) and the Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408).
Visa 400 Australia
The visa is granted to individuals who need to do short-term work in a highly specialized job and who receive a contract or letter of offer by a local employer. The work must be non-ongoing, and a strong business case must be provided with the application.
The aim is to prove that the applicant has highly specialized skills, knowledge, or experience to support the Australian business, and which cannot be found in the local workforce.
To know more about the other visa categories available for short stays, we invite you to check our article on Australian short term work visas.
How long does a 400 visa last?
The visa is typically granted for up to 6 months, depending on the circumstances. Usually, for a stay period longer than 3 months, a strong business case must be provided with the application.
It can be granted with either single entry or multiple entry. In case of single entry, you will only be allowed to enter Australia once and you cannot re-enter with the same visa. To return to Australia after you leave, you must apply for a new visa.
The stay period starts once you arrive and you must arrive in Australia within 6 months of the date the visa is granted, or a lesser period specified on the grant letter. The visa stay period as indicated on the visa grant letter will start on the first date of arrival in Australia, and it will not restart every time you arrive in Australia. So, in case of multiple entry, you can leave and re-enter Australia as many times as you want, but during the visa stay period.
In any case, it is not possible to extend the visa to stay longer than the time allowed, but it may be possible to convert it to another visa type.
How to apply subclass 400 visa Australia
The visa is digitally linked to the applicant’s passport, a visa sticker is not applied on the passport.
The application must be filed while the applicant is still outside Australia. The application is filed online through the ImmiAccount and it is possible to include family members, provided that they meet certain health and character requirements.
The character requirements are set out in section 501 of the Migration Act 1958, which also indicates that the Australian authorities have a right to deny an applicant’s entry into Australia if they have criminal convictions or charges in Australia or overseas. In fact, during the visa application, it is mandatory to declare all criminal conduct one has been charged with and/or convicted of, in any country.
After the visa application, the authorities have a right to ask you to provide a police certificate, a military certificate or a letter of good conduct from an employer.
The family members are in any case not permitted to work or study in Australia. In fact, the main applicant must be able to show that the entire family has enough means to support themselves while in Australia.
How long does a subclass 400 visa take
The Australian government has a processing time guide for each visa type, as it may vary a lot according to the type of visa applied. There is no standard processing time.
Currently, on average 90% of subclass 400 visa applications is processed within 20 days from the application.
It is possible to check the status on one’s application on the ImmiAccount and the applicant will be contacted when the process is finalized. Of course, the visa can take longer if the application is incomplete.
The visa costs AUD 415.00 for the main applicant.
482 visa
The Australian government offers also skilled visas available to individuals who are qualified to work or train in an eligible skilled occupation. Examples of skilled visas are the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190), the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491).
Subclass 482
The visa is digitally linked on your passport and it allows you to work in Australia only in the occupation you were nominated for and only for the nominated business. In certain circumstances, however, it is allowed to work for an associated entity of the nominated business.
The visa enables employers to address labor shortages by bringing in skilled workers where employers can’t source an appropriate skilled local workers.
482 visa requirements
To be eligible for this visa type, the applicant must meet certain requirements.
First, the prospective employer will need to submit a nomination application for the candidate. The employer will only be able to do this if they are an approved sponsor or have at least submitted an application to become a standard business sponsor.
Secondly, the candidate must be nominated to fill an occupation that is on the Core Skills Occupation List and they must demonstrate they have the skills and experience necessary to perform the nominated occupation. Some applicants must undertake a skills assessment to demonstrate this.
Furthermore, the worker must have at least 1 year relevant work experience in the nominated occupation or at a same skill level in a related field. Such experience can be gained on a full-time, part-time or casual basis within the last 5 years. However, work carried out on a part-time or casual basis must be equivalent to at least 12 months full-time work. The period of work does not have to be continuous.
Moreover, when applying for the Skills in Demand visa, applicants are required to demonstrate that they meet certain minimum standard of English language proficiency, by taking and achieving a specific result in an English language test, unless exempt.
Finally, among the other requirements, applicants must not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused.
If you think that you are not eligible for a 482 visa, we invite you to check our article on Australian skilled work visas.
Is there an age limit for a 482 visa?
There is no age requirement for this visa, which is one of its main advantages.
The visa has a maximum duration of 4 years – but Hong Kong passport holders may stay up to 5 years.
482 visa fees
The visa costs AUD 415.00 for the main applicant. There is also a charge for each family member.
Furthermore, one must consider the costs for health checks, police certificates and biometrics.
How long 482 visa takes?
Currently, on average 90% of Skills in Demand visa applications is processed within 61 days from the application.
It is possible to check the status on one’s application on the ImmiAccount and the applicant will be contacted when the process is finalized. Of course, the visa can take longer if the application is incomplete.
TSS visa
There is often confusion between the Skills in Demand (SID) visa and the Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) visa. On December 7, 2024, the SID has replaced the TSS, which is now repealed.
All TSS nominations and visa applications that were lodged prior to the implementation of the SID visa are being processed using the requirements in force at the time the application was submitted.
However, if your employer has lodged a TSS nomination and you have not lodged your associated TSS visa application before that date, if the nomination is approved it will be deemed a SID nomination and you can apply for the SID visa.
400 visa to 482 visa
What is the difference between 400 visa and 482 visa?
The main difference between the two is the duration: the 400 visa allows for a maximum stay of 6 months, whereas a 482 visa for 4 years. However, the 400 visa can be obtained quicker.
Furthermore, the 482 visa requires more documents to be provided by the sponsor and by the applicant, if compared with the 400 visa.
Can you apply for a 482 visa while on a 400 visa?
Subclass 400 visa holders can apply for other visas if they meet the requirements. Specifically, applicants can apply for the Skills in Demand Visa (subclass 482) if they holding a substantive visa, provided that they have substantially complied with any conditions that apply or applied to their last substantive visa.
