Hong Kong Residents

Effective from 2022, Australia is offering a range of extremely favourable skills/work visas to Hong Kong residents leading to permanent residency that are not available to visa applicants of other countries.

Check out these options at Zhang Partners…

Independent Skills s/c189 (Hong Kong residents)

This is a permanent visa for Hong Kong residents already residing in Australia.

To obtain s/c189 Skills Visa (Hong Kong) stream:

You must hold an eligible visa continuously for at least 4 years. An eligible visa is a subclass 457, 482 or 485 visa that was granted to you as the primary applicant.

You have lived in Australia for 4 years

You must have been a usual resident of Australia for a continuous period of at least 4 years immediately before your application.

Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused.

Temporary Short Term Work visa s/c482 (for Hong Kong residents)

This is the standard Temporary Short Term Work visa s/c482 which normally has a duration of 2 to 4 years only. However, Hong Kong residents will automatically get 5 years on this visa.

At the end of 4th year of residing in Australia, the Hong Kong resident may apply for the permanent visa s/c189 with no further skills assessment.

This is a very favourable option for Hong Kong residents:

  • No age restrictions

  • No labour market testing required (may be required for other s/c482 applicants)

  • Permanent visa after 4 years of residing in Australia (not available to other s/c482 applicants).

  • a 5 year visa (other s/c482 holders will only get 2 to 4 years)

If you are a Hong Kong resident, regardless of age, you will just need a s/c482 as your pathway to permanent residency.

Disclaimer: Contents provided herein are for general information only and are NOT intended to be legal advice. Legal advice is only given upon consultation with our office.

At Zhang Partners, the Migration Law team is led by a former Immigration Officer of the Australian Dept. of Home Affairs who has in depth understanding of all visa requirements and how to make a flawless application…

How do you know if you have the best representation if you have not spoken to us?

Our records of success…

  • Recent grant of the s/c188B Business (Investor) visa to a Hong Kong resident, processing period being less than 18 months.

    Business Visa stream

  • Successful grant of the s/c202 Special Global Humanitarian Visa to a Syrian family of 6, processing time in less than four years.

    Refugee/Family stream

  • Recent grant of a Spousal visa against 2 prior records of spousal sponsorship.

    Partner visa stream

  • Recent grant of the s/c188B Business (Investor) visa to a Brunei family of three. Processing time less than 24 months.

    Business visa stream

  • Grant of the s/c482 Employer Sponsored Skills visa to a UK resident working in the building.

    Working visa stream

  • Resident Return Visa s/c155 granted to a couple who have been residing overseas for more than 5 years.

    Resident Return visa stream

  • Successful grant of Australian citizenship against a prior refusal and adverse immigration records

    Citizenship stream