Visa & Entry Requirements by Country in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Gold Coast, Australia, Gold Coast, Travel Planning & Tips Pages, Visa & Entry Requirements by Country

Visa & Entry Requirements by Country in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

1. Australian Electronic Travel Authority (ETA)

Electronic visa for short-term stays in Australia. Quick and easy online application process.
  • No Physical Document: ETA is electronically linked to your passport, no physical document needed.
  • Valid for Multiple Entries: ETA allows multiple entries during its validity period.
  • Easy Application Process: The ETA application can be completed online, making it quick and convenient.

2. Working Holiday Visa (WHV)

Allows young travelers to live, work and travel in Australia for up to a year.
  • Unique Work Opportunities: Offers unique employment opportunities in various sectors like agriculture, construction, and hospitality.
  • Travel Flexibility: Allows travel throughout Australia during the validity period.
  • Age Limitations: Available for applicants aged between 18 and 30 (some countries have a higher age limit).

3. Visitor Visa (subclass 600)

For visitors wanting to stay in Australia for specific events or activities that are not covered by other visa subclasses.
  • Customized Stay Duration: Duration of stay can be tailored based on the purpose and duration of your visit.
  • Visit Family or Friends: Allows visitors to come to Australia for social or recreational reasons, including visiting family or friends.
  • Business Activities: Covers a range of business-related activities such as attending conferences or negotiating a contract.

4. New Zealand Passport Holders (Special Category Visa)

New Zealand passport holders do not need a visa for short stays in Australia.
  • No Application Process: No application or payment required as no visa is needed.
  • Stay Duration Limitations: Limited to stays of up to 3 months at a time, with an overall limit of 12 months in any 12-month period.
  • Specific Eligibility Criteria: Must be usually resident in New Zealand and hold a valid New Zealand passport.

5. Transit Visa

For travelers passing through Australia on their way to another country.
  • Limited Stay Duration: Allows a limited stay in Australia during transit, typically for up to 72 hours.
  • Specific Flight Requirements: Requires travelers to be departing from or arriving in Australia on an onward flight.
  • Online Application Process: Online application process is available for transit visas.

6. Business (Short Stay) Visa (subclass 456)

For business people staying in Australia for a short period to undertake high-level business activities.
  • High-Level Business Activities: Covers activities such as client meetings, negotiations, conferences, and seminars.
  • Limited Stay Duration: Stay duration is limited to up to 3 months on each visit within a 12-month period.
  • Specific Occupation List (SOL): Applicants must be in an occupation listed on the SOL and meet certain requirements.

7. Student Visa

Allows international students to study at recognized educational institutions in Australia.
  • Study Program Duration: Coverage for study programs of up to 5 years, depending on the course.
  • Work Rights During Studies: Allows students to work part-time during their studies and full-time during vacation periods.
  • Health Coverage: Requires applicants to have appropriate health insurance coverage throughout the duration of their stay.

8. Parent (Temporary) Visa

Allows parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia temporarily.
  • Family Ties with Australia: Requires applicants to have a child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
  • Stay Duration Limitations: Stay duration is limited to up to 4 years and can be extended in certain circumstances.
  • Sponsorship Requirement: Must have an eligible sponsor who agrees to provide financial support during the stay.

9. Partner (Provisional) Visa

For the partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens who are currently offshore.
  • Relationship Duration Requirement: Requires the relationship to have existed for at least 12 months.
  • Health and Character Assessments: Applicants must undergo health and character assessments as part of the application process.
  • Provisional Visa to Permanent Residency Pathway: Successful applicants can apply for a permanent partner visa after two years on a provisional visa.

10. Skilled Independent Regional (Provisional) Visa

For skilled workers looking to live and work in regional Australia.
  • Regional Australia Focus: Encourages immigration to specific regions outside major cities.
  • Points Test: Requires applicants to score a minimum number of points based on factors such as age, English language skills, and work experience.
  • State or Territory Nomination: Applicants may be required to have nomination from a specific state or territory in regional Australia.

11. Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa

For skilled workers with an employer in regional Australia sponsoring them.
  • Employer Sponsorship: Requires an eligible employer to sponsor the applicant.
  • Regional Australia Focus: Encourages immigration to specific regions outside major cities.
  • Points Test: Requires applicants to score a minimum number of points based on factors such as age, English language skills, and work experience.

12. Temporary Graduate Visa

Allows international students to stay in Australia after graduation to gain work experience.
  • Work Experience Opportunities: Offers opportunities to gain valuable work experience in the chosen field of study.
  • Stay Duration Limitations: Limited to stays of up to 2 years, or up to 3 years for PhD graduates.
  • Post-Study Work Rights: Allows international students to work in their field of study during the validity period.

13. Retirement Visa (subclass 405)

For people aged 55 and over who want to retire and live in Australia temporarily.
  • Age Requirements: Applicants must be aged 55 or over.
  • Financial Capacity: Requires applicants to have an annual income of at least AUD $65,000, or AUD $54,000 if they are a government pensioner.
  • Health and Character Assessments: Applicants must undergo health and character assessments as part of the application process.

14. Medical Treatment Visa (subclass 602)

For people coming to Australia for medical treatment that is not available in their home country.
  • Specific Medical Treatment: Covers medical treatments not available in the applicant's home country.
  • Stay Duration Limitations: Limited to stays of up to 12 months, with the possibility of extension if the treatment continues.
  • Health Insurance Coverage: Requires applicants to have appropriate health insurance coverage during their stay.

15. Critical Skills Visa (subclass 494)

For skilled workers in specific occupations to live and work in regional Australia on a permanent basis.
  • Specific Occupation List: Applicants must be in an occupation listed on the Critical Skills Occupation List.
  • Regional Australia Focus: Encourages immigration to specific regions outside major cities.
  • State or Territory Nomination: Applicants may be required to have nomination from a specific state or territory in regional Australia.