Australian Consulate-General
Hong Kong
Also accredited to Macau

Visas and Citizenship

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Visas and Citizenship

Visa measures for Hong Kong SAR and/or BNO passport holders

Students who are Hong Kong SAR and/or BNO passport holders that are completing eligible tertiary studies in Australia can apply for a five-year Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa upon the successful conclusion of their studies.

For more information, please visit Temporary Graduate visa - Subclass 485 (homeaffairs.gov.au)

Skilled Hong Kong SAR and/or BNO passport holders are able to apply for a five-year Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) (subclass 482) visa.

For more information, please visit Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482) (homeaffairs.gov.au).

Hong Kong SAR and/or BNO passport holders may be eligible for permanent residence where they hold an eligible visa, were usually resident in a designated regional area of Australia for a continuous period of at least 3 years, and worked or studied in a designated regional area in the 3 years immediately prior to application.

For more information, please visit Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) Hong Kong stream (homeaffairs.gov.au).

Hong Kong SAR and/or BNO passport holders may be eligible for permanent residence where they have been usually resident in Australia for a continuous period of at least 4 years immediately before applying, and held a qualifying visa during that period.

For more information, please visit Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) Hong Kong stream (homeaffairs.gov.au).

 

Applying for an Electronic travel Authority

Hong Kong SAR passport holders may be eligible for an Australian Electronic Authority (ETA). For information about the ETA, please visit Subclass 601 Electronic Travel Authority.

Business Skills Migration

The Business Innovation and Investment Program is designed to increase entrepreneurial talent and diversify business expertise in Australia. It is positioned to target migrants that have a demonstrated history of success in innovation, investment and business and are able to make a significant contribution to the national innovation system and to the Australian economy.

As the first step of applying for a Subclass 188 visa under the Business Innovation and Investment program, you must submit an expression of interest ("EOI") in SkillSelect. If you are nominated by a state or territory, you will receive an invitation and only then could an application be made. If you receive an invitation subsequent to the submission of your EOI, further information on how to lodge an application will be provided in the letter of invitation. Once you receive an invitation, you are required to make an application within 60 days.

For information about the Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa, please visit Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa - subclass 188 (homeaffairs.gov.au).

For information about the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa, please visit Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa - subclass 888 (homeaffairs.gov.au).

For all Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) applications from the People’s Republic of China, Macau SAR, Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan please ensure that supporting documents provided are those in the document checklist from the Australian Consulate General Hong Kong. Complete applications are processed more quickly and your application may be refused if it does not include the supporting information we require.

Information for applicants employed as domestic helpers and accompanying their employers

Applicants who are employed as domestic helpers and seeking to accompany their employer on a short visit to Australia should apply for a subclass 600 Visitor (Business stream) visa.

For information about the subclass 600 visa, please visit Visitor visa (subclass 600).

As part of the application, we encourage employers to complete and provide the additional information form.

Latest news

For the latest immigration and citizenship news, see News archive.

Enquiries

Visa and citizenship applications are managed by the Department of Home Affairs. Consulate staff are unable to assist with general visa or citizenship enquiries.

The Department of Home Affairs website has the most up to date and comprehensive information on applying for visas and citizenship. The website also has useful definitions and tools to help you understand the department’s requirements. Visit the website at Immigration and citizenship.

If you are having trouble locating information on the department’s website, the Home Affairs Digital Assistant may be able to help. The Digital Assistant can help you find information on Australian visas, citizenship and border entry. Visit the Immigration and citizenship website, and click the Ask a question button to get started.

Global Service Centre

If you require additional information, you may telephone the Global Service Centre on 

+61 2 6196 0196, Monday to Friday, from 9:00am to 5:00pm your local time.

International calls may be subject to charges imposed by your local carrier. You may wish to consider using a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) provider to avoid potentially high charges.

Using an interpreter

When you call the GSC, select option 6 to engage a Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) interpreter in your language. Option 6 can be selected straight after dialling the GSC number.

Alternatively, a TIS interpreter can also be engaged directly via:

Compliments, complaints and suggestions

Your feedback is valuable to the Department of Home Affairs. The department uses your feedback to improve services and investigate and respond to any issues of concern. You can find more information on the department’s website at Compliments, complaints and suggestions.

Allegations related to suspicious border activities

If it doesn’t feel right, flag it anonymously with Border Watch. Border Watch is the single collection point for the Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Border Force (ABF) for allegations related to suspicious border activities and is not limited to immigration and citizenship. One small observation could help stop a much larger border crime.  You can report suspicious immigration, customs and border related activity via the Border Watch Online Report.

Page Last Updated: 14 December 2023