Visa options for people over 45 years old

Want to migrate to Australia but you are over 45 years old?

It is generally harder to obtain an Australian work visa if you are 45 years of age or older since most of the permanent skilled visas to Australia generally have an age limit of 44.

However, even though Australia prefers young migrants due to their higher productivity, there are still few visas options for older people who want to live and work in Australia, especially if they are investors or successful entrepreneurs who can contribute to the economic growth.

Visa options

1. Business Innovation and Investment (provisional) visa – Subclass 188

This visa visa allows experienced businesspeople and investors, up to the age of 55, to enter Australia to either start a business or to conduct Business Activities. There are five different streams for this visa:

• Business Innovation stream
• Investor stream
• Significant Investor stream
• Premium Investor stream
• Entrepreneur stream.

Find more information about this visa HERE.

2. Temporary Skill Shortage visa (TSS) – Subclass 482

This visa enables employers to address labour shortages by bringing in skilled workers where employers cannot source an appropriately skilled Australian worker.

TSS visa holders have no age restriction and can work in Australia in their nominated occupation up to 4 years.

There are two streams for this visa:

• Short-Term Stream, which lasts up to 2 years, can only be renewed once, and does not lead to any permanent visa
• The Medium-Term Stream can last for up to 4 years and after three years does have an option that can lead to permanent residence but only if you are under the age of 45.

Find more information about this visa HERE.

3. Distinguished Talent Visa – Subclass 124

This is a permanent visa for people who have an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in one of the following areas:

• a profession
• a sport
• the arts
• academia and research

Meeting the requirements for a Distinguished Talent Visa is a high test. You must also be nominated either by:

• an Australian peak body or organisation
• an Australian citizen
• an Australian permanent resident, or
• an eligible New Zealand citizen

Find more information about this visa HERE.

4. Partner Visa – Subclass 820/801 (onshore) or 309/100 (offshore)

If you are in a serious romantic relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you may be eligible to apply for a Partner visa.

The provisional partner visa subclass 820 and 309 lets the de facto partner or spouse of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen live and work in Australia temporarily. Getting this visa is the first step towards a permanent Partner visa (subclasses 801 and 100).

Find more information about this visa HERE.

5. Parent Visa

If you have a family member who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, another visa option for you could be the Parent visa.

There are at least six parent visas for you to consider:

• Contributory parent (temporary) visa – subclass 173. This temporary visa lets a parent of a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen stay temporarily in Australia for up to 2 years.
• Contributory parent visa – subclass 143. This permanent visa lets a parent of a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident of Australia or eligible New Zealand citizen move to Australia.
• Contributory aged parent visa (temporary) – subclass 884. This temporary visa lets the aged parent of a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen stay in Australia for up to 2 years.
• Aged parent visa – subclass 804. This permanent visa lets an aged parent of a settle Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen stay in Australia.
• Parent visa – subclass 103. This permanent visa lets a parent of a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen move to Australia.
• Sponsored parent visa – subclass 870. This temporary visa lets a parent of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen visit Australia for up to 3 or 5 years.

Immigration advice and assistance

In case you meet the requirements to apply for any of these visas, the first step is to have a legal consultation with one of our immigration lawyers. The purpose of this consultation is to analyze your case in detail, confirm your eligibility and give the lawyer the opportunity to create a fully customized visa strategy.

For further information about visa applications, please call our office on 02 6247 7577 or send an email to: info@visaustralia.com

VisAustralia is committed to working hard to assist our clients, negotiate the application process and apply for permanent residence in Australia.