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Migrating to Australia

General Information

Information about programs under which a person can immigrate to Australia, and the criteria for each, is outlined on the Department of Immigration and Citizenship's website

See: www.immi.gov.au/migrants/

Broadly these categories are

1. Business skills visas, which are based on your experience in Business or Investment expertise, Booklet #7- Business Skills Migration. You must apply to Perth Business Skills Processing Centre (see contact and lodgement details below).
2. Skilled migration visas, which are based on your qualifications, Booklet #6 - General Skilled Migration. You must apply to Adelaide Skilled Processing Centre (see details below).
3. Employer Sponsored migration visas, which are based on a sponsorship by an Australian business for employment, Booklet #5 - Employer Sponsored Migration. You must apply to the same office in Australia where your sponsor has lodged their sponsorship for you.
4. Family migration visas, which are based on having a spouse, child or parent who are Australian citizens or permanent residents, Booklet #2 - Child Migration, Booklet #1 - Partner Migration or Booklet #3 - Parent Migration. You may apply in Singapore at the Australian High Commission for Booklet #1 and #2. For Booklet #3 Parent Migration, you must apply to Perth Offshore Parents Centre (see contact and lodgement details below). For further information on Partner and Child migration See: Family_stream.html
5. Other Family Migration visas, which are based on being an aged dependent relative, a last remaining relative or a carer of an Australian citizen, and Australian Permanent resident or an eligible New Zealanad citizen, Booklet #4 - Other Family Migration. You may apply in Singapore at the Australian High Commission. For further information See: Family_stream.html
6. Special migration visas, which are based on former residence, distinguished talent or close ties to Australia, Booklet #8 - Special Migration. You may apply in Singapore at the Australian High Commission.

You can obtain the above information booklets, which include the forms and explanation of the visa requirements, from the Internet

See: www.immi.gov.au/allforms/booklets/booklets.htm to downlaod for free (or available at our offices, for a fee, during counter hours).

If you wish to apply for permanent migration, you must complete the appropriate forms contained in the booklet and pay the required application fee

See: www.immi.gov.au/allforms/990i/990i-charges.htm.

If you are lodging the application in Singapore, you must pay the fee in Singapore dollars. A currency converter is available to show you the correct fee in the local accepted currency.

See: www.immi.gov.au/allforms/990i/converter.htm

Contact and lodgement information

General Skilled Migration applications MUST be mailed. For mailing and contact details:

See: www.immi.gov.au/contacts/australia/processing-centres/adelaide-skilled.htm 

Business Skilled Migration applications MUST be mailed. For mailing and contact details:

See: www.immi.gov.au/contacts/australia/processing-centres/perth-business-skills.htm 

Parents Migration applications MUST be mailed. For mailing and contact details:

See: www.immi.gov.au/contacts/australia/processing-centres/parent-visa-centre.htm
 

The High Commission does not provide information about the status of migration visa applications lodged at other offices.

Resident Return Visas
 

Detailed information about Resident Return Visas (RRVs) can be found on the Department's website

See: www.immi.gov.au/migrants/residents/ (Follow the links.)

As part of the 2011-2012 Mid-year Economic and Fiscal Outlook, the Australian Government announced that the validity   period for Resident Return visas will be reduced from five years to one year where the applicant has not lived in Australia for more than 2 of the last 5 years.  This change took  effect on 15 February 2012.

If you think you are eligible for an RRV you should apply before your current visa expires - if your application is not approved you will then have time to return to Australia within the life of your existing visa.

If you do not return to Australia and you are not eligible for an RRV your only other option may be to reapply to migrate.

For local information on lodging an application, including fees and service standards

See: Resident Return Visa Checklist