Skilled migration to Queensland, Australia

The following table provides a quick overview of the main differences between different visa types that Migration and Skills Recruitment Queensland deals with regularly. The information provided below is intended as a guide only. More visa types are listed on the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship website.

Visa	Subclass	Type	Period	Sponsored	Pathway to permanent visa	Notes and some requirements
Skilled Regional Sponsored	475 (offshore) 487 (onshore)	Provisional	3 years	Yes, by State Government or relative	Yes	work full-time for at least 12 months and live for two years in a regional area
Skilled Sponsored	176 (offshore)	Permanent	N/A	Yes, by State Government or relative	N/A	nominated occupation on the eligible skills list
Skilled Sponsored	886 (onshore)	Permanent	N/A	Yes, by State Government or relative	N/A	international students who have studied in Australia for at least two years with nominated occupation on the eligible skills list
Skilled Independent	175 (offshore)	Permanent	N/A	No	N/A	nominated occupation on the eligible skills list
Skilled Independent	885 (onshore)	Permanent	N/A	No	N/A	international students who have studied in Australia for at least two years with skills listed on the skills occupations list
Skilled Recognised Graduate	476	Temporary	18 months	No	Yes	must have completed engineering degree in the last two years from a recognised university
Skilled Graduate	485 (onshore)	Temporary	18 months	No	Yes	for international students to gain skilled work experience or improve their English language skills when they do not meet the criteria for a permanent General Skilled Migration visa
Temporary Business (Long Stay)	457	Temporary	3 months to 4 years	Yes, by an employer	Possible	occupations must be on the Australian Government's 457 list of occupations minimum salary levels apply special conditions may apply to regional areas

Last updated 15 May 2009

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