Country

Pathways to Australian Residency and Citizenship

Australia

Australia offers points-based skilled routes, employer-sponsored work visas, study pathways, and family options, most of which build toward permanent residence and citizenship. It's a popular English-speaking destination and permits dual nationality.

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Ways to qualify

Career & business

For people with a job offer, in-demand skills, or a business to build. Most of these routes lead to settlement, and in time to citizenship.

Australia Employer Nomination Australia's Employer Nomination Scheme is a permanent residence route for workers nominated by an Australian employer. It generally requires a… residency Australia Skills in Demand Australia's Skills in Demand visa is for people sponsored by an Australian employer for a qualifying role. It generally requires employer sponsorship,… residency Australia Regional Employer Sponsored 494 Australia's Subclass 494 is a provisional employer-sponsored route for skilled workers nominated by an employer in designated regional Australia. It… residency Australia Skilled Independent Australia's Skilled Independent visa is a points-tested permanent residence route for skilled workers who do not need employer or state sponsorship.… residency Australia Skilled Nominated Australia's Skilled Nominated visa is a points-tested permanent residence route for skilled workers nominated by a state or territory. It generally… residency Australia National Innovation Visa This residence pathway is for high-achieving or specialized applicants whose work fits Australia's priority talent categories. It generally requires… residency Australia Skilled Regional Australia's Skilled Work Regional visa is a provisional points-tested route for skilled workers sponsored by a state, territory, or eligible family… residency

Family

For joining a partner, parent, or child who already lives there — or claiming citizenship through marriage.

Australia Partner (Offshore) Australia's offshore Partner visa is for a spouse, de facto partner, or registered partner of an eligible Australian sponsor who applies from outside… residency Australia Partner (Onshore) Australia's onshore Partner visa is for a spouse, de facto partner, or registered partner of an eligible Australian sponsor who is applying from… residency

Ancestry & heritage

A parent, grandparent, or birth in the country can make you a citizen already — or let you claim it, often without relocating.

Australia Citizenship by Descent Australian citizenship by descent is for people born outside Australia to a parent who was an Australian citizen when they were born. It generally… citizenship Australian Citizenship by Birth This citizenship pathway is for people who may already be citizens because they were born in Australia or in another qualifying birth situation… citizenship

Citizenship by residence

Once you've lived there long enough and settled, you can often apply to become a citizen.

Australia Citizenship by Conferral This citizenship pathway is for long-term residents of Australia. It generally requires enough lawful residence, good character, and any language,… citizenship

Other routes

Nationality-specific schemes and special cases.

Australia SCV for New Zealand Citizens New Zealand citizens with a valid New Zealand passport generally do not need to apply for an Australian visa before travel. On entry, they can be… other Australia Work and Holiday 462 Australia's Work and Holiday visa is a temporary route for young adults from eligible passport countries who want to holiday in Australia and work… residency Australia Working Holiday 417 Australia's Working Holiday visa is a temporary route for young adults from eligible passport countries who want to holiday in Australia and work… residency