How to Get Your Family to Australia with Subsequent Entrant Visa
A subsequent entrant visa allows you to live, study and work in Australia with your family members who are already immigrating. The Subsequent Entrant Visa is helpful when you decide to join your family member in Australia after they have been granted the visa.
This article explains everything about the Subsequent Entrant Visa for Australia, including the types, application steps, requirements, and costs involved.
What is a Subsequent Entrant Visa?
A subsequent entrant visa is an Australian visa that is specifically designed for you as a family member of an eligible temporary visa holder. When you were not included in their visa application at first, the Subsequent Entrant Visa allows you to join them in Australia.
Who can apply for a subsequent entrant visa?
- De facto partner/spouse
- Children (biological/adopted) between the ages of 18 and 23
- Dependent of the children above
The Subsequent Entrant Visa is only available for certain visa subclasses, including:
- Student Visa (subclass 500)
- Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485)
- Skills in Demand Visa (subclass 482)
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)
It means that if your family member holds one of the above visas but didn’t include you on the initial application, then you can join them by applying for the Subsequent Entrant Visa.
Before moving further, it is essential to understand the requirements and costs involved for each Subsequent Entrant Visa first.
Requirements and Cost for Student Visa (subclass 500) Subsequent Entrant
To join your family member who holds a Student Visa (subclass 500) with a Subsequent Entrant Visa, you must:
- Be the spouse or de facto partner of the primary holder of a Student Visa (subclass 500); or
- Be the dependent child of the primary holder of a Student Visa (subclass 500), aged under 18 and not married;
- Have been declared in the initial Student Visa (subclass 500) application.
- Have a genuine intention to stay temporarily in Australia.
- Meet the health and character requirements.
This visa costs:
- AUD 730 for the main applicant of the Subsequent Entrant Visa
- AUD 545 for the additional applicant aged 18 and above
- AUD 180 for the additional applicant aged under 18
Source: Department of Home Affairs – Student Visa (subclass 500)
Requirements and Costs for Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) – Subsequent Entrant
If your family member holds a Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485), you can join them in Australia with the Subsequent Entrant Visa.
There are no specific requirements to meet, but in general, you must be:
- Be the spouse or de facto partner of the primary holder of a Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485); or
- Be the dependent child of the primary holder of a Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485), aged under 18 and not married;
- Meet the health and character requirements.
How long can you stay?
This visa allows you to stay in Australia for as long as the validity period of your family member’s visa. For example, if your family member holds a 485 Visa with a validity period of 2 years, then you can stay in Australia under the Subsequent Entrant Visa for 2 years as well.
How much does it cost?
The cost for a Subsequent Entrant Visa of a 485 Visa is:
- Main applicant: AUD 2,235
- Additional applicant aged 18 and above: AUD 1,115
- Additional applicant aged under 18: AUD 560
Requirements and Costs for Skills in Demand Visa (subclass 482) Subsequent Entrant
If you plan to join your family member who holds a valid 482 visa, consider applying for a Subsequent Entrant Visa. The requirements are:
- have a spouse or de facto partner or a parent who holds a valid 482 visa
- be nominated by the sponsor of the main applicant
- have adequate health insurance
- meet health and character requirements
- hold a valid visa if you are onshore
What are the costs?
The cost depends on the main applicant’s visa stream, whether it’s Core Skills, Specialist Skills, or Labour Agreement stream.
However, if the main applicant holds a TSS or 457 visa, then the subsequent entrant visa cost is:
- main applicant: AUD3,210
- additional applicant charge for applicants 18 and over: AUD3,210
- additional applicant charge for applicants under 18: AUD805
Source: Department of Home Affairs – Skills in Demand Visa (subclass 482) Subsequent Entrant
Requirements and Costs for Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional Visa (subclass 494) Subsequent Entrant
The requirements for the Subsequent Entrant Visa of a 494 visa holder are:
- You must be under 45 years old.
- You must have a family member who holds a valid 494 visa.
- You must be nominated by the sponsor/employer of the family member.
- You must have at least a Functional English level.
- You must meet the character and health requirements.
How much does it cost?
This subsequent entrant visa costs AUD 4,910. However, if you cannot meet the Functional English level, you must pay an additional charge of AUD 4,890.
How to Apply for the Subsequent Entrant Visa
Once you have understood and confirmed you have met all requirements, follow these steps to apply for the Subsequent Entrant Visa:
- Gather all supporting documents: some supporting documents you must prepare, including evidence of your relationship and dependency with the main visa holder, financial support, police checks, and identity documents.
- Complete the online application form: it is available on ImmiAccount. Ensure you have filled out the correct online form for the Subsequent Entrant Visa.
- Pay the Visa application charge: ensure the total visa application charge is correct for each dependent applying.
- Submit the online application form: you can submit it through ImmiAccount.
Submitting a Subsequent Entrant Visa is straightforward if you understand the requirements and have all the required documents. By following all steps, you can join your family member in Australia without hassle. However, if you need assistance in collecting the documents or to ensure the Subsequent Entrant Visa is the best option, consider discussing it with our Registered Migration Agent. You can connect with them here.
What are the processing times?
The processing time for each Subsequent Entrant Visa varies depending on the visa subclass. However, you can expect anywhere from several weeks to several months.
You can track the progress of your application by checking your ImmiAccount. The Department of Home Affairs will change the application status regularly.
What will you get by holding a Subsequent Entrant Visa?
- Work rights: the Subsequent Entrant Visa allows you to work legally in Australia. However, you must pay attention to the stated condition, as limitations may apply. For example, for the Subsequent Entrant Visa of 500, the Visa may have limited work rights, as the 500 Visa also has limited work hours.
- Study rights: the Subsequent Entrant Visa also allows you to study in Australia
- Travel rights: you can travel from and to Australia while your Subsequent Entrant Visa is still valid.
We can help you
If you plan to apply for the Subsequent Entrant Visa, our visa consultants are ready to help. Contact us via email at [email protected], phone at 1300 827 159, or WhatsApp at +61494372414. Alternatively, you can book your consultation online, backed by our 100% Money-Back Guarantee Program.
