Over the past few years, the number of Australian nationals looking to immigrate to the United Kingdom has increased immensely. This is due to the fact that the UK offers Australians access to a global job market and excellent study opportunities. 

In fields such as Healthcare and Engineering, many Australians prefer to explore their options within the UK market. There are several routes available to Australian citizens that are looking to immigrate, and the application process differs according to the applicant’s location and where they’re applying from.

If the applicant is applying from Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, or Perth, the process is different from applications originating from Hobart or Adelaide. Your visa type depends upon the purpose of your visit. For example, if you’re looking to move to study, a study visa route will be the best way to apply and you always have the option of switching your immigration route once you graduate. 

Australians with British Relatives

If you have relatives who have an indefinite leave to remain or British citizenship, you are eligible to apply through the “Family Visa Route”. This would enable you to stay for up to 2 and a half years and you would always have an opportunity to extend the visa if needed.

To qualify for this visa type, you must be able to provide proof of your relationship with your relative. You should also be able to prove that you will be residing with your relative during your stay and they should have enough room to accommodate you. 

If the applicant has a British grandparent, here are some of the requirements that the Australian applicant will need to fulfil to apply for an ancestry visa:

  • Must be at least 17 or more when applying
  • Can provide proof of birth of grandparents within the UK
  • Must be a citizen of the commonwealth (Australian Citizens do meet this requirement)
  • Must show intent to seek employment within the UK
  • Meet minimum financial requirements to prove that you can support yourself within the UK
  • TB certificates may also be needed in certain cases.

The Ancestry Visa allows Australian applicants to stay in the UK for up to 5 years after which individuals can apply for indefinite leave to remain, thus allowing them to stay within the UK indefinitely.

Spousal Visa for Australians

For Australians with a British spouse, the spouse visa route might be the best fit. This is because the visa enables you to work within the UK, as long as you are in a valid relationship with your partner. 

To qualify for this visa type, Australians must be able to provide proof that the relationship is genuine and that the marriage is valid. The relationship should be at least 2 years old if you are not married. The applicant must be living with the spouse during this time. 

The financial requirements of this visa type include a minimum of £18,600 per year. An additional financial requirement is needed if children are planning to immigrate to the UK as well with £3,800 per year if there is only one child or £2,400/year for each additional child. Remember, if you are self-employed, your sponsor must meet all financial requirements. 

Student Visa

Australian citizens need a student visa to enter the UK for study purposes. To apply for a student visa, Australians must be admitted to a full-time course/program at University. The visa process is only able to start after the acceptance and payment of the deposit. This document is submitted to an embassy near you alongside your visa application.

Other Visa Types for Australians

If you do not have any sort of British relative or spouse, there are several other visa routes that Australians can explore. 

These include:

  1. Business Visas
  2. Talent Visas
  3. Skilled Worker Visa
  4. Short Term Work Visas and many more

Typically Australians can easily seek a visa on arrival for short-term stays. However, upon arrival, it is still required for Australians to explain the reason for their visit, and show proof of funds to support themselves during their period of stay. They may also have to explain how they’d be able to arrange accommodation and should have proof of return travel arrangements.

Conclusion

It is always recommended to get in touch with experienced immigration lawyers to discuss your case in detail before filing your application. This is because they can ensure that there is no missing documentation and that you fulfil all the necessary criteria for your visa route type. 

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