Two new permanent residence visa streams for Hong Kong and British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders have been introduced as part of the Australian Government’s commitment to strengthening ties with Hong Kong.
Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, Alex Hawke said Australia has delivered on its July 2020 commitment to providing a pathway to permanent residence for people from Hong Kong.
“These new visas will provide a pathway for temporary graduates and temporary skilled workers from Hong Kong currently in Australia on extended visas and will build on the already close family connections and economic ties with Hong Kong that have existed for many years,” Minister Hawke said.
The pathways to permanent residence will open on 5 March 2022 for eligible Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) (BNO) passport holders, through two new visa streams:
- Subclass 191 – the Hong Kong (regional) stream – for primary visa holders who were usually resident in Australia for a continuous period of at least three years immediately before applying and who lived, worked and studied exclusively in a designated regional area for that period, while holding the qualifying visa.
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Subclass 189 – the Hong Kong stream – for primary visa holders who were usually resident in Australia for a continuous period of at least four years immediately before applying, and who held the qualifying visa during that period.
“These dedicated and simpler visa streams for Hong Kong nationals will attract skills and talent and build business links, helping to boost productivity and create further job opportunities for Australians,” Minister Hawke said.
There are approximately 8,800 existing temporary skilled, temporary graduate and student visa holders who will be eligible for these new visas.
More information about the pathways to permanent residence for Hong Kong and BNO passport holders is available on the
Department of Home Affairs website.
