On 9 July 2020 the Australian Government announced new visa arrangements for Hong Kong passport holders. These included visa extensions and a pathway to permanent residence.
For more information see New visa options for Hong Kong.
Subject to amendments being made to the Migration Regulations 1994, these arrangements will shortly be extended to British National (Overseas) (BNO) passport holders.
Under the new arrangements:
- BNO passport holders, who held a temporary graduate or temporary skilled visa on 9 July 2020, will be eligible to have their visa extended for five years. This would be up to 8 July 2025.
- Temporary graduate and temporary skilled visa applicants with BNO passports who applied after 9 July 2020 will be eligible for five year visas.
- For those who live, work and study exclusively in regional Australia, the pathway to permanent residence would be available after three years.
- Similar visa pathways for Hong Kong and BNO passport holders are offered by the United Kingdom and Canada.
Check this page for updates, including when the arrangements will commence.